[jorgen]

Well it might be difficult to be an audiophile in Alaska, but I bet it will be pretty nice with these.speakers and the Dennis.Had amps you got going.
Congrats with speakers, will be exciting to hear your impressions between the two drivers.

Greetings from my new apartment in Croatia. Beer is cheap, water is warm and the sky is blue. Why work one might ask

[pstrisik]

Well it might be difficult to be an audiophile in Alaska, but I bet it will be pretty nice with these.speakers and the Dennis.Had amps you got going.
Congrats with speakers, will be exciting to hear your impressions between the two drivers.

Greetings from my new apartment in Croatia. Beer is cheap, water is warm and the sky is blue. Why work one might ask

Thanks Jorgen.  Croatia?  Wow!  I hope, by warm water, you mean the Mediterranean and that your apartment is very close to it!  And, of course, that you have your Omegas, et.al. with you.   

 

[jorgen]

Heyheyhey
No I did not bring them with me, but you gave me an idea.. I will spend a few weeks here every year and could use a nice setup... How is life in Alaska?

[pstrisik]

Life is great here.  Spring has been like summer.  Maybe global warming but, if so, it's tempting to fiddle while Rome burns!  Down side is very little rain (great sunny clear days) and fires are worse than usual so far.

I'm glad I'm running low wattage for tubes though I never much thought about it before.  I might start noticing if it gets above 80 much this summer - no air conditioning - never have needed it before.

[Guy 13]

Life is great here.  Spring has been like summer.  Maybe global warming but, if so, it's tempting to fiddle while Rome burns!  Down side is very little rain (great sunny clear days) and fires are worse than usual so far.

I'm glad I'm running low wattage for tubes though I never much thought about it before.  I might start noticing if it gets above 80 much this summer - no air conditioning - never have needed it before.

Hi psrtisik.
If, it ain't easy being an audiophile in Alaska!
Can you image being an audiophile in hell or planet Vietnam,
it's the same thing.
Plus, here we have 95F most of the year.
I do have a (Small 12,000BTU) air conditioning unit in my listening room,
but I need a small silent floor standing fan to cool those hot like hell tubes
and more important, the electronics under the hood.
Without the precious help of a fan, those tubes units could be use to BBQ chicken.
I guess we are also feeling the global warming of the planet, especially this year.
You might be in a remote area, but you are still part of the United States of American, that helps.
Vietnam on, well planet Vietnam.
By the way, nice red hot little amplifier you've got.

Guy 13 in hell or planet Vietnam, it's about the same.

[FullRangeMan]

Guy this is a cool image to refresh your summer:

[Guy 13]

Guy this is a cool image to refresh your summer:

Thanks FULLRANGEMAN for your refreshing pictures, however, today it will take a lot more pictures, girls or whatever to cool me down with 93F.
If you have any more refreshing pictures, they are all welcome.
Thanks.

Guy 13
 

[pstrisik]

Tracking indicated delivery Monday until yesterday when it was updated to Friday (tomorrow).  Just in time for the weekend!   

[Louis O]

Hi pstrisik,

Great news and that was pretty fast. I have the non whizzer drivers installed and these will be great for a smooth top little vintage sounding.

The alnico that you have is a very easy swap and no soldering. When you get them make sure the bases haven't shifted and check the bolts. I tightened them up really good and shrink wrapped the whole speaker.

Thanks again,
Louis

[pstrisik]

Hi pstrisik,

Great news and that was pretty fast. I have the non whizzer drivers installed and these will be great for a smooth top little vintage sounding.

The alnico that you have is a very easy swap and no soldering. When you get them make sure the bases haven't shifted and check the bolts. I tightened them up really good and shrink wrapped the whole speaker.

Thanks again,
Louis

Hi Louis,

I picked them up at fedex today and have unpacked them.  Absolutely beautiful!  As others have said, pictures don't do them justice.  Your veneer work is top notch.  I'm very pleased with the grills also; they show off the wood in front nicely and look very balanced in size to my eyes. 

I have the alnicos broken in and will swap those in right off the bat and will try the ferrites after breaking them in outside of the cabinets.

I've take photos of the unpacking - part of the excitement - but will also show how well you pack them for shipping.  And, of course, I'll post photos of them in place, probably tomorrow.

One question.... you shipped them with a stuffer for the port.  Is that just to either run them open or semi-sealed?  I'm partial to sealed, but would think I'd really lose bass response.  I'll try both ways, but just wanted to check with you about that.

Thank you! 

[Canada Rob]

Hello pstrisik,

Glad you received your speakers safe and sound.  The speaker can be run with or without the port plug.

