AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Salk Signature Sound => Topic started by: jsalk on 31 Oct 2012, 03:53 pm
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A little background...
About a year ago, a customer from NYC called and asked us to design "the best bookshelf speaker possible." He wanted a small speaker but wanted the best sound quality possible. We spent a lot of time talking about the music he listened to and the various drivers we might want to employ. Our custom RAAL ribbon was chosen first. When looking for the right midwoofer, we looked at Seas and ScanSpeak drivers. In the end, we (the customer and I) thought that the ScanSpeak Illuminator would best fit his needs. Of course, it would not be all that high in sensitivity, but that was judged not to be an issue. Sound quality was the main concern.
We finished the project just before an audiophile club had a meeting at our shop. These little monitors happened to be playing when people began to arrive and the first three questions we got were the same..."what sub are you using with these." Of course, there was no sub. People were amazed at the sound quality and the bass extension.
We never added the speaker to our web site for one reason...expense. This customer went all out...bamboo construction, ebony veneer, boutique caps, expensive binding posts, etc. It came to over $4000 and I just didn't think there would be a market for bookshelf speakers at that price. (The production price will be a little lower, but not that much as these are expensive drivers.)
As more and more people heard these speakers, they kept telling me we had to put them on our site. We received the same recommendations at RMAF and the recent Audioholics GTG.
So it is time to generate a name and put the design on our web site.
Here are some pictures...
(http://www.salksound.com/gallery/raal-illuminator/ri-ebony.jpg)
And a close-up...
(http://www.salksound.com/gallery/raal-illuminator/ri-ebony-cu.jpg)
The original customer suggested the names "Grand Salk Monitor (GSM)" and "Epiphany." But we'd like to open it up to your thoughts as well. If you have any ideas, let's hear them! We can't offer you a pair of speakers if your name is selected, but you will gain a level of satisfaction knowing your idea was a winner. And we can throw in a hat if you'd like.
- Jim
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I'll bite, how about the Raalinator?
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e-scape
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1. SM2 - Salk Mighty Mini
2. SM3 - Salk Mighty Mini Monitor
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Dwarf?
Bob
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Well you have a WOW1 Mini-Monitor. So perhaps WOWR1 Mini-Monitor (R denoting Raal)?
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Here's a few:
1. Salk Songbird
2. Salk Golden Sparrow
3. Salk Symphony Series
4. Salk Ceano (NOTE: "Ceano" = CNO = cost-no-object)
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My first thought-
Raaluminator / Illuminara
Given the season
Wraith / Song Spirit / Song Sprite
Small but mighty nature, and tie in to the Songbird-
Raptor
More classical, noting high value in small packages;
Salk Platinum
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Salk Reference Monitor
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Salk Star
Salk SoundStar
(or Salk StarScape) :D
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Salk Ceremony or Salk Raalumine :thumb:
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IlluminuSS (SS = Salk Sound)
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How about "I could have had a V8".
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Impostor
Chameleon
Surprise
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I vote for the Serendipity. (It's an in-joke)
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I vote for the Serendipity. (It's an in-joke)
No in jokes, Dennis! No fair to tease. Spill the beans!
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Since it's all alone and different fron the others - how bout Salk Renegade?
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Salk Reference Monitor
this
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Speaker
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SoundSculpture
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Salk SoundStar
My vote is for this one.
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Salk SoundStar
Yeah, I like this one, too.
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We can't offer you a pair of speakers if your name is selected, but you will gain a level of satisfaction knowing your idea was a winner.
- Jim
Why not? Your friend Frank Van Alstine gave away an amplifier the last time he had a naming contest (I believe that was for either the Ultravalve or Insight). One sample to the winner? Maybe even something a little less expensive, say Ellis 1801, or WOW1, or Continuum... Doesn't seem too unreasonable for the commercial value of a trademark.
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1) Salk Circini
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Circini (brightest star)
2) Salk Reference Monitor
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How about the Salk Ruminator -- nice integration of Raal and Illuminator and it gives you something to think about :) (ruminate -- to think deeply, ponder; ruminator -- one who ruminates).
OK, Ruminator might lack a certain amount of marketing cachet, so I'll also offer Salk Stanza. No need to wear out the Song series names, and if you build a bigger version some day, you can call it the Sonnet. :thumb:
Steve
(Proud owner of the "Heil Heavens")
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How about the Salk Ruminator -- nice integration of Raal and Illuminator and it gives you something to think about :) (ruminate -- to think deeply, ponder; ruminator -- one who ruminates).
