[hertz]

How would you describe the basic differences between these two speakers ? Why would you choose one over the other ?

[fsimms]

How would you describe the basic differences between these two speakers ? Why would you choose one over the other ?

I have HT1's which I love.  I have had them for over 6 wonderful years.  I would lean toward the HT1-TL's if I was in the market for that range of speaker now.  The HT1-TL's look much prettier.  They are very cute.   Also, they wouldn’t require me to make the purchase of some stands.  A third advantage is that they don’t take up as much floor space.  Finally, they are more bump resistant. 

The thing that would give me pause is that I would lean toward using a very high quality sub with both and would not need to pay the cost for the extra bass extension of the HT1-TL’s.

I have not heard the HT1-TL’s.

Bob

[K Shep]

How would you describe the basic differences between these two speakers ?

HT1       frequency response 45Hz-40KHz (+/-3db); box alignment - ported
HT1-TL  frequency response 34Hz-60KHz (+/-3db); box alignment - quarter wave tube transmission line

Why would you choose one over the other ?

Low frequency capability.

[hertz]

Great !

The HT1-TL looks like the loudspeaker which I have been looking for.
The bass response is just right, size of the speaker is appropriate. They look like a million dollars !

Are there any professional reviews on these loudspeakers out there?  Not that I am particular about professional reviews. I am not in this country hence cannot listen to them. You guys on the forum seem to a great bunch. Have any of you compared these to any of popular brands out there like usher, dynaudio, harbeth, totem, merlin etc...? Do not misunderstand me. I am merely citing the speakers I am familiar with and trying to figure out how these will sound from your experiences.

My listening is western classical, Jazz, 80's and 90's rock, folk, bit of country and some contemporary music.
Western classical need great micro and macro dynamics. The ability of the speaker to sound composed without getting muddy when asked to play multiple instruments simultaneously is paramount for reproducing western classical.
Micro details which bring the essence of a Saxophone or any other instrument to life is something I look for. Some speakers can make a clean exquisite sound of the sax but very few let you hear the minor variations in the tone which bring the instrument to life.
I dislike loudspeakers which can make Hi fidelity sound but sound disconnected from the listener. Good tone and superb integration of the drivers are essential here.

Well, I look forward to your thoughts.

[sirbrine]

hertz:

I can't give you any direct comparisons as I have not yet heard a Salk speaker.  I have ordered a pair of SongTowers sight unheard so to speak.

However, perhaps I can give you an idea of my thought processes.

I currently own a pair of Boston Acoustics T-830 speakers that I bought new about 15 years ago or so.  Although I have thoroughly enjoyed them over the years, I figure that a pair of SongTowers can't help but be a very nice upgrade.

Several factors influenced my purchase decision.
1.  Nuance's well documented "journey to find the perfect speaker" got me hooked.  Although this journey focuses on the SongTower, it may be worth your time to read.
2.  I believe much of Jim Salk's background is as a sound engineer and he knows what is necessary to produce good sound.  He is also very particular about the product he builds.  Regardless of which speaker brand or Salk model you might ultimately prefer, I believe you can be assured that Jim's speakers will be of consistent high quality sound and looks based on his exacting requirements.
3.  The crossover designer, Dennis Murphy, plays for the Baltimore Philharmonic Orchestra (I think that is the correct orchestra).   He has stated before that he believes complex orchestra pieces provide the best test of a speaker's ability to reproduce sound, and that is what he basis his crossover designs on.

I hope this helps and I hope I have not misstated any facts.  If I did, I'm sure that Jim or Dennis will correct me.

Tony

[DMurphy]

hertz:

I can't give you any direct comparisons as I have not yet heard a Salk speaker.  I have ordered a pair of SongTowers sight unheard so to speak.

However, perhaps I can give you an idea of my thought processes.

I currently own a pair of Boston Acoustics T-830 speakers that I bought new about 15 years ago or so.  Although I have thoroughly enjoyed them over the years, I figure that a pair of SongTowers can't help but be a very nice upgrade.

