AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Salk Signature Sound => Topic started by: AliG on 24 Jan 2009, 06:26 pm
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My GOD... I was stunned when Jim sent me these pictures :o :o :o.. never in my entire life I would imagine owning such beauty..freaking hell... Jim... can you build me another pair :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
(http://www.salksound.com/gallery/ob/ob-tineo.jpg)
(http://www.salksound.com/gallery/ob/ob-tineo-2.jpg)
Jim still haven't decided on the name yet... right now...he 'tentatively' call it "Salk AURA". :wink:
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What's the difference between these and the previous model that looks like these....I forget the name?
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:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:
What is the veneer?
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Joshk, the difference is in the tweeter, the previous one uses a dome tweeter. This version uses a ribbon G2.
Jim is still working on a 'better' version using a AE 6.5" mid. But I'm leaving the country in Feb (next month!) so I couldn't wait for that new version. I heard the PHL mid in the "Pharos" speaker and I didn't hear anything wrong with it.
carusoracer, the veneer is tineo.. :wink:
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Looking good Barry! :thumb:
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Gorgeous!
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That feathered edge paint is an extremely clever way of making it possible to use veneer on the baffles. I'm surprised no one else has thought of it before. Would be of interest to DIYers as well.
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Arthurs, thanks! You have the best looking room in the world, and an awesome system. I hope one day i get to build one like yours. (oh well.. one day one day.. :wink:)
Looking good Barry! :thumb:
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Holy crap Barry! :o :drool:
Will you have a chance to listen to them in your current room before you leave the country? I would be very interested in hearing your opinion of the differences you hear between these and your HT3's.
Congrats to you!!
Mark
*EDIT* Jim, I really like your choice of the background you used for these pics. Clever!
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Just beautiful :thumb:
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Wow, I really love the way the grain widens around the woofer and tightens in around the tweeter; that is very clever book matching.
So, how do they sound?
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Those are beautiful. Jim has done it again. Congrats!
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Beyond stunning!!
Makes me want a pair, regardless of how they sound.
:drool: :drool: :drool:
George
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Very beautiful finish, and unique design. Jim has gone beyond artist and is now just a magician! Also, I bet those have a high WAF. :D
Please post a review after you have a chance to play with them in your system.
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could these be configured for bi-amping somehow? Just seems a nice meaty SS amp on the bottom coupled with a smooooooth tube at the top would be ideal.
Beautiful speakers by the way :D
So are these above or below the HT3 price wise?
jamie
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jamie -
could these be configured for bi-amping somehow?
They are.
Just seems a nice meaty SS amp on the bottom coupled with a smooooooth tube at the top would be ideal.
That would certainly be possible. But at about 93.5db sensitivity, it may not be all that necessary.
Beautiful speakers by the way :D
So are these above or below the HT3 price wise?
Yes, we haven't set the price yet, but we are aiming for about $3995 per pair, perhaps slightly more.
- Jim
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Thanks for all your kind words! :D
mpaulsen, I don't know how they sound, but knowing Jim, I bet these open-baffles sound pretty close to the HT3. The HT3 is probably still Jim's best speaker to date. I told him he should 'hurry-up' and finish the design of his "ULTIMATE" speaker then I'll be the first to place the order.
Unfortunately I don't think I'll have the time to properly set it up and compare against my HT3, because I'll be busy packing in the coming weeks. But in two months time, I'll have a 25ft x 18ft x 10ft dedicated listening room, and I'll be able to do a proper shoot out. :wink:
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Hi AliG,
I have heard this particular phl midrange driver on my occasions mated with a ribbon tweeter. It is sounds very good, transparent and plenty of detail.
The aeg driver must be very good.
I hope you enjoy this speaker.
Regards
Rod
ps which country are you going to live in?
