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Almost got floored by Cambridge S30 - Page 5

post #121 of 358
5/3/11 at 7:25pm
focal whore, please send me an email.
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post #122 of 358
5/4/11 at 9:14am
Question for the OP or anyone else- Have you heard the S-70? And if so what is your opinion, mostly for movie use?

Thanks
Gene
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post #123 of 358
5/4/11 at 10:43am
Dennis,

Are you going to release info on the revised xover.... or is it something you'll keep hush for now... which I would certainly understand since it's your time/effort that went into it...


I'm just wondering if the revised xover is something I'd like to get into if I decide to keep the S30.
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post #124 of 358
5/4/11 at 12:14pm
ahhhhhhhhhhhh the s30's are sold out everywhere!!!!
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post #125 of 358
5/4/11 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by alphaiii View Post

Dennis,

Are you going to release info on the revised xover.... or is it something you'll keep hush for now... which I would certainly understand since it's your time/effort that went into it...


I'm just wondering if the revised xover is something I'd like to get into if I decide to keep the S30.

If you're fairly familiar with speaker circuits, can solder, and have a lot of patience and a sense of humor, I can certainly send you the add-on schematic and some instructions, warnings. I'm not trying to make any money on this other than a modest labor charge if anyone wants me to do it (I can't really do it for free because it can take up the better part of a day with parts ordering, board building, installation, and shipping.)
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post #126 of 358
5/4/11 at 2:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cabraham View Post

ahhhhhhhhhhhh the s30's are sold out everywhere!!!!

A member here is selling a used pair - check the classifieds. He also listed them at Audiogon. He didn't specify the color.

Bad thing is that his asking price + shipping puts them pretty close to a new pair... And for me, unless the warranty is transferable, I look for a bigger savings in going used.

EDIT: A quick check shows them in stock at a couple places... Wild West Electronics, Spearit Sound (through Amazon)... Also, check with Audio Advisor if you haven't already.

I bought my pair from Spearit Sound through Amazon, and since the order is fulfilled by Amazon, I had the speakers in 2 days, and with Amazon's 30-day return policy to boot.
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post #127 of 358
5/4/11 at 2:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis Murphy View Post

If you're fairly familiar with speaker circuits, can solder, and have a lot of paitence and a sense of humor, I can certainly send you the add-on schematic and some instructions, warnings.

Unfortunately, other than a sense of humor... I'd say I strike out on the rest.

I could learn to do it... although it'd probably make more sense to learn these things on a simple xover with cheap parts...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis Murphy View Post

I'm not trying to make any money on this other than a modest labor charge if anyone wants me to do it (I can't really do it for free because it can take up the better part of a day with parts ordering, board building, installation, and shipping.)

I would sincerely hope no one would expect you to do it for free...

I live in the Baltimore area... so that could potentially eliminate shipping hassles.

if I decide I want to keep these speakers and invest in the modified xover... perhaps I'll get in touch... I think you charging a modest fee for labor is more than fair.
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post #128 of 358
5/4/11 at 2:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cabraham View Post

ahhhhhhhhhhhh the s30's are sold out everywhere!!!!

Hello.
I just bought them last week from "dedicatedaudio.com" ... they had it in stock... not sure how many units they had. Shipping was quick by USPS for me (they just arrived, will probably test them tonight.)
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post #129 of 358
5/4/11 at 4:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kini62 View Post

Question for the OP or anyone else- Have you heard the S-70? And if so what is your opinion, mostly for movie use?

Thanks
Gene

I have not listened to the towers. However, based on the performace of the
bookshelves - I am not concerned about them. Also I would be shocked, if
they sounded bad.
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post #130 of 358
5/4/11 at 5:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gelocks View Post

Hello.
I just bought them last week from "dedicatedaudio.com" ... they had it in stock... not sure how many units they had. Shipping was quick by USPS for me (they just arrived, will probably test them tonight.)

was shipping free?
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post #131 of 358
5/4/11 at 5:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cabraham View Post

was shipping free?

I'm from Puerto Rico, so.. NO!
Shipping was not free!!

But maybe for you it will be (or be way cheaper than mine...).
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post #132 of 358
5/5/11 at 12:00am
so i'm looking at the back of these speakers, and this may be an incredible noob question, but why are there 2 sets of terminals on the back?

http://www.procinema.hu/termekkepek/...co-s30_big.jpg

also, will monoprice banana plugs fit on here?
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post #133 of 358
5/5/11 at 4:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cabraham View Post

so i'm looking at the back of these speakers, and this may be an incredible noob question, but why are there 2 sets of terminals on the back?

http://www.procinema.hu/termekkepek/...co-s30_big.jpg

also, will monoprice banana plugs fit on here?

