Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.

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tcsubwoofer

Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« on: 7 Oct 2008, 03:38 am »
Gotta say I'm very excited about attending the Rocky Mountain Audio fest this year!  I've been on audio hiatus for probably 5 years and now I'm getting back into it.  I went last year and visited about 15 rooms in detail and enjoyed the show quite a bit.

I was so ready do an inexpensive TL kit last fall just to "ease" back into the hobby.  Spent enough time browsing around and stumbling across Selah audio and subsequently getting blown away by Rick's designs and his custom DIY kit designs that I've moved all the way up to the RC-5 kit as my first DIY project.   I'm pulling the trigger on an RC-5 kit before the end of the month and am looking forward to meeting Rick at the show (I live in Denver).  Wondering if he will be willing to do a contour switch for me on the RC-5's since I gotta keep them close to a wall.  However, maybe not needed since I will be using a Behringer DEQ2496 equalizer/DAC. 

If I'm stunned by the Symmetrica line arrays that Rick will be demoing then I will be in a pickle!  The RC-5's will really make a presence in my living room and the line arrays would do so much more.  I am a bit concerned about speaker size in my room although I am more concerned about getting a speaker with a driver compliment I have confidence in (i.e., the RC-5).  I just want a rock solid, beautiful, fully capable speaker and I think the RC-5's are the ticket.  The symmetrica's would be more domineering of my environment aesthetically than the RC-5's, but that is relative because the RC-5 is a big speaker.  My basement is unfinished and for now my new speakers will have to go in the main floor living room.  But if the Symmetricas sound that good I may have to reconsider about getting arrays.  Of course the will cost more too.

Hey - any Selah Audio owners in Denver?

gme109

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Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #1 on: 7 Oct 2008, 05:47 am »
Gotta say I'm very excited about attending the Rocky Mountain Audio fest this year!  I've been on audio hiatus for probably 5 years and now I'm getting back into it.  I went last year and visited about 15 rooms in detail and enjoyed the show quite a bit.

I was so ready do an inexpensive TL kit last fall just to "ease" back into the hobby.  Spent enough time browsing around and stumbling across Selah audio and subsequently getting blown away by Rick's designs and his custom DIY kit designs that I've moved all the way up to the RC-5 kit as my first DIY project.   I'm pulling the trigger on an RC-5 kit before the end of the month and am looking forward to meeting Rick at the show (I live in Denver).  Wondering if he will be willing to do a contour switch for me on the RC-5's since I gotta keep them close to a wall.  However, maybe not needed since I will be using a Behringer DEQ2496 equalizer/DAC. 

If I'm stunned by the Symmetrica line arrays that Rick will be demoing then I will be in a pickle!  The RC-5's will really make a presence in my living room and the line arrays would do so much more.  I am a bit concerned about speaker size in my room although I am more concerned about getting a speaker with a driver compliment I have confidence in (i.e., the RC-5).  I just want a rock solid, beautiful, fully capable speaker and I think the RC-5's are the ticket.  The symmetrica's would be more domineering of my environment aesthetically than the RC-5's, but that is relative because the RC-5 is a big speaker.  My basement is unfinished and for now my new speakers will have to go in the main floor living room.  But if the Symmetricas sound that good I may have to reconsider about getting arrays.  Of course the will cost more too.

Hey - any Selah Audio owners in Denver?


Howdy neighbor,

I've had one of Rick's line array's for over 6 years now, and I'm still blown away every time I sit down to listen to music. You're lucky you stumbled into the Selah audio room last year, Rick offers some of the best bang for your buck designs I've come across in my 30 years of being an audiophile.

Rob S.

Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #2 on: 7 Oct 2008, 06:03 pm »
I guess you can say I'm  amped up too.  Bringing my checkbook.  Hopefully the show will be good to me and I won't buy too many new things.  Mainly just speakers.


Rick Craig

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Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #3 on: 8 Oct 2008, 12:52 am »
Gotta say I'm very excited about attending the Rocky Mountain Audio fest this year!  I've been on audio hiatus for probably 5 years and now I'm getting back into it.  I went last year and visited about 15 rooms in detail and enjoyed the show quite a bit.

I was so ready do an inexpensive TL kit last fall just to "ease" back into the hobby.  Spent enough time browsing around and stumbling across Selah audio and subsequently getting blown away by Rick's designs and his custom DIY kit designs that I've moved all the way up to the RC-5 kit as my first DIY project.   I'm pulling the trigger on an RC-5 kit before the end of the month and am looking forward to meeting Rick at the show (I live in Denver).  Wondering if he will be willing to do a contour switch for me on the RC-5's since I gotta keep them close to a wall.  However, maybe not needed since I will be using a Behringer DEQ2496 equalizer/DAC. 

