Owner Impressions, Delivery Times and Things to Do While You Wait

vintagebob · « **Reply #320 on:** 14 Oct 2009, 08:26 pm »

Quote from: oneinthepipe on 14 Oct 2009, 07:57 pm

Outstanding. The big day finally cometh.

Looking forward to your listening impressions.

With the money that you spent on that shirt, you could have bought more speakers.

I blew out my flip flop,
Stepped on a pop top,
Cut my heel, had to cruise on back home.
But there's booze in the blender,
And soon it will render
That frozen concoction that helps me hang on.

Yes, but the concert lyrics are:

"Stepped on a pop top
broke my leg twice
had to limp on back home..."

mathgeek97 · « **Reply #321 on:** 14 Oct 2009, 08:44 pm »

Bob,

Congrats! Can't wait to get some impressions from you, once it's all up and running.
Oh, and update that signature!!!

rahimlee54 · « **Reply #322 on:** 14 Oct 2009, 08:49 pm »

Congrats, hope you enjoy them you will "Salk while waiting" no longer.

K Shep · « **Reply #323 on:** 15 Oct 2009, 12:48 am »

Wow. The wait is over. I am guessing no golf outings this weekend?

vintagebob · « **Reply #324 on:** 15 Oct 2009, 01:13 am »

DECADENT!

The first thing that struck me was how big the HT2-TLs were, especially next to my Swan 4.1s. There was no doubt that these were substantial speakers.

The next thing I noticed was the finish. These were sure beautiful speakers. Nothing fancy like some folks but really nicely done. Jim also went to the trouble to put satin black baffles on all 5 speakers so that they would match the HT2-TLs. Well done again.

So how do they sound?

CLARITY
Everybody talks about it but you really need to hear these speakers to understand. I needed to test all 5 speakers so I reached for a Telarc SACD sampler that I know has music to exercise all of the channels. Up first was "Icarus" by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. Very crisp guitar work that made me realize what a great choice the HT1s were for the surrounds. Wow. From my demo playlist I noticed how clear Jennifer Warnes vocal was on "Ballad of the Runaway Horse". The harmonica in "Good Time" by Alan Jackson, all of the instruments in "Choctaw Hayride" by Alison Krauss & Union Station, the vocal separation in "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" by Sierra Hull, the steel drums in Chesney's "Key's in the Conch Shell" and the pure trumpets in "Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Trumpets" with Wynton Marsalis. We're on to something here!

BASS
I knew that some bass was missing with the Swan 4.1s but I mean really...they weren't even trying! The TLs rock for this. Very impactful bass that does not muddy everything else. I know that Nuance had mentioned this but I wasn't prepared for how great these speakers do with the low end. Lil' Victa by SMV (thanks mathgeek97) really shined. Nice piece! The bass notes on "Ballad of the Runaway Horse" were really improved over the Swans and seemed deep and fast.

IMPACTFUL
I know I talked about this with in the bass section but it was really noticeable on many of the songs. Alan Jackson's "Good Time" was really fun for this with the bass guitar and drums hitting you. This also rocked on "Don't Touch My Hat" by Lyle Lovett. Lot's of fun...oh, I said that already. ; ) I can't wait to watch some action films...

INVOLVING
These speakers draw you in. "Come Away With Me" by Norah Jones is one of my all time favorite songs and this was like listening to it all over again. The delicate piano work in the intro and the breathy purity of her voice. I also noticed this with the Sierra Hull piece which I have listened to a lot lately. The Mandolin work was captivating and the vocals in the chorus were so well done. The vocals didn't stand out before for me. Which leads to the last part...

REVEALING
This is like watching the California fog lift on a perfect spring day leaving behind a crystal clear day where everything just seems so sharp and crisp. These speakers really do reveal more in the recordings. This naturally leads back to the "involving" comment. Noticing more is just going to keep you more "involved".

AND, I haven't even started yet?! It will be fun to visit all of my old favorite songs. I picked good recordings to start out with so we'll have to see how things go with the lower quality stuff.

I'm very satisfied with the purchase. As I was sitting there listening to Norah Jones I was thinking that this is very...

DECADENT!

floresjc · « **Reply #325 on:** 15 Oct 2009, 01:24 am »

Glad to hear you like them! I'm hoping to have mine by the end of next week or so, maybe early the following week.

How long did it take you to unpack all that gear? Sounds like you had quite a Christmas party with HT1's and HT2-TL's. Maybe building a fort is in order next.

What sub are you using, do you have one that you were using with the Swan's? I know my wife will be very anxious to throw in a blu ray while I want to play with some CD's. Either way, it'll be nice to go through everythign again.

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #326 on:** 15 Oct 2009, 01:42 am »

vintageb:

Glad that you are pleased. When I was reading your post, I was thinking that describes exactly the way that I reacted to hearing the HT2-TL the first time. They only sound better in time.

I also like Come Away with Me. Have you listened to Shelby Lynne's Just a Little Lovin? Nice music.

vintagebob · « **Reply #327 on:** 15 Oct 2009, 01:52 am »

Wow! Roy Orbison Black & White Night on Blu-Ray in DTS-HD.

The guitar jams on "Ooby Dooby" and especially "Pretty Woman" are a real treat.

floresjc, tell her she can throw in a Blu-Ray and then give her this one. ; )

vintagebob · « **Reply #328 on:** 15 Oct 2009, 01:54 am »

Quote from: oneinthepipe on 15 Oct 2009, 01:42 am

vintageb:

Glad that you are pleased. When I was reading your post, I was thinking that describes exactly the way that I reacted to hearing the HT2-TL the first time. They only sound better in time.

