I don't get using any horns with solid state and/or hardware based dsp. High efficiency horns will always be best with with SET or low power push pull tube amps, You shouldn't need any dsp with a properly set up system, and if you still desire it go with something like HQPlayer for a digital based software solution. The right tools for the job starts with proper matching of speaker to amp.
Open minded consideration of different speaker types as main daily drivers
Ok, I am looking at a rebuild of my main listening room. For this space I am considering the following choices, that fall within what is a reasonable budget. Legacy Audio Focus SE, Klipsch Klipschorn and La Scala (both the AK7 and AK6 as well as the AL5 and AL6 in the La Scala), Cornwall and Volti Audio. I have serious questions about the sonic differences between the AL5 and AL6 La Scala and the Klipschorn AK6 and AK7. Are the new models worth the price premium? Or are the previous models so close that paying roughly a 1/3 more for the new models is not worth it? Or are the improvements so dramatic that its a no-brainer to move up. Money is always an object so consideration of whether the price increase delivers on value is a consideration. Then moving out of the horn speaker arena into the direct drivers offered by Legacy. Clearly these will not deliver the live nature that the horn based systems will but do they deliver a better daily driver experience on a wider variety of program material? I want to elevate my average experience, not have a peak experience once a month and be drowning in mediocrity until the next peak experience. None of these speakers come cheap. Given the money invested I want the best ROI I can get. Please if you have heard these 3 or 4 speakers please weigh in and help me make a choice I can live with and be happy with long term.
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Considering that the VMPS is your point of reference and... If you are not in some rush, get on the facebook group and coordinate/go to some Tekton guy’s house nearby where you live for an audit perhaps. Personally, i think some front ported Tektons look weird as hell, some models with multiple woofers arranged side by side don’t look very good (WAF fail). The Moab looks fine if you can get a gloss finish with a color that fits your house’s decor perhaps. I got a Moab used from a dude with the crossover upgrade and put a different finish on it. My spouse thinks it looks like modern art A guy nearby bought a smaller model with a gloss finish called the Epic 15...Serious bass from that 15 inch woofer and the extension down in the 20s something hz is very real (the guy doesn’t make up specs), the array comes in and takes over around 300 hz and up, i think. Sonics aside, it looked quite nice to me visually. https://tektondesign.com/product/full-range-speakers/full-towers/epic-15/#color Pendragon doesn’t look bad either... https://tektondesign.com/product/full-range-speakers/full-towers/pendragon/#color The huge catalog probably has something to do with his eccentricity. But, i think there has been some past chatter among the Tektonians that the peak of his midrange magic are the models with the dual mid array d’appolito configuration small to large ---> encore monitor --> moab, symphony ---> ulfberht
Speaking of klipsches, there are also guys doing active crossover mods with older heritage klipsches. It’s a transformation! You probably don’t need the expensive klipsch heritage crossover for it. Something like this analog Harman DBX should do the job just as good for a fraction of the price, i think. I wouldn’t go with anything else besides DBX at this price bracket though. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/752261-REG/dbx_234XS_234xs_Crossover_XLR.html
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I have the Tekton Double Impacts with upgraded crossovers and grills. I have them on Townsend Seismic Podiums and I’m very pleased with their sound quality. I’m at $5K for the speakers and the podiums. I have modded Heresy II’s, Zu Omens and JBL 4312A’s on Sound Anchor stands. I like the Tektons significantly more than my other speakers. I was recommended the Moab’s but wanted a slightly smaller profile. If I did it over I would consider the upgraded paint over the Matt Black that I purchased. I ran them with a 12wpc SEP amp and a modded Akitika with good results. I’m finishing my house remodel and will be changing to 180 wpc Rogue monos and a Hera pre. I held off on subs until I get the 180’s going as I’m sure I’ll rattle the walls. BTW the Townsends are a real game changer for me. Happy Hunting , Mike B. |
Lets see, I thought the bandwidth and imaging were top drawer on the VMPS, low distortion and dynamic range were excellent they would easily play cleanly at 115 db. Very little power compression if any. Like any revealing speaker, they could and often showed source material that was lacking in an obvious way. On well recorded material they were sublime and probably the best value on the market at the time. All of that said, I am sure there is something better today. Someone or maybe more than one person said I should not use a HT receiver as my amplification. I am using one as a preamp only. All power amp duty has been offloaded to Hypex class D amps at 500 wpc at 4 ohms. This keeps the receiver cooler and gets those high level signals relegated to their own boxes with a lot more headroom. I like what I see on the Tekton website. Heavily leaning towards finding a pair of Moabs to audition before making any move in another direction. They are huge and imposing but for a larger than life system, maybe a little too much will end up being just right. The ears will tell. I am looking forward to the day I flip the switch on all the new gear and get to relax and enjoy it. |
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