It is more marketing hype, than anything else. It is so you can bi-wire
or bi-amp the speakers. In my general listening experience, and on a
scale of 0 to 10, I have heard a 0.5% difference at most.
Leave the jumper straps on the speakers - only hook up one set of
speaker wire. Do not use 2 sets of speaker wire with the jumpers -
you will fry something.

I do not know about Monoprice banana plugs - I use Rocketfish from
Best Buy.
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post #134 of 358
5/5/11 at 5:35am
Just a random thought while browsing for bookshelf speakers for HT use...

Why is it that the Cambridge S30 and the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 look IDENTICAL - especially when you compare the silver version of each...
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post #135 of 358
5/5/11 at 6:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheLaw612 View Post

Just a random thought while browsing for bookshelf speakers for HT use...

Why is it that the Cambridge S30 and the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 look IDENTICAL - especially when you compare the silver version of each...

CBM-170 = much bigger. I'm sure there are plenty of other very similar looking speakers as well.
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post #136 of 358
5/5/11 at 6:50am
Ascend has a 6.5" woofer, the Cambridge has a 4.5" woofer. If you put the two side by side you wouldn't think they look the same. CBM 170 is much bigger and has better power handling too.

Ascend dimensions: 12" x 9" x 10"
S30 dimensions: 9" x 6.3" x 8"
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post #137 of 358
5/5/11 at 7:09am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by its phillip View Post

CBM-170 = much bigger. I'm sure there are plenty of other very similar looking speakers as well.

There is a difference in size - all I can tell you is that in a blind test,
that you will not be able to pick up on the woofer size. Also, it will
fill a 12x20 room. The speaker is 90db sensitive - It also plays music
louder than I care to listen. I measured the speaker, and it is 9" deep.

Also on a side note - the modded version showed the NHT Classic Two
the front door. The Classic Two, is a 6 1/2" 2-way speaker.
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post #138 of 358
5/5/11 at 9:49am
Yes, monoprice banana plugs work fine with the S30... I have and use them...


As far as the 90dB sensitivity spec for the S30... I think it's a little generous... or perhaps a "Typical In-room" type rating.

The Energy RC-10 specs at 88dB anechoic, and Soundstage measured it at 86.5dB anechoic.

In my room at least, Audyssey measured the RC-10 as just slightly more sensitive than the S30...

So while it's close, and might even come out the same if I toyed with placement before running Audyssey... I wouldn't call the sensitivity of the S30 a true 90dB anechoic... Perhaps typical in-room... 90dB is more accurate.

I do agree though... they can play louder than I need them to. And they are MUCH more sensitive than the NHT Absolute Zero... which, while rated at 86dB... really don't like to get loud.
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post #139 of 358
5/5/11 at 9:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

Also on a side note - the modded version showed the NHT Classic Two the front door. The Classic Two, is a 6 1/2" 2-way speaker.

Interesting...

In my comparisons with the Absolute Zero... listening at moderate volue... I slightly preferred the AZ overall, over the stock S30... although there are areas I felt the S30 does better... At louder levels... I do think the S30 holds together better... as the woofer in the AZ sounds like it starts to compress a bit... and the sound gets a little more clinical...

I wonder what I'd think of the modded S30 vs AZ.

So the Two's are going huh?... Do they have a new home lined up?
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post #140 of 358
5/5/11 at 10:06am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alphaiii View Post

Interesting...

I wonder what I'd think of the modded S30 vs AZ.

So the Two's are going huh?... Do they have a new home lined up?

Already left the door - NHT speakers are good to begin with.
Your ears and personal preference may be a little different than mine.
The modded S30 was more revealing and extended the notes better
(more rounded and even), than the Classic Two. In general, the S30
has more air - the S30 sounds more alive. The Focal 705V is about to
leave soon. The dimensional soundstage of the S30 is more accurate
and it sounds more life like to me. The Snell K7 is still on top of my
list, of favorite shelf/stand speakers. However, not as much play time
as in the past.
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post #141 of 358
5/5/11 at 10:11am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alphaiii View Post

http://store.audioholics.com/product/2965/25/atlantic-technology-iwcb-52-in-wall-speaker
As far as the 90dB sensitivity spec for the S30... I think it's a little generous... or perhaps a "Typical In-room" type rating.

So while it's close, and might even come out the same if I toyed with placement before running Audyssey... I wouldn't call the sensitivity of the S30 a true 90dB anechoic... Perhaps typical in-room... 90dB is more accurate.

I do agree though... they can play louder than I need them to. And they are MUCH more sensitive than the NHT Absolute Zero... which, while rated at 86dB... really don't like to get loud.

