Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuance 
His name on this forum is PAD.
His name on this forum is PAD.
Thanks
post #7651 of 8713
8/29/12 at 4:56am
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post #7652 of 8713
8/29/12 at 1:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuance
We've been getting the same thing. They are probably doing site or server maintenance, but I am sure the website will be back up soon. Until then, welcome to the AVS Salk thread.
We've been getting the same thing. They are probably doing site or server maintenance, but I am sure the website will be back up soon. Until then, welcome to the AVS Salk thread.
Thanks for the info. Hopefully they will be back up soon.
I do still visit this thread on a regular basis, but perhaps I don't post as much as I use to?
post #7653 of 8713
8/30/12 at 5:41am
Well I finally placed my order yesterday.
After lurking here for over a year I've finally bit the bullet and placed my order. Early in the year I had enough saved for Songtowers, but then tickets to the final four came available to me and I blew that bundle in New Orleans (great time!!). I had to start over saving. Then I became aware of the supercharged version and my task for savings grew even larger. I'm still not half way there, but I figured what the heck, my last house payment is in two months, so why not go ahead!! My loving wife also urged me to not wait any longer as well. (You got to love her!)
I went back and forth for a long time on Songtower vs SC ST vs keeping my Paradigm Studio 10s and adding a good sealed sub. Dome vs RAAL. I even asked Jim if a SC with a OW2 dome could be built. Again one of the deciding factors was my wife. She's totally opposed to a sub. She's prone to migranes and has had them triggered in movie theaters with bass heavy special effects, so she has no desire to have a sub in her living room. As a result many a saturday night watching movies she prefers to just have the TV speakers running without any external speakers, although for dramas (without LFE special effects) she enjoys the extra clarity afforded to dialog from external audio. (One frequent compromise is to use the external audio with audyssey dynamic volume on night mode, lowering any bass heavy efffects to the background.) Fine by me, my main interest in SCST is music reproduction. I opted SCST for the bass extension on music, given I'll likely never own a sub. Everyone raves about the RAAL so I dropped any notion of an OW2 based SCST. Needless to say I'm one happy and anxious camper!!
I'm still undecided on finish options. My gut says dark curly cherry, given my TV/stero cabinet is a brown/orange cherry finish (might be brown, red) (Ethan Allen, again the wife's choice). But Jim says he'll start cutting and assembling cabinets while I decide.
Again, kudos to Jim and his excellent customer service. Lurking here for over a year, I've wrote him on numerous occasions and peppered him with all sorts of questions. He's always quick to respond and answer them all.
Now the worst part - the wait....
After lurking here for over a year I've finally bit the bullet and placed my order. Early in the year I had enough saved for Songtowers, but then tickets to the final four came available to me and I blew that bundle in New Orleans (great time!!). I had to start over saving. Then I became aware of the supercharged version and my task for savings grew even larger. I'm still not half way there, but I figured what the heck, my last house payment is in two months, so why not go ahead!! My loving wife also urged me to not wait any longer as well. (You got to love her!)
I went back and forth for a long time on Songtower vs SC ST vs keeping my Paradigm Studio 10s and adding a good sealed sub. Dome vs RAAL. I even asked Jim if a SC with a OW2 dome could be built. Again one of the deciding factors was my wife. She's totally opposed to a sub. She's prone to migranes and has had them triggered in movie theaters with bass heavy special effects, so she has no desire to have a sub in her living room. As a result many a saturday night watching movies she prefers to just have the TV speakers running without any external speakers, although for dramas (without LFE special effects) she enjoys the extra clarity afforded to dialog from external audio. (One frequent compromise is to use the external audio with audyssey dynamic volume on night mode, lowering any bass heavy efffects to the background.) Fine by me, my main interest in SCST is music reproduction. I opted SCST for the bass extension on music, given I'll likely never own a sub. Everyone raves about the RAAL so I dropped any notion of an OW2 based SCST. Needless to say I'm one happy and anxious camper!!
I'm still undecided on finish options. My gut says dark curly cherry, given my TV/stero cabinet is a brown/orange cherry finish (might be brown, red) (Ethan Allen, again the wife's choice). But Jim says he'll start cutting and assembling cabinets while I decide.
Again, kudos to Jim and his excellent customer service. Lurking here for over a year, I've wrote him on numerous occasions and peppered him with all sorts of questions. He's always quick to respond and answer them all.
