The Official Salk Sound Owner's And Discussion Thread - Page 9

Maybe Jim should consider changing the name from The SongTower to "The SweetSpot".
Seems that the STs may soon overtake the HT3 in popularity if they haven't already.

I have been wanting to take a few pics of my HT3's and post them for a while now, I finally got around to taking some pics.

I don't know much about taking quality pics, and this particular pair of HT3's is very hard to photograph because I had Jim apply a hand-rubbed, high-gloss finish. I had a hard time trying to minimize reflections, so this is the best I could do.

A couple more upgrades were done as well. Blackhole 5 (sound deadening acoustical treament) was installed within the cabinet.

Sonicaps replaced the standard Solen caps in the midrange and tweeter crossovers as well.

This pair was done in a crotch mahogany.

*EDITED TO ADD* When I get a little more time I'll chime in talking of what a wonderful experience it was buying speakers from Jim, and how great I believe these speakers are. I'm fortunate that I live close to Jim which made my experience that much more memorable.

Also, the speakers even look much better in person. Of course more importantly is how they sound. Oh my!! Words can't fully explain what your ears will hear. To really understand, you have to hear them! Unbelievable....

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Mark

Amazing setup you got there! Absolutely amazing!

OK--I probably shouldn't choose favorites--but that's not just the best looking HT3 I've seen--it could be the best looking speaker period. I wonder how many hours of polishing went into that.

Just awesome HT3's! They look as about as perfect as perfect can be. I bet the sound is off the charts.

yatchaks,

What are you powering thoses beauties with? A pair of mono or bi-amped stereo poweramps? Manufacturer?

At the risk of sounding like a broken record Lots of owners here, please sign up on the Salk Frappr Site

Salk Sound Owners Map

8pgs of people signing up, but not a lot of info on owner location, Salk gear, and relevant components, and AVS handle. Perhaps we can get this properly updated and on Salk's site. IMO it would really make auditions easier.

Thanks a lot for the compliments boys!

sterankoman,

Because my house only allows for one listening room, I have to share HT duties and two channel listening within the same room.

I have two setups for this purpose. I run an Anthem AVM 50 and Anthem MCA 50 for HT, and run a pair of Odyssey Mono Extreme SE amps and an Odyssey Candela tubed pre (HT bypass) for two channel bliss.

Because of my excellent dealings with Jim, I decided to go with another "underground" guy for two channel listening as well. Klaus Bunge who is originally from Germany, is tied in with the high end Symphonic Line which is built in Germany, and is able to hand build (like Jim) his Odyssey line with similar/some of the same parts as the Symphonic line, but builds in the US and sells the Odyssey line for a lot less than the Symphonic line.

You can see the RF mono behind the speaker in the first pic, and the LF mono amp behind the speaker in the second to last pic. The Candela is on top of the maple board on the bottom TV shelf in the same pic.

INHO, there is so much more to be had for a lot less money by buying gear from guy's like Jim.

Mark

Wow yatchaks, those HT3s just might get my vote for most beautiful speaker of all time. I really love so many of the unique cabinets that Jim creates, but these are *stunning*. I bet I'm not alone in wondering how much a set of SongTowers in a similar finish would run... just might be worth it for those of us who are really into speaker-porn. (Admittedly I won't be able to afford anything like that for years to come, but it doesn't hurt to dream!) I've started saving all of my pennies for basic cherry SongTowers....

yatchaks, do you find the high-gloss finish to be very reflective when watching a movie in a dark environment?

There might be a warranty issue with that or other brand issues. Best to ask Jim directly.

Seems like a pretty small outfit to offer something like that, but maybe he does I know that when I was in the retail business we offered 0% financing, but it cost us something like 10% to do it. Jim's margins are pretty slim as it is (at least that's my guess based on the quality of his cabinets and drivers) so he's probably not. If he is, I'm all over it!

-Chad

Speaking as an economist, any small start up company like this has to maximize cash flow. I really doubt that Jim wants to get into the extended credit, zero financing business. The naked cabinet might have more appeal, but Jim will have to answer that one.

Somebody REALLY wants his Salks ASAP

I think they are beautiful! But when I showed them to my wife she asked me why his speakers look like coffins? Women, really have a whole different perspective

Although you would certainly think so, I've never noticed a reflection.

Mark

Ahhh not sure, you should pick up a pair of V3s, ST, and HT3s. This way I have a much closer place to audition these.

I'm not sure the wife would go for that. I need to find the drive to head up to Michigan. I REALLY like the Dali 400s I heard yesterday and there are bargains to be had.

You guys need to step away from the speaker quest for awhile! I don't know how you get any sleep at night!!!

I read in another thread of someone's interpretation of these two speakers and it is spot on. Something about the Song Towers being the apple, and the HT3's are the whole tree. I had the opportunity to listen to both of them side-by-side. The Song Towers hold their own against the HT3's. The HT3's just seem to envelope you with their sound. The bass is a little deeper and is tight and accurate. If i had the room i would have ordered them instead of the Song Towers!

Only 2-1/2 weeks to go!!!

Nuance,

Those HT3's are really something!!! When the time comes for you guys to order a pair of Jim's speakers, you really owe it to yourself to go to his shop and look at all of the veneers available. He has some beautiful stuff there! Unfortunately my wallet dictated the veneer for me or i would have some obscure curly maple or sappelle something or the other. I think i'll be happy with the cherry veneer on my Song Towers!

Doug

Nothing wrong with Songtowers in cherry!

http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...lk%20speakers/