[kyyuan]

Has anyone heard of these Australian speakers?  I've read a few positive reviews about these ribbon hybrid speakers.  Please share your thoughts.  I'm thinking about buying a pair of the Superslim 1800.  Currently, I'm using a pair of BG 520 planar magnetic hybrids.

Thanks,

Ken

[Malcolm Fear]

A friend of mine has a pair. They are very nice. They image extremely well. About 86db efficient. He used to drive them with Audio Research Classic 60 valves, now uses an AKSA 55 watt (see Aspen amps on this board). If I had to buy speakers (I use Diatone 6 inch full range), I would probably buy Ambience.

[DSK]

Hi Ken,
I have the Ultra 1600's with Signature upgrade (rebuilt Hovland crossovers). They are extremely transparent, with a huge and airy soundstage, and wonderful imaging. They have no harshness at all and readily reveal new tweaks. Matched with less than high end gear they can sound a little mechanical or harsh (eg. so so solid state gear) as they don't hide anything. Straight out of the box they are terrible. However, burned in and matched with top class gear, they come closer to the live performance than any speaker I have heard. Detail and delicacy from the mids on up are stunning and world class. The presentation has a wonderful ethereal quality. If the room is wide enough, the Ambiences are best with no toe-in. I have them about 4.5' off front wall, 5' off side walls and 9' apart. Listening position is about 12' from speakers and 4' off rear wall. They are actually 89db sensitivity.
All models (except new Reference 1800) use same woofer and ribbon, but are different heights and woofer box size varies a little. The 1800's are best in large rooms, 1600's in medium rooms and 1400's in smaller rooms. The new Reference 1800 uses much stronger magnets, 2 woofers, and are 95db sensitivity. They sound almost identical to the original series but are slightly more dynamic.
FWIW, a friend overseas has vast experience with just about every ribbon and electrostat you can think of. He says that the Ambiences are better than Maggies (QR and true ribbon) in most aspects and better overall than then Newforms.
Cheers,
Darren.

[kyyuan]

MalcomFear & DSK:

Thanks for the nice feedback.  As mentioned, I've heard a few good things about the Ambience speakers before, and only wish that I can hear them before making a purchasing decision.  My current hardware includes Sim Audio W-5 amp, Sonic Frontiers Line1 pre, and a Jolida  cd100 tubed player.

DSK--- Any thoughts on the high frequency roll-off?  My BG 520s rolls off around 14,000 hz, which IMO takes away some of the openess.


Thanks much,

Ken

[RooX]

that is a perfect combo for the ambiance speakers.  My favorite combo i have heard with them is a moon w-3 amp and a blue circle pre-amp, but your tubed cd player would add that slight warmth, and your pre will certainly get the job done.

where are you located?

cheers

[Iced Halo]

Has anyone compared Ambience to ATC active speakers (especially the 20's?) Which ones sounded better? Also, have any of you heard the Aussie built Perigree FK-1's against the Ambiences?

Cheers

[kyyuan]

RooX...I'm in Dallas, TX of US

[DSK]

Hi Ken,
Yes indeed, your gear will sound excellent with the Ambiences. A while back I was running the AH! Tjoeb valve CD player (with Amperex 7308 NOS) into a BAT VK-30 (with 6H23's NOS) and Plinius SA100/3. Excellent. I have heard the Ambiences in various setups and rooms and never been conscious of any top end roll off. IMHO, room setup and speaker positioning have a bigger impact in this area than any Ambience ribbon rolloff. Bells, triangles etc are clearer and more pure and real than any other tweeter I've heard. Wonderful shimmer.

Cheers,
Darren.

[kyyuan]

DSK,

Thanks for the responses.  As of now, I'm leaning toward acquiring a pair of 1800 SE.  Of course, it's always a tough decision to make when one can't hear the speakers prior to purchasing.

Thanks much,

Ken

[kyyuan]

Hi Ken,
I have the Ultra 1600's with Signature upgrade (rebuilt Hovland crossovers). They are extremely transparent, with a huge and airy soundstage, and wonderful imaging. They have no harshness at all and readily reveal new tweaks. Matched with less than high end gear they can sound a little mechanical or harsh (eg. so so solid state gear) as they don't hide anything. Straight out of the box they are terrible. However, burned in and matched with top class gear, they come closer to the live performance th ...

DSK,

What do you think about the bass production of the Ambience speakers?  Is it taut and tight?  I'm curious in that the design of the box is of the ported type.   Thanks much.

Ken

[DSK]

Hi Ken,
Yes, Tony has used a purpose built long excursion woofer for the Ambiences. It is only 6.5" and has excellent speed and snap. From memory, Tony says the 1400's are -3db at 35hz, the 1600's are -3db at 30hz and the 1800's are -3db at 27hz. They all use the same woofer in a slightly different sized box.

An amplifier designer/manufacturer walked into my listening room last week (Titanic soundtrack was playing) and the first words from his mouth were "My God, what bass!".

If you can't audition the Ambiences locally, see if you can listen to another ribbon or ribbon hybrid speaker to make sure you like what they do, not everyone does. The only negative I can think of, is that although the ribbon is more refined, transparent, detailed and accurate than most  dynamic midrange drivers, a ribbon doesn't move air like a dynamic driver does. So, you "hear" lifelike mids rather than "feel" them if that makes sense. I suppose you could say that the mids are a bit more dynamic on dynamic drivers    The Ambiences are also slightly laid back with a mid-hall perspective. Excellent for large scale works but hard rock lovers may prefer a dynamic speaker.  

Cheers,
Darren.