Now the worst part - the wait....
post #7654 of 8713
8/30/12 at 7:32am
- repete66211
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Congratulations, you're going to love them. I have the SC ST and went without a sub for a couple of weeks and was actually really impressed with how deep they go on their own. But since you know you'll never have a sub it might be worth considering the HT2-TLs. They're more expensive so that would mean more saving, but since it's a big decision the'yre worth considering. I couldn't go that way because they're just too big for my space, so size is a consideration too. Regarding the finish, just go with your gut, pull the trigger and then let it go.
Edited by repete66211 - 8/30/12 at 7:48am
Edited by repete66211 - 8/30/12 at 7:48am
post #7655 of 8713
8/30/12 at 7:54am
post #7656 of 8713
8/30/12 at 7:55am
post #7657 of 8713
8/30/12 at 7:59am
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post #7658 of 8713
8/30/12 at 7:59am
- Eternal Velocity
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glangford
Well I finally placed my order yesterday.
After lurking here for over a year I've finally bit the bullet and placed my order. Early in the year I had enough saved for Songtowers, but then tickets to the final four came available to me and I blew that bundle in New Orleans (great time!!). I had to start over saving. Then I became aware of the supercharged version and my task for savings grew even larger. I'm still not half way there, but I figured what the heck, my last house payment is in two months, so why not go ahead!! My loving wife also urged me to not wait any longer as well. (You got to love her!)
I went back and forth for a long time on Songtower vs SC ST vs keeping my Paradigm Studio 10s and adding a good sealed sub. Dome vs RAAL. I even asked Jim if a SC with a OW2 dome could be built. Again one of the deciding factors was my wife. She's totally opposed to a sub. She's prone to migranes and has had them triggered in movie theaters with bass heavy special effects, so she has no desire to have a sub in her living room. As a result many a saturday night watching movies she prefers to just have the TV speakers running without any external speakers, although for dramas (without LFE special effects) she enjoys the extra clarity afforded to dialog from external audio. (One frequent compromise is to use the external audio with audyssey dynamic volume on night mode, lowering any bass heavy efffects to the background.) Fine by me, my main interest in SCST is music reproduction. I opted SCST for the bass extension on music, given I'll likely never own a sub.
Well I finally placed my order yesterday.
After lurking here for over a year I've finally bit the bullet and placed my order. Early in the year I had enough saved for Songtowers, but then tickets to the final four came available to me and I blew that bundle in New Orleans (great time!!). I had to start over saving. Then I became aware of the supercharged version and my task for savings grew even larger. I'm still not half way there, but I figured what the heck, my last house payment is in two months, so why not go ahead!! My loving wife also urged me to not wait any longer as well. (You got to love her!)
I went back and forth for a long time on Songtower vs SC ST vs keeping my Paradigm Studio 10s and adding a good sealed sub. Dome vs RAAL. I even asked Jim if a SC with a OW2 dome could be built. Again one of the deciding factors was my wife. She's totally opposed to a sub. She's prone to migranes and has had them triggered in movie theaters with bass heavy special effects, so she has no desire to have a sub in her living room. As a result many a saturday night watching movies she prefers to just have the TV speakers running without any external speakers, although for dramas (without LFE special effects) she enjoys the extra clarity afforded to dialog from external audio. (One frequent compromise is to use the external audio with audyssey dynamic volume on night mode, lowering any bass heavy efffects to the background.) Fine by me, my main interest in SCST is music reproduction. I opted SCST for the bass extension on music, given I'll likely never own a sub.
Bear these things in mind;
1) A well integrated, well-placed, low Q sub should never overload the system with bass. What it WILL do is reduce the strain on the little 5" midbasses and let them concentrate on the midrange. While the W15s are flat out nice drivers, their selling point is not better bass extensiom, but rather their upper midrange/lower treble resolutiom, which seamlessly blends to the raal. You're possibly doing the midrange a disservice by asking it to simultaneously receive low frequency content.
2) Movie theaters are far from a good example of what subs have to offer. For starters they are around 6 to 8 db too flat out loud - even Toole suggests something along these lines. Second, the diffraction horn speakers at theaters have an in-your-face, fatiguing quality that makes action movies unlistenable on theaters. It's not the bass that likely gives your wife headaches, but rather the harsh mids and treble. This is also a quality some have found in the paradigm spealers you own as they have elevated midtreble and midbass. What you'll find moving to the salks is a more relaxed presentation that will blend seamlessly to a subwoofer without any exaggeration. Don't discount using a sub - done right it may be very much unlike what you expect.
