Swan Owner's Thread - Page 84

Hey gang...

I just got my M200MkIII and thought I'd post my inspired mini-review here for you.

In short? They KICK ASS!

Plug them in, connect them together, and with the supplied cable hook up your iPhone/iPod, and YOWSA! These suckers are clean, and LOUD! They are so loud that the limitations of the recordings via the iPhone can cause quick ear fatigue, so be careful out there. I moved them into the living room next to my MacPro where all my music has been ripped Apple Lossless. I can quickly move the mini-plug back and forth between the M200MkIIIs and an Arcam 300 feeding my tremendous Swan 6.2s. And?

Yeah. Swan and Jon know what they are doing. I have two favorite songs I jump right to when auditioning. Song one, is the Talking Head's "Slippery People". Song two is Brubeck's "Blue Rondo A La Turk". First up the M200MkIIIs. I've listened to my Arcam/Swan6.2 combo for a long time now. Press play (from my iPhone remote application -- that is SO COOL!) and... I was at home immediately. If I had been led into the room blindfolded, I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference at first blush. To me that's impressive! What great songs! So I switched to the Arcam combo. Now, to be fair, the Arcam/6.2 combo wins. It wins at every point. But, it IS a contest, a good one at that. Anyone thinking between the 6.2 and 6.1, even though I haven't heard the 6.1, I would just say trust Jon and Swan. The 6.2 is an amazing speaker. Especially when paired with a top quality amp like an Arcam. That's my $0.02.

Comparing the M200MkIII, the Arcam/6.2 wins in every category, crystal clear, nuanced highs, smooth deep and satisfying bass, and a "you are there" immersive soundstage. But the thing is -- the M200MkIIIs are only a half step, maybe only a big toe, behind in every case. Given that they are in a much smaller enclosure, with its own amp (that is not a $1500 Arcam) they are outstanding. The M200MkIIIs are clean and even with no coloration, just like the 6.2. They simply trounce a pair of Energy C-100s I have upstairs (which I consider a pretty good speaker for the money BTW). Now one big reason I could tell the difference between the M200MkIII and the 6.2s was the soundstage. But I can't attribute that entirely to the smaller speakers. See my 6.2s are set quite wide, about 14 feet. Which brings me to my only knock on the M200MkIII package, the speaker connect cable. The cable itself is a high quality 4-pin cable. But it is only 6.5 feet in length. I couldn't move the M200MkIIIs 14 feet wide for an even comparison, and I wasn't going to haul the big 6.2s closer together in my room. Further, at 6.5 feet, even in a small office, you might find it hard to place the speakers with the cable out of the way. I'm already looking for a longer cable (Jon, any suggestions?). I mentioned fatigue earlier. I want to reassure you. First, I was using an iPod. Second, I was trying to see how loud they can go which is VERY LOUD! When played at reasonable volumes in rooms like a good sized living room, or an office, the M200MkIII play astoundingly nice. For an active set of speakers you can just hook up the iPod or computer to, I can't recommend them enough. If I was going to college, this and an iPod/laptop is what I'd want to bring to blow everyone else on the floor away. Look no further.

I can't wait for this years work X-mas party. I'm going to cause some major raucous!

Cheers!
-jason

Great review! Post some pictures!

Wow, very nice to see that, parkerj! Thanks for the thoughts. We're happy Swan went the extra mile and installed such a goodly amount of clean, biamplified power in this new model. It's a fun time to be playing with high-end "desktop" systems like these.

I'll get to pictures next week. I forgot to mention they were impeccably boxed and bagged, as we expect from Swan.

I am really interrested in the Swan F2.2 series. I will do HT 7.1 but main focus is on music. I will be powering speakers with 2 emotiva mono blocks. With that being said will these speakers handle some abuse? loud levels with primarialy rock and heavy metal? Preamp is still undecided but looking to spend 2000-3000

Just curious about this, as I doubt anyone has demoed both speakers...

Which speaker is better-

The F2.2F



OR

The F5F

If I am not mistaken, Tawaun da bomb, has auditioned the two speakers

Oh, wow..Does he still frequent the forums? There is so little insight/reviews for these speakers, that his opinions would be interesting to say the least. In fact, does anyone know of a forum or site that has talked about or reviews the upper crust of Swans?

both speakers were discussed earlier in this thread and as I noted earlier in this thread the F2.2s were reviewed here http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate...&fr=slv8-hptb5

What are people's impressions on the C3 center channel? I have 4 6.1's in my surround system along with two JL Audio F113 subs.

