AudioCircle

Industry Circles => Salk Signature Sound => Topic started by: jsalk on 9 Apr 2018, 08:21 pm

Title: See you at AXPONA
Post by: jsalk on 9 Apr 2018, 08:21 pm
We're getting ready to load up for AXPONA tomorrow and hit the road.

This year, we will be in three rooms at the show and will be featuring a new addition to our line-up...The Song3 BeAT.

We originally did a one-off version of this speaker, but did not add it to our line-up.  But we kept recalling how nice it sounded and finally decided to launch it as a product.  Here is a picture of our demo pair in Chen Chen with a high-gloss, hand-rubbed finish.

(http://salksound.com/gallery/Song3%20BeAT/s3-BeAT-chenchen.jpg)

These will be featured in room 721 with Wells Audio, Exogal, Anticables and Bybee Technologies.

We've also updated our Song3 Encores with the new Satori Be (beryllium) tweeter.  Here is a picture of one of two pairs we will be displaying in room 717 with Jolida. This pair was done in Hawaiian koa with a hand-rubbed, high-gloss finish.

(http://salksound.com/gallery/Song3%20Encore/s3e-koa.jpg)

We will also be displaying the Song3-A's in room 384 with Schiit Audio.

Should be a great show.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

- Jim
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: abd1 on 9 Apr 2018, 09:11 pm
Dammit, those are gorgeous. That koa finish is probably my favorite that I've seen. Good luck at the show. I'm sure these will get a lot of attention.
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: JakeJ on 9 Apr 2018, 10:25 pm
Wow, just amazing looking veneers, Jim!  The Chen Chen is knocking my socks off.
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: johzel on 9 Apr 2018, 11:26 pm
Wow.  These speakers are gorgeous . . . stunning I'd say.  I'm thrilled to see that the BeAT version has made it into the "line-up".  As the owner of the original one-offs I can tell you they're a ridiculous value.  Looking forward to what others think after hearing their "unveiling" at Axpona.  Safe travels, everyone.  Would love to be there myself but am busy moving into a new house . . . next year . . . for sure.
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: oem-wheels on 10 Apr 2018, 03:21 am
Holy ....  !! I really love the way the Chen Chen Looks
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: JonnyFive on 10 Apr 2018, 12:52 pm
Gorgeous speakers, Jim!  I look forward to hearing listening impressions of the Song 3 BeATs from those that attend Axpona.  Jim is putting this mid/tweeter combination on top of the SS8 bass section for me, I can't wait to get my hands on them.
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: IndyLions on 10 Apr 2018, 04:12 pm
This will be my first trip to AXPONA.  Really looking forward to it.  Since I have a pair of Song-3As on order, and Schiit Audio gear (Freya Pre-amp & Vidar Amp) also on order to drive them - the Salk/Schiit Room will be of particular interest!
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: ArthurDent on 10 Apr 2018, 04:42 pm
Lovely work as always Jim.   8)   Have a great show   :thumb:

JD
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 10 Apr 2018, 05:06 pm
I'll echo everybody else! Lovely looking speakers.

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: charmerci on 10 Apr 2018, 06:00 pm
Wow, just amazing looking veneers, Jim!  The Chen Chen is knocking my socks off.


+1!!  :o
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: zybar on 10 Apr 2018, 06:07 pm
Jim,

Can you share pricing info?

Thanks,

George
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: jsalk on 10 Apr 2018, 06:39 pm
Jim,

Can you share pricing info?

Thanks,

George

George -

Here are links to the pages for the speakers we will be showing.  The prices are listed with the specifications toward the bottom of the pages.

http://salksound.com/model.php?model=Song3-A (http://salksound.com/model.php?model=Song3-A)

http://salksound.com/model.php?model=Song3 BeAT (http://salksound.com/model.php?model=Song3 BeAT)

http://salksound.com/model.php?model=Song3 Encore (http://salksound.com/model.php?model=Song3 Encore)

- Jim
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: DEP14 on 11 Apr 2018, 02:11 pm
That KOA speaker just looks tremendous Jim.  What a great finish.
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: DMurphy on 11 Apr 2018, 04:57 pm
So--is anyone besides me going to get to see them in person this weekend?   I'll be there Saturday. 
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: mag308 on 11 Apr 2018, 05:45 pm
Hi there. Long time listener, first time caller.  I'll be there either Sat or Sun.  I had previously asked Jim if anyone around Chicago has the Song 3-A for a demo but no luck so I figured I could catch them when Axpona comes around.  Looking forward to it even more now that there's a new Song 3 model to check out.  I have the SongTowers in satin black that I've had for a couple years, so now I'm looking to move up the line a little.  It would help with the WAF if I could sell these (though I haven't tried yet), but then I'm stuck with nothing for several months waiting for a build (yes, I know it's worth it).

