Full disclosure - I own a home theater installation business that is now a Danley dealer. That being said, I am also a dealer for Klipsch as well as many other brands.

I put the SH-95s in my theater (non-dedicated, but acoustically treated room) in the same place as where the JTR Triple 8s (and before that, the Klipsch THX Ultra 2 system) used to be. That is, the left and right SH-95s are vertical on each side of my 106" screen and the center is horizontal below the screen. The SH-95s use a 90x55 degree dispersion angle synergy horn. This works out well for the left and right SH-95s because the 55 degree dispersion angle is wide enough to cover my seating area 14 feet back and I don't spray sound down the walls. The ceiling is treated with a 4" thick "acoustic cloud" that is suspended half-way between the speakers and the listening position that absorbs the first reflections there from the 90 degree dispersion in that orientation. I also have 4" panels on the center of the back wall (35' long room) in addition to corner bass traps. I am powering them with Crown XTi2000 amps. A Denon 3806 is the processor, but Audyssey is not being used right now. I did a quick level check after swapping out the speakers and had to turn the SH-95s level down a couple of dB to match. This was expected as the sensitivity of the SH-95s is 97dB and the Triple 8s are 95dB.

Okay, okay, so how do they sound already!?! In a word: WOW. :D I put in some music and immediately noticed how relaxed and crystal clear the sound was. It is hard to describe something that sounds so natural as to seem to not be there. They just get out of the way and let the artist come through. If you close your eyes you are at the concert. The speakers didn't seem to care how loud I wanted to go. They never sounded compressed and best of all they maintained their clarity and dynamics even at extreme volumes. These speakers sound much larger than the boxes they are in. They also have a frightening amount of bass for their size. Don't let the fact that they have "just" two 8" drivers producing the bass fool you. Keep in mind what Danley has done with "just" two 8" drivers in their TH-SPUD. These sound like they have a 15" driver in them. :eek:

I put in the "Best of DVD Demo" disk, turned it up LOUD and went to the Phil Collins concert. When Phil begins singing, the hair on the back of my neck stood up and a HUGE smile appeared across my face! Now this is what high end audio sounds like: Front row seats at the concert. After that I put in some other very familiar DVD scenes. During the pod race in Star Wars Episode 1 I felt like I was at the mixing board at Skywalker Sound listening to what makes up all the engine and other sounds used here. The detail was stunning. I have listened to the soundtracks for the movies Gladiator and Titanic many times on many speaker systems and with headphones. I thought I had heard every detail in this music, but I was wrong. The combination of HUGE dynamic range and crystal clarity, made me hear things I haven't heard before. Everyone says this about new speakers, but I have had such great speaker systems as the Klipsch THX Ultra 2 system, and the JTRs, and I was still amazed at what I had been missing. These soundtracks have a surprising amount of bass at times and the SH-95 were awesome in this respect. After 2 hours of music and movie demos I had a smile plastered to my face. These are the best speakers I have EVER heard. I can't wait till I can get more time to just sit and listen. More people really need to hear Danley speakers. If you are in Northern CA and want a demo, PM me.

Inphase, would you say the 95s are a big step up over the trip8s, or just a marginal increase? I moved from a M&K s-150 setup to the trip8s, but haven't been able to listen to the trip8s in an HT scenario...just music so far.

Full disclosure - I own a home theater installation business that is now a Danley dealer. That being said, I am also a dealer for Klipsch as well as many other brands.

I put the SH-95s in my theater (non-dedicated, but acoustically treated room) in the same place as where the JTR Triple 8s (and before that, the Klipsch THX Ultra 2 system) used to be. That is, the left and right SH-95s are vertical on each side of my 106" screen and the center is horizontal below the screen. The SH-95s use a 90x55 degree dispersion angle synergy horn. This works out well for the left and right SH-95s because the 55 degree dispersion angle is wide enough to cover my seating area 14 feet back and I don't spray sound down the walls. The ceiling is treated with a 4" thick "acoustic cloud" that is suspended half-way between the speakers and the listening position that absorbs the first reflections there from the 90 degree dispersion in that orientation. I also have 4" panels on the center of the back wall (35' long room) in addition to corner bass traps. I am powering them with Crown XTi2000 amps. A Denon 3806 is the processor, but Audyssey is not being used right now. I did a quick level check after swapping out the speakers and had to turn the SH-95s level down a couple of dB to match. This was expected as the sensitivity of the SH-95s is 97dB and the Triple 8s are 95dB.

Okay, okay, so how do they sound already!?! In a word: WOW. :D I put in some music and immediately noticed how relaxed and crystal clear the sound was. It is hard to describe something that sounds so natural as to seem to not be there. They just get out of the way and let the artist come through. If you close your eyes you are at the concert. The speakers didn't seem to care how loud I wanted to go. They never sounded compressed and best of all they maintained their clarity and dynamics even at extreme volumes. These speakers sound much larger than the boxes they are in. They also have a frightening amount of bass for their size. Don't let the fact that they have "just" two 8" drivers producing the bass fool you. Keep in mind what Danley has done with "just" two 8" drivers in their TH-SPUD. These sound like they have a 15" driver in them. :eek:

I put in the "Best of DVD Demo" disk, turned it up LOUD and went to the Phil Collins concert. When Phil begins singing, the hair on the back of my neck stood up and a HUGE smile appeared across my face! Now this is what high end audio sounds like: Front row seats at the concert. After that I put in some other very familiar DVD scenes. During the pod race in Star Wars Episode 1 I felt like I was at the mixing board at Skywalker Sound listening to what makes up all the engine and other sounds used here. The detail was stunning. I have listened to the soundtracks for the movies Gladiator and Titanic many times on many speaker systems and with headphones. I thought I had heard every detail in this music, but I was wrong. The combination of HUGE dynamic range and crystal clarity, made me hear things I haven't heard before. Everyone says this about new speakers, but I have had such great speaker systems as the Klipsch THX Ultra 2 system, and the JTRs, and I was still amazed at what I had been missing. These soundtracks have a surprising amount of bass at times and the SH-95 were awesome in this respect. After 2 hours of music and movie demos I had a smile plastered to my face. These are the best speakers I have EVER heard. I can't wait till I can get more time to just sit and listen. More people really need to hear Danley speakers. If you are in Northern CA and want a demo, PM me.

Thanks for the nice writeup Brian, so when are you bringing them over? Now that you have piqued my interest, a comparo with the Triple 12LF's is in order ... don't you think?;)

Inphase, would you say the 95s are a big step up over the trip8s, or just a marginal increase? I moved from a M&K s-150 setup to the trip8s, but haven't been able to listen to the trip8s in an HT scenario...just music so far.

I would definitely say they are a BIG step up from the T8s. But they should be if you consider that they are 2.5 times the price of the T8s.

Edit to clarify: The Danleys are MUCH clearer, more transparent (they disappear), more dynamic, play louder and the T8 ain't no slouch.

Thanks for the nice writeup Brian, so when are you bringing them over? Now that you have piqued my interest, a comparo with the Triple 12LF's is in order ... don't you think?;)

I probably could bring them by this weekend. Remember that they use a Speakon connector. I'll PM you. I am very curious about this comparison and believe the sound quality nod will go to the Danleys.

