What's your opinion about on-line audio reviewers?

[E-Stat]

Like I said, snob appeal.

Why so snippy? If that's how you consider how virtually every manufacturer of planar magnetics and electrostatic speakers builds and markets their products, ok.

Your buddy HP was a big-time snob.

Or, just as with above, he was in the search of the most realistic sounding audio system. His were simply spectacular.

That curved driver array is wide dispersion. Not the best for imaging and why your room's side walls need dispersion panels.

Believe as you will. I find the absence of beaming a more natural sounding approach. When I'm at the symphony, the image doesn't radically change if I move about slightly.

What's a "dispersion panel"? Do you mean diffuser? Note I use fake trees beside my speakers for that purpose.

 

[Late Boomer]

Frequency Response: 25 Hz-50 kHz ±4 dB (typical room).

Good for dolphins. Yeah, yeah, I've heard theories about subliminal effect of sounds we cannot hear. Watching movies in UV or IR bands will be the next frontier for video, after 3D has failed (again) and 4K has become commonplace and boring.

The guy has a bad attitude

In what way, and why does it matter?

not everyone loves flat frequency response.

Well, I guess this is a benefit of small-scale operation - tuning the response to taste. Proles just use an equalizer. Or they buy the most transparent and flat units to listen their autotuned top40 tracks the way the audio engineer envisioned.

 

[tom67]

And then there are expensive speakers due largely to the hand built costs of limited production driven by musical passion. And scale. With my speakers, you don't just order an off the shelf driver or even custom spec one when such doesn't exist. Dr. West builds his own from scratch. Differently from everyone else for really good reasons.
If I were younger and had the right space, would try some electrostatics. I am armed with no knowledge. But common sense tells me that the sound of a piano from a source approaching the size of a piano would sound larger and more real than a piano sound coming from box.

And then there are expensive speakers due largely to the hand built costs of limited production driven by musical passion. And scale. With my speakers, you don't just order an off the shelf driver or even custom spec one when such doesn't exist. Dr. West builds his own from scratch. Differently from everyone else for really good reasons.
f I were younger and had the right space, would try some electrostatics. I am armed with no knowledge. But common sense tells me that the sound of a piano from a source approaching the size of a piano would sound larger and more real than a piano sound coming from box.

 

[Late Boomer]

"the sound of a piano from a source approaching the size of a piano would sound larger and more real than a piano sound coming from box." - The sound pressure, heat and ionizing radiation of a nuke can only be experienced with a real nuke, nothing comes close. Luckily, a piano can be simulated.

 

[nailer]

Good for dolphins. Yeah, yeah, I've heard theories about subliminal effect of sounds we cannot hear. Watching movies in UV or IR bands will be the next frontier for video, after 3D has failed (again) and 4K has become commonplace and boring.

The LF response is far more important than Bruce's updated tweeter being able to reach 50K. In the audible range the updated tweeter is alleged to provide improved performance which I'll find out when I install the pair that recently appeared on my doorstep.

What you wrote about video is drivel, especially since we are talking about audio here.

 

[Late Boomer]

What you wrote about video is drivel, especially since we are talking about audio here.

I think it is directly relevant. With video we may be told about director's or editor's intent. What we see is not contested. With audio, we are told what we should or should not hear, and some people position themselves as better hearing than others.

 

[JoeESP9]

Your friend Andy seems to review the same stuff as Peter Lutzelberger. My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting him at his business in Berlin a few years ago. He is such a sweet guy, and although we couldn't really afford much of what he had for sale, he did allow me to listen to a stereo which is worth around 150,000 Euros or so. An amazing experience, and a glimpse into the world of true "high end". While Peter is a dealer, he also reviews the equipment on his YouTube channel. When I hit MegaMillions or Powerball, there will be a pair of Rockport speakers in my future.

You know, I have heard the B&W 800 Diamond (I think that it is this one.... looks like a gigantic seashell)... I was not that inspired by them. Speakers which did inspire me, however, were the Wharfedale Elysian (??? spelling) 4. I just can't afford either

Are you thinking of the Nautilus? They are hand made to order.

 

[nailer]

Why so snippy? If that's how you consider how virtually every manufacturer of planar magnetics and electrostatic speakers builds and markets their products, ok.


Or, just as with above, he was in the search of the most realistic sounding audio system. His were simply spectacular.


Believe as you will. I find the absence of beaming a more natural sounding approach. When I'm at the symphony, the image doesn't radically change if I move about slightly.

What's a "dispersion panel"? Do you mean diffuser? Note I use fake trees beside my speakers for that purpose.

You seem to have forgotten the type of bantering give and take TAS had way back when in the good old days. One of the joys of our aging, forgetfulness. BTW I just happen to be a tea and baked goodies snob.