[pstrisik]

Hello pstrisik,

Glad you received your speakers safe and sound.  The speaker can be run with or without the port plug.

Thanks Canada Rob,

I've just now gotten them set up and warming up softly with Jackson Browne.  After I post this, I will sit, turn it up a bit, and have a listen!

Back tomorrow.   

[pstrisik]

I got in about a half hour last night before bedtime and after the time necessary to do the setup.  My AR2ax's I have temporarily just pushed to the wall, so that is not ideal.  I am also in Phase I - listening with only the speakers changed.  This means I am initially running with the Dennis Had Inspire LP-2 pre and conrad-johnson Premier 11A (70wpc push-pull).  I will soon switch over to the 10wpc single ended Dennis Had Inspire KT150 amp but I first wanted to listen with only the one variable changed. 

I have the 7A installed as they are broken in.  I no longer have a good way to break in the 7F's separate from the system, so I will probably switch over to them after a bit and break them in within the system, then do more of a 7A/7F comparison.

Initial impressions are positive with reservation.  I suspect my impression will move more positive with the single ended amp, which is what this is all about.  Two qualities immediately were evident, though not unexpected:  imaging is more real and soundstage bigger (together, that's one).  I'm glad this was unequivocal and lives up to the reputation.  The other is the midrange texture.  Again, what I anticipated, but very glad to hear it is clearly there.  Things like sounds from reeds, guitar strings (plucks and finger squeaks), voice and breath, are all more present with more facets to each sound, ie, "texture". 

I am surprised at the quality of the bass.  Playing without subs, it is clear that the bass range is there and with nice articulation, just not as loud as with subs or as the AR's without subs (three way with 10" woofers and known for good bass response).

The 7A is the alnico magnet with whizzer cone.  Overall, there is a slight softness to the sound.  Though when I listen in, I clearly hear details.  That may just be something that is different and I can't say better or worse than I am used to yet.  The other is a very slight edge that I didn't have with the AR's.  They may need a bit more break-in and/or may need the single ended amp to really settle into that "just rightness".  I am curious about the 7F's now as they will likely come forward a bit more, hopefully without any more edge than the 7A's. 

Another factor, similar to my hopes with the single ended amp in the mix, is the right tube mix.  I have done tube rolling tailored to the AR's and switching a tube or two may make all the difference in that slight edge.  One more variable to try is blocking the port.  That very well make some difference in the areas of my reservations.  Given that I use two quality subs, this is a viable option.

The bottom line is that I am not at all discouraged by these caveats and greatly encouraged by the immediate improvements.

If you want some Omega porn (sorry Louis!), below are some photos of the unpacking and setup thus far.  You can see my AR's pushed back.  The red pieces are the Inspire LP-2 preamp and KT150 amp.  Way over on the right is the CJ Pr11A and a Thorens turntable.  Left side of the console is a Cary SLP-05 pre.  Right side is an Onkyo 5508 pre/pro for the home theatre and for controlling the subs when in two channel mode.  Source is a Cambridge Stream Magic 6 streaming flac from a Synology NAS.  The streamer has their DAC Magic Plus built in.  I've liked this DAC over several more expensive I have auditioned at home included W4S and Bel Canto 2.5.  There is also a Sony BDP and a Dune Smart D1 that are mostly used for video.

[Guy 13]

Hi pstrisik.
Just a few comments and for the same price, also a few questions.
About 35 years ago, I ad a pair of AR similar looking to yours.
The one that I had at that time were really not efficient,
they were sealed with a 10" woofer and a tweeter
(If my memory serves me well) and at the time, sound well to since, since I did not have discovered the joy of cross-over less speaker.
You said you had an Omega 7F, in what enclosure where they installed?
I know that the 7A are now installed in the new enclosure that you have just receiver from Louis.
Am I right by saying that the 7A are in the new enclosure and the 7F are in ? ? ?
May I ask you to clarify this and satisfy my curiosity.
What I can say it that even in a open baffle dipole arrangement my Omega 7F sounds incredible, lots of micro detail.
Musicians breathing, chairs cracking under the weight of the musicians, pages been turned, whispering, fingers swiping the guitar strings and much more.
I often find myself trying to hear sound and enjoying it, sounds that I never knew existed with my previous big/complicated cross-over.
Now, would my Omega 7F sound better in a proper enclosure ?
Maybe yes, maybe no, but right now I am satisfied with the result and I tell every music lover to go crossoverless , but not only crossoverless, but Omega crossoverless.
If you like to discover the sound instruments can make, go that way and one extra benefit, it cost less money to go that way.
I would sure make a good salesman for Omega because I believe in Louis products.
By the way, I did not buy the 7A because it did not fit my budget
and I have no intention of up-grading, because I am very happy with the sound
of my 7F.
Thanks for reading.

