[NealH]

I need a pair of speakers for a small condo (speakers to be close to wall).    I don't need volume.   Can someone comment or summarize the difference in sound character between the Song Bird and the 1801 (stand mount or tower)?

[Richard in Idaho]

Can't really answer your question. I thought a lot about buying 1801s but bought Song Birds due to cost.
Still think the 1801 would be great. But, I am very pleased with the Song Birds.
And no picture can do justice to Jim's work.

[kip_]

The 1801 should be more detailed due to the woofer, but the highs should be similar to the Songbird with the dome. The Songbird/SongTower with ribbons now has both a different woofer and tweeter so I wouldn't expect them to sound alike.

[Big Red Machine]

Best to call Jim.  He won't try to steer you toward a more expensive speaker if that is not what you need.

[jsalk]

These speakers are both about the same sensitivity - 84-85db.

Since the tweeters are the same, you can expect the same sound quality on the top end.

The standard 1801b's will not play as deep as the SongBirds and will be slightly less flexible in terms of room placement since they are a ported speaker, not a transmission line speaker.  They will also not play quite as deep as the SongBirds, but will handle more power.  In other words, they can play louder befpre reaching the maximum excursion of the driver.  The 1801's will be more detailed in the midrange due to the stiffer, lower-mass magnesium cone of the W18.

Now, if you compare the SongBirds to the 1801-TL's, that is a different story.  The 1801-TL's will be as easy to place in the room as the SongBirds.  They will be slightly more detailed in the midrange, will play deeper and will handle more power as well.

 If the room size is on the small side and you will be using them at a moderate volume level, the SongBird's will perform quite well.  But if given a choice (and cost was not a consideration) the 1801-TL's would be the best choice over all.


I should add that we do happen to have one nice curly cherry pair of 1801-TL's available for immediate delivery.

I hope that helps.

- Jim

[jsalk]

These speakers are both about the same sensitivity - 84-85db.

Since the tweeters are the same, you can expect the same sound quality on the top end.

The standard 1801b's will not play as deep as the SongBirds and will be slightly less flexible in terms of room placement since they are a ported speaker, not a transmission line speaker.  While they will not play quite as deep as the SongBirds, they will handle more power.  (In other words, they can play louder before reaching the maximum excursion of the driver.)  The 1801's will be more detailed in the midrange due to the stiffer, lower-mass magnesium cone of the W18.

Now, if you compare the SongBirds to the 1801-TL's, that is a different story.  The 1801-TL's will be as easy to place in the room as the SongBirds.  They will be slightly more detailed in the midrange, will play deeper and will handle more power as well.

 If the room size is on the small side and you will be using them at a moderate volume level, the SongBird's will perform quite well.  But if given a choice (and cost was not a consideration) the 1801-TL's would be the best choice over all.

I should add that we do happen to have one nice curly cherry pair of 1801-TL's available for immediate delivery.

I hope that helps.

- Jim

[NealH]

Thanks for the comments and they do help.  In fact quite a bit.  The 1801 is definitely a nice looking speaker (if its the one shown in the Child Board section) and would look great where I have in mind to place them.   Of course a Songbird would too, and is more reasonable in price.   I need to ponder over my options.   

My friends Salk HT3's sound excellent, by the way.   And they look that way too.