[jimdgoulding]

Just to say that me and Fredt300B and Houston Audio Society members which would include some other dudes here are gonna get to hear these (Model Two) at a gathering of the tribe on Jan 24.  Anybody know anything about these?

[gainphile2]

How lucky 

With any multiple-drivers arrangement, aside from listening to the positive I would be interested in beaming/lobing of the drivers' polar response.

From the picture the woofers must be crossed very high too which increases beaming even more.

[jimdgoulding]

Hey Gain, anybody, I'm curious, what is the downside to beaming?  I know that instruments in space don't beam (save for a trumpet, maybe) tho, in a good recording, the disbursement of an instrument in it's environment is already a part of that recording.  The good recordings I refer to are recorded with a respectable distance of the microphone(s).  A close miked recording can be a good recording, too, but for different reasons, usually.  So, wouldn't a speaker that beams make listening room effects less intrusive, generally speaking?  Thanks.

[gainphile2]

My experiment with running alphas up to 1kHz and fullrange is that they would narrow the sweetspot to minimal location, as in moving my head 10cm left/right gives different sound! it's very disturbing once you identify it.

I since dropped them to 300Hz (1/2 wavelength is about 400Hz) and I could walk around the room and they would sound similiar. The 1/2 wavelength I read was from SL's site. Although he admitted to push those W22 to 1.5kHz where they would start to beam.

The other problem which I'm not sure yet is all the reflection, interference, cancellation etc. would not be uniform if they beam. Note that stacking them vertically will only beam vertically and not horizontally (if they are crossed low enough in the first place).

Beaming seems to be a problem with planars. Problematic enough for Quad engineers to invent those concentric arrangements.

Anyway let us know what your impression then ! 

[scorpion]

jimdgoulding,

I suppose your motto reveals more than you are aware of. So why in the first place bother about beaming loudspeakers ? You don't like them ! Please post a photo of the lot in the sweet spot !

/Erling

[jimdgoulding]

Well, I heard some Innersounds recently that I liked.  Maybe they don't beam.  Maybe I just thought they did.  I'm just curious, mate.  Thanks for the info, Gain.  Fun thing is, the owner of the Gilmores will play some things we visitors would like to hear.  Cheers. 

[markC]

Beaming, as I understand, it is the ability to locate the sound comming directly from the speaker rather than from the sound stage that the speakers throw.

[hi5harry]

That is a good friend of mines system. When he live in California  it was a real treat to hear his system. Not only do you get to hear the Gilmore speakers, but also the Gilmore amps. You will also hear computer audio done right ( not to mention his great wine collection)! You are in for a real treat.

[jimdgoulding]

Thanks, Harry.  Looking forward to it.  No, you wouldn't want things located on or near the speakers.  Free all music!  Out, damn speaker!  Didn't think of beaming in that context.  Thought of it as narrow dispersion.  And if the beams (?) cross at your seated position, don't see how that could be the case.

[FullRangeMan]

Hi folks,
This is my first post.
Iam surprised no one noted the resemblance of the Gilmore OB with the late Carver Amazing. I note this at first glance, as I have a Amazing
Silver Edition.    For me the Gilmore speakers are hi priced 20k dollars Carver Amazing ( my cost 2400 dollars in Dec1992 ).
I email Mr. Mark Gilmore in 07March2009 asking this heritage, but have no reply.

Seems there is a good improvement, the sensibility is now 91.5 dB ( 88.5dB in my Silver Edition ) and the crossover is now outboard.
If they have the Amazing sound qualities, (now with a unexpected price reduction to 13k dollars this speakers are almost affordable),
they worth every cent for the Carver Amazing soundstage is glorious...
You do not hear the music, you really fell and see the music, cause there is a strong 3D presence in the room...
A unforgettable loudspeaker.
Regards, Full

[pjanda1]

This is barely relevant, but I think the ads Gilmore ran in Stereophile a couple of years ago are really funny.  A speaker and a girl in a bikini- really?  No art, no fancy copy, just a speaker and a buxom, scantily clad girl.  (I couldn't find a pic with Google image).  Surely that isn't a marketing degree at work.  I shouldn't be one to talk, but I get a kick out of it. 

pj

[FredT300B]

The most recent post has resurrected an older thread, but I've heard the Gilmore Audio speakers since Jim started the thread, and I found they have some very attractive features. There was some talk a few posts back about the 12" woofers beaming. They don't. The crossover to the ribbon is at 200hz, which is below the point where a 12" driver would beam.

