Mini Update...
The Timepiece Mini speakers arrived exactly on schedule, on Tuesday the 19th. They shipped well - no package damage at all, and the speakers look perfect. Bob really knows how to pack these speakers. The hardboard shielding is very effective, although it seems that my packages were handled by the very few careful UPS handlers. I put the Mini's up on some stands I had put out for this purpose, biwired em up, and switched the system on. (ModWright 9.0SE preamp to ASL Hurricane monoblock amps).
I have only had about 30 minutes of listening each of the last two nights before I had to shut down. But given very limited source material, and limited break-in and play time, I have to say my early impression is that I am very very impressed with what I heard - given that I have not yet been able to seriously crank up the volume. Note: I am running Ellis 1801b's side by side, and it will take a bit of sorting out to detail the differences, but the speakers are both excellent, but very different. The much lower crossover point in the Mini's has a distinct effect.
I would say that my initial impressions are: tremendous accuracy (very very clean and true to the source material), excellent tweeter/woofer integration and coherency, clear clean top end, very good bass (but volume was low), and excellent horizontal soundstage. Soundstage depth and height still to be assessed. Also, very good dynamic responsiveness.
Color me very impressed. Built quality is excellent. Heft (weight) of the speakers is quite surprising. I expected them to be much lighter given their size. When I lifted them from the packing materials - watch out - I had to tighten my grip immediately to keep from dropping it. These are not large speakers, but weigh more than many others I have lifted, and all others of these dimensions.
Not yet adequately considered: dynamic range/response; midrange presence (piano and female voice), and more expansive source material experience. Most source material thus far is jazz and string instruments (guitar, etc). Ellington's Jazz Party in Stereo (on vinyl) was jaw-dropping.
These very big (not so) Mini's need some break-in time, and some attention by me to placement in room. I was so excited at receiving the Mini's that I put them into service within 5 minutes, which was not the most considered and careful approach. Nevertheless, they seemed quite forgiving of my haste in setup. I will say that the stands I used seem a bit low. These speakers seem to sound best to me when the woofer is at ear level (thus the tweeter is slightly above ear level). To assess this I have shifted my listening position vertically, ranging from sitting on the floor to standing. Given the low stands, sitting low seems to sound best and give the widest and highest soundstage.
Overall, I find them exceptionally accurate, very true to the recorded signal, not euphonic or colored or edgy, almost transparent is terms of disappearing (but they need a bit more break-in to really assess this).
Wow! Just out of the box... what a speaker !!
They are going to make a big splash Sunday !
It will early next week before I post additional impressions. I just won't have any focused listening time until the weekend.
Bob, THANK YOU for a great speaker, and for your honest, personal, and thoughtful dealings !
More comments to come. Same channel.
Bill C.
