I am a long time lurker (researcher) and appreciate all of the input and posts from you experts. Your posts and accurate descriptions led me purchase Salk speakers without hearing them. I have now owned ST RTs in standard curly maple with matching center channel with the ribbon for a few months. My system is in my family room and is used for 2.1 music and HT; my musical preference is acoustic jazz and classical, although my family listens to pretty much all genres.
I attended the CA Audio Show this past weekend for several reasons. First, to meet Mr. Jim Salk; second, to hear the Soundscapes and third, to hear the ST RTs with the AVA ultravlave amp.
So first, it was a huge pleasure to meet Jim; I could have talked with him for days. I felt as though I already knew him from all of the posts and comments on AC; believe me, I've read all of them multiple times. I had my son with me because his ears are better than mine and he appreciates our STs. After we left the show he said that Mr. Salk was really cool. Every room we visited was a sales pitch but Jim's room was about music. He let his speakers and equipment "speak" for themselves. This is from a kid that will be starting college in a few weeks.
Second, the Soundscapes are simply magnificent. They are so smooth; music just pours out of them with absolutely no effort. I didn't like listening to them only because I cannot afford them. They are incredible and his personnal pair are stunning.
Third, the ST RTs with the AVA ultravalve gear sounded fantastic. I've been readying myself to listen for the differences; I have a Parasound 2100 & 2250 driving my STs. My son and I have been listening to our system with the LA Four for hours so we could hear what the AVA gear does. Jim was nice enough to allow the entire disk to play. Near the end, I turned to him and said "They sound fantastic!" I'm no critic, but the AVA gear really rounds out the sound; it takes any edges out of the music.
I always thought I would eventually upgrade and Jim allows for upgrades (imagine that!) but I am so happy with the Song Towers right now that I don't see the need to upgrade. Everyday I marvel at the sound I have in my own house and cannot believe I own something that sounds so good. I also want to say that the STs really shine for HT; movies, television, bluray, etc. sound much better than before. There is so much more clarity to human voices and sounds.
If I do get the upgrade bug in the future and I can afford it (if the wife will let me), my plan would be to get the HT2-TLs and Frank's ultravalve amp and preamp to make a dedicated 2 channel system and leave my current system in place.
Again, everyday I listen to either music or watch movies and cannot believe I actually own something that sounds so good. Thanks to Jim and his entire staff for building these speakers. Thanks to Dennis for the crossover design and (is it) Paul K. for the cabinet design; and all of you that have posted that led me to Salk heaven. I am so happy!
A few months ago when the FedEx driver left the boxes with me, I set up the speakers and played the demo disk. The first sounds to come out of the speakers in my home was Jennifer Warnes' "Somewhere, Somebody"; my daughter started to dance and immediately exclaimed, "It sounds like she is singing right here in this room." We had to buy the disk.
I hope this made sense and helps anyone that may not be certain about considering Salk speakers.
Dean