Guy 13

[pstrisik]

Hi pstrisik.
Just a few comments and for the same price, also a few questions.
About 35 years ago, I ad a pair of AR similar looking to yours.
The one that I had at that time were really not efficient,
they were sealed with a 10" woofer and a tweeter
(If my memory serves me well) and at the time, sound well to since, since I did not have discovered the joy of cross-over less speaker.
You said you had an Omega 7F, in what enclosure where they installed?
I know that the 7A are now installed in the new enclosure that you have just receiver from Louis.
Am I right by saying that the 7A are in the new enclosure and the 7F are in ? ? ?
May I ask you to clarify this and satisfy my curiosity.
What I can say it that even in a open baffle dipole arrangement my Omega 7F sounds incredible, lots of micro detail.
Musicians breathing, chairs cracking under the weight of the musicians, pages been turned, whispering, fingers swiping the guitar strings and much more.
I often find myself trying to hear sound and enjoying it, sounds that I never knew existed with my previous big/complicated cross-over.
Now, would my Omega 7F sound better in a proper enclosure ?
Maybe yes, maybe no, but right now I am satisfied with the result and I tell every music lover to go crossoverless , but not only crossoverless, but Omega crossoverless.
If you like to discover the sound instruments can make, go that way and one extra benefit, it cost less money to go that way.
I would sure make a good salesman for Omega because I believe in Louis products.
By the way, I did not buy the 7A because it did not fit my budget
and I have no intention of up-grading, because I am very happy with the sound
of my 7F.
Thanks for reading.

Guy 13

Hello Guy,

I used to know all of the models of AR's from the early era -through mid 1970's, but no longer.  I even had a pair of two way, 8" I think, AR's back in the 70's.  Maybe AR4, not sure.  I've restored my 2ax' with new foam surrounds, new tweeter and midrange level pots, upgraded crossover caps, a replacement dome tweeter recommended by the current AR restoration gurus, and refinish of the veneer.  They are very fine speakers now.  I will go out on a limb and say likely better than when they were new in 1973.  But, they have crossovers and are only 87db sensitive and need more power than a low watt single ended design provides.  Paired with the Conrad-Johnson 11A, they really do very well.

If you, or anyone else, is interested in AR's, there is a great user forum with the aforementioned restoration gurus participating at:
http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?showforum=3.

As to your question about the 7A/7F situation.....  I ordered the Super 7 XRS which comes with the 7F and ordered a pair of 7A in addition.  Louis shipped the 7A's ahead and I broke them in with no cabinets.  So the short answer is, one pair of cabs, two pairs of drivers.

By the way, from the label on the speakers (see photo in earlier post), it looks like Louis is using the name RS7 for what we have been calling 7F.


Update on my Omega listening............

Last night I switched over to the Dennis Had Inspire KT150 amp configured at 10 watts currently.  I immediately knew this was a better match for the Omegas than the 70wpc CJ Pr11A.  Any edge I perceived earlier is gone.  Very smooth with all the imaging and "texture" gains I described earlier.  There is much I can do in the way of dialing in the sound with positioning and toe in, tubes swaps, port stuffing, etc., but........

Being impatient, I switched the 7F's back in and will play them all day and do some sit down listening after about 8 hours of break in. 

Stay tuned!   

[jorgen]

Hi Peter
You really got an exciting experiment going, maybe you don't get a favorit driver in the end, just a complimentary set to play with. Add the tube rolling possibilities and you are up for a challenge and no worry about with spare time. I see your speakers looks pretty much like mine, but "fatter"? The tag on back of my speakers says RS 7 btw.
Hope you are happy with them

[pstrisik]

Hi Peter
You really got an exciting experiment going, maybe you don't get a favorit driver in the end, just a complimentary set to play with. Add the tube rolling possibilities and you are up for a challenge and no worry about with spare time. I see your speakers looks pretty much like mine, but "fatter"? The tag on back of my speakers says RS 7 btw.
Hope you are happy with them

Hi Jorgen,

Thanks! I'm sure I'll settle on one set of drivers after a while.  I started listening to the RS7's and BAM!!  It seems that I'm liking them better than the 7A's.  We'll see if that holds.  They just seem more alive and even across the frequencies.  Imaging and what I call texture are still there.

