New thread for Mini reviews/feedback

jfreeman373 · « **Reply #20 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 07:40 am »

I hear ya..."I'm" anxious to have them done. Can't have any peace of mind until I do....It's allot of pressure for one cabinet guy!

bhobba · « **Reply #21 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 07:50 am »

Quote from: jfreeman373 on 9 Dec 2007, 06:56 am

Yeah, after we get the rest of everybody's orders out. Thankfully we now have our MINI parts vendor almost ready to supply finished cabys. "Then" we'll be rockin' and rollin'.... with orders flying out the door !

I hope potential customers are following this thread. With the performance people are now telling us about this would have to be the greatest friggen bargain in Hi Fi. If your budget can in any way stretch to get them then take the plunge. Skimp on the amp and source if you have to - they can be upgraded later. A cheap Panny and DVD player like the Oppo is all you need to get stated and enjoy performance limited basically by the equipment placed upsetream from them - for around $3K all up. Very few speakers at any price can make that claim, but I think the mini can.

Thanks
Bill

Double Ugly · « **Reply #22 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 08:48 am »

Quote from: jfreeman373 on 9 Dec 2007, 07:40 am

I hear ya..."I'm" anxious to have them done. Can't have any peace of mind until I do....It's allot of pressure for one cabinet guy!

I know where you're coming from, Jason, but I also know you're up to the task!

Quote from: bhobba on 9 Dec 2007, 07:50 am

With the performance people are now telling us about this would have to be the greatest friggen bargain in Hi Fi. If your budget can in any way stretch to get them then take the plunge. Skimp on the amp and source if you have to - they can be upgraded later. A cheap Panny and DVD player like the Oppo is all you need to get stated and enjoy performance limited basically by the equipment placed upsetream from them - for around $3K all up. Very few speakers at any price can make that claim, but I think the mini can.

I think you're right, Bill. The Mini may well be the deal of the century... seriously... even at the current 'introductory' price of $2495.

IMHO, folks who've heard SP Tech speakers sans the Mundorf-based crossover haven't heard SP Tech speakers, and though I'll stop short of putting words in his mouth, I think Bob agrees! The improvement is truly that significant!

With due consideration for the wonderful reviews already posted, and knowing a veritable tidal wave of reviews is sure to come, it's your review I'm most eager to read. I don't know anyone who's waited longer, nor anyone who's been through more 'stuff' than you in your efforts to secure a pair of SP Technology speakers.

I can't wait to read what you think of them, partly because I'm pretty sure I have a better idea about what you'll say than you at this juncture!

And it's going to be GREAT!!!

jfreeman373 · « **Reply #23 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 09:00 am »

GREAT EMOTICONS!!!!

Double Ugly · « **Reply #24 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 09:03 am »

Quote from: jfreeman373 on 9 Dec 2007, 09:00 am

GREAT EMOTICONS!!!!

All the better to express the emotions the speakers elicit, my friend.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #25 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 09:04 am »

You left this one off......

Double Ugly · « **Reply #26 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 09:05 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 9 Dec 2007, 09:04 am

You left this one off......

Yeah, just had a weird sort of symmetry thing going, Chris, and I didn't want to mess with it.

jfreeman373 · « **Reply #27 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 09:07 am »

HAHAHHAHA

opnly bafld · « **Reply #28 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 02:36 pm »

Quote from: Double Ugly on 9 Dec 2007, 08:48 am

I'm glad I saw this, I thought there was something wrong with my speakers because the piano sounded like is was way off stage to the right totally separate from the rest of the band, but now I see it was recorded that way.

Lin

bbchem · « **Reply #29 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 03:20 pm »

Point of note, I am waiting for my Minis which should arrive any day. I spoke to Bob the other day and we both agree that in most cases SPEAKER BREAKIN is highly overated, at least with the SP design and drivers. This is good knews for us chomping at the bit to start them up and hear what they really sound like rather quickly. By the way I am quoting Bob and my conversation.