OK, Ruminator might lack a certain amount of marketing cachet, so I'll also offer Salk Stanza. No need to wear out the Song series names, and if you build a bigger version some day, you can call it the Sonnet. :thumb:
Steve
(Proud owner of the "Heil Heavens")
I'm all in with your line of thinking.
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"Reference Mini" was my first thought, but on second thought I think the term "Reference" may not be a good one to use for this speaker.
Although I personally think I would prefer the ScanSpeak Illuminator woofers over the Seas Excel woofers used in other Salk speakers, it is because I would rather not use a subwoofer, and would be willing to sacrifice a few more dB of sensitivity in exchange for a little extra cone excursion and bass (and at a higher price).
Using "Reference" may give the impression that the Excels are not quite up to reference standard, which is not necessarily the case.
Steve
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How about Salk Mini R.I.
This could possibly have the potential to expand into to tower (R.I. tower) and (R.I.) center and in a new salk line.
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I dunno. I'm thinking Stan and Doris are perfectly good names. Just depends on whether you think these things are a boy or a girl.
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Salkie
.
.
:icon_lol:
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Salk
Ellipse Squared
or
Lil' Stunner
stun·ner (stnr)
n.
One that stuns, as:
a. An astounding, unexpected event.
b. An exceptionally good-looking person.
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SALKINATOR
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Sky
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I dunno. I'm thinking Stan and Doris are perfectly good names. Just depends on whether you think these things are a boy or a girl.
These are excellent Polish names and thereby reminded me of other names in my family. Up pops 'Sandy' in my brain....which is also the name of that powerful superstorm...which makes me think to call the speakers....
Salk Storm
(And now you know how a convoluted mind works.) :lol:
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My brain is mush this morning, and the creative juices are gone, so I'll just +1 to two that were already recommended:
Salk SoundStorm and Salk SoundStar :thumb:
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One last try
SoundSpirit
SolarFlare
Swan
I guess I will just have to send in my order for the speakers. :-)
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Passeriformes (in keeping with the bird theme)
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SoundScape Mini
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Soundscape mini monitor is easy to remember.
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Although it does't use the same open-back midrange which is kind of the signature of the SoundScape series.
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Although it does't use the same open-back midrange which is kind of the signature of the SoundScape series.
The precedent for a closed back speaker has already been set with the SS M7, but every SS is a 3-way, so I'm not sure it would fit in that series.
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My wife's suggestion is Salk Anthem.
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Salk Book
Not are if it should be one word or two, Salkbook
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The Salk Vaccine. :lol:
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Passeriformes (in keeping with the bird theme)
Passerine might be better; same idea. "Wren" might be less esoteric.
(My recently-turned-eleven year-old with a straight face suggestsed "poopydoop 8000." long pause. uncontrollable laughter.)
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Salk SoundSheer.
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Salk Silk, because the speakers are smooth as .....
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SoundScape Monitor
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1-salk soundwell
2-salk listenmaster 5000
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Salk SoundGenie (or Salk SongGenie)
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Salk WOWser. Hey. It's a joke. You're suppose to laugh. Out loud.
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Sound Shelf
Sound Shelf Monitor
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Greetings!
It's made out of bamboo, well a small bamboo shoot the Chineese call a "sun"
Salk Soundscape Sun. Because it is an illuminator ... loudspeaker. a Mini "sun"
In our solar system, our sun is called "SOL" and is a GV2 type star. It's a "sort of" Yellow dwarf star.
Is that the 70-20x Raal driver used there? Seems like it.
We've got planet x, why not Sun X ... Salk Soundscape Sun-X maybe? Sunray, Sunbeam, Solar, Sunlight (Being a small sun..) , Flare.. ,Spark. Photon...
Imperial.
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The Salk Sounders would do well here in Seattle. :wink:
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MiniScape or MicroScape
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How about Salk R.I monitor. R= Raal and I = Ilumminator. we even make a R.I series out of it. For example Salk R.I - TL, Salk R.I grand for bigger woofer.....
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How about Salk R.I monitor. R= Raal and I = Ilumminator. we even make a R.I series out of it. For example Salk R.I - TL, Salk R.I grand for bigger woofer.....
How about Salk Mini R.I.
This could possibly have the potential to expand into to tower (R.I. tower) and (R.I.) center and in a new salk line.
