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The Official Salk Sound Owner's And Discussion Thread - Page 228

post #6811 of 8713
3/14/12 at 8:54am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pstrisik View Post


This raises a question that I am curious about... When the SongTowers get the RAAL, does anything else change (eg, the crossover)? If not, it may mean that tweeters could be swapped out. Although the baffle must have different cut-outs for the round vs. square housings.

The crossover is changed, yes, and the baffle cut-outs are different. Otherwise I'd just pay for the upgrade and have mine done.
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post #6812 of 8713
3/14/12 at 5:37pm
I can't run wires to my rears so I've been using the Rocketfish Universal Wireless Rear Speaker Kit. It's a transmitter/receiver unit. The transmitter is connected to the speaker terminals on my AVR and both rear speakers are then connected to the receiver, which is plugged in. So it's not wireless, but it's a work-around to running wires across my room, which I can't do.

The Rocketfish is rated at 25 watts/channel and I presume 8 ohms. Do you guys think my SongSurround I rears will work OK with this? I don't think the power would be an issue so much as heat. The receiver is sitting on carpet under my sofa so it'd be kinda nice to not burn my place to the ground.

A local shop recommended I upgrade to SpeakerCraft's Sonic Air 2.1, which does essentially the same thing as the Rocketfish but it's rated at 50 W/ch and good with 4 ohms (not that I'd need room for 4 ohms). Oh, and it's $400.

I'm not convinced I need this upgrade but I'd love a second opinion. Any thoughts on this? Suggestions for a better value solution? Anyone else have the same problem?

This isn't really a question related to Salk speakers so much as a concern raised by the anticipation of Salk speakers. Sorry to clutter the thread.
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post #6813 of 8713
3/15/12 at 7:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by repete66211 View Post

I can't run wires to my rears so I've been using the Rocketfish Universal Wireless Rear Speaker Kit. It's a transmitter/receiver unit. The transmitter is connected to the speaker terminals on my AVR and both rear speakers are then connected to the receiver, which is plugged in. So it's not wireless, but it's a work-around to running wires across my room, which I can't do.

The Rocketfish is rated at 25 watts/channel and I presume 8 ohms. Do you guys think my SongSurround I rears will work OK with this? I don't think the power would be an issue so much as heat. The receiver is sitting on carpet under my sofa so it'd be kinda nice to not burn my place to the ground.

A local shop recommended I upgrade to SpeakerCraft's Sonic Air 2.1, which does essentially the same thing as the Rocketfish but it's rated at 50 W/ch and good with 4 ohms (not that I'd need room for 4 ohms). Oh, and it's $400.

I'm not convinced I need this upgrade but I'd love a second opinion. Any thoughts on this? Suggestions for a better value solution? Anyone else have the same problem?

This isn't really a question related to Salk speakers so much as a concern raised by the anticipation of Salk speakers. Sorry to clutter the thread.

I don't know that 25 watts will be enough power. The SongSurround I's are about 84 - 85db sensitive. 50 watts would be much better. But it all depends how hard you want to drive the system. With 25 watts at moderate volumes, you may be OK. But I would guess the bass will not be very well controlled and you might experience a lot of clipping as the amp is taxed beyond its capabilities.

I have never investigated this, but there may be transmitter/receiver units that are independent from an amp. Perhaps others might know of some. If you could find one, you could get a small, higher-powered digital amp to drive the speakers. The digital amps run very cool and you probably could get the combination for less than the cost of a t/r/amp combination.

- Jim
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post #6814 of 8713
3/15/12 at 7:41am
Thanks Jim. It sounds like an upgrade would be a good idea. I've never heard of the "independent amp" setup you mention so I'd appreciate any input others could offer. Regardless, I'll keep looking.
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post #6815 of 8713
3/15/12 at 8:01am
^^^

you could use one of these...

rocketfish wireless transmitter

and then whatever amp you lay your hands on...

the pioneer a35r is a nice little 50wpc amp that is 4 ohm stable, and has an "amp only" mode... 200 msrp... i've used mine for many different things and haven't killed it yet...

click me

there's likely other options that are just as good...
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post #6816 of 8713
3/15/12 at 9:38am
Interesting. Or I could use the Onkyo TX-SR606 that I'm replacing. Hmmmm....

