AudioCircle

Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Owner's Circles => Selah Audio Owners => Topic started by: Rick Craig on 29 May 2018, 10:26 pm

Title: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 29 May 2018, 10:26 pm
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=180651)

 A new 8" 3-way design with SB Acoustics, Satori, and Scan-Speak drivers.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: mresseguie on 29 May 2018, 11:19 pm
Rick,

Thank you for posting this photo.

What are the cabinet dimensions? How much does each speaker weigh?

Oh, and what are the specs?  :)
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: MHL on 29 May 2018, 11:22 pm
Is that a plastic laminate veneer?  Looks like an bleached Zebrawood.  Nice!
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 29 May 2018, 11:47 pm
Is that a plastic laminate veneer?  Looks like an bleached Zebrawood.  Nice!

No it's real walnut veneer with a gray dye applied.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Nick V on 30 May 2018, 12:52 am
They look awesome Rick!

I can't wait to have them in my system!!
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 30 May 2018, 12:58 am
Rick,

Thank you for posting this photo.

What are the cabinet dimensions? How much does each speaker weigh?

Oh, and what are the specs?  :)

21" x 10 3/4" x 13" (HxWxD)

I don't have a weight total yet as I am starting soon on the crossover design. The specs are partially yet to be determined, but here's the bass tuning which is -3dB @35hz.

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=180666)
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: ar250 on 30 May 2018, 05:30 pm
Awesome, I was hoping it would come with the 8 inch driver. What would be the cost in base finish ? thank you.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: cstory on 30 May 2018, 06:06 pm
Add me to the list of people interested in this design. The Ceramica would also be a possible choice for me. When you get these finished it would be interesting to hear your take on the differences in the sound of the two models. For my application I think I need to go subwooferless, and use the speakers for movies as well as music. Based on the bass measurement, it appears that Vigore might suit my needs better.

Haven't heard the Be tweeter, and I guess part of the reason you are using it is to save real estate to have a smaller box, but I love the Raal 70x20 in my Grandeur's. Would the Vigor with the Raal tweeter of the Ceramica be possible?
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 30 May 2018, 07:58 pm
Awesome, I was hoping it would come with the 8 inch driver. What would be the cost in base finish ? thank you.

$2,700/pr. including shipping to the CUSA.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: mresseguie on 30 May 2018, 08:11 pm
Rick,

Are the cabinets sealed or ported?

If they are ported, can you offer a slot port in the front instead of a rear port?

Michael
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 30 May 2018, 11:22 pm
Add me to the list of people interested in this design. The Ceramica would also be a possible choice for me. When you get these finished it would be interesting to hear your take on the differences in the sound of the two models. For my application I think I need to go subwooferless, and use the speakers for movies as well as music. Based on the bass measurement, it appears that Vigore might suit my needs better.

Haven't heard the Be tweeter, and I guess part of the reason you are using it is to save real estate to have a smaller box, but I love the Raal 70x20 in my Grandeur's. Would the Vigor with the Raal tweeter of the Ceramica be possible?

Good to hear from you again. The 70-20XR is best with this mid. The 70-10D in the Ceramica won't cross low enough with the Satori which is why I used the 4" driver in that design (plus it's an amazing midrange for the cost). The Vigore's height could be increased to accommodate the 70-20XR.

The 8" does have greater bass extension; however, the dual 6.5" drivers in the Ceramica still perform well for movies.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 30 May 2018, 11:26 pm
Rick,

Are the cabinets sealed or ported?

If they are ported, can you offer a slot port in the front instead of a rear port?

Michael

Rear ported. Sealed is possible but it raises the -3dB point to around 50hz. The port tuning is low and as long as you have some room from the rear wall this doesn't create a problem. No slotted port will be available.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 13 Jun 2018, 07:52 pm
46 lbs. - it's a beast! Specifications will be posted soon. Enjoy them Nick!
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: cstory on 13 Jun 2018, 08:08 pm
I'll say it's a beast. Do you have stands to hold it?
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Nick V on 13 Jun 2018, 10:23 pm
Due to circumstances with my room layout, and also having a 20 month old daughter running around terrorizing the house, mine will be sitting on my A/V stand on Auralex MoPad XL monitor isolators. Right now I'm just breaking in a pair of DefTech AW6500 outdoor speakers that I'll be installing on the deck once the Vigore arrive to replace them.

