[albireo13]

I've searched the posts on Songbirds and there isn't that much out there.
Would love to hear what folks think of their Songbirds.
Anyone use them as mains for 2ch stereo??

Thanks,
Rob

[fsimms]

Songbirds are practically just a transmission line version of Dennis Murphy’s CAOW1 speaker.  I think there are a few of those used as main speakers out there.

Bob

[jd3]

Rob,
I have owned Songbirds for a while now, and have used them in both an HT system and on and off in a 2 channel system.  I recently moved to a condo and had to downsize and the Songbirds fit the bill for space requirements, so they are in 2 channel use again.  I've mentioned before here that they are the hidden gem in Jim's lineup.  For their price, they offer outstanding bass response, smooth midrange, and they image like crazy.  I've got a friend who has done a lot of DIY speakers and also builds custom speaker cabinets for another ID company, and he was blown away by the Songbirds.  In fact, when I had SongTowers we did an A/B comparison he preferred the Songbirds over the ST's.  For the money, I'd say you get 90% of what the (dome tweeter) SongTowers will give you.  They are less efficient and don't go as low as the ST's, but they have the same wonderful midrange that Jim's speakers are famous for.  If you are short on space and only want to spend about $1300 for mains, they are an outstanding value IMO.

John

[albireo13]

Thanks for the reply.  I ask because I want to upgrade from my Paradigm Studio 20s.  I've been posting, and researching.  The speakers I want the most are the HT1-TL but, I can't afford that anytime soon.
 The SongTowers look great as well and I could perhaps swing those but it would be a stretch right now financially. Also, they are a bit bigger than I'd like.
The Songbirds look very nice and might fit the bill.  I just don't know if they'd be enough of an upgrade over my Studio 20s to merit a changeover.
The Studio 20s are very good but, don't go very low plus they are on the bright side (treble) which I've noticed more with time.
  The Songbirds, by spec, seem to go a bit lower than my Studios plus I think the midrange and highs might be better.

  So ... it comes down to this:  if I want to upgrade to Salks fairly soon I can afford the SongBirds.   If I want the SongTowers (or HT1-TLs) I need to save my pennies for awhile.

Dilemmas!

Rob
 

[srb]

They are less efficient and don't go as low as the ST's, but they have the same wonderful midrange that Jim's speakers are famous for.

While the SongBirds are 4dB less efficient than the SongTowers and are 8 ohms versus 4 ohms, the low end response for both is listed as 42Hz.  In fact, although both have a frequency response of 42Hz to 20KHz, the SongBirds are listed at +/- 2dB versus the SongTowers at +/- 3dB.
 
The SongTowers should be able to play a bit louder with a bit less distortion by virtue of two woofers with half the linear cone excursion for a given volume, but the bass response should be relatively the same.
 
Steve

[Big Red Machine]

The Songbirds will be a major improvement over the Studios.  And easy to resell if you want to move up.  KEEP THE BOXES!!!!!

[DMurphy]

The only issue with the SB's is limited power handling in the bass.  That's inevitable given that the 5.5" woofer is tuned quite low in the TL cabinet.  I've heard others say that the SB's image even better than the ST's.  I, of course, only got to listen in mono, so I wouldn't know.  I'm currently working on the RAAL version of the SB, which I expect to be a really refined speaker for smaller spaces. 

[Nuance]

The Songbirds will be a major improvement over the Studios.  And easy to resell if you want to move up.  KEEP THE BOXES!!!!!

I 100% agree!

The only issue with the SB's is limited power handling in the bass.  That's inevitable given that the 5.5" woofer is tuned quite low in the TL cabinet.  I've heard others say that the SB's image even better than the ST's.  I, of course, only got to listen in mono, so I wouldn't know.  I'm currently working on the RAAL version of the SB, which I expect to be a really refined speaker for smaller spaces. 

Wow - that's great!  Can we assume a $2000 asking price, then?

[Tom Alverson]

The only issue with the SB's is limited power handling in the bass.  That's inevitable given that the 5.5" woofer is tuned quite low in the TL cabinet.  I've heard others say that the SB's image even better than the ST's.  I, of course, only got to listen in mono, so I wouldn't know.  I'm currently working on the RAAL version of the SB, which I expect to be a really refined speaker for smaller spaces.

Aren't you tempted to go with a 7 inch woofer on a 2-way RAAL based system?  Or are you using a smaller RAAL tweeter that won't cross over low enough to go with a 7 inch woofer?

[DMurphy]

Aren't you tempted to go with a 7 inch woofer on a 2-way RAAL based system?  Or are you using a smaller RAAL tweeter that won't cross over low enough to go with a 7 inch woofer?

Well, that would be an HT1 RAAL.  I guess we'll have to do one of those as well.  But this is the Song Bird.  I'm using the same RAAL as on all the other Salk speakers.   I've had the SB RAAL up and running for a few days, and I'm not sure the power handling is all that big an issue.  It's what I would expect from a 5 inch woofer, and what others would expect as well, I think.  I think the bird tweets very nicely.  I wish I had a pair in my office. 

[albireo13]

As to loudness level ... do you think the Songbirds would match the Studio-20s?
The Studios is a 2-way, with a 7" Bass driver.
I'm not a speaker expert but I was concerned that, given the smaller 5" driver in the Songbirds, they couldn't move as much air and therefore wouldn't handle large peak signals as well as the Studios.

Just trying to get a handle on the tradeoffs between the two.

Rob

[DMurphy]

As to loudness level ... do you think the Songbirds would match the Studio-20s?
The Studios is a 2-way, with a 7" Bass driver.
I'm not a speaker expert but I was concerned that, given the smaller 5" driver in the Songbirds, they couldn't move as much air and therefore wouldn't handle large peak signals as well as the Studios.

Just trying to get a handle on the tradeoffs between the two.

Rob

I haven't had any experience with the Studios, but it's probably a safe bet that they will move more air than the SB's.  As to absolute bass extension at normal levels, I don't know.

[Tom Alverson]

Well, that would be an HT1 RAAL.  I guess we'll have to do one of those as well.  But this is the Song Bird.  I'm using the same RAAL as on all the other Salk speakers.   I've had the SB RAAL up and running for a few days, and I'm not sure the power handling is all that big an issue.  It's what I would expect from a 5 inch woofer, and what others would expect as well, I think.  I think the bird tweets very nicely.  I wish I had a pair in my office.

It's a RAAL, RAAL, RAAL, RAAL world. Next thing you know someone will put a RAAL tweeter in an old Advent speaker.   hmmm...