[chargedmr2]

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking around this forum for quite a while now, and I've actually owned a pair of SongTowers (and center) since just before Christmas of last year.  I figured it's about time to post a little info.  I first came to this forum after reading Nuance's speaker journey (like several others around here), and sought advice for potential speakers.  At the time, I was under the assumption that the speakers would be used primarily for HT use, and I was advised (rightfully so in my current opinion) to potentially seek other options (i.e., higher sensitivity speakers or cheaper speakers since accuracy would not be quite as important for this use).  I took this advice and thought on it for about a year or so. 

During this time, I considered what I wanted from a speaker and eventually decided that I would be better served by a product that could excel at musical reproduction primarily and HT secondarily.  This was somewhat risky, however, as I would not classify myself as an audiophile (like most Salk owners).  I am, however, (probably to my own detriment) a perfectionist, and the idea of a speaker that could reproduce source material with high accuracy was very attractive to me (the speakers I've owned in the past have always been low quality and never impressed me, but served the purpose of at least producing decent sound). 

Anyhow, to make a long story short, I made the decision to go with SongTowers.  Though I am not an audio expert and have not listened to near the number of speakers as others around here (e.g., Nuance), I have been thoroughly impressed.  I have NEVER heard music like I do now.  While I originally thought HT would occupy much of my speakers' use, it turns out that they are occupied by music, music, and more music.  I've purchased a number of new albums (thanks to the Demo CD thread here) and have been rediscovering many old albums (and how poorly recorded some of them are).  And while I have never been one to buy things to impress others (I guess I'm too selfish?), it's been interesting to watch my wife (yes, not me...my wife...the same one who didn't want big ugly boxes in her living room) play them for guests only to hear them say: "That's amazing.  It sounds like the singer is right here in the room." 

What can I say, my SongTowers make me smile!  Although I must admit my wallet is not happy, because I have found all sorts of things that I now "need" to improve my listening experience.  I'm imagining all sorts of ways to bring in Owens Corning 703 panels (not sure how to slip those by the wife), and I believe that I need a new transport for my digital collection, along with a nice USB DAC, and I need somewhere to send that signal, so a quality preamp and amp would be needed as well.  And also of importance, my SongTowers are in a 4,150 cubic ft room, so (as I expected) the bass is a little light for certain musical reproductions (and definitely HT use).  I guess this means I need a sub.  (I should mention that the bass is pretty good considering my circumstances.  I just finished listening to Way Down Deep from Jennifer Warnes' album, The Hunter.  The bass extension was really pretty good at my listening position). 

Aside from trying to work some room treatments into the picture, the sub is next on the list.  I've already contacted Jim and asked if he could build me a custom sub.  It will be designed to replace the end table next to the couch (WAF).  At the moment, the plan is to use one LMS Ultra 5400 in a sealed, down firing configuration along with a 2400 watt plate amp. 

OK, enough rambling.  Here are a few pictures:

[Nuance]

Wow- what an awesome writeup and stunning pair of speakers you have!  Congrats to you sir; I'm so happy you're enjoying yours as much as I enjoy mine.

Did I read Jim will be building you a LMS 5400 Ultra build in a down firing config?  Wow - you have exceptional test.  I cannot wait to see that beast!

Again, congrats to you and thanks so much for the review; I never get tired of reading them.

[funkmonkey]

Very nice looking ST's, and nice write up.  Sorry if I missed it but what's the veneer?  slightly darkened Mahogany?  Very handsome, looks especially nice with the black speaker cones.

[chargedmr2]

Nuance - Thanks for the kind words.  I'm truly loving these speakers.  As far as the sub, Jim's working on a plan, but nothing is even near finalized here.  He did seem to like the idea and told me that he had been just considering the exact project that I requested.  At this point, I'm patiently waiting to see what Jim comes up with.

Funkmonkey - I'm not sure how I forgot to mention the veneer, but I let it slip.  It's actually a standard walnut veneer with a touch of red dye (seems to go nicely with the walnut floors).  I guess most other features are obvious from the pictures--full front baffle, front ported, OW2 dome tweeter. 

[drgn95]

Very nice. Welcome to the Salk Family.

[floresjc]

Wow, I really love that color.

[Saturn94]

Beautiful speakers and setup.

[djoel]

That finish is simply beautiful, gorgeous!

Djoel

[chargedmr2]

Thanks for the compliments everyone.  As all Salk owners know, pictures just don't do these speakers justice (especially the ones I took!).  Jim really did a wonderful job here.

BTW, I noticed the thread where delivery times were being tracked.  In case anyone is interested, I placed my order on 10/17 and speakers were completed and boxed for shipment on 11/23.  There was a hangup with the electronic payment system Jim uses, so the shipment was delayed and they ended up going out several days late arriving on 12/5.  Had that not happened they would have arrived about a week earlier. 

[PMAT]

Nice listening room. Overall nicely balanced. Plants(get big ones)are great diffusers and wifeys love them. Just don't put them on top of the speakers.

[charmerci]

  I first came to this forum after reading Nuance's speaker journey (like several others around here), and sought advice for potential speakers.

Nuance, are you keeping track? Isn't Jim going to owe you a free pair sometime for your commissions???


mr2,

That's walnut? I've never seen walnut look like that before. Best looking walnut veneer I've seen. 

[chargedmr2]

Nice listening room. Overall nicely balanced. Plants(get big ones)are great diffusers and wifeys love them. Just don't put them on top of the speakers.

Thanks for the suggestion.  We've never been great with live plants since we tend to leave home in the summers for lengthy periods of time (we moved to TX from WA and the summers are brutal here).  Would the same apply to silk plants or is there something about the real thing?  I've seen some very convincing trees that are of the fake variety.

[chargedmr2]

Nuance, are you keeping track? Isn't Jim going to owe you a free pair sometime for your commissions???


mr2,

That's walnut? I've never seen walnut look like that before. Best looking walnut veneer I've seen. 

Yes, it is walnut.  I had come across a pair of HT3s on Jim's website that were walnut with red dye and knew right away that I had found the veneer choice for my Salks.  Prior to that, I was not a fan of the walnut veneer either. 

[s_cervin]

Is that a Pottery Barn Logan series entertainment center?  Wife is looking at the same for our new home and I'm glad to see the center fit.  Also, it may be that much easier for Jim to match the finish seeing he has already done so.

Great looking speakers! 

[Nuance]

Nuance, are you keeping track? Isn't Jim going to owe you a free pair sometime for your commissions???

LOL!   He gave me a tour of his shop and let me hear the new SoundScape 8's yesterday, and during closed business hours no less.  That's all the commission I need!

[chargedmr2]

Is that a Pottery Barn Logan series entertainment center?  Wife is looking at the same for our new home and I'm glad to see the center fit.  Also, it may be that much easier for Jim to match the finish seeing he has already done so.

Great looking speakers!

Good eye.  It is, in fact, the Logan entertainment center.  I guess our wives have similar taste.  I'm not 100% sure, but I believe it's a mahogany veneer of some kind, so if you are looking for a real close match, the walnut might not be your best choice for the speakers.  In the end, we didn't want a match, but rather two veneers that would go well together.  We're obviously more than pleased, but as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.