[indygreg]

Just took delivery of my new SongTowers!

I'll save a more formal review for later, but I figured I'd post some pictures of the unboxing and setup for all to see.

http://picasaweb.google.com/gregory.szorc/SalkSongTowers

They are walnut base, finished to match a sample that I sent to Jim.

And Jim, they arrived in pristine condition.  They look and sound amazing!

[Toka]

Looking good!  How do you like the Emotiva gear?

[satfrat]

Welcome to AudioCircle,,, yours is one of the best 1st posts ever imho!  Now that's how all loudspeakers should be sent, my hat's off to Salk for taking the time & energy to do it right. 


Cheers,
Robin

[indygreg]

Looking good!  How do you like the Emotiva gear?

Just got my first listen to the Emotiva gear today!  The XPA-5 sounds solid.  I'm still learning my way around the MMC-1.  Initial impressions are good.  I wish it had better HDMI support and a better visual menu system, but that's why I'm upgrading to the XMC-1 when it is released later this year...

[shortspark]

You dog!!  Those are MY speakers!  That is exactly the finish I ordered.  If you ordered yours after March 2 I want you to pack them back up and send them to me - there HAD to be a mistake!!  They look beautiful and will go with my setting and furniture very well.

[indygreg]

You dog!!  Those are MY speakers!  That is exactly the finish I ordered.  If you ordered yours after March 2 I want you to pack them back up and send them to me - there HAD to be a mistake!!  They look beautiful and will go with my setting and furniture very well.

Had my order in Feb 26  .  Would have had these last Thursday if it weren't for a shipping mix-up.  More on that horror story later...

[shortspark]

You dog!!  Those are MY speakers!  That is exactly the finish I ordered.  If you ordered yours after March 2 I want you to pack them back up and send them to me - there HAD to be a mistake!!  They look beautiful and will go with my setting and furniture very well.

Had my order in Feb 26  .  Would have had these last Thursday if it weren't for a shipping mix-up.  More on that horror story later...

Feb. 26?  Well, okay then, you can keep them I guess.  You got in a few days before I did which means I'm probably next on the list or pretty close to it.  They are very good looking and mine should be nearly a carbon copy, perhaps a tint darker.  I'll post pics when I receive them and we can compare.  Jim said he is now including the name plate and I see your set has them.  Did you have to install the plates or are they pre-installed?  BTW, since I'm all thumbs and some of your pictures show various parts, I'm wondering what assembly is required?

[indygreg]

You dog!!  Those are MY speakers!  That is exactly the finish I ordered.  If you ordered yours after March 2 I want you to pack them back up and send them to me - there HAD to be a mistake!!  They look beautiful and will go with my setting and furniture very well.

Had my order in Feb 26  .  Would have had these last Thursday if it weren't for a shipping mix-up.  More on that horror story later...

Feb. 26?  Well, okay then, you can keep them I guess.  You got in a few days before I did which means I'm probably next on the list or pretty close to it.  They are very good looking and mine should be nearly a carbon copy, perhaps a tint darker.  I'll post pics when I receive them and we can compare.  Jim said he is now including the name plate and I see your set has them.  Did you have to install the plates or are they pre-installed?  BTW, since I'm all thumbs and some of your pictures show various parts, I'm wondering what assembly is required?

Silver Salk plates are pre-installed.  I didn't ask for them, but I wanted them!  The stands and grills came in a 3rd package.  The stand spikes you can just screw on with your hands.  You will need tools to install the four bolts from the bottom of the stands to the bottom of the speakers, as there is no way you can hand tighten them.  A socket wrench is probably ideal.  I managed to do it with pliers because I don't have a socket set   There is plenty of clearance around the holes to fit a normal wrench (or pliers) in there.  The grills are magnetic and I am thoroughly impressed at how well they align themselves to the proper location.

My only issue was figuring out how to unpack them!  The first one, I managed to just cut open one end tilt and the package slid out (with some encouragement).  The second one was a little tighter, so I had to perform surgery on that box.  The inside packaging is expertly done so there is no way you'll accidentally cut the speakers when sliding a knife through all the tape (unless you are using a chainsaw).