If I move the system to a different room, or when my daughter gets a little older, I'd likely put them on something beefy like this

(http://www.skylanstands.com/images/SKY-4P24.jpg)
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 14 Jun 2018, 02:37 am
I'll say it's a beast. Do you have stands to hold it?

Sure, we can build custom stands or even make a floorstanding version.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: dburna on 14 Jun 2018, 02:38 am
Rick, can you comment on:

1. Which drivers were used. Others may be able to tell just by lookin' at 'em.....but I can't. Specifically, I was wondering if the tweeter was Be.
2. Efficiency measurement. Is this 87dB @ 4 ohms? Just a guess.....was I close?

Thanks, -dGB
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: cstory on 14 Jun 2018, 08:36 pm
Sure, we can build custom stands or even make a floorstanding version.

We'll be talking..... I think the choice between stand mount and floorstanding for us will be down to cost difference once we decide on which veneer we like the best. If we end up with an expensive veneer, then we will probably go stand mount.  :wink:
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Nick V on 14 Jun 2018, 11:37 pm
I'm probably getting way ahead of myself, but the wheels in my head are already turning on a

W
M
T
M
W

or

M
T
M
W
W

tower version of these speakers if they work out the way I think they will.

They'd be as mains in a dedicated hybrid 2 channel/theater room that I'll be building in the next couple years in our unfinished basement. These bookshelf Vigore would eventually make for some extremely overkill surround l/r channels in a 5.1.4 atmos system (the room won't be big enough for 7.1.4 or 7.1.6 or whatever the latest and greatest is these days).
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 15 Jun 2018, 02:55 am
Rick, can you comment on:

1. Which drivers were used. Others may be able to tell just by lookin' at 'em.....but I can't. Specifically, I was wondering if the tweeter was Be.
2. Efficiency measurement. Is this 87dB @ 4 ohms? Just a guess.....was I close?

Thanks, -dGB

SB Acoustics 8" woofer, SB/Satori midrange, and Scan-Speak beryllium tweeter. 86dB sensitivity, 4.8 ohms nominal impedance, 3.8 ohms minimum.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: steve1580 on 16 Jun 2018, 11:41 am
Beautiful!
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 20 Jun 2018, 05:40 am
More pictures...


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=181658)

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=181659)

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=181660)
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: steve1580 on 20 Jun 2018, 11:45 am
Is the grill held by magnets below the veneer?  Love this speaker!
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 20 Jun 2018, 03:38 pm
Is the grill held by magnets below the veneer?  Love this speaker!

Yes, embedded neo magnets. I love it too!
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: cstory on 21 Jun 2018, 01:02 pm
I love it too.  :D
Any comments on the sound? What stands are you using for the photo op?
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: dburna on 21 Jun 2018, 01:04 pm
Rick, what height stands do you recommend for this monitor?

Thanks, -dGB
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: mresseguie on 21 Jun 2018, 04:40 pm
Rick,

What was your goal in voicing these speakers? What was the result? [I know. I'm asking you to use words to describe their sound.  :duh: ]

There are many compact three-way speakers of more or less similar size; some stand out for their midrange; others for their balance. Some are warmer sounding; others are more resolving. Where does the sound of these speakers fall? Will my Ancora center channel give me a good idea of their sound?

Regards,

Michael
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 21 Jun 2018, 06:24 pm
I love it too.  :D
Any comments on the sound? What stands are you using for the photo op?

22" tall Sanus stand. I'm biased on the sound since I designed it - Nick can chime in later.  :)
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 22 Jun 2018, 01:49 pm
Rick, what height stands do you recommend for this monitor?

Thanks, -dGB

Here's a vertical response set of curves. As you can see it's very uniform and flexible for stands 18" to 24" tall.


