The SGD
Active Member
Onkyo has sadly retreated from ultra hifi, but their grand integra components and scepter speakers remain for those lucky enough to enjoy them. I recently purchased a pair of Scepter 2002, my brother (who was being all together too smug regarding his recently purchase of a pair of Wharfedales $20k Airedale Neos) hasnt spoken to me since he demo'ed them. They are that impressive. 
The Scepter 2002 are close to 50kg each, supplied in two segments the bass segment is some 37kg. mdf finished in piano gloss with slightly tapered sides and home to a plain looking single 12" bass driver with acordian surround. On the rear is a decent set of terminals, large port opening (with felt damping material coating them) and a max power (250w) and continuous (100w) rating. That bass driver is, despite its plain looks, rather special. crossed over at 500hz it is made from wood grown in the arctic circle which is then pulped and formed into a cone with the 'extract' of a 'sea squirt'... the japanese really know how to go that extra mile.
The tweeter, or rather mid/tweeter (as it takes over at 500hz and goes up to 25khz) is a horn loaded compression driver housed in a separate enclosure secured on top of the bass driver courtesy of two metal pegs / speaker. online resources say the crossover has a time delay to make the two units work in a time coherent manner. the enclosure is solid resin, this accounts for 11ish kgs... the finish matches the bass section and the overall appearance is pleasing and rather art nouveau, for a serious set of speakers they have WAF. on the back is another set of matching terminals so unless you use jumpers then biwire is a must.
they are the most directional speakers i have owned but once in the sweet spot then they really come together. they are one of those speakers which makes you dig out your entire music collection and listen to the whole lot repeatedly. a dry sound but incredibly detailed and musical. the time delay gizmo in the crossover obviously works and the imaging is the best i have heard by a country mile, to the extent you really do forget you are listening to speakers. more than once i have had to check both speakers are working when a solo instrument is playing to one side. the bass is deep and very very taught, they produce the most realistic organ notes i have heard without aid of multiple subwoofers, even at 'realistic levels' without hint of losing composure. the mids and treble can take your breathe away, the treble in particular seems to start and stop with zero overhang, they make all other speakers seem slow and obviously distorted.
the note of caution for poor recordings, these are merciless. really really merciless, they thrive on live recordings and unamplifed music and anything that has been through a mixer becomes instantly noticeable.
so if you see a pair of Onkyo Scepters buy them, if they are scepter 2002 then definitly buy them. they could be the last speakers you ever buy.
The Scepter 2002 are close to 50kg each, supplied in two segments the bass segment is some 37kg. mdf finished in piano gloss with slightly tapered sides and home to a plain looking single 12" bass driver with acordian surround. On the rear is a decent set of terminals, large port opening (with felt damping material coating them) and a max power (250w) and continuous (100w) rating. That bass driver is, despite its plain looks, rather special. crossed over at 500hz it is made from wood grown in the arctic circle which is then pulped and formed into a cone with the 'extract' of a 'sea squirt'... the japanese really know how to go that extra mile.
The tweeter, or rather mid/tweeter (as it takes over at 500hz and goes up to 25khz) is a horn loaded compression driver housed in a separate enclosure secured on top of the bass driver courtesy of two metal pegs / speaker. online resources say the crossover has a time delay to make the two units work in a time coherent manner. the enclosure is solid resin, this accounts for 11ish kgs... the finish matches the bass section and the overall appearance is pleasing and rather art nouveau, for a serious set of speakers they have WAF. on the back is another set of matching terminals so unless you use jumpers then biwire is a must.
they are the most directional speakers i have owned but once in the sweet spot then they really come together. they are one of those speakers which makes you dig out your entire music collection and listen to the whole lot repeatedly. a dry sound but incredibly detailed and musical. the time delay gizmo in the crossover obviously works and the imaging is the best i have heard by a country mile, to the extent you really do forget you are listening to speakers. more than once i have had to check both speakers are working when a solo instrument is playing to one side. the bass is deep and very very taught, they produce the most realistic organ notes i have heard without aid of multiple subwoofers, even at 'realistic levels' without hint of losing composure. the mids and treble can take your breathe away, the treble in particular seems to start and stop with zero overhang, they make all other speakers seem slow and obviously distorted.
the note of caution for poor recordings, these are merciless. really really merciless, they thrive on live recordings and unamplifed music and anything that has been through a mixer becomes instantly noticeable.
so if you see a pair of Onkyo Scepters buy them, if they are scepter 2002 then definitly buy them. they could be the last speakers you ever buy.
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