Stereophile Recommended Class-A speakers April 2006 issues

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #20 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 07:11 am »

I will say this much about that list. NO speaker that is sold via audiocircle manufacturers sounds anything like an MBL.

Michael

JLM · « **Reply #21 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 10:52 am »

Yes, the high prices are a huge turn-off. It's hard IMO to justify five figures for three or four drivers in a box with some circuitry added. Obviously this stuff is well past the point of diminishing returns. I'm jealous of the guys that can both afford and appreciate this stuff.

I'm with SET Man, simplier the better (single driver speakers). No stinking crossovers, no phasing issues, ideal imaging, works great nearfield, and no different sounds coming from two different drivers at crossover frequencies.

OTOH eventually some of the technology trickles down.

BTW I'd take VMPS over Vandy 3 or 5 at comparable prices.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #22 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 02:51 pm »

Quote from: 95bcwh

(11) Rockport Technologies Merak II / Sheritan II: $34,500 / pair...

I will admit that if I was a mega-millionaire, I would probably own a pair of Rockport speakers. Of all the brands on this list, this is the only brand that I would ever say this about.

However, according to Andy Payor (designer and owner of Rockport Technologies), the Merak II is part of his "budget" line, where cost -- even at $34,500 -- and aesthetics took priority over sound quality. I've heard the Merak II, and it isn't even close to the Antares ($42000), which I've been told pales in comparison to the Hyperion.

So...I've got some serious questions about this "price no object" list, when they can't even pick the best speakers from inside a particular brand...

JoshK · « **Reply #23 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 03:01 pm »

Quote from: JLM

I'm with SET Man, simplier the better (single driver speakers). No stinking crossovers, no phasing issues, ideal imaging, ...

Its a myth that single driver speakers don't have phase issues. Actually they have just as much group delay (phase issue) as most multiway speakers and in many cases more. The whole concept of a whizzer, for example is to use the out of phase energy of the cone break up to extend the high frequencies. However, single driver's GD is not limited to HF, it's typically highest in the lows.

For a reference, take as look at linkwitzlab.com for his analysis on the subject.

JoshK · « **Reply #24 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 03:13 pm »

IMO, the watt/puppy should be on the limited low freq list, not the reference list. It *may* measure flat near field at low levels, but it can't do anywhere close to that in the listening position at normal levels. Every time I've heard them there was hardly any midbass let alone bass.

95bcwh · « **Reply #25 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 03:32 pm »

Quote from: PhilNYC

I will admit that if I was a mega-millionaire, I would probably own a pair of Rockport speakers. Of all the brands on this list, this is the only brand that I would ever say this about.

If I was Bill Gate, I will definitely buy this one:

Stereophile class-A Tube Amplifier (2 Channel)
Wavac Audio Lab SH-833: $350,000 / pair !!!!!

JoshK · « **Reply #26 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 03:59 pm »

Quote from: 95bcwh

Quote from: PhilNYC
I will admit that if I was a mega-millionaire, I would probably own a pair of Rockport speakers. Of all the brands on this list, this is the only brand that I would ever say this about.

If I was Bill Gate, I will definitely buy this one:

Stereophile class-A Tube Amplifier (2 Channel)
Wavac Audio Lab SH-833: $350,000 / pair !!!!!

IIRC, that thing has a B+ of ~2,000V!!! Better have these far from the reach of children or pets.

I know some dudes on some diy forums like to build amps with the 833, but they have a few screws loose IMO.

kenk · « **Reply #27 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 04:54 pm »

Quote from: warnerwh

I believe Stereophile has reviewed a number of products from companies that don't advertise. I think Channel Island Audio is one of them.

I thought I saw them somewhere on Stereophile. I beleive it was Music Direct who was advertising them.

JLM · « **Reply #28 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 05:09 pm »

My speakers don't have no stinking whizzers. So do they beam? Heck yes (above about 4,000 Hz by theory) and by ear if you move well off from the sweet spot. Output is limited to 103 dB continous and 108 dB peak (nearfield in a 2,000 cu. ft. room) which is enough for me.

They aren't perfect, but no speaker ever will be, even Linkwitz's Orions.

JoshK · « **Reply #29 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 05:19 pm »

Quote from: JLM

My speakers don't have no stinking whizzers. So do they beam? Heck yes (above about 4,000 Hz by theory) and by ear if you move well off from the sweet spot. Output is limited to 103 dB continous and 108 dB peak (nearfield in a 2,000 cu. ft. room) which is enough for me.

They aren't perfect, but no speaker ever will be, even Linkwitz's Orions.

I never said otherwise. FWIW, you don't need whizzers for what I said to hold true, it was just an extreme example that made it easier to explain.

ohenry · « **Reply #30 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 05:27 pm »

Quote from: mcrespo71

I'm pretty sure this is not their policy. Many products have been reviewed without advertising- empirical audio cables, bozak vintage speakers, channel island audio. I thought they will only review a product that has at least 5 dealers, but maybe I'm wrong.

