[Rick Craig]

Actually the first pair we named "New Jersey Monitor" and this pair is headed soon to LA. 

[jmpiwonka]

now those are some nice looking speakers.
i bet they sound awesome too.

[Val]

My favorite drivers! Detailed specs, please.

[Rick Craig]

My favorite drivers! Detailed specs, please.

Very similar to the SSR sealed box version except with the Scan-Speak Air Circ tweeter. The cost will vary from $1,750 to $2,750 per pair w/shipping to the USA mainland.

[mateo]

My favorite drivers!

x2

I really like the cabinet look without the rounded, different color wood trim. Looks very clean

[Frihed91]

Looks a lot like a danish DIY model that is very popular and very good.

[Trafford]

Is this available as a DIY kit and if so how much?

Could this be built in one of the PE or Madisound cabinets as a front ported design?

Would the response be similar to the ported SSR?

[Rick Craig]

Is this available as a DIY kit and if so how much?

Could this be built in one of the PE or Madisound cabinets as a front ported design?

Would the response be similar to the ported SSR?

The deluxe crossover kit is $975 (includes shipping, cabinets are extra). I t can be built with either the Madisound or PE cabinets and front ported. The response would be similar to the SSR in the PE cabinet and with the Madisound cabinet it would be slightly different due to the smaller internal volume. We can also cut the baffles for an additional charge.

[Trafford]

Thanks Rick.

I assume that is the 1.0 cu. ft. cabinets? Would the curved ones work also?

What is the additional charge to cut the baffles? I assume it would be cheaper than a router and bits.

[Rick Craig]

Thanks Rick.

I assume that is the 1.0 cu. ft. cabinets? Would the curved ones work also?

What is the additional charge to cut the baffles? I assume it would be cheaper than a router and bits.

$1750/pr. with the PE 1.0 cabinets and the curved back cabinets will work. I can quote the PE cabinets with precut baffles if you email me with your zip code so I can calculate the shipping.

[ichillpill]

any comments/review from the owner of this pair?

[kenk]

ichillpill,

I am the owner of the cal monitor and if you need additional info you can PM me.  My current setup: Cal Monitor, Nuforce SEv2, Shindo Aurieges LS and Denon 2930.  Speakers that I had in the last three years - Onix REF1, RAW HT3, B&W 9NT, B&W 805 signature, Dynaudio S3.4, Usher BE718.  I am passing on review and I am not a good writer myself and don't want to offend anyone.   Let’s put it this way, I used to judge my system all the time but now I just turn on the system and enjoy.  Also I hardly visit audio forum as much as before.

Ken

[jgb0194]

Like you, kenk, I've been simply enjoying the music since I received my "Array of Desire" and subs last December. It's a way of knowing you've found the synergy for you.

[cadobhuk]

Kenk, can you at least say how they compare to the ref-1 and be-718?

[Carl V]

I'm not familiar with these exact California monitors
However, I have the SSR... I just auditioned the Rapides...
& 2 acquaintances came by with their Be tweeter monitors.
One the Asian tiny dancer the other a French Utopia Monitor.
(he had an older metal focal inverted tweeter as well-- he was a dealer)

listening to these monitors proved to be entertaining, enlightening
& educational.  Most of us like to 'latch onto' a technology or a
popular opinion.... i.e., faster ribbons, metallic domes, soft domes,
Lighter materials.  I know I'm guilty of this at times.  We listen with our eyes.

But in general terms the Be tweeters were very clear & detailed.  Perhaps with
a tad less sibilant energy...but it's hard to differentiate between the tweeters'
effects & those of the Midwoofers....Accuton Ceramic sounds different than
the sliced paper SS, the Focal W cone & the Usher treated paper.  imho, it was
the nature of the midwoofer which established the sound signature the most.
This was made evident when on of the Aircirc tweeters went down.  SO on a
lark we did some listening with the midwoofers only.  Maybe not scientific or
conclusive but there were differences in the tone of the Mid-woofers.  AS there
were differences in the tweeters.  But most of us thought the Aircirc had some 'body'
or some warmth (I know that's a terribly mis~used description)
where as the ribbon seemed to have
more upper detail or sparkle (distortion I don't know)
& the Be had a bit of both & didn't seem
to suffer when the spl exceeded 98-105 dB.
Last but certainly not least...the radiation pattern & the voicing is different.
The sound changed greatly based on toe in & room reflection points.  If you listend
to them firing directly at your ears or crossing in front of your head ro just behind
your head....you had a different opinion.  It's hard & dangerous to make generalizations.
 
They all did the usual test disc imaging, soundstage stuff. 
They all showed good resolution
with respect to either differing Mic's or differing mic'ing techniques.  They all
conveyed the differing tonality & technique of guitarists like Julian Bream, Christopher
Parkening & his teacher Segovia...or Romero. Playing some Steinway demo piano CDs
displayed the tonal color of their different models or country of Origin.
SO they all are very revealing.

It came to preferences of tonality.

[Carl V]

I will still keep my SSRs
I will soon have some Garnets. 
I was sorely tempted by the Rapides.** a killer monitor & great value
I felt no desire to look over Agon to find those other models
they are fine monitors no doubt...I've never warmed to the sound
of the Ref 1s.

ymmv, imho

[cadobhuk]

So how did the usher compair to the SSR in one sentence ?

[Carl V]

So how did the usher compair to the SSR in one sentence ?

Favorably.

[Carl V]

So how did the usher compair to the SSR in one sentence ?

seriously


A bit warmer, a bit more lively, can be a bit more ragged with female vocals at higher levels
(Emy Lou Harris...Angela Gheorghu-opera...Baez) or Horn Concerto or demanding Piano...


I attribute this to the better perfomance of the SS slit cone (which is warm or full
compared to accuton or SEAS mag.)
..at moderate levels the Be tweeter seems to portray texture & harmonics very well...
perhaps better than the fountek or the 6600.

Not exactly one sentance..mea culpa.