When I was talking about DIYers, I was thinking more of that guy who has a full time job not related to audio and pursues building speakers as a part time hobby. But if we're going to bend the rules when defining 'outliers' then I'd be remiss if I don't mention John 'Fritz' Heiler of Fritz Speakers. I'm auditioning his Carrera BE speakers and I'm just in awe of the great sound these speakers are producing. They're giving my Harbeth 30.1s, which are quite a bit more expensive, a run for their money. I'll write my impressions about the speakers in more detail when I get some more free time. But I can tell you this speaker punches considerably above its $3500 asking price.
Interesting experience with two very different speaker designs
I wanted to relay my experience with two different sets of speakers in hopes that it might prove interesting and/or help some folks.
My current speakers are Tekton Electron SE with a Pass XA30.5 and a MicroZOTL2 Preamp. I was absolutely loving the sound but I started getting into the DIY open baffle thing. I started with a very simple JE labs design with a single driver and after a few prototypes, I ended up with a 2-way using an Emminence Alpha 15 and a Tang Band W8 2145.
After breaking the DIY speakers in a bit, I was really blown away. The soundstage was huge and very 3D. The bass was big and warm but still pretty fast and articulate. Also, the speed of the speakers was very apparent. I loved them especially on big orchestral works where the soundstage really comes to life.
I lived with them for about 4 months and then I put the Electrons back. Very interesting. Timbrally, the Electrons were just better. The OBs upper midrange sounded kind of flat and beamy in comparison. The bass on the Electrons, though not as extended, was better controlled. In some ways I found the OBs to be more transparent in that they really pointed out the flaws in some recordings. Well recorded stuff sounded amazing but they gave no love to mediocre recordings. The Electrons just make everything sound good. Much more forgiving.
Going from the OBs to the Electrons, I lost some of that soundstage magic. The Electrons, though they have some depth, lack that completely open 3D thing that the OBs were giving me. However, from top to bottom, they just sound right. Instruments sound like how they are supposed to sound. That all-important midrange really shines.
Though I like both these speakers, I'm going to stick with the Tektons. However, if what you value is speed, transparency and soundstage over timbre, I think open baffle is a good way to go. I'll say this with the caveat that I'm not a speaker designer and there may be OB speakers out there that really get the timbre thing right too. I'd love to hear some!
My current speakers are Tekton Electron SE with a Pass XA30.5 and a MicroZOTL2 Preamp. I was absolutely loving the sound but I started getting into the DIY open baffle thing. I started with a very simple JE labs design with a single driver and after a few prototypes, I ended up with a 2-way using an Emminence Alpha 15 and a Tang Band W8 2145.
After breaking the DIY speakers in a bit, I was really blown away. The soundstage was huge and very 3D. The bass was big and warm but still pretty fast and articulate. Also, the speed of the speakers was very apparent. I loved them especially on big orchestral works where the soundstage really comes to life.
I lived with them for about 4 months and then I put the Electrons back. Very interesting. Timbrally, the Electrons were just better. The OBs upper midrange sounded kind of flat and beamy in comparison. The bass on the Electrons, though not as extended, was better controlled. In some ways I found the OBs to be more transparent in that they really pointed out the flaws in some recordings. Well recorded stuff sounded amazing but they gave no love to mediocre recordings. The Electrons just make everything sound good. Much more forgiving.
Going from the OBs to the Electrons, I lost some of that soundstage magic. The Electrons, though they have some depth, lack that completely open 3D thing that the OBs were giving me. However, from top to bottom, they just sound right. Instruments sound like how they are supposed to sound. That all-important midrange really shines.
Though I like both these speakers, I'm going to stick with the Tektons. However, if what you value is speed, transparency and soundstage over timbre, I think open baffle is a good way to go. I'll say this with the caveat that I'm not a speaker designer and there may be OB speakers out there that really get the timbre thing right too. I'd love to hear some!
- ...
- 41 posts total
- 41 posts total