This past weekend I found out what it's like to attend a get-together with other AVS members , the goal of which, in this case, was to compare a number of different speaker systems. The GTG was fun, informative, intense, and at times excruciatingly loud—but more than anything else, it was a chance to meet other audio and speaker fanatics. It provided an opportunity to make new friends and acquaintances, all with a shared common interest in high fidelity. Overall, attending my first speaker-related AVS GTG was a very rewarding experience.
Audio enthusiasts took over the neighborhood! The line of vehicles was impressively long.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
Although the thread's title says shoot-out, a more apt description of the GTG would be "speaker showcase." There were simply too many attendees, too many variables, and ultimately not enough time to fine-tune speaker placement. The speakers were literally not on a level playing field, with tweeters at varying heights and attendees who were both sitting and standing.
However, that does not mean there was no science—all speakers were level-matched to a standard reference level prior to playing a 22-minute loop, which consisted of song clips suggested by the attendees. For each set of speakers—fourteen in all—sine sweeps were run, levels were set, and then the loop was played. This process took up the better part of the day and for each speaker pair, numerous members took notes .
Output was measured at the main listening position, ensuring that each pair of speakers
was level-matched to the next.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
It's nice to meet other AVS members in person—there was plenty of gear to check out.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
The speakers auditions were divided into two groups—full range and high efficiency. A Denon 4311CI receiver powered most of speakers, but two pairs were self-powered. The subwoofers used during the high-efficiency segment were a pair of JTR S2s—that's four 18" drivers and 8000 watts of power backing up the HE segment, and more bass than most people would ever know what to do with.
A pair of JTR Captivator S2 subwoofers dwarfed a pair of ARX A5 towers.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
The best way to get a feel for the GTG is to check out the results thread in the AVS "Speakers" forum. Also here is a direct link to my own impressions. The original thread, featuring all the planning, the list of speakers, plus some additional post-event commentary can be found here .
There's a tower of power!
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
I wish to thank the GTG host, Andrew aka Gorilla83 , as well as event organizer, Jim "The Sub Guy" Wilson for inviting me and for putting on such a great event. Actually, I need to thank everyone there for making the event so great, because it really was everybody's participation and enthusiasm that made it so memorable. Frankly, I can't wait to attend another AVS GTG—it was a great way to spend a Saturday.
The memorable experiences included a special "loud" session with a 123dB peak.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
The Speakers:
Full Range
Monitor Audio RX8
Ascend Sierras
SVS Ultra Towers
Beast's LS6s
Legacy Focus SE
KRK 10-3s (played at the end of the event)
With Subs
Arx A5
SEOS Fusion 8s
JTR Single 8’s
SEOS Tempests
SEOS Sentinels
Yorkville U215s
JTR Noesis 212
Seaton Cat 12Cs
The finale - JTR Noesis, again powered by the EP4000, and the JTR S2s at full tilt
The self-powered Seaton Catalyst 12c was a highlight of the GTG. Its performance was simply jaw-dropping.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
This pair of Legacy Focus SE speakers required that the listener be in the "sweet spot"
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
The AV123 LS6 is one imposing speaker!
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
DIY was well-represented by several SEOS builds, including this 12-inch "Tempest"
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
The JTR Noesis 212HT sounded so good, I could listen to them at any volume for any length of time.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
This past weekend I found out what it's like to attend a get-together with other AVS members , the goal of which, in this case, was to compare a number of different speaker systems. The GTG was fun, informative, intense, and at times excruciatingly loud—but more than anything else, it was a chance to meet other audio and speaker fanatics. It provided an opportunity to make new friends and acquaintances, all with a shared common interest in high fidelity. Overall, attending my first speaker-related AVS GTG was a very rewarding experience.
Audio enthusiasts took over the neighborhood! The line of vehicles was impressively long.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
Although the thread's title says shoot-out, a more apt description of the GTG would be "speaker showcase." There were simply too many attendees, too many variables, and ultimately not enough time to fine-tune speaker placement. The speakers were literally not on a level playing field, with tweeters at varying heights and attendees who were both sitting and standing.
However, that does not mean there was no science—all speakers were level-matched to a standard reference level prior to playing a 22-minute loop, which consisted of song clips suggested by the attendees. For each set of speakers—fourteen in all—sine sweeps were run, levels were set, and then the loop was played. This process took up the better part of the day and for each speaker pair, numerous members took notes .
Output was measured at the main listening position, ensuring that each pair of speakers
was level-matched to the next.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
It's nice to meet other AVS members in person—there was plenty of gear to check out.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
The speakers auditions were divided into two groups—full range and high efficiency. A Denon 4311CI receiver powered most of speakers, but two pairs were self-powered. The subwoofers used during the high-efficiency segment were a pair of JTR S2s—that's four 18" drivers and 8000 watts of power backing up the HE segment, and more bass than most people would ever know what to do with.
A pair of JTR Captivator S2 subwoofers dwarfed a pair of ARX A5 towers.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
The best way to get a feel for the GTG is to check out the results thread in the AVS "Speakers" forum. Also here is a direct link to my own impressions. The original thread, featuring all the planning, the list of speakers, plus some additional post-event commentary can be found here .
There's a tower of power!
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
I wish to thank the GTG host, Andrew aka Gorilla83 , as well as event organizer, Jim "The Sub Guy" Wilson for inviting me and for putting on such a great event. Actually, I need to thank everyone there for making the event so great, because it really was everybody's participation and enthusiasm that made it so memorable. Frankly, I can't wait to attend another AVS GTG—it was a great way to spend a Saturday.
The memorable experiences included a special "loud" session with a 123dB peak.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
The Speakers:
Full Range
Monitor Audio RX8
Ascend Sierras
SVS Ultra Towers
Beast's LS6s
Legacy Focus SE
KRK 10-3s (played at the end of the event)
With Subs
Arx A5
SEOS Fusion 8s
JTR Single 8’s
SEOS Tempests
SEOS Sentinels
Yorkville U215s
JTR Noesis 212
Seaton Cat 12Cs
The finale - JTR Noesis, again powered by the EP4000, and the JTR S2s at full tilt
The self-powered Seaton Catalyst 12c was a highlight of the GTG. Its performance was simply jaw-dropping.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
This pair of Legacy Focus SE speakers required that the listener be in the "sweet spot"
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
The AV123 LS6 is one imposing speaker!
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
DIY was well-represented by several SEOS builds, including this 12-inch "Tempest"
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
The JTR Noesis 212HT sounded so good, I could listen to them at any volume for any length of time.
photo ©2013 by Mark Henninger
