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Almost got floored by Cambridge S30 - Page 4

post #91 of 358
4/28/11 at 3:12pm
Thread Starter 
For the few who may be interested.

The stock version is still solid, and a winner.

Now the modded version:
OK, from Yo-Yo Ma to Chris Botti, from Gloria Estefan to Queen Latifah,
from Joan Osbourn to Pink Floyd and the Eagles - the modded speakers
are a step up. They are more focused and natural sounding, with more air.
The speakers remain cohesive, and the bass is more level with the mids
and highs. I appreciate the bass more.
I still call them the Little Beast - they no longer sound a little intense at
times, and the slightly smeared sound at times, is gone. They still throw a
forward and wide soundstage, with more depth added. The sound character
has not changed. Some people may consider them bright, with their lively
sound character - however, they will not slap you in the face. They are to
me, neutral. I am more caught up in the music and not the speakers. The
imaging stands out more - singing voices now sound more realistic - the
instruments more revealing.

It is a matter of preference and taste, and as always subjective - however,
for me, it is hard to trump the stock version from $500 down - and hard to
trump the modded, from $800 down. This speaker is an open door, for the
one who wants to hear good sound.

I will add more about movies later.

A big thanks to Dennis Murphy for his love of audio.
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post #92 of 358
4/28/11 at 8:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

I am more caught up in the music and not the speakers.

This is exactly how I feel when I listen to them.

Thanks for giving us your impressions of the modded s30. Your description in how the mod enhanced/improved your s30 was like hearing my wishlist come true. Unfortunately I'm not a DIY person so I will be happily stuck with the original s30 until I can figure something out.
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post #93 of 358
4/28/11 at 9:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by roark View Post

Do you think the S30's need a sub for music?

In my setup the bass digs deep, strong, and sounds realistic. I don't find myself needing or even wanting a sub at all for my music. Not unless your a hiphop head who loves a fat bass or an organ music aficionado... I think you will be satisfied with the bass output. Have you considered the s70? If you really like bass and haven't bought speaker stands yet.. this might be a nice route.
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post #94 of 358
4/29/11 at 8:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by focal whore View Post

I sell these, and I'm sure I can hat them to you for cheaper... I must say though that I'm not a big fan... I will be at work in a couple hrs and I'll check...

is that for one or a pair of speakers 219.00
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post #95 of 358
4/29/11 at 8:26am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ahwig60 View Post

is that for one or a pair of speakers 219.00

For the pair $219
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post #96 of 358
4/29/11 at 3:39pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by focal whore View Post

I could do $150/pr

Thank You, for helping some people.
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post #97 of 358
4/29/11 at 8:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by focal whore View Post

I could do $150/pr

how do we order you have a website?
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post #98 of 358
4/30/11 at 7:26am
on the s30 where the outer ring the hold's the speaker on overlaps onto the tweeter ring does that cause any problems?
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post #99 of 358
4/30/11 at 8:08am
[quote=ahwig60;20376471]on the s30 where the outer ring the hold's the speaker on overlaps onto the tweeter ring does that cause any problems?[/QU

What kind of problems did you have in mind? The purpose is to bring the drivers closer together so there are no interferrence patterns between the woof and tweet at the high end of the crossover region. In the stock version, there is a great deal of overlap between the two drivers, and that can cause problems if the distance between them is too great. The narrow spacing isn't need for the revised crossover, but it certainly doesn't do any harm.
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post #100 of 358
4/30/11 at 8:59am
[quote=Dennis Murphy;20376607]
Quote:
Originally Posted by ahwig60 View Post

on the s30 where the outer ring the hold's the speaker on overlaps onto the tweeter ring does that cause any problems?[/QU

What kind of problems did you have in mind? The purpose is to bring the drivers closer together so there are no interferrence patterns between the woof and tweet at the high end of the crossover region. In the stock version, there is a great deal of overlap between the two drivers, and that can cause problems if the distance between them is too great. The narrow spacing isn't need for the revised crossover, but it certainly doesn't do any harm.

i was thinking maybe vibration or distortion.
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post #101 of 358
4/30/11 at 9:19am
Thread Starter 
I do not listen to or talk about a speaker, if the drivers do not
mate and balance. A lot of thought and engineering went into
the design. I do not ship a poor speaker out, to be measured.

"i was thinking maybe vibration or distortion."
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post #102 of 358
4/30/11 at 9:27am
[quote=ahwig60;20376756]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis Murphy View Post


i was thinking maybe vibration or distortion.

