Earlier this year I posted in Audio Central in order to get advice about a speaker that would be well suited to my musical tastes. I listen almost exclusively to orchestral music. If I remember correctly, I got 11 pages of replies. Of the contenders, offerings from Jim Salk and from SP Technologies particularly caught my interest. The Veracity QW was first mentioned, then the HT3. I corresponded with Jim and we concluded that for my tastes, the HT3 was the way to go. I still believe it is, but I must admit, I am becoming financially intimidated. Originally I wanted to stay below $4K. The lead page for the HT3 lists the unit as starting at at $4495. OK, I was willing to stretch another 500 bucks. Now, I realize that with a veneer it comes to $5295. (If you follow a link you discover that With "just paint" it lists for $4895 -- a $400 price increase.) $5295 is about a third of my kid's private school tuition. As a family man with a budget, unfortunately for me this figure crosses the line between "good provider" and "self-indulgence."
So, what to do? OK, wait till one comes up used. Yes, that is a possibility, but not a real attractive one. The models available in the $3Kish range include the QW and possibly the yet unnamed Open Baffle. I could wait for the OB model. I once had some Alon IIs that I really liked. If these are similar, I think I could be happy. Jim kinda talked me out of the QWs, but I have to wonder how the QWs and the OB model compare. Of course, as yet nobody knows, right? Then there's the new Song Towers, also a TL-like design, as are the QWs. How do the Song Towers and the QWs compare, I wonder?
I feel like the HT3s are the no-compromise solution, and everything else is. Well, wait, certainly there are some SP Tech advocates out there who would not agree with that. I could also consider the SP Techs minis. (It is worth mentioning that delivery of the Minis has been problematic, which the designer now says is corrected.) Perhaps down the road I could add the servo controlled subs that GR-research offers as a DIY upgrade to the SP Minis....
To sum it up:
1) Un-named OB design vs. Veracity QW
2) Veracity QW vs. Song Towers
3) Any of these "Salks" vs. SP Techs Minis (perhaps w/ GR servo subs to follow)
Ok, chew on that folks, and spit out anything you like. In other words, I value you opinions. Let me know them.
For reference I should mention that I now use a two-way design (vintage '99 or so) from BESL Engineering. This was a kit using Scan Speak 8545K drivers with the 9500 tweeter in an MTM configuration. Specs can be seen here:
http://www.bambergaudio.com/s45k.shtml. Also, I am inclined toward the offerings from these two firms because I believe these products would provide an
articlate view of my orchestal "musicscapes."