ADS L1230 vs L1530

[Zekeman]

I have owned L1230's since 2018. Fantastic speakers with fabulous sound...voicing/imaging is beautiful. The first time I heard them I was frankly blown away by the depth and quality of bass from 2 8-inchers. I do use a set of subs - just because I am a bass-lover.

Recently I picked up a pair of L1530s. First impression was - wow - these things are ridiculously large. I have yet to do a serious sit-down listen/switching between the two, but initial impressions of the 1530s are that they are more sensitive with gobs of deep-quality low-end. I may need the tweets done as I initially detected a bit of scratchiness in one side (not quite sure on this) but they are remarkable....AS they should given the mass and build quality.

 

[Zekeman]

And so 1530s are very impressive. I had a first chance to A-B them with the 1230s.

I’m still trying to determine if the 1530 s could do with a Mr. So tweeter restoration. That aside I also have a real appreciation for the 1230s. They piss with the 1530s...with less deep bass. You can augment the 1230s with a tight sub and you’re there.
Now I’ll likely have the tweets done on the 1530s to see how that changes anything.

The 1530’s authority in the low end is like wow. No sub required. Extremely deep and clean bass.

 

[motorstereo]

No ferrofluid in the 1530's so unless there's obvious damage to the diaphragms there won't be any difference.

 

[Spiceman50]

And so 1530s are very impressive. I had a first chance to A-B them with the 1230s.

I’m still trying to determine if the 1530 s could do with a Mr. So tweeter restoration. That aside I also have a real appreciation for the 1230s. They piss with the 1530s...with less deep bass. You can augment the 1230s with a tight sub and you’re there.
Now I’ll likely have the tweets done on the 1530s to see how that changes anything.

The 1530’s authority in the low end is like wow. No sub required. Extremely deep and clean bass.

I have both, and both will stay in my home. I like each one for their individual personality's (so to speak). In as much as the L1230's don't go as deep, they offer a nice balance and tight bass that lends itself to less fatigue in the lower frequency's. By less fatigue I just mean to say shaking the dresden's off the shelf. That said, I have a less then ideal listening room, and a larger room would help smooth the SPL's from the L1530's (for me anyway).

To my ears, the L1530's is quite a different monster. The increased lower bass response is exciting. I can listen to music at lower volumes and enjoy the bass response without my wife nagging me if it has to be that loud (heh, as if that's a legitimate question). And as you know now, the difference is dramatic. However Zekeman, I can clearly hear a big difference in the high frequency's. The highs are noticeable clearer and crisper. I can't tell you if it's in the crossover slopes or from the Sumerian Cobalt magnetic structure of the Tweeter that makes that happen or the differences in the frequency responses? I just don't know. I recall a very early email from Richard So when he was explaining to me what all he does to the Tweeter and in that email he suggested he changed out the Ferro Fluid. This may just be a Standard response?? but I've come to read from that time on, that the Tweeter in the L1230's did not use Ferro Fluid. I've never verified that. And that said, I have no idea if the L1530's tweeter uses Ferro Fluid either. I can just say for a fact that "I" hear a noticeable difference in the high frequency's of the L1530's.

I have sent both crossovers from the L1230's and L1530's to Mr. So, and did send the Tweeters and Midranges from the L1230's for rebuild as well. However, I did not send the Tweeters or Midranges from the L1530's for him to rebuild (yet). Not that they need it, but since I am building a system to Bi-Amp the L1530's and "if" I blow up the tweeters I can send them in and kill two birds with one stone. (Okay, I inject some truthful humor here).

Garry~

 

[Zekeman]

Thank you. Last night was the first time I had a chance to compare… Beyond that my ears aren’t the best anymore so my initial impressions can very well be discounted due to that fact. I love them both… The build quality is incredible, those cabinets are a work of art

 

[JosephH]

Thank you. Last night was the first time I had a chance to compare… Beyond that my ears aren’t the best anymore so my initial impressions can very well be discounted due to that fact. I love them both… The build quality is incredible, those cabinets are a work of art

Yes, aren't those cabinets amazing? The larger /30 series have a real presence in the room, both physically and sonically! I have also been privileged to audition the L2030s and that is a whole other world!
For those who are spatially challenged, I also owned the L1590/2 and they are almost identical in sound quality to the L1530s with a much smaller footprint and much better WAF!!