The two drivers don't actually touch each other. Plus, the tweeter is very light and has plenty of wood to anchor onto. That's not an issue. This is a very well thought out design.
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post #103 of 358
4/30/11 at 10:55am
thank you both for help hopefully when focal whore answers i can finally buy something


Also i have roommates on the upper level of the place i live will these sound good at low volume? And will these speakers work for a 5.1 setup? What do i get for a center channel and surrounds and sub if needed.
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post #104 of 358
4/30/11 at 2:05pm
Have you guys seen the mods made by Mapleshade to the S30 ?

http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/Mapl...o/MOD-S30-OAK/
"
all-new proprietary internal re acoustic treatment
new and radically retuned port
crossover dielectric and component upgrade
Clearview internal wiring
Clearview ribbon jumpers replacing factory klooges

With these internal upgrades alone, our modded Sirocco exceeds or rivals any $1000 monitor. "

CH
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post #105 of 358
4/30/11 at 3:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chaywood View Post

Have you guys seen the mods made by Mapleshade to the S30 ?

http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/Mapl...o/MOD-S30-OAK/
"
all-new proprietary internal re acoustic treatment
new and radically retuned port
crossover dielectric and component upgrade
Clearview internal wiring
Clearview ribbon jumpers replacing factory klooges

With these internal upgrades alone, our modded Sirocco exceeds or rivals any $1000 monitor. "
CH


Yup I saw that--and I've been biting my tongue trying not to say anything. But since you posted it--for $500 you don't even get the crossover issues addressed. Just much more expensive stuff that I wouldn't bet will make any difference in the sound. I am curious about that "radically retuned" port. There's only so much you can do to a port, and I think Cambridge got it right the first time.
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post #106 of 358
4/30/11 at 4:07pm
There is a picture of the crossover and port at this site...

http://www.stereo.de/index.php?id=391

CH
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post #107 of 358
4/30/11 at 6:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by focal whore View Post
We carry Denon, Yamaha, Cambridge Audio, Sonos, Audioengine , Polk, Klipsch, Focal, Harmon Kardon...
I can deal outside of the website, but you would be responsible for shipping via UPS... We have stores in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and St Louis if you want to pick up... I can sell stuff out of any store. I'll find out if a money order is necessary if there is no CC swipes in a store for your protection...
what store do you work for this is sounding very fishy. no free shipping and no credit card transaction i don't think so! i guess your stealing them from work.
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post #108 of 358
4/30/11 at 8:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post
Keep on enjoying them - Cambridge is not for everyone.
DO you work for Cambridge?
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post #109 of 358
4/30/11 at 8:17pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01
Keep on enjoying them - Cambridge is not for everyone.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jaeelarr View Post
DO you work for Cambridge?
No I do not - I just love good audio and video.
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post #110 of 358
4/30/11 at 8:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by focal whore View Post
I just got off the phone with my boss to fond out the "rules" for this... I can take CC payments if product is UPS'd... We have a rule that we cannot take full payment by phone if picked up in a store, due to possible CC fraud. UPS shipping is different because if there is fraud, it just doesn't get shipped...
Sorry for any confusion...
Please PM me with your phone number, or I'll give you mine and we can make a deal...
It would be nice for a customer to negotiate Internet sales... That is what I am offering...
I can't do deals consistently because they actually fine us if we discount to much, so I have to balance out my commission with the fine to make sure I'm not screwing myself...
i sorry your not making any sense to me.
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post #111 of 358
4/30/11 at 9:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ahwig60 View Post
Also i have roommates on the upper level of the place i live will these sound good at low volume? And will these speakers work for a 5.1 setup? What do i get for a center channel and surrounds and sub if needed.
The S30 is solid for home theater - The movie sound stage is good
and they will draw your attention to the action - the speakers are
not shy. They have very good detail, and good dimensional presence.

It does not take a lot to drive these speakers -The S50 center and
another pair of the S30, with the Emotiva Ultra 10 sub - is a good
option for home theater.
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post #112 of 358
5/2/11 at 9:24am
How do you think these S30's would fare as a desktop system for a computer so sitting nearfield, say 3 to 4 feet away? I figure with an inexpensive receiver/amp it would then be in the $300 range total. How do you think that type of setup would compare to other computer/desktop systems? And has anyone heard any of the Audioengine speakers that are often used as desktop systems that I usually see getting great reviews and if so how do you think they compare with the S30's?