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Rod, I'll be going to a city called "Kota Kinabalu" - East of Malaysia. I plan to be there for 4 years, enjoying the snorkeling and fresh seafood.. :drool: :drool:
There're plenty of gorgeous islands around the city... :wink:
(http://www.visit-malaysia.com/images/photo-leisure-02.jpg)(http://www.visit-malaysia.com/images/photo-leisure-03.jpg)
(http://www.visit-malaysia.com/images/photo-scuba-02.jpg)(http://www.visit-malaysia.com/images/photo-scuba-03.jpg)
Hi AliG,
I have heard this particular phl midrange driver on my occasions mated with a ribbon tweeter. It is sounds very good, transparent and plenty of detail.
The aeg driver must be very good.
I hope you enjoy this speaker.
Regards
Rod
ps which country are you going to live in?
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:thumb:
They look great AliG... so does your new island home! :green:
When you get the chance, I too, would be interested in reading how they compare to your HT3s... safe travels.
Cheers.
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Those are stupendous! WOW! :drool:
So, has a name been settled on yet, or are they just the open baffle Salk speakers? :lol:
AliG - that place looks amazing. I think you'll enjoy it. ;)
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Both your speakers and your new residence look incredible :drool:
Best of luck :thumb:
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Hi AliG,
Well the location looks really good and I hope you enjoy yourself snorkling.
I'm going to Singapore and Malaysia in August for a holiday.
Regards
Rod
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They look marvelous !!! Once again...nice work Jim.... :thumb:
Enjoy those speakers Barry....looking forward to your comments.... :beer:
Chris
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August 2009?? I'll be chairing a conference at the twin-towers:
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc266/JacKiller83/KLCC_NIGHT.jpg)
If you want to check out local Hi-Fi scene, shoot me a pm and we can meet up for few hours, you can easily shake off your family by tell them to go shopping at one of the big malls - Suria KLCC or Mid Valley Mega Mall. The risk is that you may not have money left to buy new speakers for the the next several years :lol: :lol: :green:
Hi AliG,
Well the location looks really good and I hope you enjoy yourself snorkling.
I'm going to Singapore and Malaysia in August for a holiday.
Regards
Rod
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Rod, I'll be going to a city called "Kota Kinabalu" - East of Malaysia. I plan to be there for 4 years, enjoying the snorkeling and fresh seafood.. :drool: :drool:
There're plenty of gorgeous islands around the city... :wink:
(http://www.visit-malaysia.com/images/photo-leisure-02.jpg)(http://www.visit-malaysia.com/images/photo-leisure-03.jpg)
(http://www.visit-malaysia.com/images/photo-scuba-02.jpg)(http://www.visit-malaysia.com/images/photo-scuba-03.jpg)
Hi AliG,
Wow,
Nice pictures!!
Let me know if you need help moving :lol:
Good luck looks like a beautiful place.
I have heard this particular phl midrange driver on my occasions mated with a ribbon tweeter. It is sounds very good, transparent and plenty of detail.
The aeg driver must be very good.
I hope you enjoy this speaker.
Regards
Rod
ps which country are you going to live in?
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Joshk, the difference is in the tweeter, the previous one uses a dome tweeter. This version uses a ribbon G2.
Jim is still working on a 'better' version using a AE 6.5" mid. But I'm leaving the country in Feb (next month!) so I couldn't wait for that new version. I heard the PHL mid in the "Pharos" speaker and I didn't hear anything wrong with it.
carusoracer, the veneer is tineo.. :wink:
So you have heard the new speaker and Pharos, both? I would love to hear your thoughts on the new one when you get them set up. Personally, I love what Jim did with my design. The look he gave it is absolutely fabulous. This is certainly one of my favorite speakers ever, not just in how they sound, but also in how they look. They are dynamic, efortlessly clean, and very open...and they are truly a work of art in their beauty. It's up to Jim, but I think the version with the G2 ribbon may become the standard version of the speaker. As for the midrange, we will have to wait and see how things turn out. Availability is part of the issue, but I am very happy with the performance of the PHL and that's why I used it in the Pharos and in the original version of the new speaker. In this type of application as a high efficiency midrange the PHL is really a top of the line performer and takes a back seat to nothing else. The Lambda TD12H woofer is step up from anything else in this class, so I think the combination of drivers you have are exceptional and very hard to beat. As Jim said, the sensitivity is a true 93.5 dB, maybe a touch higher actually, based on what I have seen on the computer. The impedance is nominally 8 ohms with a small easy drop to around 5 ohms in the upper bass, but with a very easy phase angle. The impedance maximum above the box peaks is only 10 ohms, so it is a very stable load to drive. Most any amp should be happy with these. In the top end they are a flat resistive 7 ohms - no ultrasonic issues here. We all have our talents, but as a crossover guy I am really amazed at what Jim and his guys can do with these works of art in veneer.