The most recent post mentioned the Gilmore girl, Linda O'Neil. She was featured in most of Gilmore's earlier ads, and her presence in those ads is unforgettable. I assume that turned out to be a problem - any picture that includes Linda O'Neil and a Gilmore speaker guarantees that a normally developed male would notice Linda and not the speaker. Even a Stereophile-reading audiogeek like Jim Goulding would be distracted. For the last few years Gilmore has included bassist Abraham Laboriel in the ads. Laboriel probably is more talented than O'Neil, but he's not quite as sexy.
http://www.glacieraudio.com/new%20Glacier%20Audio%20Site/ads%20review%20event%20folder/Ads-jpegs/ASdecjan_lucky-pg2-3.jpg
http://www.glacieraudio.com/new%20Glacier%20Audio%20Site/ads%20review%20event%20folder/Ads-jpegs/AD_TASjune-got-bass.jpg

Anyway, back to the speakers. Glimore apparently was unable to establish a viable dealer network and decided to market his speakers directly. He has also enlisted some owners to serve as in-home dealers, so Gilmore products can be auditioned in several locations. Our club meeting was in the home of Gilmore's Houston dealer, Keith Forrest. The price for the model 2 has been dropped from about $20K to $12,950/pr. The smaller model 3 is now $9,950. Gilmore also sells his proprietary Class D amplifiers. Our club heard the Model 2 speakers with the Raptor monoblock amps. My impression of this combination was that it has the openness and lack of coloration I normally associate with open baffle speakers, and it also offered the broad and deep soundstage and the "live performance" dynanics of a line array. If I were in the market for a $13K pair of speakers the Model 2 would be on my audition list. 

[FullRangeMan]

This is barely relevant, but I think the ads Gilmore ran in Stereophile a couple of years ago are really funny.  A speaker and a girl in a bikini- really?  No art, no fancy copy, just a speaker and a buxom, scantily clad girl.  (I couldn't find a pic with Google image).  Surely that isn't a marketing degree at work.  I shouldn't be one to talk, but I get a kick out of it. 

Seems you think this porno ad is more relevant than my Carver Amazing info...
Full

[SleeperSupra]

Any updates?

Carver ALS owner here...

[Hank]

More ads! (NOT of the bassist!) 

[capwkidd]

Anyone heard theses speakers lately? I was surprised to find a (very) local place to listen to them.... but's too early in the morning to call ... I am curious of peoples opinions.... Also curious about the amps...

[nickd]

I heard the Gilmores a few years back at CES. They were Big, expensive and Linda O'Neil made a better first impression.

I Owned Carver Amazings back in the day, had a couple pair of Maggies spent a year with Jamo 909's and now use GR Research Super V's. I just never lusted for the Gilmore's. Linda on the other hand

 

[capwkidd]

I had a chance to listen to the model 2's at a local persons home. The most obvious thing about the sound is the incredible bass.... I mean quality... Only thing I can remember hearing better (by a slight margin) would be my custom in ear monitors which where $1,100..... The bass depth (frequency) and output capability are very impressive as well, playing Kraftwerk's Elektro Kardiogramm at high volume was no problem. I think these speakers compete with the best out there, and I have been 2x to RMAF, and the CA T.H.E. Show, and at least 10 years of listening to gear..... Now to listen to some good Tannoy's again.... Seems like the only thing Tannoy can not do to the same level is bass.... Hmm, Tannoy's with Gilmore OB bass panels.... Hmmm...