Philharmonic Audio - Dennis Murphy - Page 6

Originally Posted by d_m1010

Thanks fellas.

The finish is inconsequential to me and so is bass below 31hz (since they are strictly for 2 ch. music and not of the organ type). My current Focal Electras are mainly black satin and they look fine. The Phil cabinets are made overseas but Dennis told me the mdf is better than what's used in n. america. Dennis stated that the major difference between the 2 and 3 is the bass driver and extension, but what I'm really yearning is SQ.

Originally Posted by Dennis Murphy

Hi There's no difference in the drivers--each uses the Fountek tweeter in the Phil I + a Seas ER18 woofer. The only difference is the size of the cabinet (.5 cu ft vs. .75 cu ft) and an associated tweaking of the crossover. The price isn't firm yet, but it should be around $800/pr for the smaller version, and $900 for the larger.

Originally Posted by bearchan

The Raal does not go low enough for the Seas mid-woofer.

Originally Posted by Martycool007

I am interested in a few speakers at the moment. Right now I am trying to gather info and seek advise. I wonder how these would sound compared to each other:

1. Philharmonic Audio Monitor II's w/RAAL

2. Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 monitors w/RAAL

3. Salk- Salksurround II's w/RAAL


I would imagine at this point it would just be like spliting hairs, and I seriously doubt that anyone has heard more than just one of these pairs of speakers.

Originally Posted by Nuance

Concerning the Phil Monitors will RAAL and Salk Surround II's with RAAL: I don't even know that a pair has been created yet. They very well could have been, but I haven't read about it yet. And the Ascend Sierra-1 with RAAL doesn't exist as far as I know (I could be wrong).

Originally Posted by Martycool007

I suppose that you could say these would not be considered "Philharmonic Audio Monitor II's. I spoke with Dennis and he said that he could build me a custom Monitor with the RAAL in a .75 cabinet. I have also spoken to Jim and he said that he could build me a modified version of the Salk Songsurround II's with a RAAL tweeter. Not sure on the Ascend. Basically I am trying to decide whether to go with the Monitors from Dennis or the Monitors from Jim. Not sure what the differences would be between them as I do not know which midwoofer they would be using. Guess I need to figure that out!

Originally Posted by Martycool007

Basically I am trying to decide whether to go with the Monitors from Dennis or the Monitors from Jim. Not sure what the differences would be between them as I do not know which midwoofer they would be using. Guess I need to figure that out!

Originally Posted by Dennis Murphy

A .75 cu cabinet would be too big for a RAAL MT monitor, since the woofer couldn't be any larger than 5.5". I didn't realize you had spoken with Jim. Since I would be designing the crossover whether you went with Jim or me, I would prefer you work through Jim. He's better set up to do custom cabinets, and his workmanship would be better than anything I could provide. I think you should go with a RAAL version of the SongSurround I's or II's. Since you're using a sub, I'm not sure there would be much reason to opt for the more expensive MTM II's, unless you need the extra sensitivity.

Originally Posted by Nuance

Well there you go, Martycool007! The nice thing about Jim's company (Salk) and also Dennis' (Philharmonic) is that they'll build you whatever you want, provided you're willing to pay for it. Find me another company that'll do that for their prices. Their customer service never ceases to amaze me!

Originally Posted by Dennis Murphy

It's quite true that instruments other than organ, piano (but not really--few pianos are clean down to their theoretical bottom fundamental of 27 Hz), bass drum, and contra basson don't produce fundamentals below 32 Hz. But woofers that reach down into the bottom octave will be flatter and cleaner in the 30-35 Hz range than woofers that are capable of some output at 32 Hz. Further, and this is controversial, I think orchestra halls produce subsonics below the fundamental, or perhaps just amplify the fundamental to the point where only woofers with lots of reserve in the 30 Hz range can reproduce the effect convincingly. All I know is that the Scan revelator clearly has more bass impact than the SB Acoustics unit on program material that in theory doesn't go below 30 Hz.

Originally Posted by Saturn94

I can't believe I'm just discovering this thread.

Dennis, sounds like it's going well for you and the word is getting out about your excellent speakers. Congratulations. Tell Ben I said hello. I'm sure he's much bigger than the last time I saw him.

For anyone considering Philharmonic speakers, Dennis makes an excellent product and his integrity is second to none. In 2010 Dennis was a great help in my year long speaker search and at no time tried to "sell" me something. He was always very generous with his time and knowledge (am I embarrassing you yet Dennis).

Originally Posted by flyng_fool

The speakers look awesome but I'm having a hard time getting past the name. It reminds me of the old Ford Philco junk radios.

Originally Posted by dennis murphy

actually, it reminds me a lot more of the old fisher consoles they used to sell in department stores--500 watts peak power, mediterraneam or spanish cabinets, ads with a 1950's blond in an evening gown leaning on the end with one arm, other hand on her hip, smiling, smiling. She probably had a photo shoot booked for a '57 chevy bel aire hardtop after that one. I have a blond dog, but he won't sit still long enough for a photo.

Originally Posted by Dennis Murphy

Actually, it reminds me a lot more of the old Fisher consoles they used to sell in department stores--500 watts peak power, Mediterraneam or Spanish cabinets, ads with a 1950's blond in an evening gown leaning on the end with one arm, other hand on her hip, smiling, smiling. She probably had a photo shoot booked for a '57 Chevy Bel Aire hardtop after that one. I have a blond dog, but he won't sit still long enough for a photo.

Originally Posted by d_m1010

Looks like I'll be receiving the Phil 2s around the 20th of January.

Originally Posted by woodsart


Hearing is believing and I am pretty sure they would be available without the front logo, if you like!!!

Dennis aimes to please!!!

Originally Posted by AcuDefTechGuy

I definitely want the front logo.

I think the name "Philharmonic" will remind everyone of just music. Pure music.

Opposite of snake oil and golden ear.