I tried the port stuffers.  I found that the imaging tightened up, but it sounded thinner, smaller.  I'm back to port open.  I have my subs playing to 60hz and I've got a nice, full sound.

Cheers!

[Guy 13]

Hello Guy,

I used to know all of the models of AR's from the early era -through mid 1970's, but no longer.  I even had a pair of two way, 8" I think, AR's back in the 70's.  Maybe AR4, not sure.  I've restored my 2ax' with new foam surrounds, new tweeter and midrange level pots, upgraded crossover caps, a replacement dome tweeter recommended by the current AR restoration gurus, and refinish of the veneer.  They are very fine speakers now.  I will go out on a limb and say likely better than when they were new in 1973.  But, they have crossovers and are only 87db sensitive and need more power than a low watt single ended design provides.  Paired with the Conrad-Johnson 11A, they really do very well.

If you, or anyone else, is interested in AR's, there is a great user forum with the aforementioned restoration gurus participating at:
http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?showforum=3.

As to your question about the 7A/7F situation.....  I ordered the Super 7 XRS which comes with the 7F and ordered a pair of 7A in addition.  Louis shipped the 7A's ahead and I broke them in with no cabinets.  So the short answer is, one pair of cabs, two pairs of drivers.

By the way, from the label on the speakers (see photo in earlier post), it looks like Louis is using the name RS7 for what we have been calling 7F.


Update on my Omega listening............

Last night I switched over to the Dennis Had Inspire KT150 amp configured at 10 watts currently.  I immediately knew this was a better match for the Omegas than the 70wpc CJ Pr11A.  Any edge I perceived earlier is gone.  Very smooth with all the imaging and "texture" gains I described earlier.  There is much I can do in the way of dialing in the sound with positioning and toe in, tubes swaps, port stuffing, etc., but........

Being impatient, I switched the 7F's back in and will play them all day and do some sit down listening after about 8 hours of break in. 

Stay tuned!   

Hi (Again) pstrisik.
I will stay tune to your posts, that's for sure,
because I am really interesting in reading your impressions about the 7F in the bass reflex enclosure.
If according to your next write-up about the mids and bass is what I want to hear, I might go ahead and get a pair of enclosures made locally for 250 USD for my 7F that are now running open baffle.
A smaller footprint than what I have might be interesting, minds you I will keep my amplified open baffle subwoofer as I have some CD that really need earthquake style bass.
I am riveted to my computer screen waiting for your next post and won't have any rest or sleep until I read your impressions about those little jewels.

Guy 13

I like your little devil Tasmenia !

[pstrisik]

Hi (Again) pstrisik.
I will stay tune to your posts, that's for sure,
because I am really interesting in reading your impressions about the 7F in the bass reflex enclosure.
If according to your next write-up about the mids and bass is what I want to hear, I might go ahead and get a pair of enclosures made locally for 250 USD for my 7F that are now running open baffle.
A smaller footprint than what I have might be interesting, minds you I will keep my amplified open baffle subwoofer as I have some CD that really need earthquake style bass.
I am riveted to my computer screen waiting for your next post and won't have any rest or sleep until I read your impressions about those little jewels.

Guy 13

I like your little devil Tasmenia !

Guy,  Even if you get bass reflex enclosures, I would make use of subs if you already have them.  My Pre/Pro's calibration using Audyssey XT32 set the xover at 60hz (that's for my home theater, I run the Omegas full range for two channel).  It set the xover for my AR's at 40hz.  The Omegas do have bass, just not loud.  The bass that is there is clear and musical though.

I don't know if it is valid reasoning, but here goes...  My experience going from open port to closed port is tighter  imaging but thinner sound.  So to reverse this.... going from closed port to open port makes for a fuller sound (likely some increased bass response) but slightly less tight image (also resulting in a bit fuller sound stage).  Maybe going from open port to open baffle would make for fuller sound yet though with further diffusion of the imaging.  If this rationale is valid, it may be that the ported cabinet is the Goldilocks "just right!"

I'm favoring the RS7 over the 7A thus far.  It is likely I will only like it more as it breaks in (the 7A is already broken in).  The only turnaround I could foresee is if the "aliveness" of the RS7 becomes a bit fatiguing and the 7A becomes more the long term "just right".  Remains to be seen.  Probably not though as I have all the dialing in to do with positioning and tube rolling, and I've got some good sound to start the tweaking with. 

I will let them play while at work this week and over night, so I should accumulate fifty hours of play pretty quickly.

[opnly bafld]

My experience going from open port to closed port is tighter  imaging but thinner sound.

Did you adjust the sub x-o to compensate?

Lin