I’ve had the new, and at present, still un-named speakers for 2 weeks. I’ve not had as much time listening as I’d like due to family issues (moving adult kids back in with us
), but I’ll offer my impressions so far. First, I don’t do vinyl at all, nor do I use cd’s anymore. I’m 100% streaming, exclusively with Roon. I have a Salk Streamer and an Innuos Zen Mk III which I alternate between. My amp is a Boulder 866.
First off, I don’t really like writing reviews and using all the typical reviewer terminology. Also, I really don’t want to start by saying ‘I heard things in this or that recording I’d never heard before”. The thing about these speakers is that I have heard it before, but just not as clearly, nor with as much detail. Listening to several songs I’m very familiar with, separation of vocals in harmonies, background vocals, and instruments is more pronounced due to the clarity and detail of the sound. That’s the first thing that jumped out at me.
My last Salks were BeAT’s, and I really enjoyed the midrange. The midrange on the new speakers is at a different level. The clarity of voices, harmonies, and instruments is a big jump (to me) over the BeAT’s. I mean I really enjoyed how smooth the midrange was in the BeAT’s, but the Purifi midwoofers offer clarity, detail and smoothness that I just can’t get over. It’s not in your face, but just there, with a sense of detail that is astounding. The treble is very similar to the BeAT’s (same tweeter) and the overall presentation of the speakers is an impression of space and openness. There’s no glare or stridency no matter the volume. Bass is pretty much the same as the BeAT’s, though
maybe with a touch less authority. Do they go as low as Encores? No. But it’s pretty damn good. I’m not a bass freak, so for me, these are more than adequate.
I usually don’t listen at very loud levels (70-75 db) but these can play really loud if you want them to. The Purifi midwoofers will sneak up on you. There’s so much detail that I find myself turning up the volume and then think, whoa, I’d better turn this down. These speakers bring out everything that’s in the recording with a level of detail that amazes me the more I listen. These are crazy good speakers.
As some of you know, I’ve owned a number of Jim’s speakers: Song Towers (standard and RT), Song Surrounds, Song Birds, HT-1TL’s, SS8’s, Encores, BeAT’s, and now these. I’ve auditioned and lusted for HT-3’s and the Archos. They are all great speakers. I have to say though, for me, these are the best Salk speakers I’ve owned--now they just need a name! Thanks Jim!