[cryotweaks]

Cryotweak's Impressions of the SPTech Timepieces

Full Disclosure: I am a dealer for SP Tech

Note: These are not minimonitors. They are medium sized loudspeakers (H=21.5 x W=12.5 x D=15.75) that need stands or bases to place them at ear

level. They weigh in at a very solid 65 pounds each.

Fit & Finish

The speakers are what you would expect at this price point. The fit and finish were of craftsman quality. The front baffle is probably one of the reasons

for the expense of this speaker. I am guessing it is over 2" thick. The main reason it is so thick is because the HF waveguide is hand routed into it. The

thick baffle also provides the added benefit of vibration damping. The Timpieces are truly stunning to look at. The Golden ratio stands are okay.  For a

little extra money, I would advise my customers to go with the CAD bases.  The CAD bases basically extend the speaker's dimensions all the way down to the

floor, making it look like a floorstander.

My System:

- Sony STR-DA 9000ES receiver 250 watts, direct digital path amplification via iLink (firewire) from SACD player

- Sony SX 9000ES SACD player with iLink Direct Digital Stream NOTE: The combination of the Sony SACD player and Reciever is stunning, and extremely

revealing. Much moreso than its price would suggest. Just don't expect to play it at ear bleeding volume.

- Balanced Power BP-3 Conditioner with ZCable upgrades

- ZCable Black Lightning power cords on all three above pieces

- Modded Monster Cable iLink cable (added two layers of Stillpoints ERS shielding. Layers were separated by a layer of Teflon tape)

- CryoTweaks Trinity loudspeaker cable on woofer section

- Neotech NS-02320, continuous cast silver loudspeaker cable on mid/HF section (sorry folks, you can't buy this here in the states)

- ZCable Z-Sleeve Ultras on speaker cables (Note: These brought the midrange and HFs to a new level of depth and width, I can't live without them.

Soundstage width gained 5 points and depth gained 3 when in the system.)

Music:

Diana Krall - Live in Paris

George Duke - After Hours

Rimsky Korsakov - Exotic Dances

Cantus - Let your Voice be Heard

James Taylor - October Road (SACD)

Keith Jarret: Live in Tokyo

Nat King Cole

Ella Fitzgerald with Louis Armstrong

John Coltrane - Soultrane (SACD)

and more...

The scale I use:

0= Running out of the room screaming

100= Perfection

Rarely will anything score below a 60 or above a 90. Most audiophile loudspeakers I have heard fall in this range. With something like the Bose Acoustic

crap system scoring in the 60s and a Von Schweikert Vr4 jr. scoring in the high 80s to low 90s. Anything in the 90's should be regarded as exceptional.


Bass - You get alot more than your eyes would suggest, and this was with my modest Sony.  Imagine 300+ watts of Bryston, etc.

Dynamics: 92

Tonality: 92

Speed: 92

Accuracy: 92



Mids - Where the Timepieces really shine. Wow.

Dynamics: 94

Tonality: 95

Body: 94

Accuracy: 94

Soundstage width: 88 (93 with Z-Sleeve Ultras on the speaker cables)

Soundstage depth: 90 (93 with Z-Sleeve Ultras on the speaker cables)

Soundstage height: 88 (93 with Z-Sleeve Ultras on the speaker cables)


Highs - The only thing keeping them from being truly legendary loudspeakers

Dynamics: 90

Tonality: 91

Speed: 87

Accuracy: 90

Soundstage width: 85 (90 with Z-Sleeve Ultras on the speaker cables)

Soundstage depth: 90 (93 with Z-Sleeve Ultras on the speaker cables)

Soundstage height: 85 (90 with Z-Sleeve Ultras on the speaker cables)

Summary

Strengths: Accurate, coherent, resolving, dynamic, with excellent vocal reproduction. I heard details in the midrange that I had never heard before.