3) Since the STSC have deep bass extension, they have limited bass in the ~60hz range as the drivers are almost solely responsible for output in that frequency range. While moderate levels should not overly tax your speakers, it's still possible you will get improvements in SQ witb a sub. Further, Speaker placement can often compromise bass response.
post #7659 of 8713
8/30/12 at 9:07am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eternal Velocity
Bear these things in mind;
1) A well integrated, well-placed, low Q sub should never overload the system with bass. What it WILL do is reduce the strain on the little 5" midbasses and let them concentrate on the midrange. While the W15s are flat out nice drivers, their selling point is not better bass extensiom, but rather their upper midrange/lower treble resolutiom, which seamlessly blends to the raal. You're possibly doing the midrange a disservice by asking it to simultaneously receive low frequency content.
2) Movie theaters are far from a good example of what subs have to offer. For starters they are around 6 to 8 db too flat out loud - even Toole suggests something along these lines. Second, the diffraction horn speakers at theaters have an in-your-face, fatiguing quality that makes action movies unlistenable on theaters. It's not the bass that likely gives your wife headaches, but rather the harsh mids and treble. This is also a quality some have found in the paradigm spealers you own as they have elevated midtreble and midbass. What you'll find moving to the salks is a more relaxed presentation that will blend seamlessly to a subwoofer without any exaggeration. Don't discount using a sub - done right it may be very much unlike what you expect.
3) Since the STSC have deep bass extension, they have limited bass in the ~60hz range as the drivers are almost solely responsible for output in that frequency range. While moderate levels should not overly tax your speakers, it's still possible you will get improvements in SQ witb a sub. Further, Speaker placement can often compromise bass response.
Bear these things in mind;
1) A well integrated, well-placed, low Q sub should never overload the system with bass. What it WILL do is reduce the strain on the little 5" midbasses and let them concentrate on the midrange. While the W15s are flat out nice drivers, their selling point is not better bass extensiom, but rather their upper midrange/lower treble resolutiom, which seamlessly blends to the raal. You're possibly doing the midrange a disservice by asking it to simultaneously receive low frequency content.
2) Movie theaters are far from a good example of what subs have to offer. For starters they are around 6 to 8 db too flat out loud - even Toole suggests something along these lines. Second, the diffraction horn speakers at theaters have an in-your-face, fatiguing quality that makes action movies unlistenable on theaters. It's not the bass that likely gives your wife headaches, but rather the harsh mids and treble. This is also a quality some have found in the paradigm spealers you own as they have elevated midtreble and midbass. What you'll find moving to the salks is a more relaxed presentation that will blend seamlessly to a subwoofer without any exaggeration. Don't discount using a sub - done right it may be very much unlike what you expect.
3) Since the STSC have deep bass extension, they have limited bass in the ~60hz range as the drivers are almost solely responsible for output in that frequency range. While moderate levels should not overly tax your speakers, it's still possible you will get improvements in SQ witb a sub. Further, Speaker placement can often compromise bass response.
Good info, dat!
In my experience, it is the pounding of the mid/mid-low bass that is tiring. Good, low, tuneful bass is not at all tiring and really makes the music more satisfying at lower volume levels.
post #7660 of 8713
8/30/12 at 9:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eternal Velocity
Bear these things in mind;
1) A well integrated, well-placed, low Q sub should never overload the system with bass. What it WILL do is reduce the strain on the little 5" midbasses and let them concentrate on the midrange. While the W15s are flat out nice drivers, their selling point is not better bass extensiom, but rather their upper midrange/lower treble resolutiom, which seamlessly blends to the raal. You're possibly doing the midrange a disservice by asking it to simultaneously receive low frequency content.
2) Movie theaters are far from a good example of what subs have to offer. For starters they are around 6 to 8 db too flat out loud - even Toole suggests something along these lines. Second, the diffraction horn speakers at theaters have an in-your-face, fatiguing quality that makes action movies unlistenable on theaters. It's not the bass that likely gives your wife headaches, but rather the harsh mids and treble. This is also a quality some have found in the paradigm spealers you own as they have elevated midtreble and midbass. What you'll find moving to the salks is a more relaxed presentation that will blend seamlessly to a subwoofer without any exaggeration. Don't discount using a sub - done right it may be very much unlike what you expect.
