SE WI Tower speaker GTG - Page 15

What he said.

I owned v5 Studio 100's for over 2 years and switched this summer to SongTower's with the RAAL tweeter. I didn't get to compare them side by side since the guy buying the Paradigms was a bit of a drive away and the only time he could make it up here was just days before the Salk's arrived. Still two years with the Studios was enough to know what my ears were used to in my room.
I wanted something smoother up top like the Be tweeter in the Sigs. It's not fair for me to say the RAAL sounds better then the Be tweeter on the Sigs cuz it would only be going off memory and I've only heard the Sigs for no more than 3 hours total at the shop. I felt right from the start that the RAAL's were a big improvement over the G-Pal tweeter on the Studios but it wasn't until much later that I realized how good they were after hearing all kinds of music in the following months. To me they are much better but it all depends on what else you want in a speaker. You said you like a speaker that feels wrapped around you - well the ST's do add another dimension giving you a good surround effect but the soundstage varies. The Paradigms seemed to always make the soundstage sound big while the Salk's can sound narrow or wide depending on whats playing. It is surprisingly good for a ribbon tweeter though.
Keep in mind my room could be way different from yours - most speakers I've had in this room image very well. Hope that helps a bit though.

Can I come?

I am looking forward to kicking off Spring of 2012 with a tower speaker GTG! Thanks to TJHUB and Merrymaid520 for offering to host. As Brandon said, we're still narrowing down semantics, but we are excited to get the ball rolling. Please let us know if you plan on attending, and once we narrow down the date please specify whether you're all in or tentative.

I'll let TJHUB list the details regarding what the front end equipment will be comprised of and what the room looks like (please post pics buddy).

I'd like to see the Vapor Audio Cirrus at this meet. You could give an invite to the owner of Vapor, he's in KC, not too awful far of a drive. I think what the Cirrus would add to the mix is it would give a hint as to how important an enclosure is in determining sound quality, as that is probably its most unique feature.

Can't wait to hear what you guys think of the Phils! Will it be a Giant Slayer?

Jay

I'd be curious to see how the Image t55 fairs against the others listed. I've always liked the Image speakers I audtioned but I preferred others at the that time and now I moved up to the Sierra Tower. Looks like everyone will be in attendance this time which should make for some excellent dialogue....looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts.....

Just one thought. Are you guys planning on doing all of the listening with a sub(s) in line like last year? That could be a deal breaker for me unless you do at least one round of listening with the various speakers going full range.

We have discussed this and will probably be doing both (time permitting). Terry's system is now set up in such a way that swapping from full range to crossed over takes a matter of seconds. We fully intend to listen full range first, but then may cross over to see what effects the sub has the sound, mainly to reduce a peak he has in his room. Personally, the peak is low enough that it won't ruin anything above the Schroeder Frequency, so I am not concerned if we don't have time to cross over the speakers. It will be a group decision, though.

This will be as close to an apples to apples comparo as possible, so each speaker will be treated to the same placement, volume levels and any other happenstances. No worries - you're speakers will be run full range "fo sho."

Nooooo! I'm crying now...look what you've done!

If I end up hosting, I have no issue with running all the speakers full-range only. Like Nuance mentioned, it takes just seconds to high-pass the speakers at ~70Hz and add the subs in.

The bass peak in my room centers at 36Hz and is relatively narrow. Most speakers sound perfect until you get some music that centers around that frequency. I don't think most would find it all that intrusive. Of course the more capable the speaker is in that range, the more that room mode gets excited.

I'll post my front end electronics and some new pics when we confirm that I'll be hosting.

You guys have all the fun!


It isn't just high passing the subs, but also level matching them to the speakers.

^ Good point.

Thanks....I would also add that just a small difference in the levels between the speaker and sub can sometimes make a big perceivable difference in the listening experience.

You're right, and having just spoken to Terry we'd like to go sans-subwoofers. They will probably be removed from the room entirely.

I am sure the Phil 2 will appreciate that.

As will the HT2.

We'll find out. Concerning Vapor Audio, does he offer a tower style speaker? I ask because so far all of the speakers in attendance are of such design, and we'll be running everything full range. I'll contact the owner; what's his forum moniker?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?u=32798
TurboF3CS

The Cirrus is a relatively large and heavy monitor, but I think it would be fine going full range.

Owner is actually from St. Louis, dang memory let me down again .

Jay

Edit; a bit of info on the Cirrus, looks like full range should not be a problem, doesn't go as low as the towers though. Not sure on testing methodology if that is in room, anechoic, quasi, or half plane.

Drivers Used: RAAL 70-20XR Tweeter, Audio Technology C-Quenze 18H52 Woofer

Cabinet Tuning: Rear Ported, 39hz tuning frequency

Freq Response: 37 – 38,500hz +/-3db, 45 – 26,000 hz +/- 1.5db

Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms

Sensitivity: 87.5 db

Recommended Power: 15-150 watts via Tube Amp, 30-250 watts via Solid State Amp

Weight and Dimensions: 53 1/2 Pounds, 19″ Height x 14″ Deep x 12.5″ Max Width, 8.25″ Baffle Width

Crossover Details: 2nd Order Parallel Network on Woofer and Tweeter, Crossover point of 2250hz

I just sent him a PM - thank you for the recommendation and information.

Have you heard this speaker? Just curious?

I grew up in St. Louis and used to swim in pool located in House Springs which seems to be where the owner/company is located. Goes to quite a bit of work on his cabinets, it appears.

I have not heard these speakers, but it seems those that have are very impressed. I am curious enough that I'd like to see them compared to some heavy hitters close to the same price range.

Jay

I am very interested as well. Hope the owner can make it to the GT.

One thing I just noticed about the Cirrus in the spec sheet:

"Tweeter Upgrade:
Upgrade RAAL 70-20XR tweeter to Amorphous Core – $400 (More micro-detail and dynamics)"

I thought this was standard on the RAALs?

This is the Sierra Tower's (RAAL version) spec sheet:

"Tweeter (featuring custom RAAL 70-20XR)
(1) 20mm wide pure aluminum ribbon tweeter with
custom designed face plate and amorphous core
transformer."

Can anybody comment?

Perhaps the 70-10 RAAL doesn't utilize that core, but only the 70-20?

Maybe...

But the Cirrus uses the 70-20:

"Drivers Used RAAL 70-20XR Tweeter
Audio Technology C-Quenze 18H52 Woofer"

Two different versions of the 70-20XR...one with the Amorphous Core and one without?

The Amorphous Core is mentioned on RAAL's website, mentions that it is something new, but not that it is an option.

Sorry to jump into the middle of the RAAL discussion! I just want to post to say I would love to attend the GTG if it is OK. I am currently in the build process and have started my speaker search. I have made it to University Audio once so far (to listen to the Studio 100s) and hope to do a bit more before the GTG.

Many of the speakers that will be in attendance are ones that I was hoping to get a chance to hear.

No speakers to bring along (I have none yet) so all I would bring is myself, my listening ears, and a whole lot of noobiness.

Thanks!

Joe

Oh, I see what you mean, Curtis. Yeah...that's a good question and observation. Maybe Turbo will join the thread and answer you.

Sounds good, Joe. You're on the list!