Re: review policies:
Don't forget about the Horn Shoppe review; no ads and no dealer network...

hmen · « **Reply #31 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 05:36 pm »

There are some manufacturers who have been reviewed without buying advertising but I'd be willing to bet that they are few and far between.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #32 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 07:23 pm »

Quote from: hmen

There are some manufacturers who have been reviewed without buying advertising but I'd be willing to bet that they are few and far between.

I think there's a lot of different factors at work here...but I don't think there is a policy that ties advertising and reviews. Here are some perspectives that I have heard over the years:

- Some manufacturers have said "I will not send my product to Stereophile, because I do not advertise there and am afraid of receiving a bad review."

- Some editors have said "I will listen to every piece of gear that I receive for review, but if I really don't like it, I will simply not write a review."

- Some manufacturers have said "I will send in a product for review, and if they write a good one, I will advertise in their publication."

I have never heard an editor say "I will only give them a review (good or bad) if they advertise with us", "I will give a good review to them to encourage them to advertise with us", or "They advertise with us, so I will not publish this bad review".

So what reviews get published is impacted a little bit by both sides (reviewers and manufacturers).

Stereophile does have some other criteria for review (eg. how many dealers a manufacturer has, etc) that discourage them from reviewing products from smaller companies...

ajzepp · « **Reply #33 on:** 1 Apr 2006, 01:14 am »

As a new owner of some DeVore Fidelity Super 8s, I'm proud to say that you can include the DeVore Silverbacks on the Stereophile Class A Recommended Components list

(sorry if this has already been posted...I haven't gone back through the entire thread)

markmarc · « **Reply #34 on:** 5 Apr 2006, 07:52 pm »

This thread is the number 1 reason why I started Affordable$$Audio, to bring audio reviews back to the average audio enthusiast. In general, A$$A policy is to review new/used equipment that can be purchased now for about $1000.
After all, how many of us can afford $30k power amps, $65k turntables, $15k speakers?

hungrych · « **Reply #35 on:** 5 Apr 2006, 08:31 pm »

Quote from: 95bcwh

All,
I just bought myself the latest Stereophile magazine and here's the list of the so-called "Best speakers in terms of sound quality, price no-object"

(1) Avantgarde Uno 3.0: $11,970 - $13,970 / pair
(2) Aerial Acoustics Model 20T: $24k - $29k / pair
(3) B&W 802D: $12,000 / pair
(4) Focal-JMLab Grande Utopia Be: $85k / pair
(5) Focal-JMLab Nova Utopia Be: $37,500 / pair
(6) Innersound Kaya: $20k / pair
(7) mbl 101E Radialstrahler: $46,900 / pair
(8 )NHT Evolution T6: $4000/system
(9)Peak Co ...

This list makes no sense, how can an 85k speaker be in class A if it's outdone by multiple speakers costing 8 times less?

Dracule1 · « **Reply #36 on:** 5 Apr 2006, 08:44 pm »

Remember Stereo Review magazine back in the 80's? They never had a bad thing to say about any equipment they reviewed, even if the product was crap. I was young and foolish back then and almost bought a Klipsch speaker that was given a rave review. When I got to a dealer and heard the speakers side by side with similarly priced Kef, the Kef blew it away. But the salesman told me everyone was buying up the Klipsch because of the review. Well, most of the populus never learn. Stereophile has turned into Stereo Review - never a bad thing to say and people believe whatever it says. Now how many catergories are there? Class A, A+, A++, A uber ++++. When JGH ran the magazine, Class A meant something. Now it all marketing with little substance and stuff only 1% of the audiophiles can afford. Thank god for forums like this and online review magazines which will review stuff Stereophile and TAS will never touch.

kfr01 · « **Reply #37 on:** 5 Apr 2006, 08:46 pm »

Quote from: hungrych

This list makes no sense, how can an 85k speaker be in class A if it's outdone by multiple speakers costing 8 times less?

Stereophile does not order within classes. i.e., within class A the 85k speaker may or may not outdo all the rest.

Notice the alpha ordering.[/i]

95bcwh · « **Reply #38 on:** 5 Apr 2006, 09:15 pm »

Is there any review magazine that generates revenue solely based on reader subscription and does not contain any advertisement from speakers companies?

I really believe that the moment you start thinking about attracting advertisements from companies, it's really difficult for you to say bad things about them.

But I think "What Hi-Fi!" magazine seems to be doing pretty well, at least I can still read the magazine bashing some speakers. Although they review mostly British products, and do not agree with some of their reviews.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #39 on:** 5 Apr 2006, 09:17 pm »

Quote from: Dracule1

Remember Stereo Review magazine back in the 80's? They never had a bad thing to say about any equipment they reviewed, even if the product was crap. I was young and foolish back then and almost bought a Klipsch speaker that was given a rave review. When I got to a dealer and heard the speakers side by side with similarly priced Kef, the Kef blew it away. But the salesman told me everyone was buying up the Klipsch because of the review. Well, most of the populus never learn. Stereophile has turned into ...

Having subscribed to Stereo Review back in the day, I can assure you Stereophile is NOT turning into Stereo Review. There is a difference.