3) Since the STSC have deep bass extension, they have limited bass in the ~60hz range as the drivers are almost solely responsible for output in that frequency range. While moderate levels should not overly tax your speakers, it's still possible you will get improvements in SQ witb a sub. Further, Speaker placement can often compromise bass response.
Bear these things in mind;
1) A well integrated, well-placed, low Q sub should never overload the system with bass. What it WILL do is reduce the strain on the little 5" midbasses and let them concentrate on the midrange. While the W15s are flat out nice drivers, their selling point is not better bass extensiom, but rather their upper midrange/lower treble resolutiom, which seamlessly blends to the raal. You're possibly doing the midrange a disservice by asking it to simultaneously receive low frequency content.
2) Movie theaters are far from a good example of what subs have to offer. For starters they are around 6 to 8 db too flat out loud - even Toole suggests something along these lines. Second, the diffraction horn speakers at theaters have an in-your-face, fatiguing quality that makes action movies unlistenable on theaters. It's not the bass that likely gives your wife headaches, but rather the harsh mids and treble. This is also a quality some have found in the paradigm spealers you own as they have elevated midtreble and midbass. What you'll find moving to the salks is a more relaxed presentation that will blend seamlessly to a subwoofer without any exaggeration. Don't discount using a sub - done right it may be very much unlike what you expect.
3) Since the STSC have deep bass extension, they have limited bass in the ~60hz range as the drivers are almost solely responsible for output in that frequency range. While moderate levels should not overly tax your speakers, it's still possible you will get improvements in SQ witb a sub. Further, Speaker placement can often compromise bass response.
Yea I understand. I'd really like to try a sub. That is why keeping the studio 10s and adding a sub remained in the trade space up until the end. Maybe I should have never said never. Maybe some day. The problem now is space. Going to floor standers kind of took a potential subs spot, except for maybe a SVS cylinder. As long as I keep my agreement with the wife that movies are audyssey dynamic volume in night mode, maybe she will bend somewhere down the road. If you have a migraine sufferer in the family perception is almost as important as the actual trigger. I could explain to her about horns and sharp treble till I'm blue in the face and she'd still cringe at high LFE effects.
Music is my primary consideration however and I'll take what I get for movies. I never felt too lacking with music even with the small studio bookshelfs so I'm sure that I'll be fine with SCSTs. I also like the simplicity of a 2.0 system. I get tired of high tech AVRs that in my experience are prone to failure given the put 10 lbs of stuff in a 5 lb bag they have. I cross my fingers that my current 3311ci doesn't have a network card or hdmi board failure, to which it seems prone. Although I have to admit even for a 2.0 system audyssey has some plusses. That fatiguing treble you speak of with Paradigm I noticed at first. When convinced by the Denonites in the amp section to give audyssey a whirl even with a 2.0 setup I noticed audyssey took an edge of the sound. Looking at the resulting curve in my room, it rolled off the high frequencies quite a bit. OTOH, I had a simple stereo reciever for 20 years, and am now on my second AVR in 3. At some point I see a simple integrated in my future, I keep hoping to see more entries in the market with bass management and room eq for 2.0 system people like the HK990.
Thanks for the info.
Edited by glangford - 8/30/12 at 9:35am
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post #7662 of 8713
8/30/12 at 3:40pm
post #7663 of 8713
8/30/12 at 4:39pm
- saeyedoc
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Quote:
Looks like that bug was reported this morning. This was the response:Originally Posted by glangford
I've been trying to get into audio circle. It's up but it only let's in registered users and the register function says disabled?
I was hoping to look through the owners image gallery to finalize my finish choices.
I've been trying to get into audio circle. It's up but it only let's in registered users and the register function says disabled?
I was hoping to look through the owners image gallery to finalize my finish choices.
There will be a "teething" period of a week or two as server and software settings are fine-tuned. Please be patient.
For veneers, keep an open mind and Jim may find you something special, like these I just got recently in spalted beeswing makore
post #7664 of 8713
8/31/12 at 3:30pm
post #7665 of 8713
8/31/12 at 7:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by glangford
I have space constraints as well, the ht2s are not in the cards. I'm generally a moderate volume listener, the SCST will suffice.