Thanks Inphase...sounds like a heck of a speaker. Yeah I didn't know they cost that much...a little rich for my blood. So they are in the ballpark of the 100Bs pricewise?


I would definitely say they are a BIG step up from the T8s. But they should be if you consider that they are 2.5 times the price of the T8s.

Edit to clarify: The Danleys are MUCH clearer, more transparent (they disappear), more dynamic, play louder and the T8 ain't no slouch.

Thanks Inphase...sounds like a heck of a speaker. Yeah I didn't know they cost that much...a little rich for my blood. So they are in the ballpark of the 100Bs pricewise?

i believe the "list" for the 100b is around 3k and the 95's are round 2500, both passive versions

Thanks Inphase...sounds like a heck of a speaker. Yeah I didn't know they cost that much...a little rich for my blood. So they are in the ballpark of the 100Bs pricewise?

100B's are $3K a piece (passive) and 95's are $2500 a piece (passive). 100B's are a much more potent speaker on the bottom end, which makes sense when you look at the driver composition with four 8's per cabinet...but for most folks, the 95 is a lot easier to deal with size wise...though if they are going to be out in the open, 100B's are a bit easier to deal with, particularly if you get them in a nice finish (which IS available on all Danley Labs products...to whit...

http://www.thesoundbroker.com/Images/SH100B%20001.JPG

Active SH-100B's in Tigerwood.

Also, if you are considering building a theater around Danley, consider going active. The difference between the Danley passive and active is night and day. Yes it is more bucks, but you'll have to buy amps no matter what.

Between JTR and Danley, I'd definitely give the nod to Danley if you are comparing size to size (I'm a dealer for both). The closer match will be the Triple 12LF which is a pretty formidable loudspeaker for the $$ and still a heck of a buy. Side by side, the Danley is still a better product, but the JTR is no slouch.

Great review Inphase, my only problem is that(like you said) the Danley's are much more expensive and should be better for the price. A better comparison would be the Triple 8 vs the SH-mini(I think the SH-100 is still more expensive than the triple 8).

I probably could bring them by this weekend. Remember that they use a Speakon connector. I'll PM you. I am very curious about this comparison and believe the sound quality nod will go to the Danleys.

I'm looking forward to the comparison:). How about posting some photos?

I'm looking forward to the comparison:). How about posting some photos?

RMK, regarding the Spuds, I assume there is plenty enough low frequency output(30Hz and below) that you are completely content with the Spuds for movies? Did you say you had a 15Hz hi pass set on them with the SMS? They seem so comparable to the DTS20 in sensitivity, response range and output capability that I'm leaning towards a pair of Spuds instead of a pair of DTS20s. They seem so similar that I would much rather deal with the smaller size of the Spuds. Having heard neither, I can't speak to the quality of bass from both units. I'm sure they are similar. Have you heard a DTS20 for comparison and how big is your room again?

RMK, regarding the Spuds, I assume there is plenty enough low frequency output(30Hz and below) that you are completely content with the Spuds for movies? Did you say you had a 15Hz hi pass set on them with the SMS? They seem so comparable to the DTS20 in sensitivity, response range and output capability that I'm leaning towards a pair of Spuds instead of a pair of DTS20s. They seem so similar that I would much rather deal with the smaller size of the Spuds. Having heard neither, I can't speak to the quality of bass from both units. I'm sure they are similar. Have you heard a DTS20 for comparison and how big is your room again?

Kevin,

We should probably be discussing this on the SPUD Thread but I'm sure Brian doesn't mind.:).

Yes I am using the 15hz HP on the SMS-1 and since I moved the horn exits to the corners I am getting amazing and very clean bass across all the low frequencies. The THSPUDS are outstanding for HT and music.

I would also be inclined to get the dual SPUDS :p;). I really like my front wall location but let me tell you, two under a riser is the prescription for an Acoustic Massage:eek:.

I have heard the DTS20 but only for one short demo. It sounded very good but the size was a bit much.

Kevin,

We should probably be discussing this on the SPUD Thread but I'm sure Brian doesn't mind.:).

Yes I am using the 15hz HP on the SMS-1 and since I moved the horn exits to the corners I am getting amazing and very clean bass across all the low frequencies. The THSPUDS are outstanding for HT and music.

I would also be inclined to get the dual SPUDS :p;). I really like my front wall location but let me tell you, two under a riser is the prescription for an Acoustic Massage:eek:.

I have heard the DTS20 but only for one short demo. It sounded very good but the size was a bit much.

Absolutely right RMK. Doh! Completely spaced in which thread I was in. Apologies Brian :) Well the Spuds are first on my list. Thought I would have had my house sold and into a new one. We listed about 2 weeks before the economy really took a dive. Grrrr! Anywhoo, hopefully it won't be long before I can set up the full HT again, purchase the Spuds and start enjoying my Trip8s. Miss it terribly!

Okay, I believe I'm going to take the SH-95s to fugueness's place on Sunday for a comparison to the Catalysts. It should be fun! :) If anyone is interested in hearing these amazing speakers, please PM me for details.

I don't mind the thread jack, as long as we are discussing Danley speakers! ;)

Btw, I have heard both the DTS-20 and the SPUDs. I would say that they are more similiar than different (as long as you are not sitting on the SPUD). Both have excellent sound quality. So get whatever fits your room better. If you use the SPUD as a platform be prepared for an uber buttkicker experience. Some like this effect and others don't. Danley has updated their website to include information on the SPUD. Click on the Tapped Horn comparison chart link to see the numbers:
http://www.danleysoundlabs.com/tapped_horn_comparisons.asp

I don't think I'm much interested in the tactile Spud experience. I will have a 2nd row of seating but it will be a traditional riser. There will be some experimentation but I imagine they'll end up somewhere in the front. I also have an SMS to tweak the response. Hope I get to hear a full Danley HT spread some day!

InPhase;15984685]If you use the SPUD as a platform be prepared for an uber buttkicker experience. Some like this effect and others don't.

I don't think I'm much interested in the tactile Spud experience. I will have a 2nd row of seating but it will be a traditional riser. There will be some experimentation but I imagine they'll end up somewhere in the front. I also have an SMS to tweak the response. Hope I get to hear a full Danley HT spread some day!

To be fair, when I had the big bean bag chair on top of the SPUD I was running it level matched with other speakers. It would be very easy to back off the LFE a tick or two and still have very impactful bass. At lower SPL’s, this might be a very good thing. As happy as I am with their current front wall location, I intend to give this riser/platform concept another go but with the HT chairs on carpet on top of the dual SPUD’s.

I'll be interested to hear how that works out RMK :)

Okay, I believe I'm going to take the SH-95s to fugueness's place on Sunday for a comparison to the Catalysts. It should be fun! :) If anyone is interested in hearing these amazing speakers, please PM me for details.

I am more than a little anxious to hear this comparison. Hopefully we will get several takes on this here and in Peter's Catalyst Thread.

Wish I could have been there:(.

http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr77/lightscapephoto/danleysh95b.jpg

http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr77/lightscapephoto/danleysh95a.jpg

Is it me or do the Danley speakers look nice, I love that look of horn with compression driver.

So, how did they compare?

