[SoundSound]

Dear Salk family members:

I have read many anecdotal accounts on your great Salks, and while it definitely helps to make an informed decision on which model sounds the best, it would be very helpful if you could please compare the SOUND of your Salks to Revel Ultima Studio2 loudspeakers ( https://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/308revel/index.html ) I could use as my baseline (auditioned on various occasions and consistently liked). For some reason it seems Song3 Encore would present a very comparable SOUND at a very attractive price point and much better aesthetics…

Please chime in!

[bwcarpe]

I have never heard the Revel speakers mentioned in your note but I do own a pair of Song3 Encores.  I absolutely love these speakers as they don't turn "red in the face" when asked to play down to 25 Hz.  Who needs a sub?  I've got one built into both of my Song3 Encores!  The treble and midrange are excellent as well.  And of course they are easy on the eyes...beautiful curly walnut.  Good luck with your search.

[SoundSound]

Thank you very kindly, @bwcarpe!

Ah, curly walnut... I LOVE it! Jim makes it just perfect!

Will you please be so kind to tell me a bit about your setup: upstream electronics, interconnects, and, most importantly, positioning of the speakers?
How would you describe the SOUND during the low-volume listening sessions (I live in a condo and definitely do not want to disturb my lovely neighbors late in the evening): anything goes missing from the spectrum, especially bass?
These will be my end-game speakers, and I would like to make an informed decision.

[bwcarpe]

I drive my Song3 Encores with a Parasound Hint 6.  Plenty of power and lots of options.  I stream music with a Bluesound Node 2i which is connected to a Chord Qutest DAC.  I'm using Anticables speaker wires since Jim often demo's his speakers with these and I'm quite happy with them.  I also have a Project turntable but I listen to digital music most of the time because I think it sounds better, especially with a good DAC.  I must admit, I don't play them at low volumes very often as I enjoy the dynamic range one gets a higher volumes.  They do sound good at lower levels.  These are fairly big speakers but they work well in my rectangular man cave.  One speaker is in a corner, the other is not, and both are toed in a bit to help with the imaging.  Given the limitations of my room, they are about 2 feet from my back wall and they are ported in the front.  Front ported speakers will provide you more flexibility on placement.  I don't plan on upgrading these...they are excellent speakers and especially at their price point.  Cheers!

[DEP14]

I think you are being pointed in the right direction with the Song 3 Encore.

Both are voiced to be very neutral and I have heard both.  Granted, not at the same time but I do prefer the Salk.   The Revel IS a very good speaker, but so is the Salk.

I've been fortunate to hear so many in Jim's line-up.  I think the Song 3 Encore is one of the best bargains in audio right now.  Plus, you can have it finished how you want, built in the US by a small MFG that strives to do things right.

Now, do I think the SS 9.5 is even better, I do.

But that Song 3 Encore is just a bargain.

[SoundSound]

Thank you very kindly, dear experts!

@bwcarpe, your HINT 6 Halo Integrated Amplifier (https://parasound.com/hint6.php) delivering 180 watts x 2 @ 8 Ω RMS is indeed a MONSTER! And I was hoping to drive 88dB Salks with Osprey MK3 (30 wpc) tube integrated amplifier from Raven Audio (https://www.ravenaudio.com/). Silly me... Would you consider this to be a deal-breaker because the available wattage is way too low?
If I may inquire, what is the distance from the side wall(s) to your speakers and between your Encores, please?
Would you consider Anticables Level 3.1 Speaker Wires (http://anticables.com/speaker-wires/2-channel#!/Level-3-1-Speaker-Wires/p/14644527/category=3449817) adequate?
"They do sound good at lower levels." - this is extremely important for me to know! NICE!

@DEP14, you noted "... I have heard both.  Granted, not at the same time but I do prefer the Salk." Will you please be so kind to elaborate a bit on the differences in the SOUND presentation?
I am looking for the speakers transparent to the source: when I close my eyes and I am transported right to the concert hall, I know I found my Holy Grail! I like and know almost by heart the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 on pipe organ by Johann Sebastian Bach. Heard it live and in various quality Hi-Fi setups. The Studio2's always faithfully delivered it, BUT the very last bit of this elusive BASS of the pipe organ...
"Now, do I think the SS 9.5 is even better, I do." - they are a bit too "heavy" for me at about 10K, unfortunately...

Please chime in!

[WGH]

And I was hoping to drive 88dB Salks with Osprey MK3 (30 wpc) tube integrated amplifier from Raven Audio (https://www.ravenaudio.com/).

You should talk to Jim Salk, my gut reaction is the Osprey just doesn't have the reserve power to do justice to the Toccata and Fugue in D minor on pipe organ on the Song 3 Encore. I have heard the AVA Ultravalve tube amp (35w/channel) with my 88dB Salk HT2-TL's, at low volumes it sounds fine but turn it up and it runs out of gas, the AVA Vision SET 400 locks the bass in place.

With the Osprey you will need a powered sub for organ music. For the same or less money than the Song 3 Encore you should consider the Salk Silk monitor currently for sale on the Trading Post for $2000
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=170336.0

http://www.salksound.com/model.php?model=Silk+AT+Monitors

Add one or two REL subwoofers. REL's are fast enough to keep up with the Silks and the transition will be seamless, other brands like SVS not so much no matter what others say. Rythmik Audio sealed sub - maybe.
Call Rachel Paik at REL Customer Service in CA before you buy anything, she is very nice and helpful.