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Teton monitors from Wavetouch Audio - A Must Hear

In the market for a pair of monitors recently, to gain more living spaces that being taken over by the growing LPs collection and the Wilson Sophia that I have put up for sale, I start doing some audition, googleing and look around. I know it's going to be a tough task finding any speakers that could produce the sound I have used to for many years from the Sophia.

To make sure I don't make a mistake and miss out on the big names, the likes of Harbert, Tannoy, B&W, psb, sonus....I start hitting the showrooms of LA. All of them are good, decent speakers but they don't strike me as possible replacements for the giant Wilson, three times their sizes. Then I found an unknown brand advertised, kevlar, horn tweeter and exotic rosewood in all. The rosewood always got me, I contacted the owner for a listen. A copy cat of B&W it turn-out and the speakers were bought in lots for testing and experiments by Alex Yoon of Wavetouch Audio in LA. Alex then let me take a peak listen to something he was 'putting together' as he said, and fine-tuning for review at StereoTimes. I hastily agreed. We headed for the studio where he does his work, the size of a four-car garage.

There I was introduced to a pair of tiny monitors, the 'Grand Teton', I later learned, in rich, exotic Russian birchwood that one can tell of top-notch quality, carefully and meticulously put together. We spent the next two hours listen to tracks after tracks of acoustic, instrumentals and vocals music. The monitors fill the huge studio with music as if a pair of 5-foot tall floor standing were in used. Soundstage were ceiling high and 6-foot deep. Vocals were in-your-face with each instrument precisely positioned as if we had attented a jazz rehearsal in a garage. I immidiately inquired about a pair for home audition. This could be the Wilson replacement, I said to myself with reservation. May be Alex had the room treated or using special equipments. But his gear is very mediocre.

Two week past and Alex deliver the monitors for audition. The same pair but has now been finely tuned. Personally position the monitors in my living room, Alex going over some adjustments tips, give me a week to test the monitors and head back to LA. Two day of comparison between the Grand Teton and the Sophia side-by-side, guitar, piano, vocals and everything in between. I contacted Alex and convinced him to leave the sample, don't come back for it and it was purchased with proceed from the Sophia sale. The Grand Teton is now in my living room replacing the giant Wilson for 1/10 the cost, 1/10 the size and not a note missing.

Quite a task for its size. Highly recommended and a must to audiition if you can arrange for one. It will be time well spent just to listen to it.

Music Fanatic,
Irvine, CA
connect400

Showing 11 responses by after_hrs

after_hrs
128 posts
 
Unless those disturbed by the possibly questionable advent of this thread are seeking some kind reparations for their distress...perhaps it's time to move on to amour user interaction/impression based thread.

One last word about OP...Of the many hundreds or thousands of non native audiophiles in Los Angeles county (millions of people)...
after_hrs
128 posts
 
To those interested in a revolutionary audio experience in the $20k and under loudspeaker category you will be gobsmacked by the GTse, and Gen2's are not far behind for a $1k less. These really are a totally different experience from the previous GT. If you want a transparent, small, kick-ass speaker that recreates an event like few kilo buck speakers can with both ease and immediacy do yourself proud and check these out. I've become an enthusiast for this speaker out of sheer purist delight. These new versions of the GT should qualify for one the greatest bargains in the history of hi-fi... And that's some serious $h%t!
after_hrs
128 posts
 
To anyone interested... even after the original SE and GT2's went in the late summer Alex continued to work with other significant synergistic elements within the speaker.

The bottom line is if you have any interest in this price point seek out an audition of what is currently being offered. He tells me he is very satisfied and won't be making any further changes until the official next versions.

These are true HI-END loudspeakers at mid-fi prices. I have no stake in his company. Since I live 20 minutes from his facility I have gotten to know him. He is a family man with passion and a fastidious work ethic and has, as of this writing, a borderline phenomenal product offering. There are more excellent loudspeakers available now than ever before, new and used. Whether or not these would work perfectly with your gear and ears only you can decide.

BTW Alex's sales are excellent and he doesn't need my help.

I know what Alex is trying to do, have fun doing what he loves creating quality audio products at a fair price.

I don't know what Wolf is trying to do... discredit someone further who inadvertently discredited himself and regrets it. Like a bully kicking someone who is already down and enjoying it. That's Pretty classy.
after_hrs
128 posts
 
Bite yourself loser. The name Wolf is a joke like you. You intimidate no one. Losers like yourself don't have goals, only too much time on their hands because they have no real friends.
Jungle? Maybe you need more counseling for your PTSD.

