Impressions of Coincident Speakers

@charles1dad 

I have not heard the SVIII, but based on the design and specs, I'm confident in the synergistic matching of the SV with the LTA ZOTL Circuit. and I am very impressed with the materials and design of the cabinet, also speaker and crossover components are exceptional quality. The only question I have yet to answer, is the bass characteristics of this speaker. Would you please read my opening discussion and comment on the details concerning bass and room size that  I have outlined above. It's evident that the Total Eclipse II has far more bass capacity than the SV III, but your description of the bass characteristics would probably be helpful (at least in part)  in determining if the bass meets my preferences as denoted above.

Thank You

Brad    

@bradf 

The Coincident Total Eclipse II were built from the ground up to be very compatible with tube amplifiers and this includes SET amplifiers (Thus the high 14 ohm impedance and 94 db sensitivity),  The other aspect to ensure successful pairing with tube amplifiers is the tuning of the woofers. So the chosen Q factor was addressed to provide sufficient damping and bass control. 

In my opinion Coincident got this 'very right'  excellent control without being overdamped. I've used 3 different tube amplifiers,  100 watt push pull KT 88/ 40 watt push pull el 34/8 watt SET 300b. No issues whatsoever with any of them.

  I also have used a loaned Lamm 90 watt push pull amplifier and a First Watt S.I.T ( 35 push pull D.I,Y. version).  The bass control, impact and texture was really good with each despite their distinct sonic signatures being easily preserved.  

In general terms I can say that the Coincident sound is high resolution/low degree of coloration/very open presentation. With good placement the speakers seem to disappear from the room (Depending on the recording in use). Definitely high resolution and clarity but thankfully not analytical or clinical sounding by any stretch.

The Super Victory III with the ribbon tweeter could be perhaps more resolved than my speaker with the soft dome tweeter (But perfect for me😊). One more comment,  the musical pace and flow characteristics are very fluid and natural.  Definitely not a stiff or mechanical type of presentation. I hope that this helps somewhat.  I've had the Total Eclipse II for over 12 years and they along with my 300b SET mono blocks are not going anywhere. 

Charles 

Another long-time (12 year) owner of Coincident Total Eclipse II here.  I would echo Charles' sentiments regarding the speakers' low coloration, wide open soundstage, excellent dynamics and ease of load.  While I always have felt the rated 94+dB sensitivity was perhaps a bit overestimated, they are easily driven to room filling volume (and some) with a 30 watt push-pull tube amplifier (Berning EA230), and can achieve extremely high SPLs with anything over 50WPC.  I have tried them with a K&K Audio modified ST70 running in class A with KT88s strapped to triodes to produce 8WPC, but they always felt a bit starved for my room size and preferred listening volumes; I generally use a modified Berning ZH270 as my daily driver.  My experiences with Israel's other, newer speaker designs via audio shows (RIP, RMAF) has shown a strong family resemblance to what I hear with my Total Eclipse.  No plans to change speakers anytime soon.

@charles1dad 

@palasr 

Thank You of the informative and helpful description you both have provided.

I understand that as a result of the chosen woofer / q-factor, that the bass drivers are well dampened and well controlled with tube amplification.  In my case 42 @ 8 ohms/51 Watts @ 4 Ohms.

Im trying to figure out if because of the moderate wattage typically used to drive these speakers if the woofer output is more tame and neighbor friendly at moderate listening levels then what a separate sealed box 500 watt, integral amp REL type subwoofer would produce (even at a lower volume level). I want to hear what's on the recording and hear the lower register of the kick drum but not at the expense of disturbing neighbors. 

I'm hoping that at least some of that makes sense to you with regard to my preference in bass performance. Basically, I just don't know what to expect from these two 12" aluminum woofers.

Thanks for all your help and advice

Brad 

@bradf 

Im trying to figure out if because of the moderate wattage typically used to drive these speakers if the woofer output is more tame and neighbor friendly at moderate listening levels then what a separate sealed box 500 watt, integral amp REL type subwoofer would produce (even at a lower volume level). I want to hear what's on the recording and hear the lower register of the kick drum but not at the expense of disturbing neighbors. 

Brad in my opinion you will be fine. I wouldn't say that the bass reproduction is "tame" it is present yet controlled,  certainly not  overemphasized or too prominent. It will be suitably proportional to the volume level chosen. I believe that the proposed LTA push pull amplifier is going to be a fantastic pairing with the Coincident Super Victory III. 

I really suspect that this combination is going to be very open, transparent,  3 dimensional with beautiful tonality and harmonics but avoiding gratuitous warmth.

Charles