Ken
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: Hydro on 11 Apr 2018, 08:40 pm
I'll be there on Saturday also.
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: DMurphy on 11 Apr 2018, 10:14 pm
Will you have "Hydro" on your name tag?
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: JDoyle on 12 Apr 2018, 12:25 am
I’m luvin’ my Encores, but I wonder how they’d sound with the AT mid :?
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: IndyLions on 12 Apr 2018, 02:26 am
So--is anyone besides me going to get to see them in person this weekend?   I'll be there Saturday.

I'll be there Friday afternoon and most of the day on Saturday.  Taking the train up from Indy Friday morning, and heading back Saturday night.  Looking forward to a great show!

Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: JerryM on 12 Apr 2018, 02:32 am
So--is anyone besides me going to get to see them in person this weekend?   I'll be there Saturday.

Don't forget to post some pics!!  :thumb:
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: Hydro on 12 Apr 2018, 02:54 pm
Dennis, I will have Terry Pate on my name tag. Would like to meet you. I have so many speakers that you have had a hand in the making of:)
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: DMurphy on 12 Apr 2018, 03:18 pm
I hope we can meet up Terry.   I'll be checking in on the Salk rooms pretty frequently. 
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: Hydro on 12 Apr 2018, 03:43 pm
I will try and be at the Salk rooms around 2:30 on Saturday.
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: IndyLions on 14 Apr 2018, 12:25 am
The first day at the show went great. Those new Song 3 Beat speakers looked and sounded terrific. I probably spent the most time in the Salk – Schiit room, because they are demo-ing the speakers/preamp/amp combination I have ordered but not received yet.

The comments in the rooms were extremely positive.  People couldn’t believe the sound and the value proposition.   For me, it verified that I made a wise choice  in my purchase decision.

Hopefully Jim and his lovely wife can survive supporting 3 rooms on 2 different floors.  Tough duty!
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: DEP14 on 15 Apr 2018, 01:05 pm
I went on Friday also.  The Koa finish is way cool. 

I definitely heard a difference between the AudioTechnology and Eton midranges.  (I think the Eton and Accuton are more alike than different, the Audio Technology is definitely more laid back).

I thought both the main room Jim was on and the room up on 7 with the BeAT sounded good given the rooms. Really, two of the best rooms I was in all day.  The room on 7 with the BeAT, had a guy pushing some small squares of crystals that "really opened up the room, couldn't I tell how much better it sounded?".... I smiled and chatted him up (though held back on saying... well I have a suspicion that it's the speakers but hey, who knows if you can sell cards with crystals more power to you).

I was really bummed out in the Jolida/Black Ice room as Jim's speakers looked great, but in my opinion the room was a disaster all day.  I tried going 3 times.  The first hour of the show they had that ridiculous black-ice eq 4 channel thing running so hot it was distracting.  The second time I went back it was turned down a bit, but between way too many chairs in the room, with 4 big speakers it was just insane.  The guys working the room were constantly fidgeting with equipment and it was just difficult to even get a listen.  The Encores looked awesome though, and the third time I was in I did get about 30 seconds of listening before a person stood in front of one of the speakers for a good 2 minutes before I got up and left.  In those 30 seconds... I was impressed! (though still found that 4 channel thing distracting).
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: Paret on 15 Apr 2018, 11:07 pm
Salk rooms were a definite highlight of Axpona this weekend.

We had a great time and the sound was outstanding.

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=178852)


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=178854)

My son taking a snapshot of the Salk’s with the Song 3 Beat

Great to be here.

Luis D. Paret
Keller, TX
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: hawkeyejw on 16 Apr 2018, 12:01 am
Wish I’d been able to go. I’ve been wanting a pair of Salk speakers for many years, starting to think I may have to pull the trigger on a set of the WOW1s...
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: DMurphy on 16 Apr 2018, 03:46 am
I went on Friday also.  The Koa finish is way cool. 

I definitely heard a difference between the AudioTechnology and Eton midranges.  (I think the Eton and Accuton are more alike than different, the Audio Technology is definitely more laid back).