P.S. I have a degree in Chemistry and Bob is an Engineer so we have some basis for this statement.

I will post as soon as I have a few hours listening time.

groovybassist · « **Reply #30 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 04:17 pm »

bbchem:

Speaker break-in may be overrated, but I think it's very real and especially obvious on speakers that have the level of coherence the Mini's do. They clearly didn't have the drive right out of the box that they do now. Using Naim gear made this very obvious as it shows off any speakers capability to groove, but also highlights those that can't. I'm sure it's difficult to quantify objectively, but I'm also sure I just went through it! Just my $.02...

I'd be curious to see what you experience when yours arrive. Enjoy!

-Mike

Double Ugly · « **Reply #31 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 04:34 pm »

Give 'em a little time, bbchem. Break-in may be overblown to a degree, but based on my and others experiences, you're setting yourself up for a surprise if your going in position is that break-in doesn't exist. There are physical mechanisms that require some time, some quantifiable, verifiable break-in period to reach peak performance.

BTW, you may want to get an update from Bob re: break-in, too. Seems he recently finished tweaking an "Ultimate" crossover and was surprised by what he heard.

I'm not saying you'll be disappointed with the sound out of the box. Neither Mike nor Lin were disappointed, but their comments support my assertion that putting a few hours on the speakers will likely result in readily apparent improvements.

It's a physical thang!

Nevertheless, you may have finally found the Holy Grail you've been seeking for so long, bbchem. What'd you say you've been through... wasn't it something like 30 pairs of speakers?!?

Ah.... just wait. It won't be long now.

bbchem · « **Reply #32 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 05:34 pm »

Thanks guys, I did just have a long conversation with Bob about Break-in, and was very surprised when he said he was not a big believer. However, he did qualify the fact that his design may require less than others. I do believe there is curve, how ever long may vary, just that all of the speakers (I have had, and I have had 33 as you mentioned with the Minis,) seem to sound almost the same over the specified break-in period. I did find that Fostex drivers Single/full Range did have a definite break-in.
I complimented Bob by stating that I have bought all the past speakers by reading reviews that always had good things said and also some exceptions, because I have no access to any good Audio store. I was amazed that every Review and Comment about SP was decidedly positive and that was no small feat!! I bought the minis simply by reading you guys previous comments and some on line reviews. The design is exactly what I am looking for and I trust that I will not be disappointed.

Thanks, Bill

Double Ugly · « **Reply #33 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 05:51 pm »

Quote from: bbchem on 9 Dec 2007, 05:34 pm

he design is exactly what I am looking for and I trust that I will not be disappointed.

Never say "never", never say "always", but I'd say it's a safe bet you'll like 'em.

Living in a very remote area myself, I've purchased an awful lot of equipment sight unseen, sound unheard. I've always despised doing it for a myriad of reasons, and I'm sure you feel similarly. Consequently, it must be nice to see the first recipients have such great things to say about the Minis.

Don't know 'bout you, but I could never get too many warm fuzzies!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #34 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 06:03 pm »

Quote

Don't know 'bout you, but I could never get too many warm fuzzies!

.......

billc · « **Reply #35 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 06:31 pm »

My experience with speaker break-in is that while the speakers (drivers) themselves need little, or no break-in, the crossover parts can take a bit of time to burn in.

Depending on parts, wire, etc, certain caps and other components can take some time to settle in.

I know that some speaker makers (Dave Ellis, for one) "exercise" speakers before delivery, with hours (?) of cone excursions on the woofer, so there is not much more mechanical break-in that could occur after putting them in your system.

Bill C

Rocket · « **Reply #36 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 10:21 pm »

Hi,

I dislike buying a product without hearing it first. I remember buying my ps audio hca - 2 amplifier and importing it from the states. It had a stereophile class a rating and many many good reviews. I only read one poor review that indicated they thought the amplifier didn't sound right in their opinion. Yep, that person was the only one who had a pair of ears imo. I spent almost a $1000us getting it to a level where it is as good as a bel canto evo 2.