If I'm stunned by the Symmetrica line arrays that Rick will be demoing then I will be in a pickle!  The RC-5's will really make a presence in my living room and the line arrays would do so much more.  I am a bit concerned about speaker size in my room although I am more concerned about getting a speaker with a driver compliment I have confidence in (i.e., the RC-5).  I just want a rock solid, beautiful, fully capable speaker and I think the RC-5's are the ticket.  The symmetrica's would be more domineering of my environment aesthetically than the RC-5's, but that is relative because the RC-5 is a big speaker.  My basement is unfinished and for now my new speakers will have to go in the main floor living room.  But if the Symmetricas sound that good I may have to reconsider about getting arrays.  Of course the will cost more too.

Hey - any Selah Audio owners in Denver?


I look forward to your visit this week. The crossover of the RC5 can be revised for placement near a wall. We don't use contour switches because they don't provide the best solution. The DEQ2496 would also be a good option.

The pictures of the Symmetrica tend to make them look bigger than they really are; in fact, they have a fairly small footprint. Once you hear them I think you'll be surprised what they are capable of.

PDR

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Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #4 on: 8 Oct 2008, 01:46 am »
 Every time I sit in front of my Symmetricas I am blown away..... :o

They just get better with every hour I put on them. When I sit people in front of them they just say wow.

Check them out at RMAF, you wont be dissapointed.

Perry

tcsubwoofer

Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #5 on: 8 Oct 2008, 02:57 am »

Howdy neighbor,

I've had one of Rick's line array's for over 6 years now, and I'm still blown away every time I sit down to listen to music. You're lucky you stumbled into the Selah audio room last year, Rick offers some of the best bang for your buck designs I've come across in my 30 years of being an audiophile.
[/quote]

Great to hear.  Line Array's are completely new to me and my expectations are they will offer a completely higher level of realism.   To be blown away after 6 years is quite, quite impressive since most audiophiles (my past self included) seem to find something wrong with their speakers every few years and switch.

tcsubwoofer

Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #6 on: 8 Oct 2008, 03:17 am »
Rick, OK I won't go with a crossover switch.  PDR loves his Symmetrica's and his review (plus GME109's glowing endorsement) is selling me a bit more on truly considering an array.

I am concerned about the bass response of the Symmetricas though.  The thing that has lacked from my previous speakers is the visceral, tight bass extending down to the 30 Hz range and with output that I want without separate subs.  This is really a big deal for me.  I am assuming I would need to purchase additional subs to place the symmetricas on?  I may not have enough money for that right now.   You know, I've heard Seas Thor kits and other finely made two ways, 3 ways, and TL speakers that just didn't have the "oomph" for me.  I've owned meadowlark audio kestrels, Gershman Avante Gardes, ProAc 2's, Norh 4.0s - all fine speakers with limited bass response.  I'm not sure I fit the classic audiophile mode with bass response being more important than imaging.  I've been getting by with some Norh 4.0s and an old HSU 12Va subwoofer.  That system rocks, but I'm ready to try a bigger, better system than I have ever owned.

Regarding realism I remember hearing some Legacy Audio Whisper speakers many years ago.  My grandfather accompanied me and we listened to several of Legacy's speakers with the demo ending with the whisper.  The whisper was the only speaker that each of us said "WOW" and my granddads hearing was questionable but he even heard a difference.  The speakers disappeared for me and sounded fantastic.  I'm wondering if the Selah Audio line-arrays are a different design that offer a similar experience.

Rick Craig

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Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #7 on: 9 Oct 2008, 01:03 am »
Gotta say I'm very excited about attending the Rocky Mountain Audio fest this year!  I've been on audio hiatus for probably 5 years and now I'm getting back into it.  I went last year and visited about 15 rooms in detail and enjoyed the show quite a bit.

I was so ready do an inexpensive TL kit last fall just to "ease" back into the hobby.  Spent enough time browsing around and stumbling across Selah audio and subsequently getting blown away by Rick's designs and his custom DIY kit designs that I've moved all the way up to the RC-5 kit as my first DIY project.   I'm pulling the trigger on an RC-5 kit before the end of the month and am looking forward to meeting Rick at the show (I live in Denver).  Wondering if he will be willing to do a contour switch for me on the RC-5's since I gotta keep them close to a wall.  However, maybe not needed since I will be using a Behringer DEQ2496 equalizer/DAC. 

If I'm stunned by the Symmetrica line arrays that Rick will be demoing then I will be in a pickle!  The RC-5's will really make a presence in my living room and the line arrays would do so much more.  I am a bit concerned about speaker size in my room although I am more concerned about getting a speaker with a driver compliment I have confidence in (i.e., the RC-5).  I just want a rock solid, beautiful, fully capable speaker and I think the RC-5's are the ticket.  The symmetrica's would be more domineering of my environment aesthetically than the RC-5's, but that is relative because the RC-5 is a big speaker.  My basement is unfinished and for now my new speakers will have to go in the main floor living room.  But if the Symmetricas sound that good I may have to reconsider about getting arrays.  Of course the will cost more too.

Hey - any Selah Audio owners in Denver?


Howdy neighbor,

I've had one of Rick's line array's for over 6 years now, and I'm still blown away every time I sit down to listen to music. You're lucky you stumbled into the Selah audio room last year, Rick offers some of the best bang for your buck designs I've come across in my 30 years of being an audiophile.

