Circe, Nightingale, and Nemesis

JackStraw · « **on:** 9 Mar 2005, 03:06 pm »

I've seen TjMJ3's post with the photos (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=14661&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0),
and I guess I can make assumptions on the basis of similarity using the TNT Epiphony review (http://www.tnt-audio.com/casse/epiphony_e.html),
but I'm left longing for more information about these speakers. They look like a fantastic balance of value, looks, performance, and flexibility (placement and efficiency/amp matching), but I'd like to hear from some folks who have bought them.

I'm interested in general listening impressions, as well as a couple of specifics which I'll list below. I'm sure that I could call Klaus to talk through this, but I'm not exactly on the verge of shelling out the cash so I wouldn't want to take up his time. Your time, however, I'll take up...

How placement sensitive are they? Of course all speakers like being out in the room, but rear porting should allow for more effective wall / corner placement.

From the specs, it looks like the Circe and Nemesis use the same midwoofer, but I suppose the Nightingale is also designed to have similar voicing. Comments from owners?

Again the specs... Nightingale is listed as going down to 39Hz, Circe to 45Hz. But, no tolerance is given. What are your listening impressions regarding bass? Has anyone run sweeps to see what they're getting?

I see the plinth design, but does that rest directly on your floor? How is the vertical weight distribution -- are they at all susceptible to tipping over if placed on gushy carpet?

Thanks folks, hopefully I'm not the only one wondering about these.

Pirate · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Mar 2005, 07:56 pm »

The Nightingales are one of the best looking speakers for WAF

. I have them in dark cherry and they are as beautiful as a bottle of rum on a cold night. The base is larger than the speaker enclosure itself and along with the weight I cannot see an issue with tipping over (even during our earthquakes).

Yes, The break-in is significant but worth the wait.At first I thought I would upgrade to Lorelies but these are sounding so good I may have lost that desire.

The sound is open,clean, detailed, and a little set back. Bass is ok but I use an HSU sub to help out . Any upgrade I have completed upstream from the speaker has had a significant impact on the Nightingales. They just keep getting better and better

http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=2893

TjMV3 · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Mar 2005, 08:13 pm »

I love the sound of that , Pirate!

Good to know I can expect more and more improvements.

Hell, I love them now.

Are you using a sub with music and HT, or just HT?

Pirate · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 02:41 pm »

My system is set up for music only right now. Never thought of incorporating it into the HT.

Personally, I really don't think a HT systems need to be that high end

. I am sure others will disagree. A home theater in a box system would suit me fine.

I had the sub before the Nightingales. I found that I prefer that extra kick on a lot of music like Dire Strait and Eagles. John Williams guitar solos and like need no sub. It's just my preferance.

John151 · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 03:36 pm »

Quote from: Pirate

Personally, I really don't think a HT systems need to be that high end . I am sure others will disagree.

I agree 100%!

Jay S · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 06:10 pm »

The Circle and Nightingale seem to be great speakers. If I need speakers that are physically less deep (the nOrh 9.0 is something like 17" deep!) then these would be at the top of my list. I have an ACI sub so any slight deficiency in low bass would not be an issue for me. In my new place I'd be able to place the sub between the main speakers so I could afford a higher XO point.

corwin99 · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 06:17 pm »

Quote from: John151

Quote from: Pirate
Personally, I really don't think a HT systems need to be that high end . I am sure others will disagree.

I agree 100%!

I also agree than an HT system doesn't need to be that high end.. i do like something better than a HTIB though, there seem to be a lot of 'holes' in the surround soundstaging of HTIB's. I've also heard some people say that their 2-channel systems sound better for movies than any 5.1 system could do.. that I don't agree with from my experience, but perhaps i've never heard an optimized 2-channel HT. ??

John151 · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 06:32 pm »

Quote from: corwin99

I've also heard some people say that their 2-channel systems sound better for movies than any 5.1 system could do.. tha ...

In my newly created system, movies sound better w/o the center channel. I believe this is do to poor placement of the center channel. I have a ceiling mounted front PJ, and my screen is so large that my center has to either be nearly on the floor, or on the ceiling. Also, my mains (Magnepan 2.5R) sound so darn sweet, and image so well, that I really don't see the need for a center. I think the centers are more necessary for Bose type systems.

For testing/evaluating my multi-channel set up, I put on BlackHawk down. Great sound affects, and the voices are always very clear, even during intense fire fights. I also have wall mounted Maggies for the rears (MMG-W), which I am very pleased with. I have nearly ducked a few times from the sound of bullets whizzing by.

Pirate · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 08:18 pm »

Byteme has Lorelies for his HT. I am not sure what speakers he uses for surounds if any. I am sure his system is real impresive and probably would knock your socks off. He just went to mono extremes.

Right now the only way I would upgrade to the Lorelies would be to hear them. But Klaus doesn't come to Southern California

.

