[Chazz]

Hi all AC'ers

I've had the Lorelei's for approximately 4 months now and I thought I'd post up my impression of them.  My system is as follos:

Music System
- Teac VRDS T-1 Transport
- SMART ART DIO D/A Converter
- Easter Electric Minimax Tube Preamp
- Odyssey Extreme Monoblocks
- Odyssey Loreleis (Dark Cherry)
- Slinkylink pure silver interconnects
- VDH 352 Speakercable

Home Theatre
- Yamaha DSP E800 processor
- 3 x Marantz MA500 monoblocks
- Philips Q50 DVD player
- Panasonic AE300 projector
- B&W HTM 2 Centre
- B&W N805 surrounds.

The speakers I previously used for my music system were the B&W N805s.   I loved the B&W sound but because I was moving to a larger house I needed floorstanders and chose the Loreleis after speaking to Klaus.  

My music preferences are quite wide ranging from soft acoustic music (Kevin Kern) to dance (Paul Van Dyke).  Punk Rock is the only thing I don't listen to.  What I am aiming for my system is the intimacy to handle soft music but also the dynamics to handle trance/rave tracks.

Ok, now that I've set the background how do the Loreleis sound?

The first thing I noticed about the Loreleis is the sound stage. The width of the sound stage is huge.  Compared to my B&W N805s the sound stage is at least 50% wider.   For some recordings the sound stage is a full 2 feet outside the speakers.  The depth is about the same as my B&W N805s.  The Loreleis also have good sound stage height which is taller than by B&W N805s.

I find that the midrange is more neutral than what I'm used to on the B&W N805s.  These speakers are known for having warm (ok, some people say coloured) mids.  I personally like warmer mids so I've been tube rolling on my pre to get the sound that I like.  The Loreleis convey the different nuances of each tube well.

At first the bass of the Loreleis didn't feel that deep and I was thinking of adding a 12 inch subwoofer.  But then yesterday, I was listening to a track when suddenly I went "Whoah....where did this bass come from".  These speakers do seem to need a lot of break in time!   Now my lounge room shakes whenever the bass kicks in and I'm staring at the 6.8 inches Scanspeak drivers in wonder (I'm sometimes worried that they will just burst out with the huge extension that they are doing - the extreme monos are just awesome at gripping them).  Anyway, I am rethinking about the need for subs!

The Loreleis are also great at just 'disappearing'.  It provides a wall of sound and the imaging is top notch.  One of my worries with moving to floorstanders was the loss of imaging compared to my bookshelf N805s but the imaging is still great on the Loreleis.  I think this is perhaps due to it being a 2 way rather than the more complicated 3 ways of most floor standers.

So overall I'm very happy with the Loreleis and at the price I think they are an absolute bargain.  They are more neutral than my B&W N805s but that's a personal preference and I'm tube rolling to get the warmer sound.  But otherwise, they are better than by B&W N805s in other areas.  The B&W N805s are now on surround duty as you can see (such a shame as they are great speakers too).

Klaus is also top notch and I've been a repeat customer based on my dealings with him to date.  I don't know what the new digital amps will sound like, but I love my extreme monos and the way they work with the Loreleis.  I think I've reached the peak of my audio odyssey (pun intended) and feel no need to upgrade any more.  

Charles

[Sa-dono]

Congrats on the speakers Charles! How do you feel the Loreleis compare to the N805's in the highs and bass (tightness and accuracy of the bass, not extension)? Also, how well do the Loreleis blend with your HTM2?

[Chazz]

Hi Sa-dono,

I find that the highs on the Loreleis are softer than on the B&WN805s.  On some recordings I prefer the B&W N805s, on others I think I prefer the Loreleis.  Overall I'd give the B&WN805s the edge on the highs, but you have to be very careful in matching the B&WN805s with the right equipment or they can sound shrill.  

As for the mid-bass, I think the Loreleis are definitely better in this department.  I was listening to Chet Baker today and the double bass had definition that I didn't hear on the B&W N805s.  

Hope that helps.

Cheers
Charles

[Chazz]

Hi Sa-dono,

I find that the highs on the Loreleis are softer than on the B&WN805s.  On some recordings I prefer the B&W N805s, on others I think I prefer the Loreleis.  Overall I'd give the B&WN805s the edge on the highs, but you have to be very careful in matching the B&WN805s with the right equipment or they can sound shrill.  

As for the mid-bass, I think the Loreleis are definitely better in this department.  I was listening to Chet Baker today and the double bass had definition that I didn't hear on the B&W N805s.  

As for the HTM2s, it is a little brighter than the Loreleis, but I love this little centre as dialogue is crisp and clear.

Hope that helps.

Cheers
Charles

[byteme]

Glad to hear it!

I'm really surprised to hear the comments about the bass of the Lorelie and people wanting to add a sub.  Maybe it's just my room or placement (they are about 2.5 feet from the back wall) but they need no subwoofer reinforcement in my room!  I put the sub on the other day and listened and really the only thing that was added was a bit of floor rumble.  If these continue to break in and get even MORE bass extension - WOW!

I'm continually impressed with the detail there is mixed in the realism and emotional portrayal.

[Eduardo AAVM]

Chazz thanks for sharing...

May I borrow your post to paste it in my forum ?

[Chazz]

Sure Eduardo

[Eduardo AAVM]

Thanks ....

[satfrat]

Glad to hear it!

I'm really surprised to hear the comments about the bass of the Lorelie and people wanting to add a sub.  Maybe it's just my room or placement (they are about 2.5 feet from the back wall) but they need no subwoofer reinforcement in my room!  I put the sub on the other day and listened and really the only thing that was added was a bit of floor rumble.  If these continue to break in and get even MORE bass extension - WOW!

