[Bill Baker]

I have been working with the LS-9 and LS-6 speakers for several years building crossovers. It was only recently (within the last two weeks) that I actually got to hear them for the first time. They were originally planned to come to our larger facility which was recently lost in the flood.
 The speakers are those offered by Hugh at Angel City Audio. We decided we would give them a shot in a smaller room than my 17' x 30' room at the old facility.

 To our amazement, these very large speakers can provide an exceptional musical experience in what most would consider a less than optimal size room. The picture below shows the LS-9 speakers in our new facility. We still have a few more tweaks to do to the room but even after just a little bass control, they are providing a deep, wide soundstage and pinpoint imaging. While it is not easy to make 6-1/2' tall speakers physically disappear in a room, they are certainly doing so sonically.

As time allows, I will provide some insight with my findings with these speakers as I experiment with various amplification but I can tell you right from the start that even 21 watts of 845 single ended tube power will encase you in a sound field that will keep you in your seat for endless hours.

A few details on these speakers for those who do not know about them. Offered by Hugh at Angel City Audio. Full SoniCap x-overs with Platinum bypass. High quality aircore inductors throughout. Electra Cable internal wiring.

[kingdeezie]

They look great Bill!

Good luck with them, I know in my medium-smallish room that is 13x18 I have struggled for years to get good performance out of the LS-6.

I imagine that the LS-9 will be an even bigger challenge.

[Bill Baker]

Our rooms are similar KD. This room is 12' x 22'. I thought it would be a nightmare with these speakers but a little playing around and some treatment, things are coming together.

I am lucky enough to have access to some 8" thick foam that does a great job in helping tune the room.

[rollo]

  Looking good Bill. You may consider trying the tweeters on the inside. with the side walls so close it may help. Our Pipedreams are similar and benifit greatly using the tweeters on the inside. They also benifit being a tad closer together and toed in more than conventional designs. In narrow rooms nearfield position helps. Especially with  extra room to the rear wall. As long as there is say a minimum of 3 feet from a dead rear wall. Have fun trying sell a bunch. Good luck.


charles
SMA

[Bill Baker]

Hi Charles
I did try the tweeters on the inside and the soundfield collapsed. I also tried them  only 5 feet apart. As shown in the pictures provides much better results than one might expect. I still have some reflection issues to deal with on the side walls. The picture does not show them but there are panels on the side walls and ceiling  that makes it all come together.

[jtwrace]

Hi Charles
I did try the tweeters on the inside and the soundfield collapsed. I also tried them  only 5 feet apart. As shown in the pictures provides much better results than one might expect. I still have some reflection issues to deal with on the side walls. The picture does not show them but there are panels on the side walls and ceiling  that makes it all come together.

I'm sure you've done some in room measurements on all the speakers you've put in that room to make sure that you're voicing your equipment properly.  Right?

[Bill Baker]

Hi jtwrace
For now it has only been generic measurements. Since the flood, my primary focus has been getting the work shops set up and catching up on all the work that was on the benches prior to loosing the facility. After the holidays, we will go through and do all the measurements to optimize the rooms for the systems that reside in each of them. Things have just been hectic the past couple months. These speakers will stay in this room. There is another upper end system now in another room which will also stay there and be optimized.

[mojave]

I have been working with the LS-9 and LS-6 speakers for several years building crossovers. It was only recently (within the last two weeks) that I actually got to hear them for the first time.

You have mentioned a few times in the past that you have made custom crossovers for the LS-6 and LS-9. How do you know the custom crossover sounds better than the one included in the kit if you never listened to the speakers? If you are using the same values, I guess you could know from other speakers which capacitors, etc. you like.

[Bill Baker]

That is a very fair question majove. In the past we have used other owners of these speakers to help us choose the components to use in the crossovers. In the beginning it was people who we trusted to provide us with accurate feedback. "Beta testers" if you will. By using owners of the speakers that know what they are hearing based on the crossovers currently in their speakers, it was the owner that provided the information needed.

We have been building and modifying speakers for over 15 years now and have a pretty good handle on the sonic characteristics of most x-over components out there (inductors, capacitors, etc). I have also built a few speakers using the Neo8 drivers so know how these components sound like together. I am right now sitting in front of a pair of smaller line arrays using the Neo8 drivers.

Considering there are not a [lot] of the LS speakers out there, we have built quite a few crossovers and to date we have been right on target with our customers' preferences.

[Cheeseboy]

So you have never heard these speakers with a DAC amp?

[playntheblues]

Bill nice job, please keep us posted on your results.  Sure hope you get to put that flood behind you soon.
Warm regards,
Guy

[Bill Baker]

So you have never heard these speakers with a DAC amp?

No I haven't. I would like to hear them with the 4800A but unfortunately it is being discontinued.

Bill nice job, please keep us posted on your results.  Sure hope you get to put that flood behind you soon.

Thanks Guy. I will keep everyone updated. After going through 2 major floods in 5 years, I can't wait till this one is behind so we never have to look back or worry about #3.

[rollo]

Hi Charles
I did try the tweeters on the inside and the soundfield collapsed. I also tried them  only 5 feet apart. As shown in the pictures provides much better results than one might expect. I still have some reflection issues to deal with on the side walls. The picture does not show them but there are panels on the side walls and ceiling  that makes it all come together.

 Cool just throwing some alteratives at ya. Your not a novice just thought it may help.



charles
SMA