[Tbadder1]

Holy crap!  I just moved and was just out tooling around when I happen on a sign that says High-End Audio Specialists.  So I says to myself, "Self, check it out."  I go in and am immediately intercepted (it's obvious I'm not expected, maybe even not wanted) and explain my new situation.  The guy shows me around: a lot of old McIntosh gear, a Sony SCD-1 catches my eye,  a Denon turntable big enough to make into a dinette table, and a bunch of speakers with almost no fit and finish.  The guy tells me what they really specialize in is making crossovers.  Customers bring in their speakers, they bench test them, propose changes, and supposedly improve on what the customer's got.  Now some of these crossovers kinda blow me away.  I mean, I'm no engineer or anything but these things are complicated and freakin' large.  Some of them have to be 3/4 feet long and 12 inches wide, just about every inch is filled with colis and do-hickeys and the such.  They latched on to the back of the speakers like some alien machinism/parasite sucking out the life of its unfortunate host.  Geez, I'm disappointed.  Too over the top to be true, and besides that I prefer single driver/no crossover speaker designs.  I'm also a firm believer in simple design and these things look like a city map of New York.  I tell the guy this, and it's obvious he takes it as somekind of gauntlet thrown down.

He says, "take a listen to this."  He takes me into a room and hooks up a medium to large sized bookshelf speakers.  It looks like one of those three way JBLs or ARs from back in the day.  He puts on a CD (some nondescript Sony) powered by a 30 year old McIntosh integrated.  The room's pretty large for even large monitors.  He got an old rug on the back wall.  It fires up, and the rush is like standing in front of a jet engine.  I'm pinned back in the barber's chair.  This is the best loud--speaker I've ever heard.  He keeps turning it up.  My ears are on the verge of bleeding and this thing just sounds phenomenal.  Bass?  Tightest I've ever heard.  Treble?  Easily, and I mean easily, the most extended I ever heard, and the things got air, great air!  The mid-range?  I'd have to listen again since I'm an emotional wreck by now.  These look like shitboxes, with freaked out morph-children attached, and the only thing I can think is, "this is as good as the Avantgarde Duos I auditioned."  How much, I forgot to ask I was so discumbobulated (sic).

But my real question is, are crossovers really this big and complex?

[ABEX]

There are some pretty big XO networks. I have a set for each of my NEAR M50III's which shall be worked over soon. They do have advantages of blending the driver freq. and what one is to hear as a final product.

I think you have to have a synergy between the drivers and the XO's.The Cabinet,XO and drivers have to work in tandum to be something special.

Was the Bass articulate as well as being loud. Did drum rolls move accross the sondstage or did it just go through you?

The best Bass performance that I ever heard that was or could be said to be a moving experience was John Entwhistle did Boris the spider and it went through you and all i could do was smile .It was weird.

[nathanm]

Tooling around where?!  Where is this joint?

[Dan Banquer]

"These look like shitboxes, with freaked out morph-children attached, and the only thing I can think is, "this is as good as the Avantgarde Duos I auditioned." How much, I forgot to ask I was so discumbobulated (sic)"
  You have just commited high end heresy: As any audio high ender knows, if it doesn't look good it can't possibly sound good. you need to repent for your sins and spend a month or so in purgatory.  
                 d.b.

[Carlman]

"These look like shitboxes, with freaked out morph-children attached, and the only thing I can think is, "this is as good as the Avantgarde Duos I auditioned." How much, I forgot to ask I was so discumbobulated (sic)"
  You have just commited high end heresy: As any audio high ender knows, if it doesn't look good it can't possibly sound good. you need to repent for your sins and spend a month or so in purgatory.  
                 d.b.

HA!  One reason I have a love/hate relationship with DIY hifi is that everything must be perfect... that includes integrating the electronic requirements into a nice-looking and easy functioning case.  Anything less isn't worth doing.

If someone is charging money for services, I expect them to have some pride and put some thought into how it looks.... and apply craftsmanship to the final product.

[nathanm]

If Tbadder tracks down the address of this store for me I am going to visit and see if these guys can fix the screwed up crossovers in my VMPS and GR Research speakers, which have been sitting around collecting dust thanks to the ear-raping design flaws.  I dunno WHAT the creators of these crossovers were THINKING, but man, they need serious help! Owww my head!

[Andrikos]

You instigator!
There goes another thread...
The big guns now will come barging in with guns ablazin' putting down each others philosophis and designs...

Thanks a lot Nathanm.

Thadder, let me rephrase a VERY un-PC cowboy phrase:
"a good X-over, is NO X-over"

[Hantra]

thanks to the ear-raping design flaws

OMG. . . That has to be in the running for funniest lines ever at AC.

[gonefishin]

Hi Tbladder...I'm not sure if you follow any threads in the HE forum at AA...but a fellow who lives near me is having a get together coming up.  All are always invited.  Sometimes things may get a little goofy trying this or that...but every thing is very informal...but fun.  There's usually a couple guys from Wisconsin...and sometimes some from Michigan too

  He's got a pair of EdgarHorn TiTans in his basement...If I was off, I'd certainly be attending...but I gotta work



   Take care,
   dan