I took delivery of a pair of curly walnut song3 encores a week ago and would like to report that these speakers are magnificent. I already have other salk speakers.... a pair of standard songtowers, a pair of ht-1 bookshelves, and a pair of ht-2tl's which were my main 2-channel music only system and which the encores replaced. This is a CD only system with a woo audio WTP-1 transport and WDS-1 dac/pre straight to a pair of emotiva XPA-1 monoblocs out to the encores. I was always impressed by the clarity and impact of the ht-2's, but the encores are superior and really special. I loved the ribbon, but think I actually hear a bit more detail from the beryllium tweet of the encores and it is smooth, sweet and musical. Midrange is so transparent and detailed while retaining that same smoothness, clarity and musicality. A definite step up from the ht-2's. Then comes the fantastic bass from the satori woofer...really tight and impactful, just incredible. This will most likely be the last pair of speakers that I ever buy (retired, 62 years old) as I feel it would cost far more than I could afford to better them by any great amount. I know some may not agree with my choice of the emotiva momoblocs, but they really do a masterful job in this system. My thanks to Jim once again for a simply excellent, magnificent and beautiful creation of audio magic!!!!!!
skidro