[wiz]

Shortspark,
I think I actually ordered mine a few days before indygreg. Just checked my invoice, and it's dated Feb. 19. Hope they're close to finished!! I'm eagerly waiting, and jealous!! My ST's will be in the natural curly cherry...there are a few pics out there. I won't pressure Jim a bit, as it certainly appears he puts every ounce of passion into each pair. Definitely let us know when yours arrive. By the way, I was torn about the walnut in my room...they look GREAT, indy!

[shortspark]

Thanks.  Sounds simple enough.  Maybe even I can put them together without too much problem.  I have heard how well these speakers come package, another indication of quality.  The grills are held by magnets?  That's neat.  I have read that for critical listening the ST's grills should be removed and that would make it pretty simple.  Of course, my ears are 60 years old so I may not be able to detect those subtle differences but who knows?

[jsalk]

shortspark -

Thanks.  Sounds simple enough.  Maybe even I can put them together without too much problem.  I have heard how well these speakers come package, another indication of quality.  The grills are held by magnets?  That's neat.  I have read that for critical listening the ST's grills should be removed and that would make it pretty simple.  Of course, my ears are 60 years old so I may not be able to detect those subtle differences but who knows?

I'm taking a lunch break here at the shop and sitting literally just a few feet from your SongTowers.  They are finished.  Later today I will be putting the final topcoat on your plinths (bases) and they will be ready to go.  We will probably pack tomorrow and ship on Friday. 

Just thought you'd like to know.

- Jim

[shortspark]

shortspark -

Thanks.  Sounds simple enough.  Maybe even I can put them together without too much problem.  I have heard how well these speakers come package, another indication of quality.  The grills are held by magnets?  That's neat.  I have read that for critical listening the ST's grills should be removed and that would make it pretty simple.  Of course, my ears are 60 years old so I may not be able to detect those subtle differences but who knows?

I'm taking a lunch break here at the shop and sitting literally just a few feet from your SongTowers.  They are finished.  Later today I will be putting the final topcoat on your plinths (bases) and they will be ready to go.  We will probably pack tomorrow and ship on Friday. 

Just thought you'd like to know.

- Jim

Oh boy, oh boy!  Great news.  I decided not to email and bug you any more since most everyone said such craftsmanship takes time and is well worth the wait.  I'm sure they will look as beautiful as they sound.  Let me know at my email address when you ship them, the anticipated delivery date and/or tracking number and what the balance will be.  Thanks again Jim.

[wiz]

Now I'm really jealous!!!!

[idiotec]

Now I'm really jealous!!!!

Same here! 

You don't by chance have two sets of Cherry ST's going out tomorrow do you Jim? 

[Legendlime]

 
 Your ST's look beautiful in that walnut finish. I initially wanted walnut but my wife changed my mind. No regrets though, I have a awesome pair in light oak and I have gotten many compliments from visitors to my home. Sound and Vision.

I must have spent a half an hour measuring and adjusting those bases I finally had to tell myself to STOP being so anal. I hate it when I get like that.
The design of the speakers create a space at the bottom that make the speakers seem to "float" above the bases. Very cool.

[GloP]

Hey wait, while we're at it I got my HT3 coming too!  Hope they're shipping tomorrow as well 

[Big Red Machine]

shortspark -

Thanks.  Sounds simple enough.  Maybe even I can put them together without too much problem.  I have heard how well these speakers come package, another indication of quality.  The grills are held by magnets?  That's neat.  I have read that for critical listening the ST's grills should be removed and that would make it pretty simple.  Of course, my ears are 60 years old so I may not be able to detect those subtle differences but who knows?

I'm taking a lunch break here at the shop and sitting literally just a few feet from your SongTowers.  They are finished.  Later today I will be putting the final topcoat on your plinths (bases) and they will be ready to go.  We will probably pack tomorrow and ship on Friday. 

Just thought you'd like to know.

- Jim

Standing lunches from now on!