Come on guys. Audio memory is notoriously poor and it’s been over 24 hours. Not looking for a full blown review, just some subjectives would be fine. :)

I have been very busy so I haven't been able to post my impressions. I want to thank fugueness for opening his home up to fellow AVSers and letting others come listen to speakers that we otherwise might never get to hear.

First off: the nice pictures that fugueness took really make the SH-95s look bigger (or conversely make the Catalysts look smaller) than they are. The Catalysts are more than twice the size of the SH-95s. Remember when you look at these photos, that the SH-95s are several inches in front of the Catalysts. Those photos look like an optical illusion to me. :)

The Catalysts are fantastic speakers. The have all the output one should need in any domestic theater. They are huge and they sound huge. In his book Sound Reproduction, Floyd Toole discusses the generally positive impressions of listeners to a large Apparent Source Width (ASW). Not absorbing the first reflection points and hitting the walls with sound that is a good approximation of the on-axis response allows this to happen. Since the Catalysts apparently have great off-axis behavior they present a BIG sound. For music they are just like sitting in front of a full orchestra. The detail was as good as I have heard. They have the power to frighten you with their dynamics and never sounding strained in the process. We were listening above the level that I would usually consider comfortable for most of my movie watching and the Catalysts were just coasting along. The Catalysts can comfortably be crossed-over in the 50-60Hz range (probably lower in a smaller room) to provide more impact in the midbass. We did try crossing them over at 100Hz to match the Danleys, and it did seem to clean up the midbass a little. I'm sure this is all setup and room related though.

The SH-95s I have already described in an earlier post and frankly my impression of this speaker has only gone up after hearing them head to head with the Catalyst. What surprised me the most was how similar they sounded, dynamics and all. During our movie demos, I was able to distinguish dialog a bit better when there was a lot going on on the screen with the SH-95s. I believe that the dispersion pattern of the SH-95 accounts for this (I.E. keeping sound off of the walls). The image size was not as big as the Catalysts but IMO the SH-95s might have been slightly more focused (clear) in the sweet spot. If we were sitting farther from the SH-95s (which would allow some more room interaction) I think they would sound more similar here. As was to be expected the Catalyst pulls away from the SH-95 in the lower midbass at loud volumes. Please note that Danley says that the SH-95s could stand some slight EQ here and we did not add any. I also want to point out that the Danleys were out in to the room and the Catalysts were mostly near the wall. The midbass may be lifted more than enough by a either baffle mounting the SH-95s or just getting them near a wall. In my theater, I have the left and right SH-95 fairly close to the side walls and do not notice any midbass missing.

If you are considering either of the speakers, you had better have a sub or subs that can keep up. These speakers are capable of far more clean output than most are used to. The catalysts can help out your sub by providing lots more energy down low. The Danleys are more "monitor" like and will require a sub that can play very cleanly and very loudly to at least around 90-100Hz.

Is it me or do the Danley speakers look nice, I love that look of horn with compression driver.

I agree with this. I think they look very interesting and not at all like a "normal" speaker. I had some friends over this past weekend and was asked, "What are those?" I just grined and said, "Have a seat here and let me show you". I put on some music and they were amazed.

Hi Brian,

I appreciate your taking the time to give your impressions. I’m looking forward to Peter’s as well which I assume will be in the Catalysts (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1094517) Thread ...

Many thanks to Inphase for bringing by the SH-95's. The SH-95 is a serious contender, packing dynamics, clarity, and narrow dispersion (effectively taking most rooms out of the equation) into a relatively small, versatile, portable box. Treble clarity and voice separation were fantastic, although acoustics instruments (guitar, violin, piano) sounded overly bright with unnatural decay, not unlike other horns I've owned and heard. Perhaps some EQ could help smooth it out. Voices and dialogue were excellent. However, male voices in particular benefited from the extra midbass range on the Catalysts and sounded more natural on them.

The SH-95 sound stage was no match for the Catalysts' enveloping "wall of sound", partly by design and partly due to size and power (3x). My surrounds are set 2-3dB hot compared to the Catalyst mains just so they can be audible and create a palpable surround field. With the SH-95's in place, the surrounds were overwhelming, calling a bit too much attention to themselves. The Catalysts also rendered a smoother response across the listening area (not to mention off-axis), likely a result of the coaxial design working in concert with the DSP, which mitigates any smearing in time over the frequency range (phase shift) compared to a passive speaker; or, as Inphase observes, the large ASW. The dispersion on the Catalysts is controlled, but not narrow.

With DSP, EQ, and proper placement (it wasn't ideal in this situation), I'm sure the SH-95's could sound even better. The Catalysts could also benefit from some EQ and placement tweaks (when are you dropping by, Mark? :p)

For now, the Catalysts remain for me the smoothest, most refined implementation of "pro audio for HT". They were roughly 8dB more efficient than the SH-95's.

It wasn't really a fair fight, but the SH-95's held their own. Bring on the SH-50's! Or a SH-50/95 designed specifically for HT! :D

Please clarify, wherein this 8dB efficiency is, I assume you are talking about below 100Hz as physics dictates a front loaded design such as the Catalyst with a high mid coaxial driver not having the benefit of a horn cannot have 8dB of sensitivity over a design that is entirely horn loaded.

Mike, that's based solely on the levels in the pre/pro, which may have been skewed by the amps and their configuration: Crown/passive vs ICE/active?

Sorry i missed this demo due to a family gathering.

I will be in on the next one for sure, Peter..

For now, the Catalysts remain for me the smoothest, most refined implementation of "pro audio for HT". They were roughly 8dB more efficient than the SH-95's.:D

Please clarify, wherein this 8dB efficiency is, I assume you are talking about below 100Hz as physics dictates a front loaded design such as the Catalyst with a high mid coaxial driver not having the benefit of a horn cannot have 8dB of sensitivity over a design that is entirely horn loaded.

Thanks,

Mike

Mike, that's based solely on the levels in the pre/pro, which may have been skewed by the amps and their configuration: Crown/passive vs ICE/active?

Correct Fugueness,

You were not observing an efficiency difference, but more so the difference in input sensitivity of the amplifiers. The Crown amplifier used probably has much lower sensitivity as it is intended to accept higher input signals. One being passive and one being active makes direct comparison impossible in delivered form. Sounds like it was a fun time. :cool:

The SH100B would definitely be a better comparison to the Catalyst. (Wider dispersion and lots o' bass) I have the SH95s because they work better (even better than I had hoped actually) in my narrow theater and because I'm not a big believer in using my mains for bass. I believe mulitple subs is the best solution for getting an even response throughout the seating area in a small room.

I am eagerly awaiting information on new Danley products. :)

This is such a great thread!

Mark Seaton AND Danley in the same thread.

Many thanks to Inphase for bringing by the SH-95's. The SH-95 is a serious contender, packing dynamics, clarity, and narrow dispersion (effectively taking most rooms out of the equation) into a relatively small, versatile, portable box. Treble clarity and voice separation were fantastic, although acoustics instruments (guitar, violin, piano) sounded overly bright with unnatural decay, not unlike other horns I've owned and heard. Perhaps some EQ could help smooth it out. Voices and dialogue were excellent. However, male voices in particular benefited from the extra midbass range on the Catalysts and sounded more natural on them.