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The Salk Wonder
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thanks for bringing that up. Hehe...
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Thanks for bringing that up...hehe
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Personally, I like feminine names for equipment. Not something sweet sounding and forgettable like Veronica or Sylvia but more hard edged like Ethel or Agnes. Now there’s something people would remember.
You could borrow from the animal kingdom, but let’s assume all the good ones are taken, shall we? Who could forget the Salk Crocodile or Platypus? Hey, I think I’m onto something here.
Come to think of it, why do we hafta have all the eloquent names for speakers? We could just call them what they are, no? How about Small Sound Boxes or Rectangular Speakers.
Maybe the hit-you-between-the-eyes approach would have better name recognition and retention. Perhaps Salk Nasty B*stard, or Little Ballbuster…hmmm…
I know I’ve thrown out some good ones here, and you’re welcome to use them as you wish, Jim, but I would appreciate a small royalty. You know, just to reward the out-of-box creativity!
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How about something that speaks to how high you'd likely place them?
Altura
Horizon
Skyscape
or
Escape
S-scape
or
Vera (meaing edge or verge) Fits in with Veracity line?
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Soundbite? Really just kidding, I just couldn't help myself :thumb:
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Soundbite? Really just kidding, I just couldn't help myself :thumb:
My favorite one! Very clever. Lots of great suggestions in this thread.
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Here is one more i think might fit better then my other suggestion The Salk Wonder Window.
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My favorite one! Very clever. Lots of great suggestions in this thread.
I like that one even better than Stan or Doris.
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I like that one ever better than Stan or Doris.
Those were going to be my suggestions.
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Soundbite = nice!
bite says small and punchy. love it
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Shoot, if you guys name it Soundbite I'll have to buy a pair! How do I explain this to my wife? Happy listening to all of you this Friday night.
Paul
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Salk Mine (it goes deep!)
Stinger
SBM (Small But Mighty)
Black Hole (tiny but powerful, and they disappear like no other)
Mini Mite
Vavoom (remember the little guy on Felix the Cat? tiny but a very powerful voice)
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Salk Bow Chicka Bow Wow. Very sexy name.
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I heard these at the Audioholics event and I was impressed with this speaker. I came up with these that came to mind when I thought of my listening experience:
Salk Finesse
Salk Premiere
Salk UC. Ultimate Concept
Salk Majestic Monitor
Salk Shock and Awe Monitor
Salk Titan Mini
Salk Mammoth Mini Monitor or 3M for short
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My wife likes
3m mighty mini monitor.
I just checked my build status for my Soundscape8's. I am at deposit received. Yea me!
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Salk soundscape 1
Salk soundscape 2. (2way speaker). Or ss m2. For monitor
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Salk Illumiraals
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Salk Samuri
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The Salk RAALsCanSpeak Super-Monitor.
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i also love the SoundBite name.
Its really funny that i saw this just now, me and another friend of mine were just talking last night about how awesome it would be if Salk were to make a speaker using the illuminator and the RAAL tweeter. Cuase he just finished building a little monitor with the illuminator and a dome tweeter, the Morel, and it sounded pretty fantastic, but i was thinking of how much better it would sound with a DM crossover and the RAAL. Id love to hear this little monster
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Soundbite? Really just kidding, I just couldn't help myself :thumb:
Best one so far! Just my opinion, of course.
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So, could this be the official name Salksound SB (Soundbite) monitor. I like that name, too.
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Soundbite connotes a negative feeling for me so I'm voting for Doris. :thumb:
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sound bite sounds like a cheap computer speaker...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834997560
http://www.amazon.com/iLive-Sound-Bluetooth-Wireless-Speaker/dp/B0073MP23S
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The SoundWrap 8)
Wraps you in sound...
...and it's made with a ribbon.
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Soundbite connotes a negative feeling for me so I'm voting for Doris. :thumb:
Wise Man. I see all of those sound bite computer speakers on New Egg and Amazon are unavailable. Looks like Jim already bought out the name. He's assembling quite an empire. I'm betting Bose is next on the list. No wonder he asked me to order a bunch of cheap electrolytic capacitors.
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Wise Man. I see all of those sound bite computer speakers on New Egg and Amazon are unavailable. Looks like Jim already bought out the name. He's assembling quite an empire. I'm getting Bose is next on the list. No wonder he asked me to order a bunch of cheap electrolytic capacitors.