I also like Come Away with Me. Have you listened to Shelby Lynne's Just a Little Lovin? Nice music.

No, I'll have to try the Shelby Lynne selection. I guess hunting music will be part of growing up with these speakers.

Nuance · « **Reply #329 on:** 15 Oct 2009, 02:05 am »

I am very happy that you like your new "man toys," as my wife calls them. Great write-up!

However, your posts lacks one important thing: more PICS!! How about some with everything set up and in place?

Sorry...I am speakerporn addicted.

Please feed my addiction!

vintagebob · « **Reply #330 on:** 15 Oct 2009, 02:17 am »

Quote from: Nuance on 15 Oct 2009, 02:05 am

I am very happy that you like your new "man toys," as my wife calls them. Great write-up!

However, your posts lacks one important thing: more PICS!! How about some with everything set up and in place?

Sorry...I am speakerporn addicted. Please feed my addiction!

LOL. Right now, My living room looks like a bomb went off. My AVA stuff arrives tomorrow so I have cables waiting, etc. Once I get those setup and the room squared away...

vintagebob · « **Reply #331 on:** 15 Oct 2009, 02:25 am »

Quote from: floresjc on 15 Oct 2009, 01:24 am

Glad to hear you like them! I'm hoping to have mine by the end of next week or so, maybe early the following week.

How long did it take you to unpack all that gear? Sounds like you had quite a Christmas party with HT1's and HT2-TL's. Maybe building a fort is in order next.

What sub are you using, do you have one that you were using with the Swan's? I know my wife will be very anxious to throw in a blu ray while I want to play with some CD's. Either way, it'll be nice to go through everythign again.

Well, since you bought an entire forest you should expect to spend about three days!

Really, once you have the strapping off the boxes they basically come apart so it is not too bad. I did panic at one point because I couldn't find the bolts for the first speaker/plinth but I figured they were with the second speaker and they were. Breaking down the boxes to get them in the recycle dumpster was a real treat.

Nuance · « **Reply #332 on:** 15 Oct 2009, 07:24 pm »

Quote from: vintagebob on 15 Oct 2009, 02:17 am

Quote from: Nuance on 15 Oct 2009, 02:05 am
I am very happy that you like your new "man toys," as my wife calls them. Great write-up!

However, your posts lacks one important thing: more PICS!! How about some with everything set up and in place?

Sorry...I am speakerporn addicted. Please feed my addiction!

LOL. Right now, My living room looks like a bomb went off. My AVA stuff arrives tomorrow so I have cables waiting, etc. Once I get those setup and the room squared away...

Sweeeeeeeeet!

vintagebob · « **Reply #333 on:** 16 Oct 2009, 02:48 am »

Quote from: Nuance on 15 Oct 2009, 02:05 am

I am very happy that you like your new "man toys," as my wife calls them. Great write-up!

However, your posts lacks one important thing: more PICS!! How about some with everything set up and in place?

Sorry...I am speakerporn addicted. Please feed my addiction!

It might be awhile...

The phono section of the AVA preamp was on the wrong side for my layout so I am tearing my entire system apart and rearranging everything.

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #334 on:** 16 Oct 2009, 02:59 am »

Quote from: vintagebob on 16 Oct 2009, 02:48 am

It might be awhile...

The phono section of the AVA preamp was on the wrong side for my layout so I am tearing my entire system apart and rearranging everything.

Are the phono cables too short?

You have a lot of gear in there.

vintagebob · « **Reply #335 on:** 16 Oct 2009, 03:35 am »

Quote from: oneinthepipe on 16 Oct 2009, 02:59 am

Quote from: vintagebob on 16 Oct 2009, 02:48 am

It might be awhile...

The phono section of the AVA preamp was on the wrong side for my layout so I am tearing my entire system apart and rearranging everything.

Are the phono cables too short?

You have a lot of gear in there.

Yes, the RCA cables and the ground wire are too short. Hopefully everything works when I get all done.

vintagebob · « **Reply #336 on:** 16 Oct 2009, 05:50 am »

OK, now I get it. You should be required to show your AVA invoice before you are allowed to buy a set of Salks. ; )

Nuance · « **Reply #337 on:** 16 Oct 2009, 07:06 am »

Oh yeah, that's the good stuff! Great looking setup, Bob.

jazzcat1 · « **Reply #338 on:** 16 Oct 2009, 12:33 pm »

Quote from: vintagebob on 15 Oct 2009, 02:25 am

Well, since you bought an entire forest you should expect to spend about three days!

Really, once you have the strapping off the boxes they basically come apart so it is not too bad. I did panic at one point because I couldn't find the bolts for the first speaker/plinth but I figured they were with the second speaker and they were. Breaking down the boxes to get them in the recycle dumpster was a real treat.

LOL Bob, I had the same experience not finding the bolts in the first box so I went scrambling for the second box and found them there

Nice speakers and review. I'm happy for you that your wait is over!

DMurphy · « **Reply #339 on:** 16 Oct 2009, 01:31 pm »

Quote from: vintagebob on 16 Oct 2009, 05:50 am

OK, now I get it. You should be required to show your AVA invoice before you are allowed to buy a set of Salks. ; )

What exactly is the center speaker? Is that just the sealed HT2 with the tweeter rotated 90 degrees? Or is that some kind of custom design I did but have forgotten about?