From quiet ambient sounds to harmonic structures, all other speakers I've heard have failed to resolve midrange like the TimePieces. A huge thumbs up. The

Timepieces were also very coherant, probably due to the tweeter handling such a broad range of frequencies. The phase coherancy was outstanding, creating a

more resolved, and focused presentation. The bass was excellent. Very accurate and surprisingly deep and powerful a speaker of its size. Dynamics were

shocking, even with a mere 250 watts driving them and at modest levels. Distortion (from the loudspeaker) was not even an issue, even at higher volumes. The

Timepieces were balanced, coherent and unfatiguing at all volume levels.

Weaknesses: The highs were a bit recessed. Not that they weren't there, I just had to concentrate more to hear them. I would have liked them to be as

effortless as the mids. But then again, who wouldn't? Soundstage width was good, but not great (see my notes above on the Z-Sleeves). Again I think this is

an issue of the high frequencies not producing those ambient cues (at least on par with the midrange cues) that make for great soundstage width.

A comparison: I had recently spent five days and 50 hours at THE Show with the Gallo Nucleus Reference 3s, and wanted to offer a comparison to those.

The Ref 3s are renouned as a bargain. As most bargains are, they offer excellent performance for the price one would pay. The Gallo's have a speed and

transparency to the mids and highs that are tough to beat when set up correctly. When compared to the Timepieces, the Gallos had more air and width, but

less dynamic punch and realism than the Timepieces.

It is my opinion that the Gallos inadequately transition from the 10" bass driver to the 4" midranges, leaving a big hole in the lower mids. All presence is

gone in the vocal ranges, sometimes even producing a "cupped hands over the mouth" sound. Probably from the mids trying to go too low. Even at their best,

the midrange is quite recessed.  The Timepieces trounce the Gallo's in this area.  There is much more midrange information presented. So much more

definition, so much depth, so much realism, and the dynamics? Fuhggedaboudit!

When the Gallo's bass driver's dual voice coils are powered adequately, it performs much better, but still not up to the Timepieces. Powering the additional

voice coil on the Gallo's does require an additional investment in an amplifier to drive the second voice coil. Plan on spending at the very least another

$750 on 250 watts (minimum) for this.

In conclusion: The SP Tech Timepieces should be on anyone's short list of loudspeakers in this price range. They reproduce the most critical

frequencies more adequately than any other speaker I have listened to. They do and extraordinary job in reproducing bass and midrange, offering up an

unfatiguing, lively and organic sound.  They are millimeters away from being a classic. If you are looking at Von Schweikert, you need to look at the

SPTechs.

You heard it here first!
The Timpiece 2.1 will be coming out soon. This offers an upgraded ScanSpeak tweeter that will extend the highs out to 20k (and possibly lower the xover

point further!). This should resolve my issues with the HF extension and soundstage width/depth. I will post a followup review once mine get upgraded. Oh I

forgot to mention, this will be available to all existing SPTech Millenial Reference series owners as an upgrade.

In addition to the tweeter upgrade, there will be a new textured black finish available that will dramatically reduce the price of the entire series. It

takes the Timepieces down to $2995 per pair (!!!) Stay tuned...

Cheers,

Mike

[lonewolfny42]

Mike....you should bring a pair of the Timepiece speakers to the next So Cal Audio Rage gathering..(now don't say their to heavy, I took mine to a Rave in N.J. ). Thanks for your review !

CAD bases

[/list:u]What is this ? Thanks !!

[cryotweaks]

I am planning on it actually.  

[lonewolfny42]

I am planning on it actually.  

Sounds like an interesting comparison coming up in So Cal......have fun !!

[cryotweaks]

I received an email from Bob Last night.  Here are a few details on the upgrade:

-3 dB at 25Khz
Crossover point now at 750hz

For the sound, I will quote Bob

"...Good news is that the tweeter upgrade exceeded all expectations!  You simply will not believe your ears.  Some have commented about the old tweeter seeming "edgy" - GONE!  You were concerned about extension.  Will -3db @ 25kHz be OK?  X-O @ 750Hz.  Smooth-as-silk, natural sound like I've never heard before.  Power handling and dynamics?  We blew the right channel of a 750WRMS/Ch Crown Macro-Reference, playing some recordings with incredibly "high speed" transients.  We're talking fast picked banjo, piano and synthesizer stuff with sound effects that had the dynamic range and duration of a "thump" produced by an amplifier turned on at full gain.  Stuff that would destroy most tweeters in the time it would take to reproduce just a single note.  That poor amp had to source HF signals peaking at 1,060 watts for almost an hour before we blew a driver stage (I think).  DIDN'T HURT THE SPEAKER THOUGH!!!

