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How to double the cost of an SS 9.5

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jsalk

How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« on: 21 May 2020, 07:24 pm »
Tom wanted a pair of SS 9.5's and wanted to pull out all the stops.

First we looked at upgrading critical caps to Mundorf.  Wiring was upgraded as well.  Walnut burl added to the cost as well as a hand-rubbed finish.  Gaia II footers were next.  But the biggest upgrade was to diamond tweeters ($7000 per pair retail).

Here are the results...



And a close-up...



Tom won't be returning to his home in Florida until the coronavirus calms down.  So we'll just have to store them here for him. I know it will be hard, but we can handle it.

These sound really nice, so we'll likely be adding them to our web site in the next week or so.  Always nice to have a new model.

Happy listening Tom (when you eventually get them),

- Jim
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mresseguie

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Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #1 on: 21 May 2020, 07:32 pm »
 :o

Wow.

I love the walnut burl.
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limits

Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #2 on: 21 May 2020, 08:08 pm »
...As Dale Gribble (Hank Hill series reference) would say...'Butros Butros Golly Golly'...

Wow! Stunning, Jim!!

 :thumb:
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DEP14

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Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #3 on: 22 May 2020, 12:55 am »
Very nice to see the end product!

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Rocket

Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #4 on: 22 May 2020, 05:38 am »
Hi Jim,

Nice post. I'm just wondering whether they are Satori tweeters or another brand? 

Cheers Rod
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jsalk

Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #5 on: 22 May 2020, 01:33 pm »
Quote from: Rocket on 22 May 2020, 05:38 am
Hi Jim,

Nice post. I'm just wondering whether they are Satori tweeters or another brand? 

Cheers Rod

The are Seas Diamond tweeters.  This model was better suited to the task than other less expensive diamond tweeters that had shortcomings.

- Jim
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Delta77

Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #6 on: 22 May 2020, 01:39 pm »
Wow..!!
 Very interested in these types of upgrades,
 Except for the Diamond Tweeter (adds to much to the price for me)..!

Thanks for posting..!
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JDoyle

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Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #7 on: 22 May 2020, 01:47 pm »
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jsalk

Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #8 on: 22 May 2020, 01:49 pm »
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johzel

Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #9 on: 22 May 2020, 01:58 pm »
Holy Moly . . . those are some gorgeous speakers!!   :thumb:
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kingdeezie

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Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #10 on: 22 May 2020, 02:07 pm »
Those tweeters are  :o  expensive!

How do they sound in comparison to the normal variation that is used?
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jsalk

Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #11 on: 22 May 2020, 02:24 pm »
Quote from: kingdeezie on 22 May 2020, 02:07 pm
Those tweeters are  :o  expensive!

How do they sound in comparison to the normal variation that is used?

We just finished them and I haven't spent much time listening.  They are certainly transparent and extended.  How much more transparent than the original Be tweeters?  I don't know yet.  We'll have to do some comparison listening once they are a little more broken in.  The pair of SS9.5's we have here are well broken in, so the bass is more pronounced.  That makes it a little more difficult to assess the differences.  But we'll run the new ones in and then do some comparative listening.

In the past, we would have had a group of audiophile come in for some blind listening tests.  But that was, unfortunately, another day...

- Jim
« Last Edit: 22 May 2020, 04:33 pm by jsalk »
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sam1000

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Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #12 on: 22 May 2020, 03:53 pm »
Wow.. Those speakers look gorgeous. I have a bookshelf with that tweeter which don't get used very often. The tweeter sounds great and the image is even better. Congratulations  to the new owner and to Jim for building these beauties.
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Phil A

Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #13 on: 22 May 2020, 04:56 pm »
Georgeous speakers.  Tom - I'm in Florida - feel free to leave them at my place as long as you like :green: :lol:
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GlennDog

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Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #14 on: 23 May 2020, 09:27 pm »
Mozel Tov!

Are you accepting visitors into the shop? I'd like to stop by  :D

Glenn
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RichPark

Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #15 on: 23 May 2020, 11:42 pm »
Incredible speakers.  One better hope nothing goes wrong with one of the tweeters.  You would have to replace the pair if there were ever a problem.

I would love to listen to them.
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2bigears

Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #16 on: 23 May 2020, 11:48 pm »
 :D the tweets alone are 7 large ?  Say what !  No ?  :D
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c_note

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Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #17 on: 10 Jun 2020, 04:43 pm »
Jim, can you provide an update on these speakers?  How would you compare the Seas diamond tweeter to the SB Acoustics Beryllium and to the Raal ribbon tweeter?  Thanks for your input!
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audiocrazy

Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #18 on: 10 Jun 2020, 10:23 pm »
Quote from: c_note on 10 Jun 2020, 04:43 pm
Jim, can you provide an update on these speakers?  How would you compare the Seas diamond tweeter to the SB Acoustics Beryllium and to the Raal ribbon tweeter?  Thanks for your input!
I have a SS 8 with RAAL tweeter and would be very interested to hear your thoughts on them.
I'm looking for an upgrade to SS 9.5 and this would be very helpful.
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brusson

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Re: How to double the cost of an SS 9.5
« Reply #19 on: 11 Jun 2020, 12:13 am »
I would be interested in trying the Gaia footers on my 9.5. Can you tell me how the stock cones are threaded?
Thanks!
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