Parker Audio speakers?

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nodiak

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Parker Audio speakers?
« on: 26 Dec 2006, 01:26 am »
Anyone experience with their speakers? Any comments on the tone/musical difference between the 5"and 6.5" drivers? I've been getting curious about Parkers in my search for a midwoofer that "feels/sounds" right to my senses.
Thinking Parkers might be nice as I've been liking 90db+ drivers that are dynamic, good match for my 20 watt tube amp. With the 95's and 98's 2 ohm rating I would either wire them in series for 8 ohms or go with the coax maindriver of the Cyclops or the 5" bookshelf 2 ways.
Interested in any experience hearing Parkers.
I should add that I will be using a sub so only need F3 ~ 90hz. I'm not at all into making a midwoofer dodeep bass. I like the headroom of cutting them off in the midbass.

http://www.parkeraudio.net/toppage2.htm

Thanks, Don
« Last Edit: 26 Dec 2006, 03:35 am by nodiak »

boead

Re: Parker Audio speakers?
« Reply #1 on: 26 Dec 2006, 01:53 am »
I have had a pair of Parker 95 Signatures for almost two years now and I LOVE them.

At the time I got mine, they were only offering kits without any cabinets. I hired this speaker cabinet maker who makes speakers lots of different companies. He made my cabs and installed the speakers components. Parker offered me ribbon wire for internal hookup, Dave highly recommended it. Mine have black face baffle with a natural maple body and spiked feet.

I drive them with a Decware Select SET amp that’s about 2 wpc and they get very loud in my home. I replaced a pair of Klipsch RB5-II’s which were rated at 96db, these Parker 95’s (rated at 95db) are A LOT louder. The Klipsch, like most consumer speakers over rate their efficiency and Parker under rates it. Mine are wired 2 ohm but they can also be wired 8 ohm with a loss of about 3db efficiency.

The speakers have a wonderful midrange and image extremely well. The ribbon tweeters are smooth as silk and I don’t think I can ever go back to a dome tweeter again.

At the time I got these, a friend was auditioning speakers for his Rogue Stereo 90 amp/BAT preamp rig. I lent him the Parkers for a week or so and he felt that they outperformed most of the commercial speakers he heard under $3000 easily. I was very impressed with the Parkers. I use a sub woofer with my system but the Parkers so have nice bass.

I can post some photos of them if you want, just say so.


frustrated

Re: Parker Audio speakers?
« Reply #2 on: 26 Dec 2006, 03:41 am »
If you want more opinions I would recommend the Decware forum.  Several people there have experience with them.  The 2 ohm load is good with the Decward amps. 

nodiak

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Re: Parker Audio speakers?
« Reply #3 on: 26 Dec 2006, 04:22 am »
frustrated, thanks, yes I know Dave designed them for the Zen, and I should have tried Parkers when I had a Zen C. But oh well didn't...and sold that nice sounding amp. I might go to Decware with the question, which makes sense.
But still interested in hearing from any AC'ers of their views of Parkers. Especially tone and texture of them. Any richness to the midrange, laid back or forward, stuff like that.
Don
 
P.S. frustrated, good call, I posted at Decware too. Thanks.
« Last Edit: 26 Dec 2006, 05:38 am by nodiak »

lcrim

Re: Parker Audio speakers?
« Reply #4 on: 26 Dec 2006, 06:26 pm »
I have had Parker 95 MKII's w/ my Decware Select for a number of years.  I bought them built, not as a kit and the interface w/ the amp is as good as it gets, IMO.  It continues to serve as the example of the speaker/amp interface that works because of impedance matching among other things.  I'm afraid that the speakers that Steve Deckert makes and sells have never been as good a match for his amp. 
I have a sub w/ them but I unplugged it because the system sounds better w/o it, the sub has become a storage shelf.  The Parkers hit 40Hz and that is just fine.   Great mid range, plenty in the "presence" region and terrific detail retrieval w/o ever getting overly analytical.  Easy, musical, very pleasurable playback that has improved as the sources have improved.  Just a wonderful, inexpensive combo. It's in a small room but it can rattle the glass even w/ the flea powered amp.  Great match!

nodiak

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Re: Parker Audio speakers?
« Reply #5 on: 26 Dec 2006, 11:19 pm »
Thanks boead and Icrim. Appreciate comments about the 95's. Midbass through midrange sounds smooth and detailed, likey that. I like good instrument seperation, so if they image well that usually comes in to play.
Any comparisons to 98's. Or Fostex FE series? I've had 107, 108ez, and 167's. Also B200's and 8" hemps.
Don