[rrthuss]

Hi all,

I've been running a pair of S-9s for about 6 months and there's not much chatter about the speakers on the board.  I'm curious about how others are enjoying them and if there are any tweaking or revisions in the works.  I believe my pair came to me from the dealer with an authorized cross-over mod performed.  In the world of audio systems all things can never be equal ... rooms are what they are and the equipment upstream is to individual taste etc ... and beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.  That being said, perhaps we can still compare notes and see if we find common characteristics.  One thing seems evident, with the build quality of the speakers they will be floating around out here for a very long time to come. 

For what it's worth:  I'm set up in a squarish room perhaps a bit small for the speakers in an old house so room acoustics isn't a plus.  I think I'm bringing the speakers worthy front end equipment:  Source is usually computer driven ... tweaked winamp or foobar 0.8.3 into empirical audio offramp (too lazy to fool with hunting cds although I have a decent transport) i2s into a northstar dac out to a YBA 1a pre-amp to YBA 1a mono blocks.  Interconnects are decent gold alloy copper into DH labs silver coated copper speaker wire ... and lastly im using a decent power conditioner. 

Thanks,

Rob

[rustydoglim]

We don't actively promote S-9 anymore because it is too costly to make and it does not suit every customers (no options for changing the cabinet color). But if S-1 suits your taste, you can order it directly from Nuforce. 

I use 3 S-9 (no mod) for my home theater and music listening with AVP-17 and MCH-3SEC7 (what else ).
I prefer very realistic sound and S-9 is one of the few speaker that can deliver it.  S-9 is also extremely fast but you will need the Nuforce amp to experience it. 

[Rocket]

Hi Roger,

I use a pair of nuforce s9 speakers in my system.  The cabinet really is very good.  I can't compare these speakers to some of the exotic brands in the US (I live in Australia).

I really like the midrange and top end but the bass could use a little more work.

I've currently use 2 x N.E.W. 20.1's monoblocked with good results.

I'm interested in the xover modification.  Any details who I can contact?  Will this void my warranty?

Regards

Rod

[rrthuss]

Thanks Jason,

out of curiosity, how many pairs of S-9s are in circulation?  I understand the cost issue ... and the stiff competition from some pretty good monitor designs in the under 3k range.  There are things the S-9s can do obviously those designs won't.  We like the speakers, and because of the external cross-over, we should be able tweakable and those of us who invest (a modest 20k in gear sitting behind me) in this hobby prefer innovative companies that want to listen and for our input and ideas. We're glad Nuforce is here and available. 

[Rocket]

Hi Rob,

Great post.

Jason,

Is there any opportunity to have my xover modified to the latest specs?

Is there an improvement in sound quality?

Thanks for your help.

Regards

Rod

[MacStealth]

As an owner of such excellent designed and sounding loudspeakers, I noticed that in my small room they are very responsive to changes in toe-in/toe-up (changes in image/stage)...location to rear/side wall (changes image and bass), I keep the back ports clean and unobstructed...height and weight of the monitor stands (image definition bass and mid/highs)... the zobel filter switch(on/OFF)...and also they are very sensitive to loudspeaker cable flavors and they will show it...and I like the cleaning effect of cable elevators...
I use vibrapods on the external crossover and a piece of wood on top of them to isolate floor vibrations...Is fun to play with all these variables

The external crossover helps to isolate loudspeaker vibrations and open the possibilities to change brand component$ or transform it in an active crossover...
Rod I read once @ SP Tech circle that they offer you to modify the crossover $$$
I clean the S9 with a smooth  wet towel and the drivers with a standard home duster...

I am a proud owner of a Nuforce Trilogy (P9-Ref9SEv2-S9) aa

[Rocket]

Hi,

Great combination.  It took me a long time to pay off the nuforce s9 speaker and I just couldn't afford to buy the amplifier and preamp combination.

I've accumulated too many amplifiers and I don't need anymore.

I contacted SP TECH but the cost was very expensive to buy the modified xover.

Regards

Rod

[MacStealth]

Hi Rod,

I understand you pretty well because 18 months ago I bought my S9 (credit), and, I still love them. Last year I audition the S9 with the P-9 + ref 9SE & ref9SEv2 (great audio synergy)  and finally 2 months ago I replace my tubed system for the Nuforce Trilogy (credit again)...

I understood, there was a simple DIY tweek on the electronics of the external cross-over, when they first came out (a jumper or cutting something inside, I don't remember), because some people wanted to improve the sonics, low extension  and others where concern also on the effect of the zobel filter in the speaker...
So, I believe there must be a recommendation on switching/changing brands, specifications or re-wiring...

So any comments or help from more knowledgeable mates is appreciated.

Thanks

M

[nuforce-casey]

The resistor mod is probably already applied to your S9, but you can check by opening up the crossover box from the Ouput side (Speakon end), check if there is any resistor there.   The resistor is about 1 1/2" long, white color cement resistor. 

[Rocket]

Hi Casey,

Thanks for your help.

Regards

Rocket

[rrthuss]

Hi,

Is this white cement resister suppose to have been cut out?  Can you post the mod details so we can check and make sure it was performed and performed correctly?  Thanks. 

[MacStealth]

As all audiophile tweeks it will be nice to know in advance the probable sonic impact of any mod , and also how they are performed... and then the user decide wich is better for each particular case... as always is the sum and interaction of the parts what modify the results.

[nuforce-casey]

Yes, just cut it off.  It's a bit trick to cut, because the cement resistor is mounted perpendicular to the opening - you'll see the end of it, so a fairly long pliers is required to reach the other end of the resistor.

Because we no longer have any crossover with the resistor, we're not able to show a picture.  Only few pairs of early S-9 have this resistor.

The resistor actually affects the phase and makes the S-9 an easier load to the amplifier.   

[Rocket]

Hi Casey,

My Nuforce s9 speakers were the ones 6moons reviewed and I bought them from War Audio (btw you just have to listen to a pair of pat's speakers sometime).

If I cut the resistor as you describe what sonic impact will it have apart from being an easier load for my amplifier?

Regards

Rod

[MacStealth]

Hi Casey,
I also  own a 1G (first Generation) S9, both crossover boxes have the resistor...
Like Rocket I wonder too about the possible sonic changes after cutting the resistor...
In my case I have the nuforce trilogy (P9-9SEv2-S9)...
Thanks,

M

[nuforce-casey]

The difference is not night and day.  With the resistors removed, the micro dynamics seem to bloom more, and there is more liquidity and a bit more joyous sounding.  Comparing with the resistors, S-9 sounded a bit polite and restraint  I would put the impact at less than 5% after the mod with Nuforce amps.  I would imagine this mod would ease the load greatly and would be significant if a tube amp with low damping power is used to drive S-9

If you are handy I suggest a 'reversible way'.  Just cut in the middle of the lead on one end of the resistor that's closest to the opening, effectively removing the resistor from the circuit, but leave enough lead so if you want to reverse the mod, just solder the leads with a blob of solder.

[MacStealth]

Thanks a lot Casey!!

I wil try it...in the reversible way...
Thanks again...

[DigitalLF]

Hello i did this mod to one of my speakers yesterday and i can clearly hear a improvement in the tweeters sound. and the bass to.


and in that crossover the "white color cement resistor" was in the middle but in my other crossover the resistor is to the right.


is there any sound difference between them?


(i bought the stores demo pair. thats why i have different crossover boxes)