The SH-95 sound stage was no match for the Catalysts' enveloping "wall of sound", partly by design and partly due to size and power (3x). My surrounds are set 2-3dB hot compared to the Catalyst mains just so they can be audible and create a palpable surround field. With the SH-95's in place, the surrounds were overwhelming, calling a bit too much attention to themselves. The Catalysts also rendered a smoother response across the listening area (not to mention off-axis), likely a result of the coaxial design working in concert with the DSP, which mitigates any smearing in time over the frequency range (phase shift) compared to a passive speaker; or, as Inphase observes, the large ASW. The dispersion on the Catalysts is controlled, but not narrow.

With DSP, EQ, and proper placement (it wasn't ideal in this situation), I'm sure the SH-95's could sound even better. The Catalysts could also benefit from some EQ and placement tweaks (when are you dropping by, Mark? :p)

For now, the Catalysts remain for me the smoothest, most refined implementation of "pro audio for HT". They were roughly 8dB more efficient than the SH-95's.

It wasn't really a fair fight, but the SH-95's held their own. Bring on the SH-50's! Or a SH-50/95 designed specifically for HT! :D

Thank you for your impressions Peter. It must be nice to be in the position of owning perhaps the best HT speakers available today. I'm still enjoying the JTR's and it will take a great speaker to displace them. Perhaps it's a good thing (from a financial perspective) that I didn't attend your demo;).

Sounds like they have Tom burning the midnight oil designing some new HT speakers at Danley. That can only be good news for those of us that have been through the Audiophile speaker brands only to discover their deficiencies re HT.

Hi

I have been out of town until this morning so I am catching up, but have a couple thoughts.
Fugeness wrote;
“Treble clarity and voice separation were fantastic, although acoustics instruments (guitar, violin, piano) sounded overly bright with unnatural decay, not unlike other horns I've owned and heard. Perhaps some EQ could help smooth it out. Voices and dialogue were excellent.”

Umm, perhaps your not aware that “home’ speakers generally have the hf response rolled off , they are not “flat” up high because they will subjectively sound too bright.
Conversely, for speakers voiced for quality sound in commercial use, the hf response tends to be more “flat” to account for the hf air absorption which effects speakers when listened to at a greater distance than in the home.
In any case, eq can be used to give the desired response shape for whatever distance they are used at.

So far as “un-natural decay” this is subjective, rather, not related to the sound emerging from the speaker, the SH-95 is very well behaved in “time” and so can re-produce a square wave over a significant bandwidth, a time problem large enough to “hear” as a decay issue would stick out like a giant sore thumb in the phase or impulse response.
You do have the honor of being the person to say they hear horn sound from them, normally people are struck with “they don’t sound like anything”.

“With the SH-95's in place, the surrounds were overwhelming, calling a bit too much attention to themselves.”

Normally one would adjust the level such that the surrounds aren’t audible as a separate source. For example at Keith Yates outdoor cinema event’s, he has used 6 of the SH-100 as surround speakers (which use a B&C coax like in the Catalyst but has additional horn loading and more pattern control) and when adjusted properly, are not audible as a separate source. I realize it is time consuming to set a system up optimally, perhaps beyond what is possible in an informal GTG.

“The Catalysts also rendered a smoother response across the listening area (not to mention off-axis), likely a result of the coaxial design working in concert with the DSP, which mitigates any smearing in time over the frequency range (phase shift) compared to a passive speaker; or, as Inphase observes, the large ASW. The dispersion on the Catalysts is controlled, but not narrow.”

I would like to see measurements of such a claim, the SH-95 does not have an issue with time smear, in fact unlike probably 99% of commercial hifi speakers, these preserve (re-produce as sound) the input signal waveshape, like a square wave, something not possible “IF” there were any significant “smear”.
Also, the radiation pattern in a full spherical pattern has been independently measured / documented. DSP can fix something’s and not others in spite of popular loudspeaker lore. I am familiar with the drivers, the DSP and amplifiers involved and we use the same companies amplifiers and DSP in some of our self powered boxes. fwiw.


“They were roughly 8dB more efficient than the SH-95's.”

This might be too technical an explanation, but you are trying to compare a passive loudspeaker’s sensitivity to another’s amplifier input sensitivity.
Like comparing cheese and chalk, they may sound similar but the taste and underlying intention is different.

“It wasn't really a fair fight, but the SH-95's held their own. Bring on the SH-50's!”

I think using them properly and understanding the intended use and physical size in mind would be a pre-requisite for a “fair” comparison.
In addition to not having a low bass response, keep in mind also the SH-95 can also produce a higher sound level than the B&C coax driver, even when in an additional horn like the SH-100, SH-100B.
The SH-50, is much more powerful than the SH-95 and if one wanted to “go nuts” with headroom, the SH-96 is “enough” for the front speakers for a large Imax theater etc.

Keep in mind, what you need to produce high quality sound at given level at 10 feet, is rather different than what you need to produce it at 100 feet, for a large number of people or in a reverberant room. You can use our stuff in the home and benefit from the “one driver source behavior” and time correct operation, headroom and pattern control, but you have use them the right way to get the most out of them.
Yes our focus is largely on commercial sound but that is in part due to the MUCH greater difficulty producing excellent sound in large spaces, that makes what our boxes do more valuable and more audibly obvious when compared side by side.
It will be interesting to see what the public reaction is to the braves stadium, the first of several hifi sports arena’s, all they need are some TH-221 “Cinemonster” subs (a tad too large for home use, 2X 21 inch drivers in a large tapped horn), one works well in 2500 seat room with headroom to spare.

I didn’t see who has the SH-95’s now but here is something you can try if you want;
For example, the SH-95 can be placed with the angled side against the wall toed in (or floor / ceiling) which results in a large increase in low end and because of the horn pattern, this location produces essentially no reflections from the wall (as if the wall had been treated with lots of absorption), this is not something which can be done with a normal speaker and in a narrower room, can provide a starting improvement in stereo image (due to suppression of side wall reflections).
If you want to compare to one of our speakers that has woofers in it, try an SH-100B, if you only need response to 70-80Hz, try the SH-100 they have a wide consistent pattern as well. I have heard a 200 seat Theater / playback room which used these for L,C, R and it was stunning.
For a very powerful / larger home theater system, the SH-50 is unbeatable, tied to a pair of TH-50 subs (4 TH-50’s do an Imax theater) and sufficient power, they can’t be “run out of gas” in a living room or even change their character.
Best,
Tom

The most fair comparison if you want apples to apples would be a comparison between the Catalysts and an Active Danley product (SH-95 isn't available biamped yet). The SH-50 and SH-100B are both available active. Also, the comparison would be equally fair since both Danley and Seaton use the same amplifier (great minds think alike).

My experience in comparing fully active speakers to their passive versions side by side is that the advantages of going fully active are NOT subtle.

, all they need are some TH-221 “Cinemonster” subs (a tad too large for home use, 2X 21 inch drivers in a large tapped horn), one works well in 2500 seat room with headroom to spare.