With all the speakers I have owned and listened to - The 90db in room
sounds about right to me - however, not a big deal. I pay more attention
to in room than anechoic - and more attention to actual performace. I do
not listen with measurement thoughts, in my brain. Also, I do not care for
all the Audyssey or the like, options on receivers - too much time, and I
do not like having to change or correct it.
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post #142 of 358
5/5/11 at 10:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

With all the speakers I have owned and listened to - The 90db in room
sounds about right to me - however, not a big deal. I pay more attention
to in room than anechoic - and more attention to actual performace. I do
not listen with measurement thoughts, in my brain. Also, I do not care for
all the Audyssey or the like, options on receivers - too much time, and I
do not like having to change or correct it.

True, anechoic doesn't matter as much to the end user... it's more about in room response and sensitivity...

And while I use Audyssey... I'm really not a big fan of it. I use it for the Dynamic Volume feature... but usually like the un-EQ'd sound (Audyssey off) better, and really don't like the Dynamic EQ portion much at all

But, to use Dynamic Volume, I have to use Audyssey and Dynamic EQ.

I have my eye on a Harmon Kardon AVR 2600 to test out Dolby Volume, since it is independent of the room EQ... ie. I don't have to engage any auto EQ, which makes me happier....
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post #143 of 358
5/5/11 at 10:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

Already left the door - NHT speakers are good to begin with.
Your ears and personal preference may be a little different than mine.
The modded S30 was more revealing and extended the notes better
(more rounded and even), than the Classic Two. In general, the S30
has more air - the S30 sounds more alive. The Focal 705V is about to
leave soon. The dimensional soundstage of the S30 is more accurate
and it sounds more life like to me. The Snell K7 is still on top of my list,
of favorite shelf/stand speakers. However, not as much play time as
in the past.

So you'll be down to the S30 and Snell SK7 soon then?
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post #144 of 358
5/5/11 at 10:45am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alphaiii View Post

I have my eye on a Harmon Kardon AVR 2600 to test out Dolby Volume, since it is independent of the room EQ... ie. I don't have to engage any auto EQ, which makes me happier....

My room is some what treated - and some beach towels from Wal-mart
are used if needed. However, for some reason the dogs feel, they need
to add more dampening to them.
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post #145 of 358
5/5/11 at 11:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

There is a difference in size - all I can tell you is that in a blind test,
that you will not be able to pick up on the woofer size. Also, it will
fill a 12x20 room. The speaker is 90db sensitive - It also plays music
louder than I care to listen. I measured the speaker, and it is 9" deep.

I wasn't commenting on the sound or anything like that, I was just responding to a poster who said they looked exactly the same (because they don't)
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post #146 of 358
5/5/11 at 11:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by its phillip View Post

I wasn't commenting on the sound or anything like that, I was just responding to a poster who said they looked exactly the same (because they don't)

I understand - and no, they do not look a like. I can't figure out
why they look/seem the same to that poster. Thank You.
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post #147 of 358
5/5/11 at 11:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alphaiii View Post

So you'll be down to the S30 and Snell SK7 soon then?

I have owned a lot of speakers - hope to slow down - been fun!
I still have the Boston VS240 and Monitor Audio Radius 225 and the
the stock and modded S30. The Focal is good - it just falls a little
short. It throws more of a central image than a wide image and the
bass is not as tight and controlled and defined, as the S30. To me
the Focal will not trump the stock S30, and the stock S30 will not
trump the Focal.
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post #148 of 358
5/6/11 at 10:22am
Anyone notice any similarities...

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/specif...=Specifictions
http://www.mordauntshort.com/specifi...Specifications

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/specif...Specifications
http://www.mordauntshort.com/specifi...Specifications
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post #149 of 358
5/6/11 at 10:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alphaiii View Post

Anyone notice any similarities...

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/specif...=Specifictions
http://www.mordauntshort.com/specifi...Specifications

[/url]

You can tell that they are from England

The S30 is bigger than the Mordaunt Short - The S20 would be
more in line with the Carnival 1
http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/specif...=Specifictions

Here is some more info
http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...www.google.com
http://www.audiopartnership.com/company.html
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post #150 of 358
5/6/11 at 10:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

You can tell that they are from England

The S30 is bigger than the Mordaunt Short - The S20 would be
more in line with the Carnival
http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/specif...=Specifictions

Right... The first 2 links show the Cambridge S20 and Mordaunt Carnival 1.

The Carnival 2 is more comparable to the S30... actually larger driver, and taller cabinet...

I'm assuming Cambridge and Mordaunt are owned by the same group? And perhaps use very similar drivers...
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