How about some acoustic panels for Thai or Indian food?  :wink:

Rick Craig

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Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #8 on: 9 Oct 2008, 02:38 am »
Rick, OK I won't go with a crossover switch.  PDR loves his Symmetrica's and his review (plus GME109's glowing endorsement) is selling me a bit more on truly considering an array.

I am concerned about the bass response of the Symmetricas though.  The thing that has lacked from my previous speakers is the visceral, tight bass extending down to the 30 Hz range and with output that I want without separate subs.  This is really a big deal for me.  I am assuming I would need to purchase additional subs to place the symmetricas on?  I may not have enough money for that right now.   You know, I've heard Seas Thor kits and other finely made two ways, 3 ways, and TL speakers that just didn't have the "oomph" for me.  I've owned meadowlark audio kestrels, Gershman Avante Gardes, ProAc 2's, Norh 4.0s - all fine speakers with limited bass response.  I'm not sure I fit the classic audiophile mode with bass response being more important than imaging.  I've been getting by with some Norh 4.0s and an old HSU 12Va subwoofer.  That system rocks, but I'm ready to try a bigger, better system than I have ever owned.

Regarding realism I remember hearing some Legacy Audio Whisper speakers many years ago.  My grandfather accompanied me and we listened to several of Legacy's speakers with the demo ending with the whisper.  The whisper was the only speaker that each of us said "WOW" and my granddads hearing was questionable but he even heard a difference.  The speakers disappeared for me and sounded fantastic.  I'm wondering if the Selah Audio line-arrays are a different design that offer a similar experience.

The Symmetrica is designed to be used with a new sub that we will be showing at the RMAF. For your needs the RC5 is the better choice because you don't want outboard subwoofers.

FredT300B

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Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #9 on: 9 Oct 2008, 10:23 am »

Great to hear.  Line Array's are completely new to me and my expectations are they will offer a completely higher level of realism.   To be blown away after 6 years is quite, quite impressive since most audiophiles (my past self included) seem to find something wrong with their speakers every few years and switch.

Quite a few speakers have shuffled through my listening room, but the line arrays always end up in the place of honor. Line arrays do some things that can't be conveyed very effectively in a posting like this; you have to hear it for yourself. They seem to load the room in a fundamentally different way than point source speakers.  :thumb:
http://fredt300b.smugmug.com/gallery/132721_wacsQ#27073926_S4zvX

tcsubwoofer

Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #10 on: 9 Oct 2008, 12:43 pm »

Great to hear.  Line Array's are completely new to me and my expectations are they will offer a completely higher level of realism.   To be blown away after 6 years is quite, quite impressive since most audiophiles (my past self included) seem to find something wrong with their speakers every few years and switch.

Quite a few speakers have shuffled through my listening room, but the line arrays always end up in the place of honor. Line arrays do some things that can't be conveyed very effectively in a posting like this; you have to hear it for yourself. They seem to load the room in a fundamentally different way than point source speakers.  :thumb:

http://fredt300b.smugmug.com/gallery/132721_wacsQ#27073926_S4zvX

Hey, great pictures.  Are those all speakers you own (or have owned)?  The XT-8's look nice.  I'm looking forward to hearing Rick's line array's this weekend.

Rick Craig

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Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #11 on: 14 Oct 2008, 03:06 pm »
Thanks to everyone who visited our room at the show. Great comments and feedback, including a few "best of show" which led to the Symmetrica demo speakers and subwoofers being sold. A well-known reviewer said "that's a lotta speaker for the money".   :thumb:

hikinokie

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Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #12 on: 15 Oct 2008, 02:07 pm »
People had nice things to say about the S6 too. As owner of pair #1 it kinda made me feel special :D

ltr317

Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #13 on: 15 Oct 2008, 02:44 pm »
Rick - I enjoyed listening to your new creation at the show with my "Labour of Love" by Frente selection and Ed Cramer's Nick Cave selection.  Good luck with sales of the new speaker.

Paul

tcsubwoofer

Re: Amped up about RMAF and Selah Audio.
« Reply #14 on: 16 Oct 2008, 03:32 am »
OK, a bit behind on posting because I've been traveling for work.  Really great talking to Rick at the show.  Thanks Rick for taking time to answer my numerous questions!  The symmetrica's sounded great and imaged well though I have decided to stick with an RC-5 kit.  I am really looking for a full-range system without separate subs and after hearing other dynamic speakers a the show (Salk HT3, Linkwitz Orions, and similar) I've confirmed that my ears like a detailed, dynamic speaker with with that oooh so awesome full-range visceral sensation you get with such a speaker.  As I mentioned at the show I plan to order before months end.

I enjoyed the show even more than last year.  I heard some absolutely stellar music and sounds.  I've become even more convinced than ever that Selah Audio offers some of the best values in the industry, if not about the best value if you are willing to do the kits.  I also don't understand how somebody can spend the money on some of the super elite and expensive systems.  Really, after listening to Selah, Salk, Linkwitz Lab, and other largely internet distributed speakers it's mind boggling how good these speaker stand up to the ultra expensive options out there.