Uh...have you SEEN some of the people around here? I have guys inquiring about using SH-96's in their 15" x 21" room. Never underestimate the insanity level of the home theater enthusiast. Oh...and when will they be available? :D

The most fair comparison if you want apples to apples would be a comparison between the Catalysts and an Active Danley product (SH-95 isn't available biamped yet). The SH-50 and SH-100B are both available active. Also, the comparison would be equally fair since both Danley and Seaton use the same amplifier (great minds think alike).

My experience in comparing fully active speakers to their passive versions side by side is that the advantages of going fully active are NOT subtle.

You can get the SH95 active. But that will still not increase the low freq response. It could be done, but that would rob the cabinet of headroom and the SH95 is still intended as a fill-not as a full range cabinet.

For example there are 331 of the SH95's that were just installed in the Atlanta Braves Fulton County Stadium. They are used for throws up to 80' or so. Not something you would do with a normal HT loudspeaker:eek:

Uh...have you SEEN some of the people around here? I have guys inquiring about using SH-96's in their 15" x 21" room. Never underestimate the insanity level of the home theater enthusiast. Oh...and when will they be available? :D

A SH96 will not fit in a room that is smaller than the cabinet size HA-HA 15"x21";)

They are available right now. For a little bit less money (and a smaller size) you can get the SH64 which still contains 4 15" drivers-4 mids and a 1.4" exit high freq horn.

It has a higher sensitivity and the same power handling as the SH96, just a narrower pattern and almost the same driver compliment-just 2 less mids.

But how many people need to produce 137dB+?:D

For HT and music playback, a SH50 would be a better choice since it has a bit smoother HF response.

I didn’t see who has the SH-95’s now but here is something you can try if you want;
For example, the SH-95 can be placed with the angled side against the wall toed in (or floor / ceiling) which results in a large increase in low end and because of the horn pattern, this location produces essentially no reflections from the wall (as if the wall had been treated with lots of absorption), this is not something which can be done with a normal speaker and in a narrower room, can provide a starting improvement in stereo image (due to suppression of side wall reflections).


Thanks for chimming in Tom! This is exactly what I have done with the SH-95s in my narrow (14') theater and they sound fantastic. I have been living the SH-95s for about a week now and have re-discovered my music collection. These speakers are a lot of fun. Serious hi-fidelity at concert levels. :D Any hints as to what is in the pipe-line for us home theater nuts?

Ivan knows this as he got a nice sun burn tuning the system this week but Fulton County Stadium is now a parking lot for Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves and now a ton of Danley Sound Labs products. Actually close to 20 tons of cabinets to be exact!

Mike Hedden
Danley Sound Labs, Inc.

Soundood said;

“Uh...have you SEEN some of the people around here? I have guys inquiring about using SH-96's in their 15" x 21" room. Never underestimate the insanity level of the home theater enthusiast. Oh...and when will they be available? ”

Well, you might be right on that although I have not heard a cinemonster in a “normal” sized room.
They would go through most home doorways at 28 inches deep but the 60 by 60 inch dimensions would be imposing, especially if one used a pair.
The “up side” is they come on a dolly tray and while approaching 400 pounds, they aren’t that bad to move. Given what I heard in the larger room (2500 seats), it ought to be able to reach or exceed the Mark Seaton criteria for overkill in a livingroom.

“My experience in comparing fully active speakers to their passive versions side by side is that the advantages of going fully active are NOT subtle.”

Normally this is very true. In the synergy horns, the physical spacing of the drivers takes the place of electronic time delays and the result is the phase shift normally associated with crossovers is eliminated.
While the powered and self powered versions of our speakers sound slightly different from each other, it is not a case of one sounding better than the other, just a little bit different.

Inphase said;

“I have been living the SH-95s for about a week now and have re-discovered my music collection. These speakers are a lot of fun. Serious hi-fidelity at concert levels. Any hints as to what is in the pipe-line for us home theater nuts?”

The same thing happened to me when I got the Synergy horns dialed in, I went back through many old albums and CD’s finding things I never heard before.
Home theater nuts eh????
Well, scaling down what we make is the main challenge although for those who don’t mind the physical size, the larger stuff’s high efficiency does breath new life into old amplifiers. There are new things in the works but it’s too early to say much.
Best,
Tom

Well, you might be right on that although I have not heard a cinemonster in a “normal” sized room.
They would go through most home doorways at 28 inches deep but the 60 by 60 inch dimensions would be imposing, especially if one used a pair.
The “up side” is they come on a dolly tray and while approaching 400 pounds, they aren’t that bad to move. Given what I heard in the larger room (2500 seats), it ought to be able to reach or exceed the Mark Seaton criteria for overkill in a livingroom.

Hmmmm.
I have 6' on either side of my screen and the depth isn't a problem.
Hmmmm.

YIKES!!!!
Mr. DOOD, that would truly be more capacity than you and possibly your building could ever hope to use.
Keep in mind, these each have a pair of 21 inch drivers with six inch voice coils, to reach rated power with say normal pink noise, you need a 12KW amplifier for each box (about +40 dB over 1W, 46 dB peak over 1W level ) and the tentative 1W sensitivity (pending more extensive outdoor testing) is in the mid 100’s, not mid 90’s or less like normal size subwoofers.
High sensitivity and high power capacity means it is still loafing in your shop as loud as you could stand it.

Let me know if you do that though, I think I would like to experience it, it would be the most powerful low end in any cinema I know of and who knows, might be truly fun.
I had a contrabass in my system, in my old very small small living room “a long long time ago”.
Star wars had just come out on laser disk and I played it for some friends from work (intersonics / servodrive).
I had it fairly loud and when the speeder crashed into the redwood tree, the contra worked hard and the combination of room gain and the output was sufficient to freak my friend Nehru out, at the crash, he jumped to his feet and ran out of the room in fear.

He sheepishly came right back and we all had a good laugh, he explained he felt like the room had explosive decompression, like he had experienced in pilot training.
Since then, I have felt if you can make someone inexperienced, get up and run, one has reached an important “flight or fight threshold” in home theater.
I am pretty sure you would be well past “there” with headroom left, with a pair of these boxes and enough Watts.
In any case, you can test your headroom with the fire works recording haha.
Seriously, if you try this, let me know.
Tom

Keep in mind, these each have a pair of 21 inch drivers with six inch voice coils,

:eek:

“My experience in comparing fully active speakers to their passive versions side by side is that the advantages of going fully active are NOT subtle.”

Normally this is very true. In the synergy horns, the physical spacing of the drivers takes the place of electronic time delays and the result is the phase shift normally associated with crossovers is eliminated.
While the powered and self powered versions of our speakers sound slightly different from each other, it is not a case of one sounding better than the other, just a little bit different.

Tom,
Can you explain more about what you mean with regard to the difference in sound of the active vs. passive synergy horns? Thanks.

Inphase asks;
“Can you explain more about what you mean with regard to the difference in sound of the active vs. passive synergy horns? Thanks.”

Well to make sense of it, one must start with a basic issue with multiple sources of sound.
With two subwoofers, when you place them at a spacing which is less than one quarter wavelength, then they each “feel” the radiation of the other and the radiation efficiency is increased 3dB (a factor of two). The result when you have coherent addition like this is a system which can be 6 dB louder as with two you also have increased the power handling by two or 3dB.
Also and actually more important than efficiency is that this close, a quarter wavelength or less, the radiation pattern is a circle, omni directional, that is to say the criteria for a point source.
If one increases the spacing to a half wavelength, then one finds a figure eight radiation pattern, a wavelength spacing produces a four leaf clover shape and so on.
The farther away the sources are (in wavelengths) the more lobes the radiation pattern has. All this maters when you have a multi-way loudspeaker, in the crossover region, you have at least two drivers producing sound in the same frequency range.