 

[Tiver]

And so 1530s are very impressive. I had a first chance to A-B them with the 1230s.

I’m still trying to determine if the 1530 s could do with a Mr. So tweeter restoration. That aside I also have a real appreciation for the 1230s. They piss with the 1530s...with less deep bass. You can augment the 1230s with a tight sub and you’re there.
Now I’ll likely have the tweets done on the 1530s to see how that changes anything.

The 1530’s authority in the low end is like wow. No sub required. Extremely deep and clean bass.

No ferrofluid in the 1530's so unless there's obvious damage to the diaphragms there won't be any difference.

I have both, and both will stay in my home. I like each one for their individual personality's (so to speak). In as much as the L1230's don't go as deep, they offer a nice balance and tight bass that lends itself to less fatigue in the lower frequency's. By less fatigue I just mean to say shaking the dresden's off the shelf. That said, I have a less then ideal listening room, and a larger room would help smooth the SPL's from the L1530's (for me anyway).

To my ears, the L1530's is quite a different monster. The increased lower bass response is exciting. I can listen to music at lower volumes and enjoy the bass response without my wife nagging me if it has to be that loud (heh, as if that's a legitimate question). And as you know now, the difference is dramatic. However Zekeman, I can clearly hear a big difference in the high frequency's. The highs are noticeable clearer and crisper. I can't tell you if it's in the crossover slopes or from the Sumerian Cobalt magnetic structure of the Tweeter that makes that happen or the differences in the frequency responses? I just don't know. I recall a very early email from Richard So when he was explaining to me what all he does to the Tweeter and in that email he suggested he changed out the Ferro Fluid. This may just be a Standard response?? but I've come to read from that time on, that the Tweeter in the L1230's did not use Ferro Fluid. I've never verified that. And that said, I have no idea if the L1530's tweeter uses Ferro Fluid either. I can just say for a fact that "I" hear a noticeable difference in the high frequency's of the L1530's.

I have sent both crossovers from the L1230's and L1530's to Mr. So, and did send the Tweeters and Midranges from the L1230's for rebuild as well. However, I did not send the Tweeters or Midranges from the L1530's for him to rebuild (yet). Not that they need it, but since I am building a system to Bi-Amp the L1530's and "if" I blow up the tweeters I can send them in and kill two birds with one stone. (Okay, I inject some truthful humor here).

Garry~

Regarding the samarium cobalt tweeters and ferrofluid...

The recent thread by @HBTim about his visit to Richard So's shop provided a tidbit that piqued my curiosity. R. So said Tim's early L1590 (first run) used the same tweeter as the L1530 which was ferrofluid loaded. Hmmmm, based upon my previous reading around the web I thought this wasn't the case. I asked Tim if he was sure that was the case and Tim contacted Richard asking him specifically about this. The response was that the tweeter was shared by both models

Take that any way you like.

 

[HBTim]

Regarding the samarium cobalt tweeters and ferrofluid...

The recent thread by @HBTim about his visit to Richard So's shop provided a tidbit that piqued my curiosity. R. So said Tim's early L1590 (first run) used the same tweeter as the L1530 which was ferrofluid loaded. Hmmmm, based upon my previous reading around the web I thought this wasn't the case. I asked Tim if he was sure that was the case and Tim contacted Richard asking him specifically about this. The response was that the tweeter was shared by both models

Take that any way you like.

Here you go...

 

[Spiceman50]

Regarding the samarium cobalt tweeters and ferrofluid...

The recent thread by @HBTim about his visit to Richard So's shop provided a tidbit that piqued my curiosity. R. So said Tim's early L1590 (first run) used the same tweeter as the L1530 which was ferrofluid loaded. Hmmmm, based upon my previous reading around the web I thought this wasn't the case. I asked Tim if he was sure that was the case and Tim contacted Richard asking him specifically about this. The response was that the tweeter was shared by both models

Take that any way you like.

Happy New Year fellas!