My planar speakers don't require a head vice although the sound field is indeed noticeably different if one moves to the couch's left or right cushion. However, a natural shift/movement as would occur at a concert does not noticeably alter the soundscape.

Yes, I did mean diffuser, thanks for the correction. Another senior moment on my part.

 

[reggaenaut]

In what way, and why does it matter?

.

He gives the impression that he knows everything and is very intolerant of views of others. Well that drives away people. A pity since apart from his attitude he is a good communicator.

 

[nailer]

I think it is directly relevant. With video we may be told about director's or editor's intent. What we see is not contested. With audio, we are told what we should or should not hear, and some people position themselves as better hearing than others.

I don't let others should me and could care less regarding what some audiophile may claim regarding their aural acuity.

Your relevance in this case is irrelevant. What we are told regarding a director's/editor's intnet is aural information, not visual. Your conflating apples and oranges here, so to speak.

 

[Natasha Bell]

Are you thinking of the Nautilus? They are hand made to order.

YES I think so. I was at an audio show in DFW. The ones I heard were not quite the same, but the design was very similar. It is just such a weird design to me, and perhaps that put me off a bit as well.

 

[E-Stat]

You seem to have forgotten the type of bantering give and take TAS had way back when in the good old days.

How does that have to do with your assertion that planar speaker manufacturers are *snobbish*? In a sense, every manufacturer of any product believes theirs is better than their competition if that's what you mean. Which could be said about anything!

My planar speakers don't require a head vice although the sound field is indeed noticeably different if one moves to the couch's left or right cushion. However, a natural shift/movement as would occur at a concert does not noticeably alter the soundscape.

Ok. That's similar to what I experience with the radiation pattern of the Sound Labs. Not understanding the "not the best for imaging" assertion you advanced.

 

[E-Stat]

But common sense tells me that the sound of a piano from a source approaching the size of a piano would sound larger and more real than a piano sound coming from box.

I agree about apparent image height and prefer line sources for that reason. Another factor with full range electrostats (unlike hybrids from Martin-Logan, Sanders, etc.) is that both fundamentals and harmonics radiate in the same way.

And, lucky lad that I am I have a ready live source for comparison hearing wifey play her baby grand.

 

[nailer]

How does that have to do with your assertion that planar speaker manufacturers are *snobbish*? In a sense, every manufacturer of any product believes theirs is better than their competition if that's what you mean. Which could be said about anything!


Ok. That's similar to what I experience with the radiation pattern of the Sound Labs. Not understanding the "not the best for imaging" assertion you advanced.

Never said planar speaker manufacturers were snobbish, nor did I say they were snobs, although I'm sure some are.

The assertion is not my own and is well known regarding the impact of narrow and wide dispersion, and the myriad of points in-between, on imaging.

 

[E-Stat]

Are you thinking of the Nautilus? They are hand made to order.

You may be aware that the designer of that speaker, Laurence Dickie, went on to form Vivid Audio and has a range of newer designs.

https://alpha-audio.net/videocast/full-presentation-laurence-dickie-vivid-audio/

 

[nailer]

YES I think so. I was at an audio show in DFW. The ones I heard were not quite the same, but the design was very similar. It is just such a weird design to me, and perhaps that put me off a bit as well.

B&W was designing the cabinets based on the Golden ratio which IIRC the Nautilus shell has. Cardas uses the Nautilus shell in its marketing for the same reason.

 

[E-Stat]

Never said planar speaker manufacturers were snobbish, nor did I say they were snobs, although I'm sure some are.

Sure you did. Let's revisit the text I previously quoted once again:

"Like I said, snob appeal. In this case, the bespoked/handcrafted variety."

The assertion is not my own and is well known regarding the impact of narrow and wide dispersion, and the myriad of points in-between, on imaging.

You're welcome to your own opinion and non-cited source(s).

 

[nailer]

Sure you did. Let's revisit the text I previously quoted once again:

"Like I said, snob appeal. In this case, the bespoked/handcrafted variety."


You're welcome to your own opinion and non-cited source(s).

You have reading comprehension issues. Appealing to snobs is not the same as being a snob or being snobbish. You also have a habit of only partially quoting responses that you don't concur with.

 

[E-Stat]

You have reading comprehension issues. Appealing to snobs is not the same as being a snob or being snobbish.

Ok, then speak for yourself only as to why people purchase certain hand built products! Maybe that's why *you* bought your hand built speakers. Fine.

I bought my stats, however, because they sound most like live, unampified music to me. Has ZERO to do with any perceived "snob appeal". Most folks who see and hear them don't have any idea what they are, how they were built or how much they cost.

 

[nailer]