As this circle is described as a friendly place, I'm sure that discussing alternate speaker technologies will be welcomed and questions answered very usefully. Has anyone heard any of the Pure Audio Project open baffle systems? I know that these aren't DIY designs and perhaps a bit overpriced, but in terms of actual performance would they approach the SOTA?
They typically use pairs of upgraded Eminence Alpha 15 woofers per side and either Tang Band, Voxativ or Heil AMT HF/MF drivers.
http://www.pureaudioproject.com/product/trio15tb-open-baffle-speakers/ http://www.pureaudioproject.com/product/trio15-voxativ-open-baffle-speakers/http://www.pureaudioproject.com/product/trio15-heil-amt-open-baffle-speakers/They are ~95db and their chief rep Ze’ev said that bass is down to 30Hz is achieved at only 20" from the rear wall.
Ze’ev said that his Bottlehead 2.5 watt 2A3 amp driving his pair sounds best to his ears. Not surprisingly, he did add that it doesn't sound very dynamic, but claimed that the quality of the highs and mids well made up for it.
He also claims that they chose the modded Alpha 15 woofers-over the otherwise excellent Acoustic Elegance woofers-because they cross high with the driver above, and because you get full range response at low listening levels. When asked about active crossovers, Ze’ev didn’t recommend them, saying that better performance is attained by swapping in better caps, via the solderless crossover boards.
If I don’t go with one of these OBs, my other choice is very different: A pair of restored Quad 57s, raised 15 to 20" with a pair of Rythmik 12" sealed servo subs. Ct0517 did this and is very happy with the results.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-quad-57https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdxYeaRM-XXHJBWjfax8DI4M88DKHY1fumYPyNvfgCb1C7pXrLJQQK57JzLU7kYw?key=ZkJTeDBrTWFiT1ozdlY4VmQzUHpQZmo3cER2WE9nClearly, this is not an easy choice. I might be lucky enough to hear the Quads locally next month. Would anyone in the New York area care to play their PAP OBs for me? And has anyone heard both speakers?
Aside from bass response, how do they compare on soundstage size in all dimensions beyond the speakers, imaging, detail, tonality, midrange, midbass?