I just put the upsampler in my Ah Njoe Tjoeb 4000 tubed CD player and WOW

.The Nightingales just opened up and started singing with detail. Cymbals sizzle and decay along with plucking guitar strings that linger in the air. Piano is still not quite as big and realistic as I would like but the upsampler is still breaking in.

Klaus has such a great upgrade program. Its really a no brainer

to get the Nightingales or any other of his speakers.

byteme · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 09:04 pm »

Quote

Byteme has Lorelies for his HT. I am not sure what speakers he uses for surounds if any. I am sure his system is real impresive and probably would knock your socks off. He just went to mono extremes. icon_mrgreen.gif

Why thanks! Out of necessity I've had to grow the HT and 2-channel systems pretty much together over the years. About 5-6 years ago I started with a home theater in a box, more as a proof of concept kind of thing, still using my mains (Polk RTA11t's) as main left and right speakers though. The FIRST thing I upgraded was the center channel. I've since replaced everything and now have Usher X-616 center, Polk f/x500i surrounds and Polk RT25i rear surrounds.

As we know, the Lorelei's are stunning in 2 channel but really also add some significant oomph for theater as well. Especially with the Mono Extremes powering them now! It's great to be able to set the entire front stage to Large and let the house shake when all hell breaks loose in a movie. When watching movies alone (with the dog) invariably one of the two of us gets creeped out by some action in the surrounds!

Personally, I can't see doing HT without a center, unless there were extreme circumstances. I also can't see $4k for a processor because, as we've said, it's "only" home theater! My 2 channel set up only shares the preamp, IC's, Amps, speaker cable and Lorelei's with the HT. And, while my preamp doesn't have HT pass through it's so easy to do using a separate input I wouldn't ever list that as a criteria in buying a new preamp. Other than the center speaker all of my upgrades over the last almost 2 years have been 2 channel.

John151 · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 09:11 pm »

byteme - Have you tried turning off the center (on the receiver) to see how it sounds?

byteme · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 09:15 pm »

I haven't done that - no. The center integrates so well with the Lorelei's that I really can't imagine running it any other way. I guess at some point I could give that a shot, but don't know if I want to mess around with all the settings and everything it would take to do it.

John151 · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 09:18 pm »

I am not suggesting that it would sound better, but I do think you would be very surprised.

It is not difficult, just change the receiver's settings (via the OSD) to indicate that you do not have a center speaker. Then, the receiver will send the center channel sounds to the L & R speakers. Should be very easy. No need to touch any wires.

byteme · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 09:41 pm »

John,

I figured that's the way it would be, I'd only be concerned that level settings would change. Maybe I'll give it a shot and report back!

rklein · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 09:47 pm »

I originally bought five Epiphanies from Klaus. I also bought a Khartago amp and an Etesian pre. My system does double duty with HT and 2 channel. Unfortunately, when the Epiphanies arrived, my loving wife's first words are "the epiphanies look naked" (no grills)

I call Klaus and tell him I have a slight problem. After laughing hilariously when I tell him, he says no problem. The bottom line is I show my wife a beautiful speaker that just happens to have the name of Nightengale and she falls in love with them!

I call Klaus and he let me keep the Epiphanies until my pair of Nightengales are done. I ended up shipping back all but one Epiphany (using for CC until my Nemesis arrives). I figured I would use existing NHT Super Zero's for my surrounds and put the savings into the Nightengales. My 2 channel listening pleasure has gone up quite a few notches. I have hardwood floors with large area rugs in a 16x23 ft room with a slanted cathedral ceiling. The Epiphanies threw out quite a large sound stage for such a small speaker but the Nightengales are in a different league. The sound is much more resolving for me. I am a classically trained musician and listen to a lot of large orchestral pieces. My previous speakers (Signet SL280's) went lower but the Nightengales put the sound of the orchestra right where it should be. When I close my eyes the strings (both upper and lower), woodwinds, brass & percussion are in their proper places sound-wise. I just bought a Scott Nixon TubeDAC+ so I'm sure that my listening experience will rise accordingly. The Nightengales arrive with a black base(about 1 inch thick) along with 4 2 inch screws per speaker. The screws go through the bottom of the base through a metal sleeve and into the speaker. I had them set up in about 10 minutes. As far as stability goes, our cat loves to jump up and sit on top of the Nightengales. They never move when she jumps up or off of them.

I originally wanted to make my 2 channel listening experience much better with nominal improvements to my HT experience. Well, my 2 channel has improved a great deal but my HT has improved a great deal also with these speakers.

Yours,

rklein

JackStraw · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Mar 2005, 10:27 pm »

Quote from: rklein

As far as stability goes, our cat loves to jump up and sit on top of the Nightengales. They never move when she jumps up or off of them.

Feel free to post a photo of that if at all possible. Seriously, though, thanks for posting your impressions here. Everything that I've read has been very positive. It looks like Pirate and I will have a mini get-together at some point in the near future so that I can see and hear his Nightingales first hand.