Thanks for the idea!
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post #6817 of 8713
3/15/12 at 10:22am
^^^

you got it...

yup, that'd work too... has the big advantage of being "free", as well...
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post #6818 of 8713
3/16/12 at 6:20am
Thread Starter 
Gentlemen (and ladies...???), I'd like to share with you the first owner review of the Salk SoundScape 8's by the very first owner of this model of speaker:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=104583.0

Here is an except from the review:

"Now look back at the past couple months. I can certaintly answer my most fearfull question that I keep asking myself almost everyday. "what if they are not as good as some of the speakers that I previoussly owned". Totem Wind ( 6 months ownership), Wilson Max ( 2 week audition), both which I felt in love but could not stay in my home any longer due to my wife's picky eyes. Other speakers are worth mention are Triangle Tratos Luna ( 1.5 year), Thiel CS6 (3 years)... My answer is The SS8 are excellent speaker. I have no regret in my decision of buying them. They perform exactly to my expectation and more. They can easily compete with speakers costing twice as much and still hold its own up high.

In today high end market, specially high end speaker.$8000-$10000 for a pair of speaker is not cheap but compare to a lot of "HYPE" out there, the SS8 is a great bargain. I am strongly recommend the SS8 to anyone who in the market for a pair of new speaker from $8000 and up. They were created by the most passionate speaker builders in the industry who always have a careffully design and execute plan along with their incomparable skills and craftsmanship, "always be there" principle support. They are the best value in the market, now."

And a picture of them in their new home (linked from Audio Circle):
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post #6819 of 8713
3/16/12 at 6:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuance View Post

Gentlemen (and ladies...???), I'd like to share with you the first owner review of the Salk SoundScape 8's by the very first owner of this model of speaker:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=104583.0

Here is an except from the review:

"Now look back at the past couple months. I can certaintly answer my most fearfull question that I keep asking myself almost everyday. "what if they are not as good as some of the speakers that I previoussly owned". Totem Wind ( 6 months ownership), Wilson Max ( 2 week audition), both which I felt in love but could not stay in my home any longer due to my wife's picky eyes. Other speakers are worth mention are Triangle Tratos Luna ( 1.5 year), Thiel CS6 (3 years)... My answer is The SS8 are excellent speaker. I have no regret in my decision of buying them. They perform exactly to my expectation and more. They can easily compete with speakers costing twice as much and still hold its own up high.

In today high end market, specially high end speaker.$8000-$10000 for a pair of speaker is not cheap but compare to a lot of "HYPE" out there, the SS8 is a great bargain. I am strongly recommend the SS8 to anyone who in the market for a pair of new speaker from $8000 and up. They were created by the most passionate speaker builders in the industry who always have a careffully design and execute plan along with their incomparable skills and craftsmanship, "always be there" principle support. They are the best value in the market, now."

And a picture of them in their new home (linked from Audio Circle):

Weird that this owner's wife has a picky eye, but yet there are acoustical panels strewn about everywhere. My wife is NOT picky, and she would never allow that! Not sure I would either though.

Thanks for posting this review up, they look like awesome speakers, and I'm sure they sound that way too!

Cheers,
Chad
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post #6820 of 8713
3/16/12 at 7:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by thirdeye11 View Post

Weird that this owner's wife has a picky eye, but yet there are acoustical panels strewn about everywhere. My wife is NOT picky, and she would never allow that! Not sure I would either though.

I was thinking the same thing when I saw the picture. The SS8s look like an incredible speaker one that if I had the budget would be on my short list of speakers to own.

I have heard quite a bit of praise lately for the GoldenEar Triton speakers. I am wondering if any Salk speaker owners have demoed any speakers from GoldenEar? If anyone has what are your thoughts on these speakers?