Thanks.

roark
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post #113 of 358
5/2/11 at 10:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by roark View Post

How do you think these S30's would fare as a desktop system for a computer so sitting nearfield, say 3 to 4 feet away? I figure with an inexpensive receiver/amp it would then be in the $300 range total. How do you think that type of setup would compare to other computer/desktop systems? And has anyone heard any of the Audioengine speakers that are often used as desktop systems that I usually see getting great reviews and if so how do you think they compare with the S30's?

Thanks.

roark

I had a pair of Audioengine P4's on my desktop for a short time... and have demo'd the Cambridge S30 in the same setup...

I sold the P4's because I thought they were too bright. Even in my main room with them on stands and me sitting about 10ft away... they were too forward for my tastes.

In nearfield, the S30 is more forward than the NHT Absolute Zero or PSB Image B4... and can sound a little aggressive at times... but still enjoyable, and I recall the P4 being brighter in this setting, to the point that I didn't enjoy them.

One thing to note... I'm using an integrated amp with a built in 100Hz xover... This is likely why the S30 still worked pretty well even on my desk against the rear wall.

Had they been run full range... I suspect the upper bass would've been overemphasized and the lower mids may have been "muddied" up more.

Because of the surprising low end capability... this type of placement isn't idea for the S30. They really belong on stands out from the wall a little bit.

That said... I still found them enjoyable when used on my desktop. I just prefer the NHT Absolute Zero more in this setting.
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post #114 of 358
5/2/11 at 3:05pm
so after long deliberation i've decided to take the plunge and order a pair of the s30's. the only problem is.... everywhere on the web seems to be sold out! does anyone know where i can score a pair of these in black?
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post #115 of 358
5/2/11 at 3:16pm
I was able to add them to my cart on Audio Advisor
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CAS30
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post #116 of 358
5/2/11 at 3:53pm
I am using the S30's nearfield, with an Audioengine N22 amp. Sounds just fine to me, though the bass can get pretty thick at times since it's amplified though my desk surface. It's not a fault of the speakers, since I tried them on stands and they sound much cleaner and neutral. However, the stands are not practical for where I intend to use them, so I just have to deal with the extra bass.

I have not heard the Audioengine P4's, but I have the A5's and the A2's in my possession. I prefer the S30's to both, given the extra space they need. I have them propped up on the A2's small desktop stands, which angle them up to reduce sound reflections. Also have them set up parallel, which gave a more neutral sound compared to a toed-in setup for a focus point.
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post #117 of 358
5/2/11 at 4:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cabraham View Post
so after long deliberation i've decided to take the plunge and order a pair of the s30's. the only problem is.... everywhere on the web seems to be sold out! does anyone know where i can score a pair of these in black?
Try Dedicated Audio
http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/21369
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post #118 of 358
5/2/11 at 4:58pm
If you are located on the east coast, I would recommend http://www.prestige-audiovideo.com/ in Nashville. A very nice company to deal with. I was able to grab a pair from them; however, I don't know if they have any more remaining.
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post #119 of 358
5/2/11 at 8:52pm
I had to check these out for myself. So I drove a whopping 6 km to a store I've never been to before in Toronto - Star Electronics - on Queensway near Islington. Classy looking place. They had a pair of the S30s on the central counter top, hooked up to a pretty slick looking Carbon Trinity hybrid valve integrated amplifier, which had an ipod feeding it. Man those speakers were heavy and solid! And they looked fairly handsome. Regularly $299, down to $268 per pair, stunning given how substantial these speakers were. The sound - it was OK, but I wasn't captivated. Of course that was probably due to any number of factors not related to the speakers themselves - like an unfamiliar, compressed mp3 song playing from an ipod's dac. One would think that to sell speakers they would make them sound their best at a demo. Maybe they reserved the special source treatment for some of the higher end speakers they had there, like an angled Usher floorstander that looked impeccable. I'll be going back, if just to gawk. Maybe to snag an entry level Samsung plasma. Canada's going digital in the next year and our 12" CRT TV will no longer do.
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post #120 of 358
5/3/11 at 4:35am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by avs markie View Post

Man those speakers were heavy and solid! And they looked fairly handsome. Regularly $299, down to $268 per pair, stunning given how substantial these speakers were. The sound - it was OK, but I wasn't captivated. Of course that was probably due to any number of factors not related to the speakers themselves - like an unfamiliar, compressed mp3 song playing from an ipod's dac. One would think that to sell speakers they would make them sound their best at a demo.

That is why I like 30 day return policies. They sound better with
non-compressed music.

I hope your new TV will be bigger than 12"

"I'll be going back, if just to gawk. Maybe to snag an entry level Samsung plasma. Canada's going digital in the next year and our 12" CRT TV will no longer do."
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