Thanks for reminding me to get back on this. What makes this important to me anyway, is that I didn't see the need to send in both Tweeters and Mids to Richard when I bought my L1530's as they looked really good (admitting I didn't smell them from the back though (with respect)). However, if they used FF in the tweeters, then I will for sure send them in if anything then a refresh because I don't know the history of these speakers, which had two damaged Woofer Voice Coils and may have gotten warmed up, so to speak.

So, In researching the Parts Schedule

Parts List
L1530 Tweeter 206-0113
L2030 Tweeter 206-0113
L1590 Tweeter 206-0119 S1

Parts Schedule
206-0113 was replaced by 206-0119 For L1530 and L2030
206-0119 (Exchange Only) L1590 S1

This kind of poses another question. I'm taking Richards comments as part 206-0119 was the tweeter that was shared with the 1530's/1590's/2030's. However, in all cases, I have never seen a picture of the 1590's with the Cobalt Sticker on them so I wonder if it uses that Magnet on the 206-0119 and assume it does use FF, but does the 206-0113 use FF as well? I have time for the answer, and will ask when I send my 206-0113's into him and will follow up here as I learn.

Garry~

 

[motorstereo]

Regarding the samarium cobalt tweeters and ferrofluid...

The recent thread by @HBTim about his visit to Richard So's shop provided a tidbit that piqued my curiosity. R. So said Tim's early L1590 (first run) used the same tweeter as the L1530 which was ferrofluid loaded. Hmmmm, based upon my previous reading around the web I thought this wasn't the case. I asked Tim if he was sure that was the case and Tim contacted Richard asking him specifically about this. The response was that the tweeter was shared by both models

Take that any way you like.

My info about no ferro in 1530's came direct from Mr. So in an email while he had my mids and tweets. Perhaps you could have him chime in?

 

[Tiver]

My info about no ferro in 1530's came direct from Mr. So in an email while he had my mids and tweets. Perhaps you could have him chime in?

Well you see three posts above where HBTim copy/pasted the text he got from Richard. And Tim was in the room with Richard when Richard was working on and describing the condition of the tweeters (Tim's own) and identified the dried ferrofluid ring on the tweeter.

I only brought it up because I had always been under the impression the L1530 was non ferrofluid. This only became a topic when Richard told Tim his tweeters were leftover stock (very early L1590) from L1530 builds. I am only connecting dots and that led me to L1530 having ferrofluid.

 

[Spiceman50]

It appears, reading though the brochure's listed on Sportsbil that the L1530's and L2030's using the (assuming) 206-0113 Cobalt Magnet Drivers do not use the Ferro Fluid, However, the L1590's 206-0119 tweeter appears to use the Ferro Fluid and is not mentioned to use a Cobalt Magnet in it's driver system. All printed information suggests that the only tweeter that is shared with the L2030-L1530-L1590 Series 1 speakers is the 206-0119 tweeters w/ff.

Garry~

 

[motorstereo]

Curiosity got the best of me and I had to check. My 1530's tweeters are 206-0113's. Just as Mr. So said "no ferrofluid".

 

[Tiver]

Not trying to stir up trouble

If @HBTim wants to oblige...what tweeter number is in your L1590? And, have you put those back together yet?

 

[HBTim]

Not trying to stir up trouble

If @HBTim wants to oblige...what tweeter number is in your L1590? And, have you put those back together yet?

I have not got them back yet. I came back to California before he had them done. I will however, take pictures of them when I do. This is now a very interesting topic. One I really want to get to the bottom of... although it seems that he was very clear with me. I wish I had also taken the video of that conversation with him. If you see the video, he mentions that the early 1590 he was second guessing if it indeed had FF. But then went into great detail in both my tweet AND mid about the condition of both and FF condition. So, to connect the dots here... he was VERY clear to me that my 1590/1 1st gen shared the same tweet and mid of the 1530/2030. I remember that clear as crystal because I was exceptionally excited about having THE 1590 you want to have based in his comments. He specifically said that the 1590/1 1st gen is the one you want.
I hope this helps. But yes, I will make sure to take detailed pictures of mine and then text him again to make my question very clear. Stay tuned.

 

[HBTim]

Well, Just got confirmation from Mr. So. Unbelievably good pictures and information. Rather than re-posting. I am providing a link that I have going for information.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...ry-christmas-ads-lovers-delight.942113/page-3