I have space constraints as well, the ht2s are not in the cards. I'm generally a moderate volume listener, the SCST will suffice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by glangford
In fact the smaller footprint of the SCST was a consideration over the st.
In fact the smaller footprint of the SCST was a consideration over the st.
I completely understand. Had the SCST been available when I purchased my Salks (HT2-TL), I probably would have bought it instead. I don't need the bass capabilities of the HT2-TL and the smaller footprint would have been welcome.
I expect the SCST will give you that HT2-TL sound in a smaller package (discounting the HT2-TLs bass capabilities).
BTW, if you not seen Salks in person, you're in for a visual treat.
Edited by Saturn94 - 8/31/12 at 7:41pm
post #7666 of 8713
9/1/12 at 5:44am
post #7667 of 8713
9/1/12 at 7:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by glangford
No, I've never seen them in person. I asked Jim about someone in the area Where I could audition them. The closest was 3 hrs away.
No, I've never seen them in person. I asked Jim about someone in the area Where I could audition them. The closest was 3 hrs away.
Ahhhh, that ain't nothing..
I drove to Dennis' twice........3.5 hrs one way IF traffic is good, but DC/northern VA traffic is usually NOT good. It was worth it though.
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post #7669 of 8713
9/1/12 at 5:23pm
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9/5/12 at 2:15pm
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I am way overdue for a post to the Official Salk thread here on AVS. My 'ultimate' audio set up has been in the planning stages for the past 20 years or so, and we have finally gotten to the state in our home renovations where it was time to get serious. This is the part where the internet can be your greatest friend or worst enemy when it comes to research. However, Jim Salk's name kept coming up in a variety of places during my searches, and I loved what we saw on his site and from all the Salkies out there. I saw a few owners that were semi-local, but nothing within a couple of hours.
(Story pre-amble starts here, so feel free to skip ahead) As luck would have it, we were planning a rather lenthy drive to visit our various family members, and would be coming back to IL from Maryland when it hit me... "Hey, I think Salk might not be too far out of the way....". Sure enough, checking on the map meant we could pick up a short detour on the way home (and visit Greenfield Village with the kids in nearby Dearborn). Next thing up was contacting Jim via email and setting up a time.
Now, if you EVER get a chance to stop by Salk Signature Sound, it is worth it. Originally, we had planned a quick stop by to check out either the SCST or the HT2s, which both fit within our planned budget, however fate had other plans for our visit.
Jim and Mary were such excellent hosts. We had a chance to see the entire construction process, along with getting to see a huge selection of raw veneers and speakers in production. It was almost overwhelming to see the variety that was there in the shop. Then came the part I had really been looking forward to- the audition. Jim had a nice set of bubinga Supercharged Song Towers, as well as a claro walnut HT3 set up.
We started with the SCST, which had an amazing clarity and tone- it well exceeded our expectations. We listened, we talked, we got our Holly Cole Trio CD out that we had used during a painfully long set up session with our 5.1 family room set up. This particular CD has some vocals that are actually painful on some systems (dogs running down the street). I figured we'd found what we were looking for, but let's listen to that HT3. It had a slightly different feel, as expected, with a warmer bass. Hmmm- which to get? Ok, just on a whim, could we hook up that SS8 in the pepperwood burl that had just recently been completed? As you may know, these are rather hefty, but Jim and his crew got them into position for us.... Then fired them up. Wow. It was that simple, my wife and I just looked at each other. The SS8 actually can bring out an emotional impact.
Our short visit turned into 2 hours, and it went by in a flash, well maybe not for the kids, We definitely knew we wanted to try to build around that SS8 system though. Jim has been very helpful in answering follow up questions, and I think we have finally worked through some placement, wiring, AV, and cash flow considerations
We are planning the SS8s, SoundScape Center, Salk/Rythmik 15", and SongSurround I's. This is definitely more system than we had planned, but we were seriously floored by our visit.
Hope to post more as we finalize everything!