Jeff B.
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Hi Jeff,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the speakers. According to FedEx tracking, I will receive it on Wednesday, I hope it doesn't take me too long to hook it up. Then I will post my opinion on it. :thumb:
barry
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Barry:
Two words - Absolutely stunning.
Now that you are leaving in February it appears I will have to order my own set in order to compare them to the Pharos.
It is like we discussed, Jim is an absolute Master and I flat out know you will not be disappointed.
Since Jeff did the cross over, there is no way to have it constructed any better than what you have.
When he sent me the pictures of the Pharos I had them up on my screen at work and my supervisor walked in and said "Wow, bet you cannot wait to receive those".
BTW - if you need to leave a place to store them for the four years that you are gone, I know the absolute perfect room.
Enjoy and my best congratulations to you on having a really beautiful set of speakers.
John
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John, thanks for your gracious words!!! :thumb: :thumb:
Guess what appeared at my door today.. aa aa
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=16827)
Barry:
Two words - Absolutely stunning.
Now that you are leaving in February it appears I will have to order my own set in order to compare them to the Pharos.
It is like we discussed, Jim is an absolute Master and I flat out know you will not be disappointed.
Since Jeff did the cross over, there is no way to have it constructed any better than what you have.
When he sent me the pictures of the Pharos I had them up on my screen at work and my supervisor walked in and said "Wow, bet you cannot wait to receive those".
BTW - if you need to leave a place to store them for the four years that you are gone, I know the absolute perfect room.
Enjoy and my best congratulations to you on having a really beautiful set of speakers.
John
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Woot!
Can't wait for your impressions.
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Sorry but not my cup of tea to see "exposed speakers," But interesting from an acoustic and DIY point of view.
I think I will hang onto my HT3s.
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I have no CLUE as to what the Open Baffle speakers sounds like and what kind of music is bet represented and to whom it caters to...
Anyone????
Regards
HP
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I have no CLUE as to what the Open Baffle speakers sounds like and what kind of music is bet represented and to whom it caters to...
Anyone????
Regards
HP
Probably kind of hard to paint with broad strokes and categorize how Open Baffle speakers sound. Also keep in mind, only the mid and tweeter are open baffle, the woofer is not.
As to whom this and all other Salk speakers caters to...that's easy, anybody who enjoys listening to music! :dance:
George
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It's my understanding that Jim introduced this design as a highly efficient alternative that could easily be driven by lower wattage tube amps. Seeing as how the HT3s are such a hungry speaker, this idea makes a lot of sense, and helps to round out the line-up.
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Right--it fills a void for tube lovers at the expense of some bass response, and it also provides the opportunity to experience the rather unique open-baffle midrange sound. BTW--the tweeter is not open baffle. Just the mid. There's only one G2 tweet, and it's sealed.
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Right--it fills a void for tube lovers at the expense of some bass response, and it also provides the opportunity to experience the rather unique open-baffle midrange sound. BTW--the tweeter is not open baffle. Just the mid. There's only one G2 tweet, and it's sealed.
Thanks for the correction Dennis. :thumb:
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That low end driver is a perfect match for the tube amplifiers.
On the speakers that Jim constructed for me and with how Jeff configured the cross over, you have a system that will deliver the bass response.
Barry will not only have a really nice sounding bass end but it is also going to be very tight.
I have a Leonard Cohen record album and the sound reproduction is very natural and realistic.
This set up does an excellent job of making you feel that the artist is present and making the speaker disappear.
