My new speaker cabinets

smwick · « **on:** 28 Sep 2011, 06:52 pm »

Here is a photo of my new speakers sent by the cabinet maker. Can you guess what they are?

Pez · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 06:55 pm »

Quote

Can you guess what they are?

Ummm Bose?

Sexy whatever they are!!!

smwick · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 06:59 pm »

OMG, no. This is a small company owned and operated by an accomplished xover designer.

Quote from: Pez on 28 Sep 2011, 06:55 pm

Ummm Bose?

Sexy whatever they are!!!

ebag4 · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 07:03 pm »

Looks like something from Rick Craig, Selah Audio.

Best,
Ed

smwick · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 07:04 pm »

No, but going in the right direction.

Quote from: ebag4 on 28 Sep 2011, 07:03 pm

Looks like something from Rick Craig, Selah Audio.

Best,
Ed

J Payton · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 07:06 pm »

Looks like Murphy's new Philharmonic Brand.

If it is how much for this model and have you actually heard the speaker?

Joel

smwick · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 07:12 pm »

You are correct. This is the Philharmonic 3 in ribbon mahogany with a merlot stain. $2800. I will be doing an in home audition. www.philharmonicaudio.com

Quote from: J Payton on 28 Sep 2011, 07:06 pm

Looks like Murphy's new Philharmonic Brand.

If it is how much for this model and have you actually heard the speaker?

Joel

J Payton · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 07:15 pm »

Price only $2800 with that cabinet?

Is that considered a standard style cabinet?

Joel

smwick · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 07:21 pm »

Joel, no that is not a standard finish. It was an additional $100 for this veneer. I had this veneer with my Totem Sttaf speakers and really liked it. But from the photo is looks a lot nicer than Totems mahogany finish. I am really looking forward to seeing and hearing them.

Steve

Quote from: J Payton on 28 Sep 2011, 07:15 pm

Price only $2800 with that cabinet?

Is that considered a standard style cabinet?

Joel

Charles Xavier · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 08:15 pm »

Can't wait to hear what you think .

cujobob · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 08:40 pm »

Looks quite nice...a brief glance at his website shows a few nice offerings at great prices. Surprised to see the Neo 8 planar used as a standalone midrange. That would require a bit of crossover tweaking to make work from all I've read.

smwick · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 10:13 pm »

Quote from: Charles Xavier on 28 Sep 2011, 08:15 pm

Can't wait to hear what you think .

Will post thoughts when I have spent some time with them.

decal · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 10:18 pm »

Please tell me the spots are from your camera!!!!

smwick · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 10:21 pm »

Quote from: cujobob on 28 Sep 2011, 08:40 pm

Looks quite nice...a brief glance at his website shows a few nice offerings at great prices. Surprised to see the Neo 8 planar used as a standalone midrange. That would require a bit of crossover tweaking to make work from all I've read.

Well, he sure is a accomplished xover designer for the diy crowed as well as for Salk Sound and others. And being one of us mature fellas, he has been doing this awhile. Feed back from the 2011 Capital Audiofest, where he shared the room with Salk Sound, was very positive.

smwick · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 10:22 pm »

Quote from: decal on 28 Sep 2011, 10:18 pm

Please tell me the spots are from your camera!!!!

No, those are extra

. The spots are from his camera.

face · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Sep 2011, 11:09 pm »

His designs and prices almost make me want to quit DIY.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 Sep 2011, 03:20 am »

I listened to the Philharmonic 3 quite extensively at Capfest 2011 and was very impressed. They sounded very much like a poorman's Salk SoundScape, which I listened to back to back. While the Salk was much more refined at four times the price, they sounded like a family member. Unrestrained dynamics, gut stirring bass, natural midrange and treble. Soundstaging and imaging were somewhat difficult to judge in a show environment, but I didn't hear anything better from the Salks in that regard. The Salk's sounded more integrated from top to bottom and had a silky texture that the Philharmonic 3 fell just a bit short of, but not by much.

The Philharmonic 3 was joined by the Philharmonic 1 at the show, Dennis left the 2 at home. I didn't think there was $1200 difference in the bass between the 1 and 3, but the 3 was that much better in the higher end. So since the 2 has the 3's Raal 10D ribbon tweeter, the sweet spot might be the Philharmonic 2 at $2000. And because the OP posted a cabinet picture (I knew what it was instantly), I'd note that the 1 & 2 only come in mat black and would be much more than $100 extra for custom veneer.

Best of luck with them smwick, I know you'll enjoy them.

smwick · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 Sep 2011, 09:12 am »

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 29 Sep 2011, 03:20 am

I listened to the Philharmonic 3 quite extensively at Capfest 2011 and was very impressed. They sounded very much like a poorman's Salk SoundScape, which I listened to back to back. While the Salk was much more refined at four times the price, they sounded like a family member. Unrestrained dynamics, gut stirring bass, natural midrange and treble. Soundstaging and imaging were somewhat difficult to judge in a show environment, but I didn't hear anything better from the Salks in that regard. The Salk's sounded more integrated from top to bottom and had a silky texture that the Philharmonic 3 fell just a bit short of, but not by much.

The Philharmonic 3 was joined by the Philharmonic 1 at the show, Dennis left the 2 at home. I didn't think there was $1200 difference in the bass between the 1 and 3, but the 3 was that much better in the higher end. So since the 2 has the 3's Raal 10D ribbon tweeter, the sweet spot might be the Philharmonic 2 at $2000. And because the OP posted a cabinet picture (I knew what it was instantly), I'd note that the 1 & 2 only come in mat black and would be much more than $100 extra for custom veneer.

Best of luck with them smwick, I know you'll enjoy them.

Thanks very much. I went with the 3 over the 2 for the veneer as well as the Scanspeak woofer. I have a feeling that I will not want to part with them after settling in with them. Thanks for your thoughts on the Philharmonics as well as the Salks. I would love to hear some Salks one day.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 Sep 2011, 02:39 am »

Yes, you definitely get a better sounding woofer with the 3, a tad tighter and more impactful, but I'd have to say most of the extra cost is in the cabinet, which in my opinion is no small thing. Having a beautiful appearance is well worth some added cost if you have the scratch. I talked to Dennis a bit and he noted there was a big cost savings in having the 1 & 2's cabinets made off shore, and is why there are no options for finish in them. Honestly, the entire line is so inexpensive for what you get that every model is a bargain, you're really going to be impressed.

The Salk Soundscapes, his top of the line speaker, are extraordinary at $11,500. Not really the same price class as the Phil's. Against Jim's price point for that speaker, I'd be torn between Joseph Audio Perspectives, Magnepan MG20.1, and the Salks. However I've heard nothing at $2800 that matched the attributes of the Philharmonic 3.

smwick · « **Reply #19 on:** 5 Oct 2011, 05:55 am »

Here is a quick photo Dennis took today. It's not the best lighting to show the true color, but you get the idea. Beautiful work by Dennis and his cabinet maker.