Speaker Porn

[swt61]

Well my guess is that I'd choose a tune and stick with it. Most likely the flat setting. There's also an optional box that I believe has room correction among other things. I'm sure I'd opt for that. 

A system this basic appeals to me for a bedroom or office.

My main system will for the foreseeable future consist of separates, incompassing an analog turntable and a CD transport, as well as a streamer.

Edited July 21, 2023 by swt61

[dsavitsk]

3 hours ago, swt61 said:

These Buchardt Audio Anniversary 10 are supposed to be amazing.

When I first saw them, I thought the woofer was blown out.

Different tuning can be had through the App.

I have the base version of these. The upgraded ones Steve linked to use a more expensive driver, and possibly better amps. They are remarkable in their ability to do deep bass . They are also remarkable in their ability to sound like just about any speaker you like. The DSP is fun.

2 hours ago, Knuckledragger said:

That's really neat, but I am suspect of any device that requires an app to make full use of its features.

The tunings are done via a USB dongle that you insert. And as Steve guessed, you basically find the tuning you like and stick with it. The app isn't necessary, or really even very useful. I'm not sure I've ever used it. I just keep a download of all the tunings in case I want to change it - in practice I never do.

Additionally, repairs are pretty easy and the warranty is long. In the event of an issue, they basically send you a whole module complete with streamer, dac, amp, etc. A few screws and one cable and it's done. The biggest issue would be the company going under.

Sound quality is quite good. They aren't perfect at all, but for the cost you'd be hard pressed to buy speakers, amps, dac, streamer and cables that compared.

That said, I am probably jumping ship before too long. But that has more with a desire to build something weird and esoteric, and to play with tubes again. So if anyone is interested in a good deal on some of these hit me up. Mine have the Primare SC15 which can be included, or not. I am happy to keep it.

 

Edited July 22, 2023 by dsavitsk

[Knuckledragger]

I'm really glad that these speakers aren't yet more e-waste.  The planet sure doesn't need it.

Also, speaker porn:

Via reddit.  This fella has really good taste in hip hop.

Also boomer folk.

 

[skullguise]

I lust a bit after those Buchardt Audio Anniversary 10's....they use the Purifi woofer, which is supposed to be a dynamic, high-excursion, low distortion, and really good sounding driver.....

Edited July 22, 2023 by skullguise

[Knuckledragger]

Nice vintage Quad 303s with a side of ...a Bose soundbar.  O_o

Are 303 amps stereo?  I thought they were monoblocks. 

[Craig Sawyers]

303's are stereo. I have a 33/303 + FM4 as my system in the kitchen feeding Mordaunt Short ceiling stpeakers. Fiber feed to a cheap D/A from the TV, and roof aerial to feed the FM4.

The 303 is just about bullet proof. We used to use them in the mid 70's as disco amps. They had herbal smoke, beer and heaven knows what else ingested into them. Dented cases - and they just shrugged it off and just kept working.

Edited July 23, 2023 by Craig Sawyers

[Grahame]

Ah the Quad 33 / 303 combo. My Father had one which he then passed on to me.

https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/quad-303-amp-33-preamp/

The 33 pre amp can output in Stereo, or mono, to either or both output channels, by means of the (very 70's) orange push buttons.

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/quad/33.shtml

303 Bullet Proof?

"The amplifier is unconditionally stable and may be used with any load."

The 303 Power amp was stereo, but could be adapted to mono operation

"The two channels may be used together or independently but the two outputs should not be paralleled without incorporating some form of current sharing network."

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/quad/303.shtml

https://www.dadaelectronics.eu/uploads/downloads/05_Other-Quad-Documents/Quad-303-Monoblock-Instructions.pdf

https://t-linespeakers.org/FALL/Q303.html

There was a dedicated "pro" monoblock - the 50E.

"The Quad 50E is a single channel amplifier designed for Broadcast, Recording and other applications in the audio industry."

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/quad/50e.shtml

Edited July 23, 2023 by Grahame

[swt61]

The Quad gear of that time certainly had it's own unique style. And those Celestion speakers were highly rated.

I coveted the Celestion SL700 at that time. I also loved the Cyrus gear. I had a Mission CD player that I really loved.

[Knuckledragger]

 

[skullguise]

Very stylish!  Even back to the chair....

Maybe 2 years ago, I was on a call with a vendor/consultant and we were doing video, not just audio.  After the "business" portion of the call ended I asked him to stay on if he had time for something non-business.

The background of his video showed some Focal speakers (in his NYC loft!).  They turned out to be Sopra 3's (> $25K/pr).  I joked that they were charging too much, but we ended up chatting audio and music for almost another 1/2 hour.  One of my favorite business calls ever.

[swt61]

I never really liked the top end of Focal/JM Labs.

[Knuckledragger]

Focal Aria 936s.

[Dusty Chalk]

You know, all the attention was on the Utopia, Utopia Be, Mini Utopia, and Grand Utopias, but there was a nice little 3-way (tweeter/mid/woofer) which I don't remember that was only a couple of thou that I almost bought (back when I headily thought I could keep up with the Joneses, so to speak).  Anyone know what I am talking about?  It might have been the Alto Utopia.

[Grahame]

Kids  Colabs Today!

 

 

[Craig Sawyers]

Lotus, like so many car manufacturers, is majority or entirely owned by China, the far East or India (Jaguar).

Don't get me started on this soapbox....

Edited July 28, 2023 by Craig Sawyers

[naamanf]

On 7/25/2023 at 4:16 PM, swt61 said:

I never really liked the top end of Focal/JM Labs.

I deplored the pre BE Focals and Wilson audio speakers that used the same drivers. I’ve really liked to them since the BE. 

[swt61]

I wasn't aware of the change. I'll take an opportunity to listen to the newer versions.

[Knuckledragger]

I find the massive perspective distortion brought on by the tiny focal length of the wide angle lenses on phone cameras to be incredibly disorienting.

[Knuckledragger]

Via Reddit (as are most of these), a DIY Altec Voice of the Theater project:

 

Quote

Altec 415/416 woofers, 511b horns, 802d drivers, with a couple horn subs to help with the low end.

The system is actively equalized, with a MiniDSP 2x4 HD and MiniDSP PWR-ICE125 plate amps for the subs. HK Citation Eleven pre-amp with a Cictation Twelve Deluxe powering the mids, horns are powered with a Dynakit VTA ST-70, and the plate amps handle the subs individually for room correction.

 

Edited July 30, 2023 by Knuckledragger

[swt61]

I have not had the pleasure of listening to these Lansing tweeter arrays. Maybe one day. For a typical set of plywood boxes, the guy did a really nice job on the details. 

[Knuckledragger]

I'm jealous of this room.

[Dusty Chalk]

Because of the lighting?

[Knuckledragger]

[Looser101]

^ You posted that just to F with all the OCD'ers

[Dusty Chalk]

8 hours ago, Looser101 said:

^ You posted that just to F with all the OCD'ers

(insert serenity GIF here -- the one where Mal tries to come up with a retort, and fails, a look of mild exasperation crossing his face)