Well, I just wanted to report back after spending a little time with these new Encores. I'm not an audiophile writer so I'll keep it in simple layman's terms. These speakers sound better than they look and the looks raise the bar high. The highs are crisp but not fatiguing. The lows are nice and tight when they should be. I was a bit surprised how low they get. Looking at the midrange drivers, they are so compact that I'd think that they gave me two tweeters but the midrange and midbass is outstanding. Overall, the music feels so present.....especially sounds like the kick drum where you hear the pad actually strike the drum before the remainder of sound reaches you (if that makes any sense). The detail in these are unlike any speakers that I've owned....or even auditioned. I can't remember the song, but the percussionist was striking a wooden block and I heard the same type of detail as I did with the kick. The detail was so amazing that I could almost tell what species of wood was used in the block.....and the stick!!
Jim and his crew are top notch. The shipping company "dented" one of the boxes near the top....near the Be tweeter!!! However, Salk does such a great job in making sure these boxes have plenty of cushion around the speakers that the shippers would have to try to damage them on purpose.
I'm thrilled and it was totally worth the wait!!! I think I waited about 4 months when all was said and done. However, when I ordered these, he had not even completed and tested his first pair that he took to Chicago. So, my wait was probably a little longer than most.....plus it took me at least 2 weeks to figure out what finish I wanted. Regardless, the wait was worth it!!!!!
Jim and team, thank you so much for an outstanding loudspeaker. I couldn't be happier!!
Mickey