AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Salk Signature Sound => Topic started by: jsalk on 8 Mar 2009, 03:55 pm
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Jared wanted a pair of SongTowers in African bubinga. Bubinga has long been a very popular finish for us, but this is the first pair we have done in that particular veneer.
Here are the resulting SongTowers...
(http://www.salksound.com/gallery/songtower/st-bubinga.jpg)
And a close up...
(http://www.salksound.com/gallery/songtower/st-bubinga-cu.jpg)
Happy listening Jerad!
- Jim
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:drool: :drool:
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Wow!
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Look at that pattern. Simply amazing! :drool:
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Wow :drool:, that is my favorite veneer yet, congrats on a GREAT looking speaker 8)
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Jared is one lucky guy with great taste!
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Beautiful speaker Jim. Everyone knows the wild Bubinga is my fav!
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OMG those are freakin BEAUTIFUL!!!!! :drool:
If anything like that makes it's way out to Oregon this fall I'm dead!
There is no way I'll ever be able to settle for anything less.
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Damn! I'd have to listen in the dark else I wouldn't be able to concentrate on the music!!! :drool: So Jim, would that configuration set one back price-wise? :green:
Ron
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Big brother:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3305578875_4f4dec55a1.jpg?v=0)
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Fine furniture is not supposed to sound that good! :thumb:
You are some very lucky men.
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Ron -
Damn! I'd have to listen in the dark else I wouldn't be able to concentrate on the music!!! :drool: So Jim, would that configuration set one back price-wise? :green:
Ron
"Custom" SongTowers have a base price of $1995, to which you simply add the cost of the veneer. Enough bubinga to do a pair of SongTowers runs from $200 - 300 depending on the quality of the veneer. $2250 would be a good estimate.
- Jim
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I wish I could agree with all the favorable comments on these speakers, but I find them very unattractive. First of all, the pattern draws way too much attention to the speaker which I have always felt should blend in with the surroundings. And the pattern looks grotesque to me. I am not a Salk speaker owner so maybe I don't feel compelled to go along with popular consensus.
Bill
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I wish I could agree with all the favorable comments on these speakers, but I find them very unattractive. First of all, the pattern draws way too much attention to the speaker which I have always felt should blend in with the surroundings. And the pattern looks grotesque to me. I am not a Salk speaker owner so maybe I don't feel compelled to go along with popular consensus.
Bill
SO it's safe to say Bubinga is not in your future. We'll make a note! :bowdown:
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I wish I could agree with all the favorable comments on these speakers, but I find them very unattractive. First of all, the pattern draws way too much attention to the speaker which I have always felt should blend in with the surroundings. And the pattern looks grotesque to me. I am not a Salk speaker owner so maybe I don't feel compelled to go along with popular consensus.
Bill
My wife agrees with you Bill. I wanted something a little wilder, but my wife rained me in
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Hey Big Red Machine, I am truly sorry if I upset you, but I was memerly stating an opinion.
Bill
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I wish I could agree with all the favorable comments on these speakers, but I find them very unattractive. First of all, the pattern draws way too much attention to the speaker which I have always felt should blend in with the surroundings. And the pattern looks grotesque to me. I am not a Salk speaker owner so maybe I don't feel compelled to go along with popular consensus.
Bill
Grotesque? Wow. :icon_surprised: As three-dimensional as the front of these speakers appears in a photo, it must really be something sweet in person.
I am not a Salk owner either. I have, however, had the unique opportunity to sign final permits on some really beautiful work from some very talented cabinet makers. Jim's cabinet making skills are amazing, in my book. He is a gifted and rare craftsman, IMHO.
Then again, our choice in dogs isn't the same, either. :thumb:
Have fun,
Jerry
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Hey Jerry, you seem to think that "grotesque" is maybe a little overboard, but that's what I see. The pattern looks like somebody's curly hair has been glued to the cabinets. And yes, the finishing work is exemplary; however the choice of veneer is questionable from my vantage point. I like sardines with jalapeno peppers and I'm guessing most people don't.
Bill
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Hey Jerry, you seem to think that "grotesque" is maybe a little overboard, but that's what I see. The pattern looks like somebody's curly hair has been glued to the cabinets. And yes, the finishing work is exemplary; however the choice of veneer is questionable from my vantage point. I like sardines with jalapeno peppers and I'm guessing most people don't.
Bill
Read Bill's other posts. Mostly, he complained that a T5 preamp didn't sell as quickly as he hoped/expected, or he questioned other forum member's statements or made other critical comments. There have been many posts about other Salk speakers, but Bill never commented positively about any of those speakers, TTBOMK. Most folks seem to make comments about what they like, and Bill seems to make comments about what he doesn't like, except for the sardines with jalapeno peppers, which Bill acknowledges is out-of-sync with other people's taste.
