[Vulcan00]

Exotica>>>>>which operates at >>>>>>>>>>  50Hz-20kHz,

I understand these divers were intended for a two channel stand mounted speaker system.

I suppose you could add a subwoofer with these if you wanted the bottom frequencies, but could these drivers be used in a 3-way floor standing speaker?If you added a woofer (power?) how much would the 91db sensitivity drop?

[jsalk]

Exotica>>>>>which operates at >>>>>>>>>>  50Hz-20kHz,

I understand these divers were intended for a two channel stand mounted speaker system.

I suppose you could add a subwoofer with these if you wanted the bottom frequencies, but could these drivers be used in a 3-way floor standing speaker?If you added a woofer (power?) how much would the 91db sensitivity drop?

I don't usually like to discuss work in progress as there is no way to determine, in advance, if the design will pan out.

Based on the overwhelmingly positive response to our prototype pair at RAMF, we are currently looking at two possibilities.  One approach would be with a powered woofer section as you mention.  We would maintain the 91db sensitivity of the Exotic 8".

Another possibility we are looking at is building a three-way with a higher sensitivity woofer to match the sensitivity of the Exotic driver which would be used as a midrange (in order to maintain the Exotic's sensitivity).  This would be ideal.  The question is, how deep would the resulting speaker play?  We are currently investigating a Lambda driver and trying to determine if it can be used in a TL design to extend the bottom end. 

The long and short of it is that we will most likely be developing a 3-way using this driver.  If it all works out, we would probably introduce it at AXPONA in Chicago this coming April. Of course, if the design works out, it will be quite expensive.

- Jim

[avahifi]

Jim, I don't think that it is really necessary to maintain high sensitivity with the Seas Exotic drivers if you can get a deeper clean bass extension in a floor standing speaker as long as this does not screw up the amazing transparency of the Exotic drivers.

Very high quality and powerful watts are pretty inexpensive these days.  They are not going to match a SET amplifier in any event.

Frank VA

[tonyptony]

Jim, based on what I heard from these amazing prototypes at RMAF my vote would be to perfect them as stand mounted speakers first. They don't seem to have very far to go.

[Art_Chicago]

AXPONA!
A 3-way with the Exotic drivers--- can't wait to hear it no matter what the sensitivity is!

[Vulcan00]

I assume both solid state and tube amplifiers could be used with the Exotica. To me I assume these drivers were developed to be match with amplifier's which have equally ultra costly parts to provide the best "cost no factor" performance. The higher the power in these SS amps usually means higher cost. In tube amps, the preferred amps, is the lower power more complex topologies.  If you can afford a tube amp which will drive a lower sensitive speaker correctly its cost is dramatically higher not to mention the cost of tubes. Besides why waste energy if you don't have to obtain the sound you prefer?

The Exotica seems to be a great choice for high quality tube amps. A 3 channel speaker of high sensitivity to me would be filling a void in the Salk speaker line.

[avahifi]

We were hearing absolutely great, refined, and transparent sound with the Exotica speakers at RMAF using our new Fet Valve CF preamp ($1899) and either our Ultravalve 35@/Ch tube power amp ($1999), or even better yet, our Fet Valve 600R 300W/Ch hybrid power amp ($3299 base price).  The 600R was overkill, a Fet Valve 400R probably would have been ideal ($2699 base price).

All I can say is that with the Exotica speakers, I heard more from our electronics then ever before as far as absolutely engaging transparency and perfect string tone goes.  Of course without the huge, bold, and room filling real live dynamics that our same AVA equipment provided with the SoundScape Eight and Veractiy ST speakers at the other end of the room.

I can say this for sure, you don't need a mega-buck vacuum tube amplifier to get the most out of the Exoticas.  We sure made that clear at RMAF.

Frank Van Alstine

PS:  Extra costly high quality parts?  Please explain what these are?  Absolutely nothing justifies the price of ultrabuck equipment except for their cases designed as audio jewelery.

[Vulcan00]

Thank you for you information regarding your amps driving the Exotica, most helpful and the over kill of power of the 600r does not surprise me. The reviews I read on your 600R and ultravalve amps are impressive and speaks well of your products.

As to your question on high quality parts, I am not versed well enough in electronics to explain why a costly part vs. moderately priced part would provide an advantage. Or why a particular design or engineered circuit by an electronics expert would provide superior results. What I am able to do on a limited scale is relate to things I have read  and my impressions. I have learned that price in the audio world does not always relate to better sound or quality of products. However I can not help but feel that real viable cost has to relate in ways to superior products a designs. I am not even wanting to enter enormously priced gear in this discussion. I am addressing things like products with related experienced personnel, market recognized excellence and substantiated customer feedback. All of those thing I might add in my opinion you have demonstrated.

Maybe I am naive and expect cost in some cases does relate to performance, quality and reliability. I might add that quality in my industry is defined by meeting the customers requirement only, not necessarily going above. I not sure that is a ideal in the audio industry, if it was we all would be better off. To buy a product a price point that is related to what you  get in return.

Best regards