TO ALL MEMBERS: Wolf is no bully looking to pounce on the weak...
He just enjoys harassing good people because he knows he will never be one.

Wolf_garcia is one to be pitied and rejected which is what he really wants anyway in his twisted world.



after_hrs
128 posts
 
Connect400,

In your opening post you didn't mention what amplifier you were using to drive the Wilsons... and are you using the same amp to power the GT's? You haven't chimed back in here since starting this thread. How's it going?
after_hrs
128 posts
 
Rebbi,

The waveguide apparatus is practically weightless. Near the cone surface the center guide is suspended from the outer ring (ingeniously, in my opinion) at numerous points using fine hi tension line, very stable and almost undetectable. It Looks like it's hovering, very cool actually. Seems to work beautifully and never loses its positioning. Even at full output there is zero movement.
after_hrs
128 posts
 
W_garcia,

Aside from your obvious IGNORANCE referring to HIGH grade BALTIC BIRCH Laminate cabinets constructed by a premiere AMERICAN wood craftsmen as "plywood", (Any true audiophile knows the TREMENDOUS skill needed to accomplish this as well as the acoustic value of such.) you also show equal GLARING ignorance referring to proven scientific acoustic waveform behavior and guidance as glued dixie cups. A well designed and engineered, molded, hard composite material is used as the waveguide. Even in pictures its clear that it is WELL DESIGNED. Also, Making fun of someone who probably has an IQ 40 points or more in excess of yours is eclipsed only by your shameless harassment of him as you know he is still learning to articulate himself. The more people that read this the more you will be deservedly ostracized.

If you really want to give him constructive criticism (which you obviously don't) you would fore go ALL of the harassing, belittling, disrespectful language.
after_hrs
128 posts
 
Rebbi, as it's obviously a critical design feature of the loudspeaker you can tell it has been thought through thoroughly (wow, say that ten times fast). I've only heard positive comments regarding the wave guide apparatus as I myself have seen no change in the tension or stability whatsoever.
after_hrs
128 posts
 
Since this is suppose to be a "community" of music lovers I'll attempt to dial this down a bit. W_... Reading your posts in a few other threads i better understand the kind energy and nuance you lead with. Usually your sarcasm is humorous and good natured. I can see how when something gets under your skin you can't let go. I'm totally the same...ask my wife. I have no idea how this thread began. I suspect early purchasers who liked Alex may have started the rallying here to spark further interest. Either way, one thread isn't going to make or break anyone...agreed. I did a little research and found Alex's granted patent dated 2012. His patent was one of twelve patents issued that year in the loudspeaker design catagory. Paradigm, Pioneer, Harmon were some others. He is the only owner as far as I know and I was chiming in with what I know about his work to speak up for what I simply know to be true and to share my personal impressions. I get your disposition here...as you value healthy, spirited, educational, community type discourse you take what you refer to as shilling as a personal afront. That being said I'm done being confrontive.
Cheers.
Now getting back to the music...
after_hrs
128 posts
 
"The spelling errors and grammatical errors seem indicative of a template being followed by someone for whom English is not a native language."
Seriously, my guess is out a few million people in L.A. county alone there are hundreds if not thousands non native audiophiles.

Interestingly, If you read the few other posts on other threads 400 has responded to there seems to be no tell tell of English being difficult. Maybe he was a little lit when he started this.
after_hrs
128 posts
 
"Wilsons would be right at home, but Tetons would seem dwarfed by the space around them."

It is true that GT's physically would "look" dwarfed in a space a large as Mitch's but I have heard Gen2's augmented with a good sub fill a space over 20'x 32' with over 12' high ceilings and sound incredible. High passing @ 80hz-100hz will produce very satisfying results. The focused dynamic energy and tonal purity in the mid all the way up when unaffected by the lower register is jaw dropping. My Gen2's are in a space approximately 18'x 22' with 10' ceiling and although there is some lack of pressurization and deep bass I rarely think about it as the critical sound staging, dynamics and world class tonality keep me immersed.

There are several top of the class diminutive speakers that are capable of filling very large spaces better that most mid-fi and some hi-fi floor standers, perfect8 cube for example. Oh what technology and imagination together can accomplish.

Also,
Making points about the grammatical details of the OP is one thing... but ANYONE who contends definitively about what this newer designed GT series can or cannot do without an optimized audition is... off.
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