I thought both the main room Jim was on and the room up on 7 with the BeAT sounded good given the rooms. Really, two of the best rooms I was in all day.  The room on 7 with the BeAT, had a guy pushing some small squares of crystals that "really opened up the room, couldn't I tell how much better it sounded?".... I smiled and chatted him up (though held back on saying... well I have a suspicion that it's the speakers but hey, who knows if you can sell cards with crystals more power to you).

I was really bummed out in the Jolida/Black Ice room as Jim's speakers looked great, but in my opinion the room was a disaster all day.  I tried going 3 times.  The first hour of the show they had that ridiculous black-ice eq 4 channel thing running so hot it was distracting.  The second time I went back it was turned down a bit, but between way too many chairs in the room, with 4 big speakers it was just insane.  The guys working the room were constantly fidgeting with equipment and it was just difficult to even get a listen.  The Encores looked awesome though, and the third time I was in I did get about 30 seconds of listening before a person stood in front of one of the speakers for a good 2 minutes before I got up and left.  In those 30 seconds... I was impressed! (though still found that 4 channel thing distracting).

I joined the ranks of the bummed when I checked out the Jolida room.   All I could think of was that I had completely lost any voicing skills I may have had.  The highs were tizzy and the sound was diffuse and totally unnatural.   I didn't realize at the time that there was another pair of Encores (with the previous Transducer Lab Be tweeter) playing behind me pumping out phasey stuff.     And I found out later that the Jolida had a tone control cranked to the right.  Jim, of course, had no control of the electronics--he just supplied the speakers.  All-in-all, I was disappointed in the show in general.  I much preferred the previous venue, and not just because I would have saved $80 in cab fare from the airport.  The small rooms were too small, with lots of hard reflective surfaces that made voices hard and sibilant, and the large rooms were too large.  And, as usual, there was way too much vinyl going on, most poorly recorded classic rock from back then.  I'm sure a lot of the uber-expensive speakers I heard were fine products, but it was hard to tell them apart from the "cheap" stuff (under $15,000) given the problematic source material. 
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: sfox7076 on 16 Apr 2018, 12:04 pm
Always enjoy the commentary on the show.  I have never done the show. 
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: johzel on 16 Apr 2018, 01:53 pm
The highs were tizzy and the sound was diffuse and totally unnatural.   I didn't realize at the time that there was another pair of Encores (with the previous Transducer Lab Be tweeter) playing behind me pumping out phasey stuff.

Dennis, as the owner of the original "BeAT" pair I'd be interested in a comparison between the "new" Satori beryllium tweeter and the Transducer Lab tweeter.  My BeATs have been boxed and stored since August waiting for our new house to be ready (I miss them) . . . maybe I should sell and upgrade   :scratch: :duh: :nono:.  Just kidding (I think) but would be interested in the comparison.  Thanks.
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: DMurphy on 16 Apr 2018, 09:04 pm
They're both great tweeters.  We didn't switch to the Satori because it had any sonic advantages.  The previous TL Lab tweeter was discontinued, and so we checked out the Satori.  I don't think I could pass a blind test as to which was which. 
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: UCrazyKid on 16 Apr 2018, 09:08 pm
AXPONA was a lot of fun this year. I arrived late in the day on Sunday to the Salk/Jolida (Black Ice Audio) room and was treated to some less common audiophile tracks, Metallica's "The Unforgiven" and Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" from vinyl at high volume through the Song3 Encores. It was awesome. Sizzle and punch without being fatiguing, truly wonderful. 

I also heard the Song3-A in the Schiit room and they were great as well but harder to characterize (for me) by the music they were playing at the time. I had only read great things about Salk and never heard them before yesterday. I am completely enamored.
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: Art_Chicago on 16 Apr 2018, 09:23 pm
here are some positive notes about Salk/Shiit room !

http://www.avsforum.com/axpona-2018-audio-expo-blog-and-recap-part-3/
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: DMurphy on 17 Apr 2018, 01:04 am
Thanks.   The opening of the review ("More Salk") makes it sound like he reviewed one of the other rooms, but I couldn't find anything under Wells or Jolida. 
Title: Re: See you at AXPONA
Post by: Bones13 on 17 Apr 2018, 11:14 am
I got to spend a bit of time up front of the Schiit / Song 3a room, the chosen target for my small listening room. Beautiful in appearance, and sound. I was in the back of the Song 3 Encore room, which was pretty good for where I was standing. Did not fight for a front seat. Your rooms were popular!

Congratulations on a great show at Axpona.