Speaking of buying a name how about recoining the old JBL name "Dorian". You might guess where I'm going with this one. Wink2
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I'll throw in...
Radiant
Prophecy
Sharp
Lucid
or in a different direction...
Spitfire
Vixen
Hellcat
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Aermuse
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Salk sound gazers
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Illumenrallenlautsprecher
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Illumenrallenlautsprecher
A WHAT.........khakhakha. I love it.
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RAILs. RAAL ILluminator :)
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Salkie (Salky?)
Bob
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Salk Serenade
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Salk Serenade
:thumb:
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Salk Rally. As in: to revive one's spirit or reanimate; gather fresh strength or reinvigorate.
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Salk Shaker or Mini Salk Shaker
Rail Mini
Raal Thing
Rail Thing
Salk Real Thing or Salk Raal Thing, Salk Rail Thing (If Raal legaliese allows you to use the name??)
Raaluminator
Raalinator, Salk Raalinator,
Mini Raalinator
I didn't read the whole thread so I may look really dumb but have you an idea of cost,stock finish etc???
These are a great idea by the way..... :thumb:
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Salk Symphonette 8)
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Salk Resonators!!!
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Salk Renaissance
BTW anyone know how and when the name is going to be chosen for these little beauts? How about a preliminary or final vote, with JS veto power?
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Ralvoxator
Raal on top, Illuminator on the bottom, voice in the middle.
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Something dignified, like Swan or Swallow.
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Salk DynoMite (D)Dennis (M)Murphy
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Lumen
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How 'bout the "WAF -1" or, to be more current, "iWAF .1"
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I dont Know, but, I want to build it.
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How 'bout the "WAF -1" or, to be more current, "iWAF .1"
This name has already been used by a speaker manufacturer.
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Salk Soundburst
as in so much sound comes out of so little an area
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Salk Soundburst
as in so much sound comes out of so little an area
...and it looks like what is called a "sunburst" finish on a guitar. I personally don't like the look, but Soundburst is a great name for it!
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Salk Evolution
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Playing off the "scape" in Soundscape I'll suggest The Salk "Vista"
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Rhythm
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Escape---a path to musical bliss
Waiting patiently :D
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Kestrel (smallest of the falcon family)
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Salk SoundScape M5.2 Monitor.
All the other SoundScapes have a moniker pegged off of their woofer size; therefore this could be an M5, a model next down from the M7. It is not a three-way like all the other SoundSaapes but it does have the RAAL tweeter like in all the others. So the ".2" is to indicate a two-way application in the series.
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Salk Grand Solstice.
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or
The Supercalifragilistic- Super- Salk- adocious two way ribbon speaker.
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Super Deuce
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Jim has been soliciting names since Halloweenn, perhaps he will ring in the New Year with the newly named speaker
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Salk Vector Series
Vector Monitor
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Jim,
Any progress to report on getting these ready for ordering? And getting specs and pricing available on the website? And getting them named?
Am interested!
David
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Rodin's
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We have built these speakers for customers who expressed interest. The hangup on getting them posted to our web site is the name. Around the shop, "Silk" seems to be the front runner at this point (as in "smooth as silk"). Perhaps I should try and get some closure on this this coming week.
- Jim
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Salk Song Birds
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Salk Song Birds
That would differentiate it from the existing SongBird by virtue of the space between song and bird? ;)
http://www.salksound.com/songbird%20home.htm
Steve
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Ok song bird series and call it the Thrush
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To throw a few more out there:
Songstress
Songster
Singer
Troubadour
Sonata
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okay... riffing off the popular name in the shop:
Silky
Smoothies
panty peelers (after a beer I recently sampled, that was excellent)
completely unrelated, but popped into my head this afternoon:
Sputnik
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okay... riffing off the popular name in the shop:
Silky
Smoothies
panty peelers (after a beer I recently sampled, that was excellent)
completely unrelated, but popped into my head this afternoon:
Sputnik
Hahaaa...Greg, I think the Californicate air has finally gotten so polluted with pot smoke that you should go get some munchies. :lol: I gotta say that I laughed myself silly at SPUTNIK. (Oh wait! Maybe it's the Oregon air up here. :smoke:)
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:D glad you liked it RJ... I figured it was a really good name for some satellite speakers, no? :wink:
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Sticking with "Salk Reference Monitor"... Which then opens up the possibility of a full "reference" line!
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I like "Salk Reference Monitor" the best. The other names sound a little forced to me (just my opinion).