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=181696)

Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 25 Jun 2018, 01:25 pm
Rick,

What was your goal in voicing these speakers? What was the result? [I know. I'm asking you to use words to describe their sound.  :duh: ]

There are many compact three-way speakers of more or less similar size; some stand out for their midrange; others for their balance. Some are warmer sounding; others are more resolving. Where does the sound of these speakers fall? Will my Ancora center channel give me a good idea of their sound?

Regards,

Michael

I aim for a neutral tonal balance with any design. The beryllium tweeter has a little better resolution than the soft dome in the Ancora.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Nick V on 26 Jun 2018, 08:41 pm
Look what finally showed up today!

The first speaker showed up almost a week ago, and I had to agonize until today for the second box to show up. Thanks USPS.

I'm just playing some Norah Jones on SACD through the Esoteric SA-50 and things are sounding very good out of the box. I'll post some comments once I've had a little more time with them.

(https://image.ibb.co/dV7Kx8/IMG_0718.jpg)
(https://image.ibb.co/npM1AT/IMG_0719.jpg)
(https://image.ibb.co/d8kiPo/IMG_0720.jpg)
(https://image.ibb.co/hBtgAT/IMG_0722.jpg)

The System (2 channel signal path):

Selah Audio Vigore (obviously)
Esoteric SA-50 SACD/CD/DAC
miniDSP DDRC-22D Dirac Live processor (all digital signals run through here then into Esoteric SA-50 coax digital input)
Wyred4Sound STP-SE Preamp
Krell KAV 250a/3 re-capped with Nichicon 105°C capacitors
Oppo BDP-83 (mostly for 2ch. DVD-Audio into the Esoteric DAC)
Sound Application CF-X Power Conditioner
Various cables, tweaks (Bybee AC purifiers, AQ Rocket 33 speaker cables, AQ MacKenzie XLRs, Anticables, Cryoclear, PS Audio, Signal Cable, etc..  )

I also have a pair of Velodyne SPL800R subwoofers that I was using with my previous KEF LS50s. Not sure if I'll be using them anymore or if I'll sell them. I might also hook them up as LFE subs for home theater to complement my Mirage BPS-400 instead of running them as stereo subs for 2 channel. This is a hybrid 2 channel / home theater system with separate signal paths for each.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: mresseguie on 6 Jul 2018, 08:47 pm
Rick,

Can monitors such as these be easily modified to have a wider baffle/shallower depth? Would doing so have a negative effect on SQ or imaging?

Thanks,

Michael
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 6 Jul 2018, 10:00 pm
Rick,

Can monitors such as these be easily modified to have a wider baffle/shallower depth? Would doing so have a negative effect on SQ or imaging?

Thanks,

Michael

Not in this case possible due to the port tuning. An option would be going sealed and adding a DSP amp. Wider baffles aren't an issue but you don't want the box to be too shallow as that can add coloration.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: steve1580 on 21 Jul 2018, 12:02 am
Rick,

How would you describe the difference between the Vigore and the Fedele?

Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 21 Jul 2018, 12:24 am
Rick,

How would you describe the difference between the Vigore and the Fedele?

The main differences are in bass extension and output capability. The overall sonic character is very similar.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: steve1580 on 23 Jul 2018, 07:52 pm
Rick,

Sent you an email the other day.  Am now able to go with floorstanders (up to 40") and am wondering if the Vigore in a reconfigured cabinet could be an option for us with only 17" available depth to a rear wall?  If no, would any other of your designs be a better fit (ie Essenza, etc). 

Again I love the look of this speaker!

Steve Morgan
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 23 Jul 2018, 10:35 pm
Rick,

Sent you an email the other day.  Am now able to go with floorstanders (up to 40") and am wondering if the Vigore in a reconfigured cabinet could be an option for us with only 17" available depth to a rear wall?  If no, would any other of your designs be a better fit (ie Essenza, etc). 

Again I love the look of this speaker!

Steve Morgan

Sorry for my late reply - I just answered your email. It is possible to reconfigure the design as a floorstander.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: cstory on 20 Aug 2018, 04:06 pm
Let the waiting begin..... I've placed an order for my own set of Vigore's with an Ebony Veneer. I won't be able to listen to then until just before Thanksgiving, so I will have to make do with reading others talk about their Selah speakers until then.  :D

BTW, I have a pair of the legacy Grandeur's (Revalator woofer and RAAL Tweeter) that we've been happy with for a long time now.