With most loudspeakers, the drivers are so far apart that one has a choice of say a Butterworth, Bessel, Linkwitz and more at 6,12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and even 95db per octave.
Perhaps the most powerful part of the DSP approach is that one can assign time delay and one can assign many EQ points if desired, each of which costs 2 or 3 parts if done passively.

What is the point of the synergy horn approach?
The Crux of it is that in the interest of producing higher than normal sound levels, one is stuck with a multi-way system, which may have multiple drivers in each range.
The solution is to combine the outputs of multiple drivers in an acoustic size which produces the same coherent addition as above. This addition produces a “point source”, which in this case is bounded by the horn walls and so drives the horn as if it were radiation from one source.
If you close your eyes and slowly walk up to th eSH-95’s and touch your nose to the grill, you will not hear separate sources, only one, try it : )
Anyway, this is how you can make a pile of drivers “act like” they were one source driving a single horn, with no lobes even at crossover. For most of our horns, one wouldn’t know they had more than one driver based on the phase response.

Part B of the problem is Time;
It has been my goal to make speakers that were as accurate in time as possible and most of the Synergy horns can re-produce a square wave over some significant frequency range. While few listen to square waves for fun, they make an excellent test signal as they require a speaker which preserves time pretty well over a bandwidth well below to well above the square frequency. That is to say a demonstration of what goes in as an electrical wave shape, comes out as an acoustic wave shape.

With the outputs of all the drivers intimately coupled in the horn body, one must get the phases right or you see huge deep cancellation notches.
Also, each frequency range has a given magnitude and phase response and is located in space “front to back” which is also partly effected by the horn acoustics.
Filters have delay too, the low pass energy emerges after the high pass, to correct this the horn is arranged with the lf drivers forward of the higher drivers. On your SH-95’s note the side ports where the lf energy enters the horn forward of the hf driver in the center.
The bottom line is the crossovers we use have no names, often have changing slope rates and are not intuitive. The key is to find the filter that is “right” given the upper and lower section’s magnitude and phase response and the target magnitude and phase..

Also, since a horn driver may behave better driven from a source impedance similar to its own, in some cases, the passive filters have an advantage here.
The bottom line is, due to the forced coherent addition of the drivers outputs, the range of alignments which will work in the Synergy horns are limited just as when you go passive. In each case, I “Sheppard” a computer program with detailed driver measurements (speaker measured on a tower outdoors) along with some basic starting assumptions.
In each case the transfer functions are usually similar given the narrow range of possible solutions.
The boxes I have heard side by side, sounded very similar side by side, but not exactly the same on some music, It was not like one sounded obviously better.

Personally, since so much work goes into the passive xover and the design is strongly based on the needed geometry to “fix time”, I would go passive, use the higher sensitivity the horns have, this might breath new life into older but good amplifiers.
Hope this helps, probably too long.
Best,
Tom Danley

Hi Soundood

They have taken some measurements of two new large subwoofers we have made at the shop in Atlanta, one of which is the Cinemonster mentioned earlier. While not on the web site yet, Ivan had posted the curves in a thread at Pro-sound web.

These were measured at 10 meters distance (-20dB RE: 1 meter) and at 28.3V (+20dB RE: 2.83V) in the open lot.
This gives a more accurate and conservative reading compared to measuring a large subwoofer up close at 1 meter.

The TH 812 “Rockmonster” is a nominal 4 ohm load so subtract 3dB to get the 1 Watt @1meter sensitivity or about 107dB 1W@1M (remember some much smaller home subwoofers are 1/100 as efficient at 87dB 1W1M). This box has an RMS power rating of 5600 Watts (say 10X more than many subwoofers) thus is about 1000 times or more, more powerful than many home subwoofers.

The TH 221 “Cinemonster” has a 2 ohm minimum impedance and it would be a nominal 3 Ohm load so one would subtract a bit more, -4.2dB to get to 1W 1M efficiency or about 104 – 105dB 1W@1M. This cabinet has a 3000 Watt (+34.7dB over 1W) rms power rating. When I heard this one the first time, I was struck that I had never heard so much deep low end come out of one cabinet, it was like a pile of Servodrive BT-7 subwoofers.

Keep in mind, to reach the rated RMS level with pink noise (as is normally done), one has a 6 dB (4:1) peak to average ratio, thus driving a speaker to 100W rms, requires an amplifier than can put out 4X more or 400W in peaks.
I mention that because for the Cinemonster’s response curve, it’s level at 20Hz is about 103dB so at one meter, it would have been producing 123dB with peaks of 129dB AT 20Hz.
It appears that one Cinemonster is able to replace at least 2, maybe even 4X of the TH-50’s in movie theater duty.
Anyway, if you were thinking of putting them in a living room, this will give you some idea of what to expect. Like I said, if you do it, I’d like to experience it so let me know.
Here is a link to Ivan’s measurement thread (page3)

http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/0/43300/32/0/#msg_43300

Best,
Tom Danley

WOW!

The 221 "half-cut" barely fit through my doors (doors are 31" width). 30x60x28 is big, but one could always hide it in the storeroom and roll it out for some fun. I have a custom trolley made for my TH-112 this way, WAF is good. My room is only about 14x9ft.... :D

But Tom, are the 21" woofers going to be past Xmax @ 20Hz then with 3kW RMS / 6kW program?

WOW!

The 221 "half-cut" barely fit through my doors (doors are 31" width). 30x60x28 is big, but one could always hide it in the storeroom and roll it out for some fun. I have a custom trolley made for my TH-112 this way, WAF is good. My room is only about 14x9ft.... :D

But Tom, are the 21" woofers going to be past Xmax @ 20Hz then with 3kW RMS / 6kW program?

You can always push it in using the 28" width:D

The idea was to make some super subs that could fit through a normal doorway with ease.

You can always push it in using the 28" width:D

The idea was to make some super subs that could fit through a normal doorway with ease.

Yeah I thought so too. Anyway one can always fire the sub through the doorway (and hope the position there is good LOL!).
Ivan I need your expertise. For the TH-221 @ 20Hz its ~ 2 ohms.
The sensitivity from what I see is 103dB SPL on the graph. The 2 B&Cs are 1500W RMS and 3000W program each, so its 3000W RMS 6000W program total.
Do we say that assuming Xmax is not exceeded, in groudplane its 103dB + 35dB (3000W) = ~ 138dB, and 141dB program.
Or is it 2 ohms, so from 8 ohms we minus 3dB and minus 3dB so its 132dB and 135dB program. Assume no power compression of coz.

Of course I do realise that the main use of it is above 25Hz, where you actually have something now that LOUD to be in the bassmaxx league. :cool: In-room with room gain its gonna be smashing, literally, with the hugely dynamic stuff where we can really test it out and not hurt our ears much if we are careful.