Ben
Edited by benguin - 9/5/12 at 4:55pm
(Story pre-amble starts here, so feel free to skip ahead) As luck would have it, we were planning a rather lenthy drive to visit our various family members, and would be coming back to IL from Maryland when it hit me... "Hey, I think Salk might not be too far out of the way....". Sure enough, checking on the map meant we could pick up a short detour on the way home (and visit Greenfield Village with the kids in nearby Dearborn). Next thing up was contacting Jim via email and setting up a time.
Now, if you EVER get a chance to stop by Salk Signature Sound, it is worth it. Originally, we had planned a quick stop by to check out either the SCST or the HT2s, which both fit within our planned budget, however fate had other plans for our visit.
Jim and Mary were such excellent hosts. We had a chance to see the entire construction process, along with getting to see a huge selection of raw veneers and speakers in production. It was almost overwhelming to see the variety that was there in the shop. Then came the part I had really been looking forward to- the audition. Jim had a nice set of bubinga Supercharged Song Towers, as well as a claro walnut HT3 set up.
We started with the SCST, which had an amazing clarity and tone- it well exceeded our expectations. We listened, we talked, we got our Holly Cole Trio CD out that we had used during a painfully long set up session with our 5.1 family room set up. This particular CD has some vocals that are actually painful on some systems (dogs running down the street). I figured we'd found what we were looking for, but let's listen to that HT3. It had a slightly different feel, as expected, with a warmer bass. Hmmm- which to get? Ok, just on a whim, could we hook up that SS8 in the pepperwood burl that had just recently been completed? As you may know, these are rather hefty, but Jim and his crew got them into position for us.... Then fired them up. Wow. It was that simple, my wife and I just looked at each other. The SS8 actually can bring out an emotional impact.
Our short visit turned into 2 hours, and it went by in a flash, well maybe not for the kids, We definitely knew we wanted to try to build around that SS8 system though. Jim has been very helpful in answering follow up questions, and I think we have finally worked through some placement, wiring, AV, and cash flow considerations
We are planning the SS8s, SoundScape Center, Salk/Rythmik 15", and SongSurround I's. This is definitely more system than we had planned, but we were seriously floored by our visit.
Hope to post more as we finalize everything!
Ben
Edited by benguin - 9/5/12 at 4:55pm
post #7672 of 8713
9/5/12 at 2:23pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by benguin
I am way overdue for a post to the Official Salk thread here on AVS. My 'ultimate' audio set up has been in the planning stages for the past 20 years or so, and we have finally gotten to the state in our home renovations where it was time to get serious. This is the part where the internet can be your greatest friend or worst enemy when it comes to research. However, Jim Salk's name kept coming up in a variety of places during my searches, and I loved what we saw on his site and from all the Salkies out there. I saw a few owners that were semi-local, but nothing within a couple of hours.
(Story pre-amble starts here, so feel free to skip ahead) As luck would have it, we were planning a rather lenthy drive to visit our various family members, and would be coming back to IL from Maryland when it hit me... "Hey, I think Salk might not be too far out of the way....". Sure enough, checking on the map meant we could pick up a short detour on the way home (and visit Greenfield Village with the kids in nearby Dearborn). Next thing up was contacting Jim via email and setting up a time.
Now, if you EVER get a chance to stop by Salk Signature Sound, it is worth it. Originally, we had planned a quick stop by to check out either the SCST or the HT2s, which both fit within our planned budget, however fate had other plans for our visit.
Jim and Mary were such excellent hosts. We had a chance to see the entire construction process, along with getting to see a huge selection of raw veneers and speakers in production. It was almost overwhelming to see the variety that was there in the shop. Then came the part I had really been looking forward to- the audition. Jim had a nice set of bubinga Supercharged Song Towers, as well as a claro walnut HT3 set up.
We started with the SCST, which had an amazing clarity and tone- it well exceeded our expectations. We listened, we talked, we got our Holly Cole Trio CD out that we had used during a painfully long set up session with our 5.1 family room set up. This particular CD has some vocals that are actually painful on some systems (dogs running down the street). I figured we'd found what we were looking for, but let's listen to that HT3. It had a slightly different feel, as expected, with a warmer bass. Hmmm- which to get? Ok, just on a whim, could we hook up that SS8 in the pepperwood burl that had just recently been completed? As you may know, these are rather hefty, but Jim and his crew got them into position for us.... Then fired them up. Wow. It was that simple, my wife and I just looked at each other. The SS8 actually can bring out an emotional impact.
