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Funk Audio 6.1P Planar Tweeter Curved Cabinet Monitor, $2550/Pair
Nathan Funk sent me a loaner set of the 6.1P speakers last week. Here is my impression after spending time with them.
The Funk Audio 6.1P has crystal clear midrange, smooth treble, strong mid-upper bass, very wide and deep soundstage, and superb image. The sound is very pleasant, neutral, and non-fatiguing. The aesthetic is very pleasing and it seems to be very well built.
The 6.1P's curved laminated cabinet measures 16.5" high 10" wide 12" deep. F3 is 47Hz, F10 is 40Hz, and weighs 23lbs. Sensitivity is 89dB/2.83V/m, but it seems to be as loud as the 802D2, much louder than the KEF 201/2, Salon2, and Philharmonic 3. It has the Speakon connector, instead of banana plugs. Nathan included a pair of Speakon-Banana adapters.
I compared the 6.1P to the KEF 201/2, TAD 2201, ATC SCM7 in both 2.0 and 2.1 mode. I switched the 6.1P back and forth with the KEF 201/2 in my HT room and switched the 6.1P with the ATC SCM7 in the family room. I also compared the 6.1P to the Salon 2, B&W 802D2, Orion 3.2.1, Philharmonic 3, Focal 826V, and Dynaudio X32 in 2.1 mode using dual Funk 18.0 subs.
I listened to Classical piano and strings from Mozart and Ennio Morriconeand and music from Dave Mathews & Tim Reynolds Live At Radio City Music Hall, The Eagles Hell Freezes Over, and Mindy Gledhill. These are music that I listen to all the time and use for auditioning.
Listening distance in my HT room is about 10ft and in my family room is about 12ft. My usual volume threshold (max SPL) measured by my Galaxy digital SPL is 87dBA or 107dBC.
The 6.1P's produce among the most rich, high resolution, ultra detail, accurate, and dynamic live sound I have heard. Pianos solos sound fabulous. Guitar solos sound fantastic. Stings sound incredible. Both male and female vocals sound amazing. They sound great at low volume (my daughters asked me to turn down the volume at one point). But the next day when I was home alone, I cranked up the volume and these speakers seem so at ease and unchallenged with everything I threw at them. It was as if they wanted me to turn up the volume way up, but I have my limits, which is way below the 6.1P's limit for sure. There is absolutely no hint of compression or distortion.
Combine with subwoofers like the Funk 18.0, the 6.1P sounds as awesome and grand as any large full-range tower I have heard, including the Revel Salon 2, B&W 802D2, and Linkwitz Orion 3.2.1. But the most important thing about these 6.1P speakers is that they sound very lifelike, fun, exciting, thrilling, and emotional, not clinical or boring or lifeless. They make me want to sit up, live and participate in the the sound, not just passively observe the sound. After listening for 3 hours straight, I feel absolutely no fatigue or ear strain or any hint of discomfort. The sound is just enjoyable. They are a blast to listen to.
If I didn't own any speakers right now (instead of 9 sets of speakers), I would be quite happy with just five Funk Audio 6.1P speakers, two Funk Audio 18.0 subwoofers, and no other speakers and subs. These 6.1P's are excellent speakers, and I highly recommend them for anyone who enjoys the sound of high energy dynamic live music, anyone who likes the sound of the Revel Salon2, B&W 802D2, KEF 201/2, Linkwitz Orion 3, and Philharmonic 3, anyone who loves music of all kinds.
I am sure some of you are thinking, "So how EXACTLY do these 6.1Ps compare to the likes of Salon2, KEF 201/2, etc." Well, I know why most pro reviewers don't even attempt to verbalize. Great speakers sound great. Period. Yes, there are differences, which is expected. There are differences among "identical" pianos, violins, guitars, etc., as well. Subjectively, the 6.1Ps may have more clarity and detail in the midrange and treble. Subjectively. The bottom line is, I would be completely happy with the 6.1P + 18.0 subs and no other speakers.