Chuck
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Nick V on 23 Aug 2018, 01:32 am
Let the waiting begin..... I've placed an order for my own set of Vigore's with an Ebony Veneer. I won't be able to listen to then until just before Thanksgiving, so I will have to make do with reading others talk about their Selah speakers until then.  :D

BTW, I have a pair of the legacy Grandeur's (Revalator woofer and RAAL Tweeter) that we've been happy with for a long time now.

Chuck
I think you'll love them, I'm absolutely loving mine!!

They produce fantastic bass on their own, but they do still benefit from being played with subwoofers.

I re-ran Dirac Live today with my pair of Velodyne SPL-800R subwoofers and the system is now playing lower and louder than before.

Based on what I'm hearing now, I think I might move the Velodyne 800R pair to my bedroom system, move my Martin Logan Dynamo 700W subwoofer into my desktop system and move my Paradigm Monitor SUB10 out of the desktop system into the main system and find a second one to match.

I don't have much room for the subs in there as you can see if you scroll up, but I think I have just enough room to move up to a pair of 10's from the 8's that are in there now.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: beradthefish on 24 Aug 2018, 07:06 pm
I've never owned what anyone would consider a nice set of speakers, I decided a month ago to start researching them.  After reaching analysis paralysis, I eventually stumbled on builders' forums and eventually Selah Audio.

Through Rick's outstanding responsiveness and patience, I was able to build these, my first speakers (and certainly not my last).  They sound absolutely excellent and were worth every ounce of effort I put in to them.

Some notes on construction:  I used dowel joinery throughout, veneered with a simple maple which is finished with Hope's tung oil.  Nothing exotic.  The tweeter screws are presently brass until I either replace or paint them, I was having trouble with the M3 screws' heads spinning off despite pilot holes being drilled.  Heroes of the build (other than Rick) include a Jasper M-240 circle jig and an Amana Tool 51204 SC Short/Flat Pilot router bit.  The latter was vital to trimming the veneer to the outer diameters on the baffle since I cut the holes before veneering.  Standard flush-trim bits’ bearings are too large to fit in the gap.  I also use a Jessem doweling jig.

I had leftover MDF and used it to make stands.  Not a very robust material on its own so I coated them with leftover bed-liner.


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183638)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183639)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183640)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183641)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183642)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183643)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183644)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183645)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183646)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183647)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183648)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183649)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183650)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183651)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=183652)

So thanks again to Rick for his guidance!  These certainly won’t be my last, I look forward to building again.

(not sure why some of the images are rotated, not so on my end)

fish
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 25 Aug 2018, 02:40 am
Fish,

Welcome to AC! Let me the 1st to tell you, absolutely superb job!  :thumb: Very nicely done, I hope you will indulge us in a review once you get some time with them.

Kind regards,
Anand.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: steve1580 on 26 Aug 2018, 12:59 pm
Very nice work, congratulations!
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Nick V on 26 Aug 2018, 01:59 pm
Awesome!

I wish I had the skills to take on that kind of project. Hopefully sometime in the near future I can start playing around with DIY projects.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: beradthefish on 26 Aug 2018, 03:26 pm
Thanks gents. It was/is a lot of fun.  Opened some new neural pathways along the way. As far as a review, I'm no expert, I just say, "they sound great"! Movies, shows or especially music. Using a Yamaha R-N803 audio receiver with them.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Mudslide on 26 Aug 2018, 07:18 pm
Lovely work, Fish!!  I would kill for the skill to do what you have on these speakers.

They should sound as lovely as they look.

Welcome to A/C.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: steve1580 on 26 Aug 2018, 07:20 pm
Sorry I didn't want to change the topic, new thread created...

Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: mresseguie on 28 Aug 2018, 06:45 pm
Nice work! I'm green with envy at your woodworking skills - and equipment!
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: TomS on 28 Aug 2018, 06:51 pm
Yes, very nice. I spy a Festool collection as well, and appears you know how to use them  :green:
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: jtwrace on 28 Aug 2018, 07:11 pm
Rick is very good to work with.
Having met him a few times at local GTG's I'm not surprised.   :thumb:
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: HT cOz on 29 Aug 2018, 12:40 am
Wow great builds!
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: ar250 on 3 Nov 2018, 05:34 pm
Those Vigore's look fantastic.. Have to save up ! I wonder if there is a huge difference with the Tempesta which is more costly? thanks.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 5 Nov 2018, 04:39 pm
Those Vigore's look fantastic.. Have to save up ! I wonder if there is a huge difference with the Tempesta which is more costly? thanks.

Tough comparison as they are very different speakers. The Vigore is more forgiving of lower quality recordings (though not euphonic - voiced to be balanced). The Tempesta is more of a finesse speaker and the Vigore more dynamic / rock out design.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: ar250 on 6 Nov 2018, 01:34 am
Thanks Rick for the differences in both models. Either way, they seem like amazing Stand mount speakers.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 7 Nov 2018, 11:18 pm
Shipping this week to New Mexico...


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=186459)


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=186460)

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=186461)

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=186462)

Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: cstory on 15 Nov 2018, 05:29 pm
Thanks for getting those done Rick. They look great.  :D
I'm glad you took the picture with the Grills on. Denise likes their looks much better with them in place.
Hopefully I'll get the chance to listen to them this weekend.

Chuck
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Rick Craig on 16 Nov 2018, 01:01 am
Thanks for getting those done Rick. They look great.  :D
I'm glad you took the picture with the Grills on. Denise likes their looks much better with them in place.
Hopefully I'll get the chance to listen to them this weekend.

Chuck

Enjoy!
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: cstory on 28 Nov 2018, 05:22 pm
Hi everyone,

I just wanted to give some impressions of the Vigore's after spending a week with my new pair. I am driving them with a PS Audio Sprout 100. Yeah, I know that the speakers probably deserve better electronics, but the house is off the grid. Everything runs off of solar charged batteries, so power consumption is a primary concern, so class D is necessary. That the Sprout includes a USB DAC and an optical input for the TV makes it a logical choice. Besides, I think it sounds pretty good. I had a chance to use the Sprout with my Martin Logan Vistas in our main place, and it fared quite well.

Most of my listening was with the grills on. They do slightly soften the sound, but I think the speakers sound fine with the grills in place.

The Vigore's sound a lot bigger than their far from petite size would leave you to believe. They don't sound like stand mounts, they are very nearly full range. They are smooth and yet detailed. I seem to hear more ambiance in recordings made it large spaces, than I am used to with my other systems. Vocals sound very natural. The bass is quite strong in our space (20x30) , and if I had a slight criticism it would be that sometimes the bass seems to be a little too much (as if that were possible). It could be that they should be moved a bit further away from the wall, but I'm not allowed to move them any further out. The bass is the most noticeable feature of the speakers. It's strong and detailed with lots of texture. Picking out bass guitar lines mixed with synthesizers and kick drums is no problem. Yet at the same time, all the other instrumental lines are distinct and easy to parse out. Like I said earlier, my main impression is of a sound that is smooth, yet detailed. If you like the treble of brands like Focal and Paradigm, then these may not be for you. But nothing seems to be missing from the treble and it is quite free of grain.

Oh, I forgot to talk about movies. There is enough bass to live without a subwoofer (at least for a while). Movie dialog sounds great even without a center channel. We watched Space Cowboys, Mission Impossible Rogue Nation, and Incredibles 2. All were quite satisfying, and I love the music soundtrack on the Incredibles.

Overall I am quite pleased with the Vigore's. Speakers, more than anything are a matter of personal preference. The sound terrific with music of all kinds and have sufficient bass to be quite satisfying for movies. They look really good in the room as well. For a "compact" speaker that does it all, they may have their equals, but I doubt you could do better.