Bill
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post #6821 of 8713
3/16/12 at 7:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuance View Post

Gentlemen (and ladies...???), I'd like to share with you the first owner review of the Salk SoundScape 8's by the very first owner of this model of speaker:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=104583.0

Here is an except from the review:

"Now look back at the past couple months. I can certaintly answer my most fearfull question that I keep asking myself almost everyday. "what if they are not as good as some of the speakers that I previoussly owned". Totem Wind ( 6 months ownership), Wilson Max ( 2 week audition), both which I felt in love but could not stay in my home any longer due to my wife's picky eyes. Other speakers are worth mention are Triangle Tratos Luna ( 1.5 year), Thiel CS6 (3 years)... My answer is The SS8 are excellent speaker. I have no regret in my decision of buying them. They perform exactly to my expectation and more. They can easily compete with speakers costing twice as much and still hold its own up high.

In today high end market, specially high end speaker.$8000-$10000 for a pair of speaker is not cheap but compare to a lot of "HYPE" out there, the SS8 is a great bargain. I am strongly recommend the SS8 to anyone who in the market for a pair of new speaker from $8000 and up. They were created by the most passionate speaker builders in the industry who always have a careffully design and execute plan along with their incomparable skills and craftsmanship, "always be there" principle support. They are the best value in the market, now."

ho ho ho Merry Christmas my friend they look awesome !!
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post #6822 of 8713
3/16/12 at 7:52am
they will not work in my room...

they will not work in my room...

they will not work in my room...


but geez, i bet they are GREAT...
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post #6823 of 8713
3/16/12 at 8:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Mac View Post

I have heard quite a bit of praise lately for the GoldenEar Triton speakers. I am wondering if any Salk speaker owners have demoed any speakers from GoldenEar? If anyone has what are your thoughts on these speakers?

I demo'd a pair of Triton Twos with some two channel material. I was comparing them to a the Paradigm Studio 100s, which I had just listened to in another room. Now I wouldn't deign to call myself an audiophile, and maybe it was the high expectations, room acoustics, source material, etc. but the GoldenEars were underwhelming. The Tritons might have a slight edge on the low end, what with those bass radiators, but IMO the Studio 100s were much better speaker for two channel material.

The only scenario I could see justifying their purchase of a set of GoldenEars is if space were really at a premium. The surrounds and center are very low profile (though a bit long) and, though I don't think anyone would recommend it, I suppose you could get away with not having a subwoofer. Bottom line for me was that even if I like how they sounded they are not a very attractive speaker, both the shape and the fact that, if I recall correctly, the whole speaker sits in a sock of grill cover material.
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post #6824 of 8713
3/16/12 at 1:47pm
I am not a Salk owner but I hope to in the future (SS8?). I heard the Triton Twos at a shop in Mobile Al and I lost my interest in them. I have created two audition CDs I use that covers different aspects that I know how they can sound. Most everything was awesome, especially strong bass / percussion (e.g. Rusted Root, Joe Satriani, Santana) but a couple tracks fell on their face IMO. One was a track from the Indigo Girls and the other was from Neil Diamond's Hot August Night. When I had the Sales guy listen he acknowledged they were aware of this issue and had even called Sandy to see if something was wrong with their floor models - he suggested working with placement. They did, no help. May be something wrong with the pair I heard, don't know. Twenty years ago I almost bought Infinity Kappas until I put on that same Indigo Girls CD, bought KEF Reference 103/4s instead.
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post #6825 of 8713
3/16/12 at 3:19pm
repete66211 and jima4a,

Thanks for your thoughts on the Tritons. I was curious as I owned Def Tech 2006tls awhile back and I was not impressed with them once I focused more on music than movies. I just found it hard to integrate the built in subs with the stand alone sub I had. I'm also not sold on the rear firing speaker array that I guess is for added ambiance. But I'm sure the Tritons are a much better sounding speaker than the 2006tls. Not enough for me to give up my SongTowers though.

