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Why can some speakers disappear so effortlessly? (Fritz's Carbon 7 SE Mk 2)

Six years in, and my Carbon 7 SE Mk 2 by Fritz Heiler still do the thing that first amazed me about them: they vanish. I sit down, stare right at each cabinet, and still can't place the sound coming from either one. No sound from the left, no sound from the right — just a stage hanging in the room between them.

Everything else holds up too. Bass that's deep and articulate — pitch and texture, not just weight. Midrange that puts people in the room. Extended top end that's detailed without ever tipping into harshness.

I have other speakers too — large, sealed, Beyma AMT plus JBL 15" drivers — and I've been trying a wide range of amps over the years, running them through both speakers each time. Lately it's a DIY Class D that's lighting up the Carbons in a way I didn't expect. Before that, my Dynaco ST-35 also sounded great — and the Carbons still disappeared.

Anyone else own a speaker that still catches them off guard years in?

hilde45
theophile's avatar
theophile
417 posts
 

I'd wager that you could assemble a system, using different components to those you currently use, which would make the Fritzs sound like ass.

That's the drawback for speakers. Since they are the final recipient/conveyer of the system, they are beholden to the ability and shortcomings of the components which procede them.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
6,079 posts
 

@scotandholly 

I wonder how much physique is involved when we drop a small, stand mount in our room. If we have (any speaker) set up correctly, they should all "disappear". 

Right -- I agree about the notion that the physics is important. My room is very dialed in with treatments, isolation platforms, etc. So, I'm not saying that the Fritz speaker is the *only* speaker that disappears. I'm saying that in my experience of trying many different speakers in my room, the Fritz disappears to a degree that is both better and startling.


deep_333

I'm glad to hear that your spouse has a speaker from Yamaha that she loves. Please send my regards.

theophile

I'd wager that you could assemble a system, using different components to those you currently use, which would make the Fritzs sound like ass.

I'd take that wager. In addition to better equipment, I've tried the Fritz with a $400 Denon AVR, with $250 Fosi class D amps, and with an old Adcom 535L. Did they sound different? Yes. Did they sound, in your words, "like ass"? No, they did not. They sounded quite good. 

ronboco
1,127 posts
 

I think 3k for nice sounding speakers is a great deal ! 

deep_333
2,501 posts
 

Some luxman, michi, aavik, etc can even make trash speakers sound ok.

In fact, many speakers posing as "high end" are grossly overpriced dookie that gets carried by some creme de la creme electronics. It is no merit of the speaker...There is no sonic breakthrough except some extra shine on the cabinet. The key word there is "gets carried"..

You can put some moderately priced competent speakers in a high IQ executed chain/front end, dial some subs in and make them sound ultra high end n all..

I'd wager that you could assemble a system, using different components to those you currently use, which would make the Fritzs sound like ass.

 

That's the drawback for speakers. Since they are the final recipient/conveyer of the system, they are beholden to the ability and shortcomings of the components which procede them.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
6,079 posts
 

You can put some moderately priced competent speakers in a high IQ executed chain/front end, dial some subs in and make them sound ultra high end n all..

"Ultra high end"? Um...politely disagree. Most important component in a system is a room. Then speakers. And way down the line, amps. The notion that the speakers don't matter if they have good power behind them is not the kind of logic I understand. 

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