The volume was ludicrous, yet not a hint of fatigue or distortion.  I've
never heard anything like it in my life.  No blurs, blats or honking at even
ear splitting levels.  Micro-dynamics were soft and yet detailed, with
natural decay and the micro-timbre of each instrument clearly audible.
Vocals, piano and drums were as real as if they were in the room.  We're
talking the speed and accuracy most electrostatic lovers seek after.  Thing
is, there's not an electrostatic speaker out there that can keep up with
this new tweeter/waveguide system, with regards to speed and accuracy.  And there's not a single ES that could even come close to the dynamics - that's for sure. ..."


I Would have loved to have been around to hear that thousand watt banjo picking...

Those of you who can make the SoCal listening session should be in for a treat.  The Timepiece 2.1s will be making their debut there.

Cheers!

[brj]

Hi Mike.

A couple of questions:

1) Will the Continuum see similar updates to the Timepiece 2.1?

2) Is the TP2.1 a direct replacement for the TP2.0 in terms of price, or will there be a change?

Thanks!

[cryotweaks]

Hi Mike.

A couple of questions:

1) Will the Continuum see similar updates to the Timepiece 2.1?

2) Is the TP2.1 a direct replacement for the TP2.0 in terms of price, or will there be a change?

Thanks!

ALL Milennium Reference loudspeakers can receive the driver and crossover upgrade.

I am not sure about the pricing, I don't even think Bob is sure yet.  Stay tuned...

[lonewolfny42]

Hi Mike.

A couple of questions:

1) Will the Continuum see similar updates to the Timepiece 2.1?

2) Is the TP2.1 a direct replacement for the TP2.0 in terms of price, or will there be a change?

Thanks!

ALL Milennium Reference loudspeakers can receive the driver and crossover upgrade.

I am not sure about the pricing, I don't even think Bob is sure yet.  Stay tuned...

I hope it might be possible that the driver and crossover upgrade can be done by a SP Tech dealer or the customer (if he's skilled)....the TP 2's are a heavy speaker to ship....and with all the tales of shipping damage you read about (not SP Tech), I'd hate to worry about it. When I received my speakers, I had no problems.....

[BobM]

Which Scanspeak tweeter are you using in the 2's?

[cryotweaks]

I don't know.

[RoadTripper]

When and where will this listening session be held?

[cryotweaks]

Follow the link.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=16675

[Live]

A greeting from Denmark.. its obvious why you guys love the speakers from 4sptech.. they are indeed very impressive !! the best i have ever heard.. they outperform every other brand.. never heard such realism and dynamics
it´s 8 months since I placed my order for the tp 2.0 (still havent seen them though) but i have karstens demo tp´s untill they are ready (any moment now)
I chose to wait for the tweeter upgrade, dont really like the vifa currently used.. the new tweeter the scanspeak 9300 is oilcooled, and one of my personal favorites.. looking forward to receive my pair..
regarding finish anyone have some links to a pair in all black pianofinish ?

[Karsten]

I'll get the set of Revelation with the new tweeter tomorrow, they will be hauled directly to a show here Saturday. I'll let you know my own and other peoples response to them when I get back.

Judged from what Bob and his team has been telling me, combined with my experiences with the TP and Continuums, this is going to be good, really good

Brg,
Karsten

[reefrus]

looking forward to receive my pair..
regarding finish anyone have some links to a pair in all black pianofinish ?

It'll probably look like my Revelation in a smaller package.
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/events.pl?&DN04_7017&RoomView&DN04&&&&&&DN04

I'm also waiting for my new tweeter and Xover upgrade.