Bill
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post #6826 of 8713
3/17/12 at 1:24am
I auditioned the Triton 2 at Definitive Audio in Seattle. I was expecting a lot, but was decidedly underwhelmed. I much preferred the B&W CM8 speakers in the next room. I've never heard the Songtowers, but all I can say is that the Triton 2 speakers looked cheap and didn't impress me enough to want to buy them - despite the glowing reviews I had read.
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post #6827 of 8713
3/20/12 at 8:44am
Awful quiet over here. Where's all the chatter?
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post #6828 of 8713
3/20/12 at 8:45am
^^^

we are all happy campers listening to our speakers...
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post #6829 of 8713
3/20/12 at 9:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Enterion View Post

...the Triton 2 speakers looked cheap and didn't impress me enough to want to buy them - despite the glowing reviews I had read.

I thought they looked cheap too. I've seen a lot of good reviews of the GoldenEars from professional reviewers, but nearly all the casual reviews I've seen have been along the lines of what we've said here--underimpressed. I don't know if this is due to the speakers themselves or if it's a demonstration of the power of high expectations.
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post #6830 of 8713
3/20/12 at 9:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj View Post

^^^

we are all happy campers listening to our speakers...

...or waiting for our speakers to be delivered. T-minus 5 weeks and counting.
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post #6831 of 8713
3/20/12 at 9:32am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj View Post

^^^

we are all happy campers listening to our speakers...

Good response! Although, I haven't been able to listen to mine for a few weeks now. It hurts, but I'll live.
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post #6832 of 8713
3/20/12 at 10:15am
Here's a question I've been wondering about..... Is there a difference between the full front vs. baffle front in access to internals when necessary? I've assumed that the baffle is removable, but that wouldn't be the case with a full hardwood front.
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post #6833 of 8713
3/20/12 at 10:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuance View Post

Good response! Although, I haven't been able to listen to mine for a few weeks now. It hurts, but I'll live.

ouch...

Quote:
Originally Posted by pstrisik View Post

Here's a question I've been wondering about..... Is there a difference between the full front vs. baffle front in access to internals when necessary? I've assumed that the baffle is removable, but that wouldn't be the case with a full hardwood front.

nope... the baffle isn't removable (at least not on mine, i have the optional hardwood baffle)... you would get to the internals through the speaker mounting holes...
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post #6834 of 8713
3/20/12 at 10:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by repete66211 View Post

...or waiting for our speakers to be delivered. T-minus 5 weeks and counting.

just wait til you get your shipment notification... you will then refresh the fedex tracking page approximately 1.234 zillion times...
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post #6835 of 8713
3/20/12 at 10:48am
^^ off topic, but if you use twitter check out trackthis, it's a great service for tracking packages.
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post #6836 of 8713
3/20/12 at 10:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nethawk View Post

^^ off topic, but if you use twitter check out trackthis, it's a great service for tracking packages.

Why do you have to derail the thread Nethawk? :P
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post #6837 of 8713
3/20/12 at 11:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nethawk View Post

^^ off topic, but if you use twitter check out trackthis, it's a great service for tracking packages.

cool, checking it out... this might mean that i may actually have to use my twitter account....
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post #6838 of 8713
3/20/12 at 11:54am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj View Post

cool, checking it out... this might mean that i may actually have to use my twitter account....

What's twitter?
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post #6839 of 8713
3/20/12 at 12:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by repete66211 View Post

I thought they looked cheap too. I've seen a lot of good reviews of the GoldenEars from professional reviewers, but nearly all the casual reviews I've seen have been along the lines of what we've said here--underimpressed. I don't know if this is due to the speakers themselves or if it's a demonstration of the power of high expectations.

I would have to agree that the apearance of the Triton's are not that impressive. Especially when you are a Salk speaker owner where performance and looks/build quality are of the same ratio IMO. I could be totally wrong but some reviews I read in some A/V publications are tilted towards those that advertise the most.

Bill
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post #6840 of 8713
3/21/12 at 2:15am
Does anyone know the difference between these aside from sensitivity. Both go down as low as 34hz and transmission line. Same price. LCY vs RAAL tweeters. Why would you choose one over another? There are a lot of overlapping or similarly priced Salk models not including the unusual one off designs that have no posted specs or graphs. How bout V3 vs HT2-TL? Confused...
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