Galena Review

Jeff K · « **on:** 29 Sep 2007, 02:59 pm »

I tried to post this review at Audio Review, but for some reason it doesn't show up. I chose not to post it at AA, because I don't care to reply to the inevitable bitchy follow-ups. So here it is.

I’ve had a hi-fi jones since the early 70’s when I purchased my first pair of Advent Loudspeakers. Since then, I’ve gone through several pairs from Advent, Boston Acoustics, Cizek, JBL, Infinity, and others. Although I never spent more than $1000 on a pair, I always went for the most bang-for-the-buck. The speakers had to be universally rave-reviewed and win my own listening comparison tests. In addition, I never passed up a chance to hear high-end loudspeakers at shows and dealers. Now at age fifty-something, I decided to purchase my very last pair. This time my budget was in the under $8,000 range, but I still didn’t want to throw away money either.

After months of research and listening, I narrowed my choices to either Salk HT-3’s or Selah Peridots. Both of these companies evolved from the Madisound Forum DIY community and IMO, offer unmatched value. Both companies have an impeccable reputation. I am however, wary of the metal midranges which both models employ. (Also, the fact that one of the companies sells $700 interconnects was a bit of a turn-off.) One theme that seems to permeate most reviews of high-end speakers with metal mids is the fact that they are so revealing that the reviewers can’t stand to listen to a lot of their records and CDs. Most of my favorite music is not on audiophile recordings, so I wrote Rick Craig of Selah Audio and asked for a quote on the Peridot using a Scan-Speak Revelator in place of the Seas Excel driver.

Rick said he’d be happy to accommodate my request but suggested a design he’d had in mind for some time. This would use the Fountek ribbon and 7” SS Revelator used in his SSR model, mated to a Aurasound 10” woofer in a tapered tower about 40” tall. He said the Revelator is very detailed, but more forgiving than the Excel. About three months later, Rick personally delivered his new model, the Galena (now a regular in his lineup), to my door.

This speaker is everything I was hoping for. It’s hard to find fault. Bass is deep, powerful and tight. No sub required. The mids are the most neutral I have heard, and the highs are detailed but never harsh. The crossovers are seamless. This is a real trick with a 7” mid and a small ribbon. But because the Revelator extends so high without a nasty peak, and Rick is such a talented designer, it’s a wonderful marriage. I can listen to any of my recordings without being driven from the room. Jazz, rock, or classical, it’s all good. Muted trumpets, which set my ears on edge on most loudspeakers, are just right. There’s a bite but they don’t annoy. The imaging is deep and wide, and the speakers disappear as well as any direct radiator I have heard. They also do that “performer-in-the-room” thing exceptionally well. The cabinets are gorgeous.

The only downsides I have found would apply to audiophiles who favor low-powered amps or have amps that can’t drive 4 ohm loads. These like power and average 4 ohms, but because there are no sever phase angles and the minimum is 3.9 ohms, it’s a friendly 4 ohm load. A 50 wpc NAD can shake the room.

So, I could have spent twice as much, but I’m glad I didn’t. To my ears, these speakers are just so right, with so many different recordings, that if Rick Craig doesn’t sell bunch of them, there’s just no justice in the audio biz. I’ve found my last pair of loudspeakers.

Rick Craig · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 12:14 pm »

Here are pictures of the pair going to the RMAF. Due to the flash, digital camera, and figure of the veneer you'll see variations in color from the different angles. I don't PhotoChop everything so if you attend the RMAF you'll see that they look even better in person

JoshK · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 02:14 pm »

Wow, those are incredibly attractive! Very enticing choice of drivers too.

Edit: took at look at the info on the site about them. Nice measurements too. I think you could even drive these with a higher powered tube amp given the impedance curve's relatively benign load.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 03:41 pm »

But I'm poor!

Anand.

klh · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 05:07 pm »

Hey Rick... I didn't catch which type of veneer you chose, but it is freakin' gorgeous. I'm also not a big fan of the contrasting trim at the edges, but this pair of enclosures changed all that. Well done!

Jeff K · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 08:31 pm »

Rick, are the pedestals integral or separate? They do look rather nice. (I still prefer the shorter grills on mine.)

Jeff

Rick Craig · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Oct 2007, 02:32 am »

Quote from: klh on 3 Oct 2007, 05:07 pm

Hey Rick... I didn't catch which type of veneer you chose, but it is freakin' gorgeous. I'm also not a big fan of the contrasting trim at the edges, but this pair of enclosures changed all that. Well done!