Several factors influenced my purchase decision.
1.  Nuance's well documented "journey to find the perfect speaker" got me hooked.  Although this journey focuses on the SongTower, it may be worth your time to read.
2.  I believe much of Jim Salk's background is as a sound engineer and he knows what is necessary to produce good sound.  He is also very particular about the product he builds.  Regardless of which speaker brand or Salk model you might ultimately prefer, I believe you can be assured that Jim's speakers will be of consistent high quality sound and looks based on his exacting requirements.
3.  The crossover designer, Dennis Murphy, plays for the Baltimore Philharmonic Orchestra (I think that is the correct orchestra).   He has stated before that he believes complex orchestra pieces provide the best test of a speaker's ability to reproduce sound, and that is what he basis his crossover designs on.

I hope this helps and I hope I have not misstated any facts.  If I did, I'm sure that Jim or Dennis will correct me.

Tony

Required Disclaimer:  I would love to play for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, but I don't think they would have me.  I do play in a pretty good semi-professional orchestra, and I do voice speakers using classical music. 

[sirbrine]

Well, I guess I got it mostly right.

I'm sure the Wichita Symphony here in Kansas would be proud to have you Dennis, but that might be a bit far for you to commute!   

Tony

[hertz]

Thanks a lot Tony for the lovely writeup. I found nuance's "my journey to find the perfect speaker" on the AVS forum. Will go through it. Thanks.

I have heard a lot about Dennis Murphy and his crossover designs. I read through the blog about his views on crossover design.

Dennis,

It's great to know that you play for an orchestra.What model would you recommend  for a western classical and Jazz listener ?

1. Songtowers.
2. HT1- TL
3.1801 - TL

[Art_Chicago]

Thanks a lot Tony for the lovely writeup. I found nuance's "my journey to find the perfect speaker" on the AVS forum. Will go through it. Thanks.

I have heard a lot about Dennis Murphy and his crossover designs. I read through the blog about his views on crossover design.

Dennis,

It's great to know that you play for an orchestra.What model would you recommend  for a western classical and Jazz listener ?

1. Songtowers.
2. HT1- TL
3.1801 - TL

Out of my curiosity, what is a western classical?
I have songtowers with dome tweeter and they are lovely for orchestra, baroque and all kinds of jazz and  some rock.
My understanding is the Seas W18 woofers (HT1; 1801) are higher quality than the ones in ST, so it is probably worth spending extra money. Dennis has compared ST vs HT1-TL vs HT2-TL some time ago.

[floresjc]

It's great to know that you play for an orchestra.What model would you recommend  for a western classical and Jazz listener ?

1. Songtowers.
2. HT1- TL
3.1801 - TL

hertz -

Just my opinion, but I would buy the best speaker you could afford. Certainly the SongTowers are no slouch, and at the time that I visited, it was his "main" system, in that he had a pair of them and they weren't some version of an upcoming product so he could listen normally. He cranked up the classical on them, and it was great.

Having spent a good deal of time with a Veracity series speaker (HT2-TL), I would say the HT1-TL is a worthwhile upgrade if you have the budget. I think the ribbon is supreme, and the drivers a tad more detailed. It will take a little more power to drive an HT1-TL I believe, as they are a tad less sensitive. I've never heard an 1801, so I can't comment, but my guess is that it would come in somewhere between the SongTower and the HT1-TL.

[DMurphy]

hertz -

Just my opinion, but I would buy the best speaker you could afford. Certainly the SongTowers are no slouch, and at the time that I visited, it was his "main" system, in that he had a pair of them and they weren't some version of an upcoming product so he could listen normally. He cranked up the classical on them, and it was great.

Having spent a good deal of time with a Veracity series speaker (HT2-TL), I would say the HT1-TL is a worthwhile upgrade if you have the budget. I think the ribbon is supreme, and the drivers a tad more detailed. It will take a little more power to drive an HT1-TL I believe, as they are a tad less sensitive. I've never heard an 1801, so I can't comment, but my guess is that it would come in somewhere between the SongTower and the HT1-TL.

I really think the decision would come down to personal preference.  The HT1-TL does go lower than the other speakers, but it doesn't have as much power handling down low as a regular HT1 or 1801, or even the Song Tower.   Some people like the ribbon, some the dome.  My experience has been that the HT1 TL throws a deeper soundstage than the ST, but the ST has a little more presence.  Whatever their differences, they're all well suited for classical music.