Looking to change my CC and am looking at the C3. My center channel space is limited to just about the size of the C3 dimensions.

i like mine just fine.

Thanks! I ordered one on Wednesday night figuring if I did not like it for some reason an always return within 30 days if necessary.

How do some of you have it set in your speaker settings? Small or large?

By the looks of it and on paper the low frequency drivers at 6.5" appear large enough to handle the large setting.

Thx.

BTW - it arrived today already. Got the Fed EX notice this afternoon. So, tonight should be interesting...

I like mine as well. Nice controlled sound.

I imagine a crossover of 60 to 80HZ would work. However based on measurements- speaker and room interactions would be a better indicator. Best way to determine would be get a good mic and use REW.

First off Nice review. I had the MKII's in college before I got my 6.1s for my dorm room (It was crazy) and Everyone as amazed how loud they were and the quality of sound.

One of my friends had some PA speakers that were always louder than my swans but after about 30min of hearing them it just made you ears hurt... I've listened to my 6.1s at near high volume for hours and no problems at all.

congrats on your purchase. I think If I need a set of speakers for my office someday I will get those.

How long have users of the C3 noted it takes to get it settled in to really blend well with the 6.1's? I have about 25 hours on mine now and it still seems to be a bit hard comparatively at times at moderately loud volume in the mids. My 6.1's took about 100 hours before they really settled in but this is a different midrange driver.

Thanks!

Although I love my C3, I don't expect it to perfectly match my 6.1's, the compromise in size alone makes that impossible. That being said, I could not be happier with my 5 year old swans!

6.1's
C3
R3's
single 2.1 rear center
HSU VTF-3(rosewood)

Anyone interested in some italian speakers based on an open baffle design using HIVI Drivers?




These are some of the exact same drivers that were used in the original Diva Series and various other Swan models as well as other manfacturers

Has anyone seen or heard of Swan Diva 5.1 that have dual binding posts instead of triple binding posts?

Yes, they would have been the first version of the 5.1s, the later models had the DMN-A Treated Fabric dome Midrange. The original 5.1s had the top mounted silk dome tweeter with 2 6.5" ceramic coated midrange/woofers, so they are a different design, completely different crossover.

for someone looking to buy a C3 where is the best place currently to do this?? thanks!

Thanks for the reply. I have a chance to buy a pair, but I can't listen to them first. I wish I had a better understanding of what the differences are in terms of sound : ) Has anyone heard them? Any guesses what they might sound like without the midrange of the current 5.1? I own 6.1s and D2.1se.
Thanks!

Those are amazing looking! Any more info? I'm afraid to ask how much they cost!

I bought mine from the Audio Insider. Fall sale is going on right now, but you should hurry. Decent price, great shipping cost and it shipped same afternoon I placed my order. I ordered about 2:30 P.M. Pacific time and it shipped out that afternoon! Fed EX home delivery. Not a scracth on the box.

Oz home theater is another good place to try. Steve Ozmai and Kraig are great, too. Without the sale at A/I, the price is about the same pretty much. Not sure on shipping.

My C3 now has only about 35 hours on it, but it appears to be settling down and the balance improving, not so forward on the upper mids with some vocal transients. Bass is opening up a bit more and upper frequencies settling more. I am going to give it about 100 hours before I get critical with it.

BTW - what is the real efficiency rating on the C3? I have seen 89 dB and 90dB. One thing I have noted is that already it seems to have improved it's efficiency since I first put it in last Friday night. I have had to set my center channel level down 1.5 dB to maintain balance with the front L/R 6.1's, which is good. I am betting it will become more efficient a tad as it further settles.

Interestingly, the C3 is more dynamic than my Onix Reference 100 center was. I went with the Onix about 7 years ago over a C3 I had then as I thought was more balanced and extended. Interestingly, my old C3 from that vintage was not as dynamic and articulate as this one is now, especially in the mids and highs. My old one was dark and closed comaratively, with the Onix blowing it away.

The drivers are the same from what I can tell from my original C3 from that era, but I am wondering if Swans updated or changed the crossover network or something because this sounds very different from that one. Much more explosive, as well. And with more break in to go.

So do they ever appear in piano black on this side of the globe?

They probably sound a lot like the original 4.1s with a little more low end...