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When I showed these to my wife she said, "Sure they are beautiful but what do they sound like? That is what counts." :o
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I didn't realize that making a negative statement on the look of a speaker would stir up a hornet's nest of protest. It was merely a comment. When I see what seemingly looks like biased almost cult-like behavior on a forum, it seems to get the better of me. Sorry if I have offended anyone. Maybe I'll move on to a less sensitive "Circle".
Bill
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Ya know--as soon as I saw Bill's post, I was so tempted to post a plea that no one express outrage or sarcasm. I actually found it refreshing to see some disagreement over what is certainly a fairly aggressive design. I love it, but I can see where others wouldn't. Bill was just stating an opinion. And I think the dog is outstanding.
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Hey guys, let's cut Bill some slack and not kill him over his posts.
While I certainly don't agree with his view or choice of words, one of the things that makes Jim's Circle so cool is the higher tolerance for dissenting opinions. If we lose that, this Circle goes down to the level of some other vendor Circles here at AC or even worse, like some forums we see outside of AC.
BTW, as usual, I think Jim's work is outstanding.
George
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I do not get it! What is the point of this thread? Well, I find this veneer amazing, but there is no way I'd order it because it does not fit my furniture, and yes, it attracts too much attention. Bill does not like it, he has chosen to share his opinion. Who cares? Why so many are upset? It is a custom veneer, and more important, it has neither negative nor positive effect on ST's great sound!
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At first, I was all about piano black speakers because they had a certain elegance to them while also blending in with a room nicely...but now I'm all about the fancier veneers.
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I think sardines with jalapeno peppers are "grotesque"!
I am not a Salk owner or fanboy. Someone can dislike anything. I just thought that "grotesque" was a rather strong word.
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When someone come to you home and comment on your wife that she's not pretty enough, are you going to be so 'open-hearted' and say" Who cares, why so upset?"
High end audio are personal, people feels passionate about their speakers, so it didn't surprise me when I see reaction like this?
I do not get it! What is the point of this thread? Well, I find this veneer amazing, but there is no way I'd order it because it does not fit my furniture, and yes, it attracts too much attention. Bill does not like it, he has chosen to share his opinion. Who cares? Why so many are upset? It is a custom veneer, and more important, it has neither negative nor positive effect on ST's great sound!
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When someone come to you home and comment on your wife that she's not pretty enough, are you going to be so 'open-hearted' and say" Who cares, why so upset?"
High end audio are personal, people feels passionate about their speakers, so it didn't surprise me when I see reaction like this?
Barry,
Your analogy above highlights exactly why people think audiophiles are a crazy bunch.
We are talking about speakers, an inanimate object - not something that is alive like my wife, kids, etc...
While I am extremely passionate about my audio hobby, I am certainly not going to compare any of my gear to my treasured family.
I think we all need to take a step back and try to gain some real perspective here.
George
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I did what pipe did before I responded and tried to ascertain if Bob was just being witty or was he in fact, truly crapping on the thread. I determined it was crapping by carefully analyzing his responses to other threads using Mr. Peabody's Thread Analysis Machine. I would love to crap on other's threads when we are high fiving all around about some piece of gear I personally dislike for good reason, but I don't. If I feel strongly enough about it, then I PM that person with my perspective. It just struck me as kinda rude that he felt compelled to express his distaste for the veneer when we all can agree that not everyone would choose that. I don't personally like starburst finishes, but I don't go out of my way to post a response saying I don't care for that person's choice. oops, guess I just did!! Need to change the batteries in the Machine.
See, now Bob feels bad because he thinks we hate him. We don't. We just want him to refrain from being negative at the expense of other's feelings (the actual speaker owners, not us loiterers). Didn't your parents always tell us to only say something if it was nice, otherwise clam up? We still love you Bob. Don't go away because we called you out.
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I did what pipe did before I responded and tried to ascertain if Bob was just being witty or was he in fact, truly crapping on the thread. I determined it was crapping by carefully analyzing his responses to other threads using Mr. Peabody's Thread Analysis Machine. I would love to crap on other's threads when we are high fiving all around about some piece of gear I personally dislike for good reason, but I don't. If I feel strongly enough about it, then I PM that person with my perspective. It just struck me as kinda rude that he felt compelled to express his distaste for the veneer when we all can agree that not everyone would choose that. I don't personally like starburst finishes, but I don't go out of my way to post a response saying I don't care for that person's choice. oops, guess I just did!! Need to change the batteries in the Machine.
See, now Bob feels bad because he thinks we hate him. We don't. We just want him to refrain from being negative at the expense of other's feelings (the actual speaker owners, not us loiterers). Didn't your parents always tell us to only say something if it was nice, otherwise clam up? We still love you Bob. Don't go away because we called you out.