The veneer is Fiddleback Makore and the Wenge trim frames it in nicely

Rick Craig · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Oct 2007, 02:33 am »

Quote from: Jeff K on 3 Oct 2007, 08:31 pm

Rick, are the pedestals integral or separate? They do look rather nice. (I still prefer the shorter grills on mine.)

Jeff

The bases are attached with four screws. Thanks for your kind review.

Jeff K · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Oct 2007, 03:23 am »

Quote

Thanks for your kind review.

No problem. I still don't believe I did them justice. They are incredibly good loudspeakers. So good, I'm spending too much time listening while other obligations slide. I think my 23 year old non-audiophile son with great hearing said it best, "You know, listening to these is a visual experience."

Jeff

klh · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Oct 2007, 09:10 pm »

Huh... Fiddleback Makore with Wenge for accent. That combo will have a permanent place in my mental notebook

.

Rick Craig · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Oct 2007, 04:35 pm »

Shipping to California...

LadyDog · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Oct 2007, 07:47 pm »

Rick,
Wow, beautiful work. Like that finish even better than the first one.

You may have already addressed it, but what about substituting the Airsinc(sp?) for the ribbon tweeter? While everybody is their own movie critic, but from what I have heard the new SS tweater holds its own in the high-end area.

Regards,
Jeff

Rick Craig · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Oct 2007, 11:06 pm »

Quote from: LadyDog on 10 Oct 2007, 07:47 pm

Rick,
Wow, beautiful work. Like that finish even better than the first one.

You may have already addressed it, but what about substituting the Airsinc(sp?) for the ribbon tweeter? While everybody is their own movie critic, but from what I have heard the new SS tweater holds its own in the high-end area.

Regards,
Jeff

Sure we can do that. I'll have both the AirCirc and ribbon at the RMAF for comparison.

MaxCast · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Oct 2007, 11:44 pm »

Those are awesome, Rick! Great job.

Lindahl · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 Oct 2007, 04:35 pm »

Heard these at RMAF. That Aurasound woofer is really something - so much detail. It really does sound like a capable midrange without the excursion limitations. Also my first time hearing ribbons. They weren't as different sounding from domes as I would have thought, but I didn't do much off-axis listening. Very nice speakers, Rick. Glad I finally got to meet you. Looking forward to next year, where I can spend more time in the various rooms, including yours (I arrived at the Marriott at 3:30pm on Sunday - talk about last call!).

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Oct 2007, 12:56 am »

Another very nice speaker Rick....

I enjoyed my RMAF listen in your room....a nicely balanced speaker soundwise....looking even better in person....beautiful finish. Had no problem with the selections I played.
It was great seeing you again.....thanks....and good luck with the Galena...

Chris

Rick Craig · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Oct 2007, 04:23 pm »

Quote from: Lindahl on 15 Oct 2007, 04:35 pm

Heard these at RMAF. That Aurasound woofer is really something - so much detail. It really does sound like a capable midrange without the excursion limitations. Also my first time hearing ribbons. They weren't as different sounding from domes as I would have thought, but I didn't do much off-axis listening. Very nice speakers, Rick. Glad I finally got to meet you. Looking forward to next year, where I can spend more time in the various rooms, including yours (I arrived at the Marriott at 3:30pm on Sunday - talk about last call!).

Thanks for coming by to visit. Let me know how your new listening room turns out.

Rick Craig · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 Oct 2007, 04:33 pm »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 16 Oct 2007, 12:56 am

Another very nice speaker Rick....

I enjoyed my RMAF listen in your room....a nicely balanced speaker soundwise....looking even better in person....beautiful finish. Had no problem with the selections I played.
It was great seeing you again.....thanks....and good luck with the Galena...

Chris

Sorry I forgot to have you pose for me

Hope you enjoy the CD!

We sold the Galena demo pair to a Denver audiophile

martyo · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 Oct 2007, 04:41 pm »

The official start of RMAF for me was when you introduced yourself at the airport on Thursday. I too was very impressed with the Galena. I really enjoyed our discussion and agreement for needing that bottom octave and just you're overall unhurried manner in discussing "whatever".

And thanks for the CD.

Marty and Sheila

Rick Craig · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 Oct 2007, 07:13 pm »

Quote from: martyo on 16 Oct 2007, 04:41 pm

The official start of RMAF for me was when you introduced yourself at the airport on Thursday. I too was very impressed with the Galena. I really enjoyed our discussion and agreement for needing that bottom octave and just you're overall unhurried manner in discussing "whatever".

And thanks for the CD.

Marty and Sheila

It was nice meeting you and Sheila. Thanks for visiting our room.