Bob seems to be a pretty good speaker designer. I have his nuforce s9 speakers and he seems to be able to get the maximum sound quality from the speaker using mid priced components. That is quite an accomplishment because my previous speakers used more expensive components and I think the s9 is about the same level of sound quality. I prefer the raven ribbon tweeter to Bob's seas tweeter but the midrange with the s9 is very good. Don't take my comments as negative. I am merely being totally honest.

Good luck with your purchase.

Regards

Rod

Aether Audio · « **Reply #37 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 11:11 pm »

Rod,

Quote

I prefer the raven ribbon tweeter to Bob's seas tweeter...

Let me make this clear. The SEAS tweeter used in the S-9 was not my first choice. As in our stuff, I prefer and recommended to NuForce ScanSpeak tweeters - of which I had intended to use for that design. It was their decision (based on criteria I am not free to share) to make the change to the SEAS tweeter. Although I make no profession of being psychic, I suspect your views of the S-9's performance as compared to the that of the Raven-based product would be substantially different had this change not been made.

That's all I will say on the subject, so please... let's not take this subject any further. Suffice it to say, NuForce product is not SP Technology product or vice-versa.

Thanks,
-Bob

bhobba · « **Reply #38 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 11:36 pm »

Quote from: Rocket on 9 Dec 2007, 10:21 pm

Bob seems to be a pretty good speaker designer. I have his nuforce s9 speakers and he seems to be able to get the maximum sound quality from the speaker using mid priced components. That is quite an accomplishment because my previous speakers used more expensive components and I think the s9 is about the same level of sound quality. I prefer the raven ribbon tweeter to Bob's seas tweeter but the midrange with the s9 is very good. Don't take my comments as negative. I am merely being totally honest.

Your honest opinion is of course very much appreciated. Although Bob contractually can not comment on the sound of S9 vs the Mini, the fact it uses a better tweeter, higher grade crossovers, and a lower crossover point, can not make it sound worse, that's for sure. Since the Mini is cheaper people can make up their own minds which one to consider. Maybe someone will eventually post a side by side comparison.

I tend to trust the ears of those whose opinion and experience I have developed respect for, often preferring it to my own due to my limited experience. I understand my way is not the norm, most people want to listen to a product before purchasing it. Indeed most would like to go down to a local Hi Fi store, sit down and compare different products side by side with a hopefully helpfull rather than pushy sales person. But understand you pay heavily for this privilege, because store overheads and sales commissions must be passed on. For me, buying over the internet based on the opinion of those you can trust, is a much more rational way to do it. Unlike Rod, I have purchased a number of products without hearing them and have never been disappointed. Those recommendations do not, and have not, come from Stereophile and realted magzines. I do not have much time for those glitzy sources. Fun to read, and good for ideas, but to me they are only a starting point. Rather, my choices come from looking at the background of the designer. That is how I decided on the first speaker I ever purchased - the legendary Gale 402. The methods of the designer, Ira Gale, like Bob Smith's, were impeccable. I believe the Mini will be just as legendary as the Gale 402s were 25 years ago.

Thanks
Bill

bhobba · « **Reply #39 on:** 9 Dec 2007, 11:42 pm »

Quote from: bhobba on 9 Dec 2007, 11:36 pm

Your honest opinion is of course very much appreciated. Although Bob contractually can not comment on the sound of S9 vs the Mini, the fact it uses a better tweeter, higher grade crossovers, and a lower crossover point, can not make it sound worse, that's for sure. Since the Mini is cheaper people can make up their own minds which one to consider. Maybe someone will eventually post a side by side comparison.

Just to clarify - it is the Mini that uses a better tweeter, higher grade crossovers, and a lower crossover point; and is cheaper.

Thanks
Bill