That's why I tell you your a classy guy, Pete. :wink:
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When someone come to you home and comment on your wife that she's not pretty enough, are you going to be so 'open-hearted' and say" Who cares, why so upset?"
High end audio are personal, people feels passionate about their speakers, so it didn't surprise me when I see reaction like this?
Barry,
Your analogy above highlights exactly why people think audiophiles are a crazy bunch.
We are talking about speakers, an inanimate object - not something that is alive like my wife, kids, etc...
While I am extremely passionate about my audio hobby, I am certainly not going to compare any of my gear to my treasured family.
I think we all need to take a step back and try to gain some real perspective here.
George
George, well said! the analogy between a wife and loudspeakers does seem a little odd :wink:
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Bill - it's your opinion, so don't get offended dude. People have the right to disagree with you, but don't take it as offensive.
Likewise, it's Bill's opinion, so ease up on him. He has the right to dislike them.
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grotesque
1. odd or unnatural in shape, appearance, or character; fantastically ugly or absurd; bizarre.
2. fantastic in the shaping and combination of forms, as in decorative work combining incongruous human and animal figures with scrolls, foliage, etc.
In some ways it's quite an apt term for the curly bubinga.
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Well, I liked the slam about the cult-like behavior in his reply. :lol:
Truly fantastic looking veneer by the way......
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grotesque
1. odd or unnatural in shape, appearance, or character; fantastically ugly or absurd; bizarre.
2. fantastic in the shaping and combination of forms, as in decorative work combining incongruous human and animal figures with scrolls, foliage, etc.
In some ways it's quite an apt term for the curly bubinga.
There ya go. Case (thread) closed.
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I did what pipe did before I responded and tried to ascertain if Bob was just being witty or was he in fact, truly crapping on the thread. I determined it was crapping by carefully analyzing his responses to other threads using Mr. Peabody's Thread Analysis Machine. I would love to crap on other's threads when we are high fiving all around about some piece of gear I personally dislike for good reason, but I don't. If I feel strongly enough about it, then I PM that person with my perspective. It just struck me as kinda rude that he felt compelled to express his distaste for the veneer when we all can agree that not everyone would choose that. I don't personally like starburst finishes, but I don't go out of my way to post a response saying I don't care for that person's choice. oops, guess I just did!! Need to change the batteries in the Machine.
See, now Bob feels bad because he thinks we hate him. We don't. We just want him to refrain from being negative at the expense of other's feelings (the actual speaker owners, not us loiterers). Didn't your parents always tell us to only say something if it was nice, otherwise clam up? We still love you Bob. Don't go away because we called you out.
Hey, I'm Bob and I said I loved those speakers (and my wife does too!)
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Hi,
I wish I could have afforded just a little more money and purchased my speakers in bubinga. I went for bosse pommele which look quite good but I have a preference for bubinga. Perhaps next time when the aussie dollar is stronger against the US.
Regards
Rod
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Hey Rocket,
How about some pics?
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http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=60849.0
Rocket's speakers are in the first post.
So Bob, how's the speaker hunt coming? Have you had a chance to audition anything else since the GTG?
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Hi,
I wish I could have afforded just a little more money and purchased my speakers in bubinga. I went for bosse pommele which look quite good but I have a preference for bubinga. Perhaps next time when the aussie dollar is stronger against the US.
Regards
Rod
Your finish looks excellent and was a very good choice.
George
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As one of the other HT3 solid front burbinga owners
I gotta say those song towers look great in it Jim!
Bill - a flash really makes these look more electric than in real life
and a photo does not do Jim's impeccable woodwork justice
there have been a few finishes I wouldn't have picked, but I certainly admired them and they looked good in the respective room
how many other manufacturers put so much care and options in their finishing
and at such reasonable prices too, not to mention on such a great sounding speaker
off my audiogon system thread
(http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/s/f/1234145361.jpg)
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One thing I will say - speakers are supposed to 'disappear' into a room, those (and lot of Jim's custom veneer's ) definitely do not disappear into a room LOL.
And I agree with Bill - I think for speakers that veneer is not very appealing, but then again I didn't ask and it's definitely to each his own. For all we know, the purchaser has an entire room of bubinga furniture and these speakers will fit right in there and be 'lost' in the decore. Bottom line is it is the sound that is the most important. What I think is really cool is that Jim will build a speaker with just about any veneer you want - and like anything custom, it will rock some peoples world, and make other people throw up.
Bill, I guess we can cross you off the bubinga list :) (me too).
Personally, I like a Piano Black finish first, cherry veneer would be my second choice but only with a nice darker stain (not too light). I also like a more standard wood grain, nothing to exotic (if having a wood grain at all).