When the SongTowers were originally introduced almost a year ago, we received quite a few inquiries about a ribbon tweeter version. At the time, I didn't think it made all that much sense. We already had the Veracity HT2's which are also an MTM design but feature an LCY ribbon tweeter along with a pair of Seas Excel W18's.
Adding a ribbon tweeter to the SongTower design would naturally add cost. And while the HT2's would still be more expensive, I thought that the difference in price was such that those really wanting a ribbon would just "upgrade" to the HT2's.
But we continued to get inquiries. So Dennis began playing with the concept and tried a version with the LCY ribbon tweeter we used successfully in the HT2's. After performing his usual magic, he informed me that the combination works very well and that he actually preferred the LCY version. So we started building a "test" pair.
About that time, Nuance ordered a pair of SongTowers and heard about this impending design. He emailed to ask if he could get this first pair. I told him yes.
In the process of designing this new SongTower version, we noted that the woofers would need to be spaced slightly farther apart to accommodate the larger LCY tweeter. I had always toyed with the concept of a machined aluminum front baffle and since we had to make new templates for this new version anyway, I thought this would be a good opportunity.
It took a little longer to get the front baffles designed and machined than I originally anticipated. But they are now done and last week we finished the first SongTower RT pair, gave them a good listen over the space of a few days, tweaked a little (I was quite impressed) and shipped them off to Nuance.
These pictures do not capture the real beauty of this particular batch of rosewood (pau ferro), but it was the nicest batch we had ever worked with (and the most expensive). The pictures do not show the hand-rubbed finish we put on these cabinets very well either. But here they are:
Here a picture of the machined aluminum front baffle (anodized black):
In anticipation of a few questions, there is no way to upgrade current SongTowers to this new configuration since the woofers are spaced farther apart. Perhaps we will work up some kind of trade-up program for current SongTower owners who feel a strong need to upgrade.
As for pricing, we may not be able to hold it and it may need to be increased as we get more manufacturing experience under our belt. But, for the time being, this model will be priced at $700 more than a comparable regular SongTower ($2395 in satin black, $2495 in a standard veneer and $2695 plus the cost of veneer for a "custom" model).
As to whether or not there will be a ribbon-based center channel and surrounds, that is an open question. Since the speakers are basically voiced the same, we don't see an urgent need (the existing center and surrounds should work just fine in combination with the SongTower RT's). But, if the demand is there, we will certainly explore the concept.
The aluminum baffles look quite nice and worked out very well. As of now, we have a limited number anodized black and clear (sliver) based on the sample run. Whether or not we will continue using this baffle in the long run is an open question. In order to get the price where it needs to be, we will have to order quite a large number at a time. And it remains to be seen how popular this model will become. So we'll use them until they are gone and re-visit the issue as we get a better feel for potential volume.
Now that the design is complete and in production, we'll have 3 - 4 additional pairs of SongTower RT's finished for customers in the next week or so.
In the mean time...Happy listening Nuance!
- Jim
