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Any insight on Tekton Double impact BE, Focus Se, Salk SS 8, or Golden Ear TRef?

I am looking to replace my 20 year plus towers. However I noticed that most notable speaker manufactures are not putting out what I consider a true full range speaker 20 Hz to 20 Khz (Well not for semi sane price points that is). So I have been examining some of the big bang for the buck and consumer direct brands.

My Budget is for something that come in between $6,500 - $10,500. System requirements is something that is a tower  with frequency response between 25 Hz to 20 KHz.
Capable of handling the dynamic bass heavy content of electronic music from thing like Bass 305, Bach Organ works, or Bass Guitar centered works from folks like Kyle Eastwood or Marcus Miller. The primary listening I do is Opera Metal, that has broad range of content and vocals styling of classical opera but is also bass heavy with metal guitar, drums, and a lot of classical instruments. So it is just not about the bass the system has to be able to have some finesse and detail. Something with sibilant treble will not work. Especially when those powerful Soprano voices really start to wail on the metal tracks from Arven or Leaves Eyes.

My system is dedicated 2 channel Balanced Audio Tech VK 32 Se preamp and VK 500 SS amp. At 250/450 watts 8/4 ohms I have a decent source component and plenty of power.

The two notable consumer direct transducers I been taking a hard look at is
Tekton Double Impact BE edition $6500.00Salk Sound SS8 or SS8 Be for $8995.00There is a lot of favorable press on these but I have never had a chance to listen to one or any knowledge on their build quality which is the biggest concern for me. I desperately want to avoid shipping a 100 plus speaker in for repair. Is there any insight that I should be advised against if I move towards these products. The SS8 I know are really highly regarded, the DI have a little bit more of mixed response but there is enough favorable press on them that I they are also a very strong contender.

Brands that are offered by dealers I can drive to and listen to are:Golden Ear Reference $8998.00 towers great extension and very listenable. Not real punchy or as fast on the transients as the Legacy.
Legacy Signature SE. $6500.00 Has all that I am looking for does not go as deep the TRef. But filled the room I was in with more bass.

Legacy Focus SE, $10,600.00 a pair. This one I liked the sound of the best. It gave me the most in terms of bass energy and the dynamics I crave. Not as relaxed in the treble as the TRef its highs were to my ear more forward, which could be problematic on bright and spitty recordings. None the less I do not think treble would be a problem when mated with the more neutral sound of the BAT gear I have.

So far I am leaning towards the Focus SE, however since I do not have any experience with either Tekton DI or Salk SS8.I simply do not want to rule them out without getting some insights from those that own or had experience with them.
How much consideration should I give to them? They are at much more manageable price points, but do they truly offer comparable sound and reliability, that I will be doing myself a disservice should I not take some time to explore them further, before pulling the trigger on the Focus?

Thanks all for the help.




walkertm

Showing 2 responses by dep14

dep14
333 posts
 
Dropped you a PM, I can give you thoughts on all. I’ve heard them, all or owned variants.

I might also consider the Ohm Walsh 5000, particularly given your choice of music, depending on your room configuration.

You should have no fears if you go with the Salks. Build quality and customer service is excellent. I’m not sure they would give you the bass is sounds like you want. (it’s very accurate, very deep, and tuneful but does not energize the room like the Legacy or GE’s do, the Tektons can energize a room also, but it’s a little different I found than the others).

With the Legacy, the Signature SE checks a lot of those boxes you wanted. I MIGHT try to stretch to the Focus SE.

The Golden ear - they do what they do. You can hear them, you can decide. They do a lot right. But, with that beast of an amp you have you don’t have to have the powered subs.

With the Tekton - I think the Double Impact is a pretty nice speaker for 3k, I think the SE for double the price... sounds an awful lot like the DI.  Better in some ways, not as fun in others.  I think the Big ULF's are good, but again, what I have found with the DI and that family - they sound like they sound.  Not huge differences between the DI, and it's more expensive brothers and cousins.  Not ripping tekton, I think the DI for 3k is fun.  I think it would be one hell of a party speaker at 3k.

For what you are listening to...

I would recommend the Ohm Walsh 5000’s, the Legacy’s, JBL M2 (which means some system changes), or I know Jim Salk has a newer speaker coming out soon that might fit the bill a bit better.




dep14
333 posts
 
@axememan 

Agree, I'll even take the Dave Mustaine/James Hetfield gravelly snarl style again.

There is actually a lot of good music out there, but I can't take the growling.
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