Our short visit turned into 2 hours, and it went by in a flash, well maybe not for the kids, We definitely knew we wanted to try to build around that SS8 system though. Jim has been very helpful in answering follow up questions, and I think we have finally worked through some placement, wiring, AV, and cash flow considerations
We are planning the SS8s, SoundScape Center, Salk/Rythmik 18", and SongSurround I's. This is definitely more system than we had planned, but we were seriously floored by our visit.
Hope to post more as we finalize everything!
Ben
I am way overdue for a post to the Official Salk thread here on AVS. My 'ultimate' audio set up has been in the planning stages for the past 20 years or so, and we have finally gotten to the state in our home renovations where it was time to get serious. This is the part where the internet can be your greatest friend or worst enemy when it comes to research. However, Jim Salk's name kept coming up in a variety of places during my searches, and I loved what we saw on his site and from all the Salkies out there. I saw a few owners that were semi-local, but nothing within a couple of hours.
(Story pre-amble starts here, so feel free to skip ahead) As luck would have it, we were planning a rather lenthy drive to visit our various family members, and would be coming back to IL from Maryland when it hit me... "Hey, I think Salk might not be too far out of the way....". Sure enough, checking on the map meant we could pick up a short detour on the way home (and visit Greenfield Village with the kids in nearby Dearborn). Next thing up was contacting Jim via email and setting up a time.
Now, if you EVER get a chance to stop by Salk Signature Sound, it is worth it. Originally, we had planned a quick stop by to check out either the SCST or the HT2s, which both fit within our planned budget, however fate had other plans for our visit.
Jim and Mary were such excellent hosts. We had a chance to see the entire construction process, along with getting to see a huge selection of raw veneers and speakers in production. It was almost overwhelming to see the variety that was there in the shop. Then came the part I had really been looking forward to- the audition. Jim had a nice set of bubinga Supercharged Song Towers, as well as a claro walnut HT3 set up.
We started with the SCST, which had an amazing clarity and tone- it well exceeded our expectations. We listened, we talked, we got our Holly Cole Trio CD out that we had used during a painfully long set up session with our 5.1 family room set up. This particular CD has some vocals that are actually painful on some systems (dogs running down the street). I figured we'd found what we were looking for, but let's listen to that HT3. It had a slightly different feel, as expected, with a warmer bass. Hmmm- which to get? Ok, just on a whim, could we hook up that SS8 in the pepperwood burl that had just recently been completed? As you may know, these are rather hefty, but Jim and his crew got them into position for us.... Then fired them up. Wow. It was that simple, my wife and I just looked at each other. The SS8 actually can bring out an emotional impact.
Our short visit turned into 2 hours, and it went by in a flash, well maybe not for the kids, We definitely knew we wanted to try to build around that SS8 system though. Jim has been very helpful in answering follow up questions, and I think we have finally worked through some placement, wiring, AV, and cash flow considerations
We are planning the SS8s, SoundScape Center, Salk/Rythmik 18", and SongSurround I's. This is definitely more system than we had planned, but we were seriously floored by our visit.
Hope to post more as we finalize everything!
Ben
Awesome, I love reading about stories and experiences just like this one glad you're getting exactly what you want. I'm not a Salk owner but have a a few friends that are incredibly happy with their purchase and friendly support from Jim.
Congrats
Djoel
post #7673 of 8713
9/5/12 at 2:25pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by benguin
We are planning the SS8s, SoundScape Center, Salk/Rythmik 18", and SongSurround I's. This is definitely more system than we had planned, but we were seriously floored by our visit.
Hope to post more as we finalize everything!
We are planning the SS8s, SoundScape Center, Salk/Rythmik 18", and SongSurround I's. This is definitely more system than we had planned, but we were seriously floored by our visit.
Hope to post more as we finalize everything!
I think that will be just excellent. Don't be afraid to look elsewhere for subs though, as there are a lot of choices that may help you save a few hundred here or there.
post #7674 of 8713
9/5/12 at 4:14pm
post #7675 of 8713
9/5/12 at 4:55pm
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post #7676 of 8713
9/5/12 at 6:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by benguin
.................
We are planning the SS8s, SoundScape Center, Salk/Rythmik 15", and SongSurround I's. This is definitely more system than we had planned, but we were seriously floored by our visit.
Hope to post more as we finalize everything!
Ben
.................