I'm continually impressed with the detail there is mixed in the realism and emotional portrayal.

                    I totally agree with these statements. I heard absolutely no difference between my Lorelei's and my Velodyne when comparing both clarity and speed. It was only when I added a Bybee Slipstream RCA and a standard Z-Sleeve to the Velodyne did I notice an improvement in the bass tightness over the Lorelei. I would have never gone to all this trouble had I not already had my subwoofer, the Lorelei's bass is THAT good. It's good to hear that you're happy with them Chazz, I've been wondering.  Regards, Robin

[pugs]

How far off the back wall do the Lorelei need to be?  Can they work in a 12' x 14' room.  I've been wanting new speakers for some time now.  Surprisingly, my wife doesn't seem to object that much.  I was thinking about getting something on the cheap side to satisfy me for a while, but considering my wifes lack of a reaction, I might be able to get the Lorelei's sooner than expected.

I'll need to use them for HT and 2ch.  Is the Nemesis the exact match?  What are people doing for surrounds?  Epiphony?

[popsyr]

Pugs

My room is small...13 by 12 and I have the
2 - Loreleis - front
1 - Nemesis - center
2 - Nightingales - Surrounds
2 - Circes - Surround Centers

The Loreleis are about 2 1/2 feet off the front wall and they sound absolutely amazing.  I have been working with Klaus the last 12 months trying to update my system and he has provided me (for a cost) an outstanding system.

I started with the Nightingales & Circes & Nemesis.   I thought, why would anybody want anything else.  In the HT environment, these speakers match up with each very, very good.  Perfect height for Ht.  I thought I had what I need until the 6 Moons review.  I called Klaus and asked if the Loreleis would be an overkill in my small room. He said no.  So I asked him about the Demos he had out to 6 Moons.  Within 7 days the Loreleis were in my house to stay.  

The Loreleis are a great speaker.  It took my 2-channel to the next level.  The Nightingales are very good for 2-channel but the Loreleis have such a big soundstage and it makes you small room sound so much bigger.  There have been times I have to make sure that my center channel it not playing. It sure does sound like it.

Bottom line.  If you can afford it.... Buy the Loreleis.  You will not be disappointed.   It will should work your in smaller room.  It did in mine.  Call Klaus and visit with him.  He will not oversell what you need.  Besides, you do have a 30 day return policy if you are not satisfied.  

I also have a pair the Energy C-9s that are very nice but they do not compare to the Loreleis or the Nightingales.

Good luck in your whatever you choose.

[byteme]

My room is 12x17, with the couch 3 feet off the back wall.  I have the Lorelei's also about 3' off the front wall.  As Popsyr said, these things are amazing.  Image is huge, detail, well, we've been through it all before.  And, a bonus, they kick ass for theater.  I don't have my nemesis yet but reports are it blends very well as a center with the Lorelei's.  I'm using Polk f/x 500i surrounds and RT25i rear speakers.  No issues at all!

I agree, if you can swing it, jump on the Lorelei.  Where else can you get $6000 worth of speaker for <$3k?

Popsyr, glad to hear the comparison to the C-9's, I'm a dealer for energy and Polk and was considering something in the LSi, either 15 or 25 or the C7 or C9 but just didn't think they could keep up with the Lorelei.  Glad to hear I was right!

[satfrat]

How far off the back wall do the Lorelei need to be?  Can they work in a 12' x 14' room.  I've been wanting new speakers for some time now.  Surprisingly, my wife doesn't seem to object that much.  I was thinking about getting something on the cheap side to satisfy me for a while, but considering my wifes lack of a reaction, I might be able to get the Lorelei's sooner than expected.

I'll need to use them for HT and 2ch.  Is the Nemesis the exact match?  What are people doing for surrounds?  Epiphony?

 I have 4 Lorelei's in my HT living room that's 11' x 17'. The Lorelei's are set up on the short wall with all the a/v racks between and a foot behind front Lorelei's that are 39" away from the front wall and 18" from the side walls. Because of the 2 racks & subwoofer, the Lorelei's have limited breathing room but it is enough for for the kind of bass that would not require a subwoofer had I not already had one. The Nemisis has different drivers than the Lorelei so there is a definite tonal difference when adjusting the volume using pink noise. But in the real world application, the Nemisis blends quite nicely with the Lorelei's. Overall tho, I would imagine that the Nemisis would match up better with the Odyssey's other 3 models that utilize simular drivers. But then you wouldn't have the Lorelei's?? Bottom line is NO center channel speaker will match up perfectly with a floorstander, you can't expect it too given the size difference. Regards, Robin

[listener_111]

Hi,

I am thinking about getting these to replace my paradigms ref 100 V2's for a while and just wondring how much will be the difference and do I need to get subwoofer for the room size 22 X 24 X 10 ?

The associated components are

odyssey stratos caps upgrade
odyssey tempest
Jolida JD-100 CD player
Zu Wax speaker cable

Thanks,

Listener

[byteme]

Hi,

I am thinking about getting these to replace my paradigms ref 100 V2's for a while and just wondring how much will be the difference and do I need to get subwoofer for the room size 22 X 24 X 10 ?

The associated components are

odyssey stratos caps upgrade
odyssey tempest
Jolida JD-100 CD player
Zu Wax speaker cable

Thanks,

Listener

Do you need a sub with the Paradigms?  I know those are beasts on the low end too.  I would think, if you didn't with them you won't with the Odyssey.  That's a big room but Captian Humble's room was probably pretty close to that and open all over the place.  They were fine in there.  With the Tempest and Stratos I think you'd be in for a real treat with them!  I used to have and love the Zu wax speaker cable as well.  Then I tried the Groneberg TS Premium.  There is something to that synergy thing!