Good luck at the show! Karsten & cryotweaks.

[lonewolfny42]

I'll get the set of Revelation with the new tweeter tomorrow, they will be hauled directly to a show here Saturday. I'll let you know my own and other peoples response to them when I get back.

Judged from what Bob and his team has been telling me, combined with my experiences with the TP and Continuums, this is going to be good, really good

Brg,
Karsten

Karsten,

Can you take some pictures at the Saturday show ? I'm sure all would be interested in taking a look. Thanks !! And enjoy the Revelations !!!   [/list:u]
Chris[/list:u]

[PeteG]

Karsten,
 Good luck at the show, I'll be interested in what everyone has
to say.


Pete

[Aether Audio]

Hey Guys,

Thought I'd better chime in here - lots of questions that need answering.  Can't take too long though or I'll have Mike & Steve on my case for delaying their tweeter upgrades (just kidding ).  We'll have pricing for this worked out soon and the upgrade will be available for all models.

Bottom line - we're talking a whole new speaker here.  For those of you that have experienced our speakers, the impact they had the first time you heard them will be repeated once again... after hearing the new tweeter.  For those that know - enough said.  For those that don't, words here have no meaning.  

I will say this though, if you've read any of the past reviews, please be advised that the old tweeter was a relatively inexpensive unit.  If you can even begin to accept what others have already commented on with regards to performance, you might be able to believe that the new tweeter is just a little better, seeing that it costs over 4 times as much!  

Our original intention was to develop "affordable" high-end speakers, but we achieved such remarkable results that our designs sort of evolved into more expensive "monsters."  We could hardly justify mateing the kind of performance provided by the waveguide with just an "average" woofer, box design or basic finish.  One thing lead to another and the next thing we knew, we had the Timepiece 2.0.  

We'll, with every other aspect becomeing so refined, the weaknesses of the original tweeter began to rear their ugly head.  Hence - tweeter upgrade time.  Let's put it this way, if you guys ever had any doubts that an 8 inch, two-way speaker could be worth $5,495.00 (veneer & high gloss front panel), you'll change your tune the first time you hear the new Timepiece 2.1.  They ARE destined for the limelights.

As far as prices go - no change.  The last price increase will stay in effect for the forseeable future.  

One update though is that all of our products will be available in our new "Studio Finish."  No wood veneer or piano lacquer front panel, just a smooth black texture finish over all surfaces.  

Example:  

Timepiece 2.1 - $2,995.00 MSRP - Studio Finish
Revelation MR-1 - $9,995.00 MSRP - Studio Finish
(forgot the Continuum price )


If performance is your main concern then this may be just the ticket.  Our finishing costs are what drives the higher prices.  If you can give a little there then you can save some serious $$$.  We're talking $2,500.00 on the Timepiece alone and $7,000.00 on the Revelations!

Oh yeah, just to irritate the nay-sayers, we're bringing back the "No Risk Deal."  This applies to the Timepiece 2.1 in the Studio Finish only though.  If you like them you can always upgrade for the price difference.  New power requirement too.  If you have 50 watts / channel then we've got your shipping costs covered - both ways.  If you can find a better speaker than the Timepiece 2.1 for $2,995.00 (Studio Finish) - THEN BUY IT!!!  Lot's a luck.  In fact, good luck at twice the price!

I don't mean to be arrogant - just confident .  And we can back all this up with much shorter delivery times too.  (It's amazing what a little money can do.)

Hope this helps.  Gotta run.

Take care,
-Bob

[brj]

New power requirement too. If you have 50 watts / channel...

Bob, can you elaborate on this?  From your website, the TP 2.0s were 85 dB/1W/1m efficient, while the Continuums were 88 dB/1W/1m.  Did the new tweeter alone give you such a big boost that 50W is now sufficient power?

I take it that the bass numbers didn't change?

Thanks!

[PeteG]

Any good pictures of the "Studio Finish" out there.

Pete