(http://[img]https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=187359)
[/img]
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: cstory on 28 Nov 2018, 05:24 pm
Wanted to upload image to the previous text. Something went wrong.  :duh:


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=187360)
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Tyson on 28 Nov 2018, 05:41 pm
Those look phenomenal in your space.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: Brettio on 28 Nov 2018, 06:36 pm



(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=187360)

Now that’s living off the grid!
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: HT cOz on 30 Nov 2018, 03:16 pm
Wow they look great.
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: cstory on 30 Nov 2018, 06:30 pm
Yeah, they make our Ikea vinyl wrapped TV stand seem hopelessly outclassed.  :lol:
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: NaDs on 26 Feb 2019, 03:00 am
Hey people with the Vigores. I'm strongly considering getting these but I wanted some feedback from people who actually own a pair. I'm really sensitive to the upper mid and treble regions and I listen to plenty of old badly mastered rock, the beatles, janis joplin etc come to mind. Every neutral speaker I have tried tends to have a little too much emphasis in the 2-4 khz range. I have come to the realization I need something more forgiving and relaxed through the mids. On the Selah website the on axis is neutral, but the off axis has a smooth declining frequency response from 5khz, leading me to think its room friendly and easy on the ears? The off axis stays flat through the upper mids though, so I'm kind of worried that the reflected sounds are going still have too much upper mid energy?

thanks for reading!
Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: cstory on 3 Mar 2021, 05:12 pm
Things have been mighty quiet here in Selah land so time to show a little appreciation.

I have the Vigore's in a vacation home and haven't had much time with them, but we retired in January. So I've now had three straight weeks with the Vigore's and my PS Audio Sprout 100. The house is off grid so a whole stack of electronics is not really an option. Turns out the Sprout 100 and the Vigore's seem to get along quite well. I put together a Raspberry Pi with a Digital Hat running Squeezelite as an endpoint for ROON with the Optical output going to the Sprout. Unfortunately the WiFi doesn't support High quality or master streaming from Tidal, but I do have a fair amount of music on a USB drive connected to a NUC running ROCK for high quality listening. TV connected via Analog out due to limited inputs on the Sprout.

The sound quality of this system is really nice. Quite detailed without being hyper etched. Sat down to CSN yesterday and the vocals sound very natural. Treble is smooth, detailed and grain free. Listening to Dave Grusin Discovered Again recorded from my LP, the tambourine shakes sound like someone standing right there. But overall, the most striking aspect of these speakers is that all that detail is also present in the bass. Bass has texture and definition. Kick drum distinguished from electric bass, and a weight to piano's and vocals that I don't get from my Martin Logan Vista's. The soundstage isn't as expansive as you might expect, but I'm not really listening for the soundstage when I listen here.

With movies the bass is sufficient. Yes, not the ultimate in depth, but the texture is great. Watching the Fast and Furious Movies, the end title songs really do have bass that you can feel but isn't bloated.

Great all around speakers for classic rock, fusion jazz and classical. I look forward to every chance I get to just sit on the couch and listen.

Chuck (somewhere near Animas New Mexico)

Title: Re: Vigore
Post by: jeromeq on 18 Dec 2021, 05:57 pm
I believe I now own the speakers in the OP, if I understand the provenance correctly. The speakers were supposed to anchor a series of upgrades but as the infant became a curious toddler, the only additions I've added are the speaker grills and a baby gate. Nonetheless, these speakers were a serious upgrade over the Monitor Audio Radius towers I had purchased because they were easy to pack from move to move.

Love how these speakers can handle most everything thrown at them. From classical, hip hop, r&b, rock, tejano (toddler loves bopping to Selena's rhythmic beats), dance or Kpop, it really doesn't matter. I can play them loud without them being fatiguing to my ears. They play low and tight, though they do miss some of the really low low's as already mentioned but it's not every day I'm in a trap hop kind of mood. Additionally, I now understand the value of a midrange driver.

I thought about building some additional speakers over the MN winter (been bitten by the quest for the perfect speaker and have time/patience to burn), and looked for Selah's DIY kits to build. Unfortunately, Selah's page is now down and after searching, learned of the owner's passing so I thought to throw my appreciation as his creation/speaker's fill our living room most evenings after picking up the toddler from daycare.

If there's a page or if someone has archived his designs, could someone point me to it? I still wouldn't mind building one of his other designs that I see on their FB page or were on Selah's page. Would hate for his loss to extend also to the greater DIY community's knowledge base unless there's some IP involved.