Mike, is it ok if you list out the MSRP here for the 2 monsters (to just give us an idea) or do we have to email if privacy is preferred. :)
Eg, we know that the TH-50 passive is ~ 3k....so the TH-221 definitely shd be less than 12k. LOL!

Hi Soundood

They have taken some measurements of two new large subwoofers we have made at the shop in Atlanta, one of which is the Cinemonster mentioned earlier. While not on the web site yet, Ivan had posted the curves in a thread at Pro-sound web.

These were measured at 10 meters distance (-20dB RE: 1 meter) and at 28.3V (+20dB RE: 2.83V) in the open lot.
This gives a more accurate and conservative reading compared to measuring a large subwoofer up close at 1 meter.

The TH 812 “Rockmonster” is a nominal 4 ohm load so subtract 3dB to get the 1 Watt @1meter sensitivity or about 107dB 1W@1M (remember some much smaller home subwoofers are 1/100 as efficient at 87dB 1W1M). This box has an RMS power rating of 5600 Watts (say 10X more than many subwoofers) thus is about 1000 times or more, more powerful than many home subwoofers.

The TH 221 “Cinemonster” has a 2 ohm minimum impedance and it would be a nominal 3 Ohm load so one would subtract a bit more, -4.2dB to get to 1W 1M efficiency or about 104 – 105dB 1W@1M. This cabinet has a 3000 Watt (+34.7dB over 1W) rms power rating. When I heard this one the first time, I was struck that I had never heard so much deep low end come out of one cabinet, it was like a pile of Servodrive BT-7 subwoofers.

Keep in mind, to reach the rated RMS level with pink noise (as is normally done), one has a 6 dB (4:1) peak to average ratio, thus driving a speaker to 100W rms, requires an amplifier than can put out 4X more or 400W in peaks.
I mention that because for the Cinemonster’s response curve, it’s level at 20Hz is about 103dB so at one meter, it would have been producing 123dB with peaks of 129dB AT 20Hz.
It appears that one Cinemonster is able to replace at least 2, maybe even 4X of the TH-50’s in movie theater duty.
Anyway, if you were thinking of putting them in a living room, this will give you some idea of what to expect. Like I said, if you do it, I’d like to experience it so let me know.
Here is a link to Ivan’s measurement thread (page3)

http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/0/43300/32/0/#msg_43300

Best,
Tom Danley


Oooh...goody! I'll call tomorrow and get pricing on these tasty beasts!
Currently running amps that will do 3KW/ch into 2 ohms on 30 amp dedicated lines, so I'm set for power. I'll have to reconfigure the front screen wall to move it out about 2 inches, but one must sacrifice for their insanity.

Currently running amps that will do 3KW/ch into 2 ohms on 30 amp dedicated lines, so I'm set for power. I'll have to reconfigure the front screen wall to move it out about 2 inches, but one must sacrifice for their insanity.

Regretfully we don't have any dealer like you here in Singapore. :mad: :D

Yeah I thought so too. Anyway one can always fire the sub through the doorway (and hope the position there is good LOL!).
Ivan I need your expertise. For the TH-221 @ 20Hz its ~ 2 ohms.
The sensitivity from what I see is 103dB SPL on the graph. The 2 B&Cs are 1500W RMS and 3000W program each, so its 3000W RMS 6000W program total.
Do we say that assuming Xmax is not exceeded, in groudplane its 103dB + 35dB (3000W) = ~ 138dB, and 141dB program.
Or is it 2 ohms, so from 8 ohms we minus 3dB and minus 3dB so its 132dB and 135dB program. Assume no power compression of coz.

Of course I do realise that the main use of it is above 25Hz, where you actually have something now that LOUD to be in the bassmaxx league. :cool: In-room with room gain its gonna be smashing, literally, with the hugely dynamic stuff where we can really test it out and not hurt our ears much if we are careful.

Mike, is it ok if you list out the MSRP here for the 2 monsters (to just give us an idea) or do we have to email if privacy is preferred. :)
Eg, we know that the TH-50 passive is ~ 3k....so the TH-221 definitely shd be less than 12k. LOL!

You can run the TH221 in one of 4 different modes. A single 2 ohm load- a single 8 ohm load or 2 4ohm loads-which will probably be the way most people run it-to get the most out of their amps.

You are correct about it being 2 ohms so the effective output @20hz is less because there is 29dB of "gain" in the power handling-not 35.

When attempting to compare to Bassmaxx you need to consider that their "trip" cabinet is 2.7 ohms-which is where the specs are also. So you can't "take away" the impedance difference to compare.

On the only response graph I can find of the Trip-it is of 3 cabinets. A single cabinet does not go as low. I have no idea of what the drive voltage was to produce that SPL-it does not say.

The Tapped Horn will produce the low freq spec with a SINGLE cabinet! not multiples.

I would put it a different way and say that the trip is not in the league of the TH221-especially considering the low freq capability.

Hi inPhase

What are your impression of the SH-95 vs SH100?(if you've heard them both)
The picture makes the SH-95 appear incredibly small

Also, do you know which drivers are in the SH-95. Particularly the 8in drivers

-Ben

Would really like to hear more on Danley speakers. There is not alot of info out there about Danley speakers regarding home theater use.


Any more impressions from Danley owners, maybe some in home pics?


Iam patiantlly waiting for Danley to release speakers that are made specifically for home theater use. The little bit that I have read in some posts indicates the mad scientist is hard at work trying to bring such offerings to the public

I just did some calculations and drew up a schematic of the theater room I'm planning, and I'd get just the right amount of coverage from the SH 64s, if I toe the L and R in 15 degrees. I was thinking about using the SH 96 for the front LCR, but if I can save a few bucks and still get the goods, I'm all for it:D

By the way, I don't think I enjoy reading posts from anyone, as much as I enjoy reading what Tom Danley and Mark Seaton have to impart. Always mind opening, even if I don't quite understand their genius with as much immediacy as I'd like. I appreciate what they have to offer to us all, and I'm very grateful for their presence here on AVS. Hopefully I'll have the chance to meet both of you one day, before or after I purchase some of your products.

Also, the comparison would be equally fair since both Danley and Seaton use the same amplifier (great minds think alike).


Didnt Mark actually work for Danley at one time?

I think Tom, Mark, and Jeff(JTR) all worked at servodrive together or something like that.

http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr77/lightscapephoto/danleysh95b.jpg

Why did you guys set up the center channel of the Danley system to have narrower horizontal than vertical dispersion? That doesn't make sense. If one's going to use speakers of that caliber, one may as well use them properly and set up all three front speakers identically.

I'd do the same for the Catalysts if I owned them, but it's of an issue for them because the coax has symmetrical directivity. There are still differences in diffraction and such from the incorrect center channel placement, true, but there's just one problem rather than two as with the Danleys as set up.

I think Tom, Mark, and Jeff(JTR) all worked at servodrive together or something like that.

Correct, we all worked(slaved?) at ServoDrive and all finally got out from what one friend aptly described as "a financially suicidal owner." We left at different times and are all happier for it. There was some co-mingling of our pathways in the year or two after and I still help JTR with certain details and Jeff still gives me input on production and assembly/design aspects.