And that is my impression.
Nathan Funk sent me a loaner set of the 6.1P speakers last week. Here is my impression after spending time with them.
The Funk Audio 6.1P has crystal clear midrange, smooth treble, strong mid-upper bass, very wide and deep soundstage, and superb image. The sound is very pleasant, neutral, and non-fatiguing. The aesthetic is very pleasing and it seems to be very well built.
The 6.1P's curved laminated cabinet measures 16.5" high 10" wide 12" deep. F3 is 47Hz, F10 is 40Hz, and weighs 23lbs. Sensitivity is 89dB/2.83V/m, but it seems to be as loud as the 802D2, much louder than the KEF 201/2, Salon2, and Philharmonic 3. It has the Speakon connector, instead of banana plugs. Nathan included a pair of Speakon-Banana adapters.
I compared the 6.1P to the KEF 201/2, TAD 2201, ATC SCM7 in both 2.0 and 2.1 mode. I switched the 6.1P back and forth with the KEF 201/2 in my HT room and switched the 6.1P with the ATC SCM7 in the family room. I also compared the 6.1P to the Salon 2, B&W 802D2, Orion 3.2.1, Philharmonic 3, Focal 826V, and Dynaudio X32 in 2.1 mode using dual Funk 18.0 subs.
I listened to Classical piano and strings from Mozart and Ennio Morriconeand and music from Dave Mathews & Tim Reynolds Live At Radio City Music Hall, The Eagles Hell Freezes Over, and Mindy Gledhill. These are music that I listen to all the time and use for auditioning.
Listening distance in my HT room is about 10ft and in my family room is about 12ft. My usual volume threshold (max SPL) measured by my Galaxy digital SPL is 87dBA or 107dBC.
The 6.1P's produce among the most rich, high resolution, ultra detail, accurate, and dynamic live sound I have heard. Pianos solos sound fabulous. Guitar solos sound fantastic. Stings sound incredible. Both male and female vocals sound amazing. They sound great at low volume (my daughters asked me to turn down the volume at one point). But the next day when I was home alone, I cranked up the volume and these speakers seem so at ease and unchallenged with everything I threw at them. It was as if they wanted me to turn up the volume way up, but I have my limits, which is way below the 6.1P's limit for sure. There is absolutely no hint of compression or distortion.
Combine with subwoofers like the Funk 18.0, the 6.1P sounds as awesome and grand as any large full-range tower I have heard, including the Revel Salon 2, B&W 802D2, and Linkwitz Orion 3.2.1. But the most important thing about these 6.1P speakers is that they sound very lifelike, fun, exciting, thrilling, and emotional, not clinical or boring or lifeless. They make me want to sit up, live and participate in the the sound, not just passively observe the sound. After listening for 3 hours straight, I feel absolutely no fatigue or ear strain or any hint of discomfort. The sound is just enjoyable. They are a blast to listen to.
If I didn't own any speakers right now (instead of 9 sets of speakers), I would be quite happy with just five Funk Audio 6.1P speakers, two Funk Audio 18.0 subwoofers, and no other speakers and subs. These 6.1P's are excellent speakers, and I highly recommend them for anyone who enjoys the sound of high energy dynamic live music, anyone who likes the sound of the Revel Salon2, B&W 802D2, KEF 201/2, Linkwitz Orion 3, and Philharmonic 3, anyone who loves music of all kinds.
I am sure some of you are thinking, "So how EXACTLY do these 6.1Ps compare to the likes of Salon2, KEF 201/2, etc." Well, I know why most pro reviewers don't even attempt to verbalize. Great speakers sound great. Period. Yes, there are differences, which is expected. There are differences among "identical" pianos, violins, guitars, etc., as well. Subjectively, the 6.1Ps may have more clarity and detail in the midrange and treble. Subjectively. The bottom line is, I would be completely happy with the 6.1P + 18.0 subs and no other speakers.
And that is my impression.