We are planning the SS8s, SoundScape Center, Salk/Rythmik 15", and SongSurround I's. This is definitely more system than we had planned, but we were seriously floored by our visit.
Hope to post more as we finalize everything!
Ben
That's going to be one killer system.
PS - Nice Borzoi.
post #7677 of 8713
9/6/12 at 5:01am
Congrats on the new SS8 system. I have friends in Michigan and I usually go up there around this time of year and catch a football game. I'm kind of glad I didn't this year. I ordered the SCST. Had I visited Jim and performed the same audition I could see myself trying to redesign the living room around a pair of SS8s!
One question though, did you consider a pair of wow1 mini monitors for surrounds instead of ST surrounds? Driver wise that may seem a better quality match than the ST surrounds.
One question though, did you consider a pair of wow1 mini monitors for surrounds instead of ST surrounds? Driver wise that may seem a better quality match than the ST surrounds.
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Ben,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us - it was well written - and it got me giddy like a kid on Christmas morning when reading it. You've got one heckuva system headed your way, and I am happy to welcome you to the Salk family. I look forward to pictures and further impressions. Oh, and which veneer did you choose?
Salk will build you whatever you want, which is part of the beauty of the experience. Rythmik doesn't offer an 18" sub driver, though, so if you wanted an 18 sub from Salk you'd have to a choose a different driver (such as the LMS5400).
Thank you for sharing your experience with us - it was well written - and it got me giddy like a kid on Christmas morning when reading it. You've got one heckuva system headed your way, and I am happy to welcome you to the Salk family. I look forward to pictures and further impressions. Oh, and which veneer did you choose?
Quote:
Originally Posted by qwknuf6
Salk offers an 18" Rythmic sub?
Salk offers an 18" Rythmic sub?
Salk will build you whatever you want, which is part of the beauty of the experience. Rythmik doesn't offer an 18" sub driver, though, so if you wanted an 18 sub from Salk you'd have to a choose a different driver (such as the LMS5400).
post #7679 of 8713
9/6/12 at 7:38am
- benguin
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I still need to finalize what we're getting with Jim and get the invoice going.
The veneer is a whole different challenge, and I am glad we had a chance to see so many different woods while we were there. Since then we've been combing through the wood veneer sites to see what looks good to us and fits the room. I think we're down to 5 or 6 candidates.
Hadn't considered the WOW1's for the surrounds. While we were there I asked Jim's recommedation on surrounds, and the thought the SS 1's would do nicely. Part of the recommendation might have been to help on the blown budget as well.
The veneer is a whole different challenge, and I am glad we had a chance to see so many different woods while we were there. Since then we've been combing through the wood veneer sites to see what looks good to us and fits the room. I think we're down to 5 or 6 candidates.
Hadn't considered the WOW1's for the surrounds. While we were there I asked Jim's recommedation on surrounds, and the thought the SS 1's would do nicely. Part of the recommendation might have been to help on the blown budget as well.
post #7680 of 8713
9/6/12 at 8:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by benguin
I still need to finalize what we're getting with Jim and get the invoice going.
The veneer is a whole different challenge, and I am glad we had a chance to see so many different woods while we were there. Since then we've been combing through the wood veneer sites to see what looks good to us and fits the room. I think we're down to 5 or 6 candidates.
Hadn't considered the WOW1's for the surrounds. While we were there I asked Jim's recommedation on surrounds, and the thought the SS 1's would do nicely. Part of the recommendation might have been to help on the blown budget as well.
I still need to finalize what we're getting with Jim and get the invoice going.
The veneer is a whole different challenge, and I am glad we had a chance to see so many different woods while we were there. Since then we've been combing through the wood veneer sites to see what looks good to us and fits the room. I think we're down to 5 or 6 candidates.
Hadn't considered the WOW1's for the surrounds. While we were there I asked Jim's recommedation on surrounds, and the thought the SS 1's would do nicely. Part of the recommendation might have been to help on the blown budget as well.
I don't know which surround he was considering the one with on or two woofers. The two woofer version will have a better sensitivity. Maybe that's what he was talking about. If so, then the wow1 may not be a suitable replacement.
edit:
I see you mentioned the 1, which is the single woofer version. It may still be more sensitive, being slightly larger than the wow1 woofer.
Edited by glangford - 9/6/12 at 11:37am
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