Correct, we all worked(slaved?) at ServoDrive and all finally got out from what one friend aptly described as "a financially suicidal owner." We left at different times and are all happier for it. There was some co-mingling of our pathways in the year or two after and I still help JTR with certain details and Jeff still gives me input on production and assembly/design aspects.

That is actually pretty cool. Now you guys are the top dogs in a lot of members eyes.

That is exactly why I consider Tom, Mark, and Jeff the best for subs. Servo drive had the best subs at the time, from what I have read. Oh, and they make speakers of course that can keep up with their subs. I have not even heard Mark's or Danley's products but you can just tell they will be fantastic.

Would really like to hear more on Danley speakers. There is not alot of info out there about Danley speakers regarding home theater use.


Any more impressions from Danley owners, maybe some in home pics?




While I haven't heard the Danley speaker lineup, I have heard 3 of their subwoofers. None of which disappoint. I had a GTG (subwoofers only) that Ivan came up for and they brought a van full, and mean full top to bottom front to back, of goodies. A CS30, a pair of spuds, and a TH50. The experience and knowledge that Ivan has just stunned me. I thought I knew a decent amount until this. I learned a lot that weekend and more than anything I learned that I needed and wanted to learn more. Here's some pics with some explanation of what I thought.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3455168239_93fff31681_o_d.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3455167531_956899cb08_o_d.jpg


Here's some of the equipment brought by Ivan and Ricci. Even the equipment used blew my mind. Stuff as little as a very nice and very expensive microphone. I just thought once it was calibrated at the factory no problems from there. Not the case. They bought two matching mics, one of which is taken with them, and the other that never leaves the office to keep fully calibrated. The stuff in the pix are a mix of nice amps, mixers, and measurement equipment.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/3455166813_65931154e8_o.jpg

The Spud. Large enclosure with only 2 - 8" drivers? No way it could push that hard right?? Wrong. Mid 120 dbs in my 4000+ cubic foot room. Not as clean as the others, but still very good sounding. Every bit as clean sounding as my huge DIY 18" sub but louder. Wouldn't get quite as low as my sub, but makes up for it in shear output.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/brandonnash/IMG00223.jpg

Sorry about the bad pic. The attendee with the nice camera left before we got to the big boys.

The TH50. A single 15" driver in a very large box. To give an idea of the size, that's a 55" old school CRT HDTV next to it. This thing was the show stopper. We didn't crank it to its limits and it still hit nearly 130 db in my room. We had to stop when stuff started falling off the walls. Extremely loud is the first thing you notice. Seemingly unlimited headroom. What you almost immediately notice next is the fact that it's also very very clean. It took the music and just made it sound like (on the bass end) that you were there with the artist. No distortions, no signs of weakening, and completely smooth. I've heard a lot of high end subwoofers including Wilson's, JL's, B&W's, and Revels are a few and this thing beat them all. This is the subwoofer that they use only 4 in an IMAX theater. This is a big subwoofer, but if you have the space and are looking for a good music/HT sub then this thing is a beast.

I've not heard any of the Speakers from Danley, but going from his subwoofers I'd say they're every bit as good. I want to hear the full arsenal from top to bottom that Danley has to offer someday. I'm sure I will be left feeling great and inadequate at the same time. Great that I heard such a good product, but inadequate compared to my home stuff.

Anyone that has an opportunity to listen to Danley products owes it to themselves to check it out. If you have the means to purchase be sure to go listening with your wallet close by. You'll need it because you won't leave empty handed.

Pah! You think the SH-50 is big. Try the TH-221 Cinemonster. Equivalent of 4 SH-50's in one enclosure. It is adequate.

I am familiar with the th 221. Louder, much better power handling, and a good bit more extension. I can't think of a single more beastly subwoofer cabinet.

I'm slowly being convinced in using a TH 221 or two in my future 4000^3 ft theater. Placement is my only concern. With limited placement options, I want to be sure I'll be getting the most out of this beast. With smaller boxes, optimal placement is easier to achieve. And by smaller, I'm not talking about little boxes, just ones smaller than this beast;) This monster makes the TH 50 look normal sized.

Soundood, can you post any pics of your Danley setup?

Pah! You think the SH-50 is big. Try the TH-221 Cinemonster. Equivalent of 4 SH-50's in one enclosure. It is adequate.

Did you get your TH-221 yet?

Would love a review or in room measurements :D

I'm slowly being convinced in using a TH 221 or two in my future 4000^3 ft theater. Placement is my only concern. With limited placement options, I want to be sure I'll be getting the most out of this beast. With smaller boxes, optimal placement is easier to achieve. And by smaller, I'm not talking about little boxes, just ones smaller than this beast;) This monster makes the TH 50 look normal sized.


Are you still talking about your HUGE room you've talked about building? My room is a little over 4000 cubic feet and a single TH50 was more than enough for my size room. The TH 221 would be overkill almost. 2 would just be insane!!! Are you still looking for 4 hz extension?

Does anyone know if there are any Danley dealers in or close to Nashville? I'd like to hear he SH-95's, but I don't think anyone around here has them.

Are you still talking about your HUGE room you've talked about building? My room is a little over 4000 cubic feet and a single TH50 was more than enough for my size room. The TH 221 would be overkill almost. 2 would just be insane!!! Are you still looking for 4 hz extension?


The big one has been put on hold. I will do it, but in a few years from now. No, this is for a 4000^3 ft room. I know you're going to say I'm nuts or something similar, but it would provide me with everything I want; low extension, unlimited headroom, low distortion, I'd expect great sound quality throughout the bass frequency range and most likely, a really big smile on my face and the many people that will experience it. And yes, I'm hoping to be able to deliver 4hz at reference:D

On a side note, after downloading some of Tom's recordings off the the Danley website, I'm interested in doing some of my own. That'll be the next project after I finish the theater.

"Does anyone know if there are any Danley dealers in or close to Nashville? I'd like to hear he SH-95's, but I don't think anyone around here has them."

You're not that far from Atlanta...well actually Gainesville. Come on down, I'll meet you there (I believe advance appointment is required).
I would love, love to visit DSL.

I may try and do that. I will talk with tom or Ivan and see if they have their room properly operating. I have a week off in October and I may be able to sneak away for a day. We'll see.

I am thinking about doing that very thing, you can go to prosoundweb and see pictures of their demo room. Those speaks are huge, can't wait to go and experience what they have to offer:D

I'm in Spring City, TN about 3 or 4 hours away... I'm wanting to make the trip too.. maybe they can do an open house for us

It will be interesting to see what the public reaction is to the braves stadium, the first of several hifi sports arena’s, all they need are some TH-221 “Cinemonster” subs (a tad too large for home use, 2X 21 inch drivers in a large tapped horn), one works well in 2500 seat room with headroom to spare.

Any chance of duplicating that feat at the Georgia Dome, but with the Cinemonsters?

Say, maybe before Redskins-Falcons on Nov. 8th? :)

Any chance of duplicating that feat at the Georgia Dome, but with the Cinemonsters?

Say, maybe before Redskins-Falcons on Nov. 8th? :)

Or by the ole miss- florida game in december?

Any chance of duplicating that feat at the Georgia Dome, but with the Cinemonsters?

Say, maybe before Redskins-Falcons on Nov. 8th? :)

If you know somebody in the organization with pursestrings...have them contact me. :D