[justpoor]

How do SI 15" sound compare to vintage alnico speakers like altec, jbl, norelco, rca, etc....  I am a big fan of open baffle and want to try Silver Iris though I can't imagine myself listen to any speakers that are not alnico.  Though vintage speakers do not have the detail, accurate, soundstage or whatever audiophile labels that people use, it's the tone that always kept me coming back to my vintage speakers.  Do I miss out anything with the Silver Iris from Hawthorn. Thanks.

[JLM]

The SIs are $150/pair, do the math. 

They provide an amazing amount of deep bass for OB for any 2-way plus they are highly efficient.

My current production Fostex F200A (8 inch, full range, ALnico) cost 5 times as much and are much less efficient.  But they sound better (all that stuff you listed) and as you say, they have tone (my priority as well).

If you have the space to really let them breathe, the SIs would make a very nice 2nd system speaker compared to classic big top of the line ALnico sound.

[Bob in St. Louis]

How do SI 15" sound compare to vintage alnico speakers

Hello Mr. Poor, Although I can't answer the 'compare' part of the question, I'll say that I couldn't recommend the Silver Iris's enough.

The main reason for my reply was to respectfully correct John, The SI's are $145 EACH.

Bob

[Grumpy_Git]

How do SI 15" sound compare to vintage alnico speakers

Hello Mr. Poor, Although I can't answer the 'compare' part of the question, I'll say that I couldn't recommend the Silver Iris's enough.

The main reason for my reply was to respectfully correct John, The SI's are $145 EACH.

Bob

I nearly had a heart attack reading that, and thought that was sounding a bit cheap, with the current exchange rate SI's at $150/pr is only £70/pr or £35 each, beer money really.... I pay more than that for S&!T tweeters. 

Nick.

[Jampot]

with the current exchange rate SI's at $150/pr is only £70/pr or £35 each

Aahh Nick,

If only we could buy at dollar prices - it never ceases to amaze me that we still seem to pay the $sticker price in £s regardless of the strengthening pound!

Sorry for going off topic Mr. Poor, I hope you can get some more (meaningful) replies when the west wake up.

Jim

[hurdy_gurdyman]

The only AlNiCo speaker I've had a chance to do lengthy comparisons with the SI is old Electro-Voice 8 and 12 inch LS series (Wolverine) fullrange drivers on OB. No comparison. The SI's sound better in all respects. There are some people I know of who are no longer using their more expensive fullrange drivers (including one well known forum person who just recently was using F200A's on OB) who are now happily using SI's. And these are just the basic SI's. A more expensive Sterling Silver Iris is coming out this summer.

I've had many AlNiCo speakers as well as ceramic magnet speakers in the past. I finally ended up with some EV LS-12's that I managed to get both AlNiCo and ceramic magnet versions. They were identical except for the magnet type. Other than a dB or so difference in sensitivity, I couldn't tell them apart. I've long thought that differences in speaker design account for audible differences in drivers far more than what the magnet is made of. The EV comparison convinced me this is probably so.

Dave

[gooberdude]

The SI's have a true tone, that's about all i can say...my 1st OB experience.    As they continue to break-in, the big shi&-eating grin on my face hasn't subsided.

[Bob in St. Louis]

......As evident by your avatar Matt! 

[gooberdude]

Do the SI's make a man feel 'irie'?    you bet!


Bob, when you get a chance, try felting the baskets (inside & out) on just one of your SI's....i think you'll really like the change.

My pair took $20 worth of Ace hardware adhesive felt.  just be sure to stick the adhesive on carpet or a paper towel before sticking it to the baskets.

try the inside first....

matt

[Bob in St. Louis]

Oh absolutely Matt!
Probably this weekend coming up, I'll be doing all the tweaks we've been talking about on the Hawthorne Forum!  aa
Then again....Now that I think about it...Maybe not with all the new toys coming my way.

Sorry for the OT Mr. Poor. 

Bob

[justpoor]

Alright Mr. hurdy_gurdyman, you have convinced me.  I will get myself a pair to play with - if I dont like them as much as my Telefunken 5 inchers, and Norelco 9762 , I will have you to blame  ...............

[hurdy_gurdyman]

Alright Mr. hurdy_gurdyman, you have convinced me.  I will get myself a pair to play with - if I dont like them as much as my Telefunken 5 inchers, and Norelco 9762 , I will have you to blame  ...............

It wouldn't be the first time I've taken the blame...

Dave

[gooberdude]

Hey Dave,

i'm heartily enjoying the SI's & enjoy hearing good things about them compared to other OB drivers...they sure seem unique to me, especially given the low cost of ownership & ease of set-up.  i feel blessed having only spent a few restless nights tweaking & finalizing my 1st baffles - darn near instant gratification in comparison to the pursuits of others into OB it seems like, yourself included.

[hurdy_gurdyman]

Hey Dave,

are the SI's really that much better than other, more famous drivers that people use in OB?  my knowledege of this stuff is quite limited.  i'm not trying to toss a softball here given your affiliation!  honest question.  Some OB drivers cost mucho $....

i'm heartily enjoying the SI's & enjoy hearing good things about them compared to other OB drivers...they sure seem unique to me, especially given the low cost of ownership & ease of set-up.  i feel blessed having only spent a few restless nights tweaking & finalizing my 1st baffles - darn near instant gratification in comparison to the pursuits of others into OB it seems like, yourself included.

I really haven't had the opportunity to compare the SI's with many other OB speakers. Just my EV's and several old console speakers from the 50's and 60's era. The SI's beat them hands down.

Dave

[JANDG]

Would they beat the Calrad 12" AE's...? just curiouse.

[hurdy_gurdyman]

Would they beat the Calrad 12" AE's...? just curiouse.

I'm not familiar with these at all, nor could I find anything on them while doing a quick search.

Dave