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The problem I see with that name is that this is not a reference monitor.
The terms reference and monitor have real meanings and, unfortunately, the manufacturers who are genuinely attempting to create a monitor with accuracy such that it can be considered a true reference for music production purposes, like Klein + Hummel, ATC, Geithain, and PSI, for example, almost never use the term as it is assumed that this is their intent - at least the "reference" part of it.
I understand this speaker to be the product of a client choosing some good-sounding drivers for which a crossover was (presumably) custom-designed. The sound of the speaker was enjoyed by many who heard it and so the one-off will become a production model.
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Hi Jim (or anyone who knows the answer). What is the response and sensitivity of the "Silk" or to be named speakers?
Thanks,
Doug
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Hi Jim (or anyone who knows the answer). What is the response and sensitivity of the "Silk" or to be named speakers?
Thanks,
Doug
The "Silk" bookshelf speakers are about 84db sensitive and the frequency response is 45Hz - 60KHz +/- 3db.
- Jim
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What are the dimensions on these? They don't look like they'd be that big.
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i couldnt find this product at salksound website. is it canceled?
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i couldnt find this product at salksound website. is it canceled?
Here is a link...
http://salksound.com/model.php?model=Silk+Monitors (http://salksound.com/model.php?model=Silk+Monitors)
- Jim
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interesting!
a few questions for you, mr salk.
what does the exotica monitor r offer for 2000 dollar more than the silk AT ?
what is the advantage of the bigger woofer of the exotica when the bass output is limited to around 50hz? would the bigger woofer offer a better / wider / bigger sound stage?
what is the size of the woofer from silk at ? 6.5 inch?
what is the difference between silk and silk at? is it only the efficiency, or do they have different sound signature since they have different woofers?
thank you
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interesting!
a few questions for you, mr salk.
what does the exotica monitor r offer for 2000 dollar more than the silk AT ?
These are two completely different types of speakers. The Silk AT is a lower efficiency model with a 5" woofer. The smaller woofer would normally provide a bit better off-axis response than a speaker with an 8" woofer. The lower efficiency will generally mean the speaker will play a bit deeper in the bass regions. And the cabinet volume would be less as well (there is no free lunch where speaker drivers are concerned). The Exotica Monitor will require quite a bit less power to achieve the same SPL's. Each 3db difference in sensitivity is equivalent to a doubling or halving the power requirements. So a 5db difference would be equivalent to about 3 - 4 times as much power required to drive the Silk AT to the same volume levels as the Exotica 3.
what is the advantage of the bigger woofer of the exotica when the bass output is limited to around 50hz? would the bigger woofer offer a better / wider / bigger sound stage?
The larger the cone surface area, the easier it is to move more air, which is what is required the deeper the speaker plays. An efficient driver like the W8 in the Exotica 3 Monitor will move more air with less power. But the trade-off is that it will not play as deep and the cabinet internal volume needs to be greater.
Another difference is that the larger the cone, the more it tends to fire straight forward. The smaller the cone, the better the off-axis response.
The sense of speed you get with a more sensitive driver is different as well. You can clearly sense the attack of a bow on the strings of a violin or cello with the Exotica's W8, primarily because it can start, stop and change direction more quickly.
what is the size of the woofer from silk at ? 6.5 inch?
5"
what is the difference between silk and silk at? is it only the efficiency, or do they have different sound signature since they have different woofers?
The Silk Monitor will play deeper bass in a smaller cabinet due to it's lower sensitivity. It is a very smooth driver. The Silk AT will not play quite as deep and the cabinet is larger, but it is more efficient. Hopefully you're starting to get the idea...in general, the lower the sensitivity of the driver, the deeper it will play in a smaller cabinet, but it will require more power to drive.
Both the Illuminator driver in the Silk Monitors and the Audio Technology driver in the Silk AT Monitor are very high quality drivers and both produce excellent sound. The character of the sound may be a bit different (hard to describe), but both are excellent in every respect.
thank you
Hopefully this helps.
- Jim
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1. With the bigger woofer in exotica that tend to shoot straight, does that mean listener has to sit in the sweet spot all the time? Would the imaging be better on the silk?
2. Lets say, we have a mid size dedicated room. The silk is given 400Wpc amp, and the exotica is given a subwoofer that goes just low enough to equal the silk. Would both be comparable, performance wise?
3. The weight in the spec, is it for a pair, or a piece of speaker?
Thanks