Barry - Sarah loaned me her Atma-Spheres, so maybe this time I will get to hear an OTL that has a bottom end.
The Einstein had a wonderful midrange but there was nothing else except the mids, very disappointing, especially when considering the cost of that amplifier.
Enjoy and only the best on your move to your new home.
You have my home email, so stay in touch,
John
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Enjoy the Atma-Sphere gear. They pretty much build exactly the kind of gear I want. Love their amps. Enjoy the Auras as well. They certainly are beautiful.
-Michael
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Barry, any thoughts on how they sound? any pics of the setup? Inquiring minds want to know :D
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Barry, any thoughts on how they sound? any pics of the setup? Inquiring minds want to know :D
I agree please don't leave us like this: :lol:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=16827)
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Rydenfan,
I'm really sorry for the delay, I am so busy packing my other stuff and only until tonight I managed to open one of the boxes. Oh, boy, this open baffle speaker is bigger than I expected, the HT3 looks a little 'underwhelmed' along side :green:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=18097)
I have to apologise for this bad picture, taken under extreme low light with a cheap point-and-shoot camera. :duh:
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Looks good Barry..... :beer:
So....lets get them "hooked up"....have to make sure their working OK after their trip from Jim's.... :wink:
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Barry,
Congratulations on the new gig!
Those new open baffles are simply stunning. :drool:
Love the wood.
Best of luck in your new digs. :thumb:
Jeff
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Finally finally, I got both speakers hooked up, I didn't bother to put 'spikes' on the speakers because I was just going to listen briefly to make sure that everything sound 'alright' before I ship it home.
As it turned out, not only did everything sounded 'alright', the damned thing sounded "BRILLIANT"!!!!! :beer: :beer:
The open-baffle sounded very very similar to the HT3, granted, the bass doesn't go as low as the 10" TC Sound woofer of the HT3, but I'm not a bass-guy, when I play my favourite Jazz/Vocal/classical, the open-baffle sounded every bit just as good as the HT3. There's a little bit more 'ambience' due to the reflection off the front wall from the midrange driver, the image is more 'diffused' and 3D, as a result the location of each instrument is not as precise as the HT3 - this is a trade-off that potential buyers have to consider before making the final decision.
All in all, I really like the open baffle, I thank Jim for creating such a wonder speakers. Fsimms is coming right now to take a listen, he is a better writer than me, so I'll get him to share his opinion too.
Associated equipments:
Audio Research CD7
Dodd Battery Preamp
McIntosh MC275
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the open-baffle sounded every bit just as good as the HT3
Wow! That is very high praise indeed! I agree with all Barry’s objective comments. The voice seemed to be smoother than with my HT1’s. Barry said that that was due to his McIntosh 2275 tube amps. We played Dave Brubeck’s Time Out CD. When the piano played, Barry and I were floored by the excellent reproduction. I felt that I could touch and smell the piano. The piano and sax sounded fantastic! They were better than with my HT1’s in my own system. The McIntosh may have had a lot to do with the great improvement. My McCormack amp isn’t bad though. The drums were excellent too. The bass was not that good but that might be due to the tube amp.
The Aura’s didn’t seem to suffer from compression, which I really liked. The excitement in the music wasn’t as much as with my HT1’s. When I play music like the Eagle’s Hell Freezes Over LP on the HT1’s, I am sweating and breathless from the excitement. When Barry played the XRCD version, I didn’t get the feeling that I was on stage with the musicians.
All and all, it was a stellar performance from the Aura’s. They are a welcome addition to the Salk dynasty.
Bob
PS Jim I bet you didn't know you had a dynasty! :lol:
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Rydenfan,
I'm really sorry for the delay, I am so busy packing my other stuff and only until tonight I managed to open one of the boxes. Oh, boy, this open baffle speaker is bigger than I expected, the HT3 looks a little 'underwhelmed' along side :green:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=18097)
I have to apologise for this bad picture, taken under extreme low light with a cheap point-and-shoot camera. :duh:
That picture puts a big 'ol smile on my face. Enjoy bud! :thumb: