What's the (best sounding) High Resolution Speakers You've Heard?

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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited October 2010
    What are you powering those Carver Ribbons with? I think that has just as much if not more to do with the speed and response of your system. If there incoming signal is laid back it doesn't matter what speakers you use.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited October 2010
    Altec Voice of the Theatre A5 cabinets topped with 1505 horns and AlNiCo 288 drivers are at or near the top of my list. Sound you could climb inside of.

    I know of another slightly domesticated theatre horn system using RCA field coil drivers in RCA "Ubangi" horns which probably surpass the aforementioned A5 - but I am sworn to secrecy :-)
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited October 2010
    The surface area of a panel and its dispersion angle are critical.

    RT1
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  • JPSmario
    JPSmario Posts: 142
    edited October 2010
    B&W 800D's. this was a few years ago so I have no memory of what the source or amplifiers were, but the cables looked like garden hoses. sounded like the orchestra was in the room, complete with chairs creaking and players smacking their lips. blew my mind.
    Dual 1229/Grado Gold/Rotel RCD1070/RC995/RB980BX/Pioneer 7100/Denon DRM710/Monster HTS3600MKII/PolkAudio SDA2B/TL's
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  • JPSmario
    JPSmario Posts: 142
    edited October 2010
    wow, finally got to 100!
    Dual 1229/Grado Gold/Rotel RCD1070/RC995/RB980BX/Pioneer 7100/Denon DRM710/Monster HTS3600MKII/PolkAudio SDA2B/TL's
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited October 2010
    Actually one of the more accurate speakers I heard back in the day was the Apogee Acoustics Mini Grand speakers. They were similar in ideology to Carver but smaller in footprint. Extremely hard to run is what the sales guy said. He said they needed two amps and the ribbon was 1 ohm not the 4 ohm they normally were.

    It increased sensitivity being 1 ohm. Not sure if I buy that but that is what he said.

    I heard them with a Gold Faced B&K Amplifier and Preamp with a Rotel CD player. Sorry don't remember part #'s this is back in the early 90's.

    I just remember hearing sounds in the music I never heard before. I just was to young and poor to own them.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited October 2010
    The problem Mega is the relatively high current required of the metallic element of the ribbon which results in higher mass and heat thereby diminishing the SQ. It is simply a given of a ribbon.

    RT1
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited October 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    Huh?

    I literally have no idea what you are talking about.

    I dont' think surface area has anything to do with it. I KNOW that the Carver ribbon is capable of resolution on par with any speaker that I can think of including ESL's and Magnepans.

    I think that my Quads are capable of being more transparent with greater high frequency air and extension (but lack the dynamics of the Carver)...but as far as resolving minute detail on the recording....I dunno about that one.

    BDT

    Ditto.
    Joe08867 wrote: »
    What are you powering those Carver Ribbons with? I think that has just as much if not more to do with the speed and response of your system. If there incoming signal is laid back it doesn't matter what speakers you use.

    Agree.
    reeltrouble1 wrote: »
    The problem Mega is the relatively high current required of the metallic element of the ribbon which results in higher mass and heat thereby diminishing the SQ. It is simply a given of a ribbon.

    RT1

    The ribbon isn't the culprit so much as the PASSIVE CROSSOVER~ ribbons are one of the fastest speaker designs on the planet. Horn are of course more efficient, but can get screechy.

    I went active with my Carver AL-IIIs and the difference was....astounding. I'm calculating @ 40-50% of the power requirement was being dissipated as heat in the crossovers. Also, the clarity was MILES ahead.

    The only speakers that might give me pause about Carver ribbons are the big SDAs....not sure about that; might have to keep a pair of each~
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited October 2010
    The big SDA's are overrated.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited October 2010
    bose, now that is high resolution
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • stubby
    stubby Posts: 723
    edited October 2010
    Ricardo wrote: »
    The big SDA's are overrated.

    Do you consider the 3.1s one of the "big" SDAs? I always thought they were pretty quick.

    stubby
    SRS 3.1TL
    Harman Kardon Citation 5.1
    Anthem AVM2



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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited October 2010
    Newform Research. R645 V3 (I own)
    or the Line source reference.

    triple stack ribbon tweeter. You want fast..;) I own a pair and I will say, they are awsome.

    http://www.newformresearch.com/
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited October 2010
    Sorry, I think I own version 1... They look the same.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited October 2010
    stubby wrote: »
    Do you consider the 3.1s one of the "big" SDAs? I always thought they were pretty quick.

    stubby

    No, I don't consider them one of the big ones.

    I'm just saying that there's too much of a following thinking the big boys are the holy grail of speakers. They are not.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited October 2010
    I like the Vandy's 2's and 3's. They beat out many more expensive speakers.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • ALL212
    ALL212 Posts: 1,577
    edited October 2010
    Ricardo wrote: »
    What's the (best sounding) High Resolution Speakers You've Heard?

    MMG's: $400
    Wood Frame & Xover mods: $400 plus labor
    Best sounding speakers I've heard: Priceless.


    +1 Ricardo!! Mine aren't quite as pretty but I wouldn't trade 'em for 'nuttin! :cool:
    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited October 2010
    TNRabbit wrote: »
    Ditto.



    Agree.



    The ribbon isn't the culprit so much as the PASSIVE CROSSOVER~ ribbons are one of the fastest speaker designs on the planet. Horn are of course more efficient, but can get screechy.

    I went active with my Carver AL-IIIs and the difference was....astounding. I'm calculating @ 40-50% of the power requirement was being dissipated as heat in the crossovers. Also, the clarity was MILES ahead.

    The only speakers that might give me pause about Carver ribbons are the big SDAs....not sure about that; might have to keep a pair of each~

    you are incorrect. The metallic ribbons mass is a limiting problem by its design along with the heat, I realize nobody likes their baby called ugly but take it to the carver forum, we blow ours you can blow yours.

    you dont have to like it
    you dont have to agree
    but it is the truth

    I would agree the crossover is also a problem and active has its place, but a panel without it is the certainly better than either.

    Fact is Matt Polk really disliked them, no??, well he told me so along with several others here, why, the sound was strained, I won't say I did not enjoy them, I did and had several pair which I powered with quality, if you had checked first you would of known this, but no matter, not really required for you to know who is who and all that jazz. I moved on to a much more refined speaker than the Amazing could ever hope to be.

    Mega is ready to move on, he plainly explains what he hears, so why even bother, let it go.

    RT1
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited October 2010
    ben62670 wrote: »
    I like the Vandy's 2's and 3's. They beat out many more expensive speakers.

    If you like vandys Ben, you need to get an ear on the 5's.

    I'm a big speaker kind of guy. My legacy's still make me smile and give me no reason to look around....or was that my wallet talking ? I dunno. The whispers hd,and Montana Kas or Was would be on my short list if the wallet ever resurfaces.
    HT SYSTEM-
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited October 2010
    stubby wrote: »
    Do you consider the 3.1s one of the "big" SDAs? I always thought they were pretty quick.

    stubby

    SDA's are slow speakers when you're talking ESL's, Carver Ribbons and Maggie's. Overall SDA's are a slow speaker. That's one of my gripes with my 1C's.

    Transient response is part of what Mega is talking about when he says 'fast', also control of whatever type transducer is producing the sound. IMO, as a general statement, the faster and faster the speaker system the farther it CAN sound from natural. Human voices and acoustic instruments are not always ultra fast in real life. But many box type and traditional cone speakers do a poor job of imitating reality. It's about capturing and then reproducing the complex harmonics in REAL music or human voice. The textures and nuances so to speak. That's why tubes rule and add soul.

    As always, it comes down to synergy with the entire system. And tubes rule and tubes add SOUL!

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,566
    edited October 2010
    Overall SDA's are a slow speaker.

    I can't say the same.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited October 2010
    reeltrouble1 wrote: »
    Mega is ready to move on, he plainly explains what he hears, so why even bother, let it go.

    RT1

    Thanks RT1! I think there is no one on this board who love Carver Plats more than I do. I just plainly madly love my Plats. :D

    I love them so much so that I experiment quite a lot gears with them. The gears I put on my Plats far far far exceed anyone's expectations to power them with.

    You are right about Ribbon Mass. It's the restraint for the ribbons to move faster. Then, there is the Xmax issue. Regardless of they can move fairly fast, the Xmax for the ribbon is limited. Also, the surface area is limited for such a wide bandwidth coverage. Then, there is attack and decay issue where all speakers must deal with. The Plats works absolutely fine and the only issue I realized so far is with a high pitch female voice and complex string instruments in the passage.

    I am absolutely not nick picking whatsoever by what I said before. I love my plats like my first love. :D

    So you are right and it's time for me to move on. I will put my plats on a Altair and bow to them everyday before I go to my future speakers for a listen. :o
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited October 2010
    I loved mine as well. They have been present and a played speaker at no less than four Polkfests so they get their due here and if someone wants to claim it as there speaker for life no problem.

    There is though a whole world of audio beyond Carver.

    Like Holt said, there is no perfect speaker, gear, etc.. just things we enjoy.
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited October 2010
    Agreed! There is no prefect anything....we just need to move on when the time comes...:)



    The very nice thing about the Plats is that they'll reveal any change in gears and they'll truthfully tells you how the gear sounds and how good it can make the music. The plats panted for only this one time and I think I understand what it means.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2010
    What is that, Kenwood amps? :D
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited October 2010
    megasat16 wrote: »
    Thanks RT1! I think there is no one on this board who love Carver Plats more than I do. I just plainly madly love my Plats. :D

    I love them so much so that I experiment quite a lot gears with them. The gears I put on my Plats far far far exceed anyone's expectations to power them with.

    You are right about Ribbon Mass. It's the restraint for the ribbons to move faster. Then, there is the Xmax issue. Regardless of they can move fairly fast, the Xmax for the ribbon is limited. Also, the surface area is limited for such a wide bandwidth coverage. Then, there is attack and decay issue where all speakers must deal with. The Plats works absolutely fine and the only issue I realized so far is with a high pitch female voice and complex string instruments in the passage.

    I am absolutely not nick picking whatsoever by what I said before. I love my plats like my first love. :D

    So you are right and it's time for me to move on. I will put my plats on a Altair and bow to them everyday before I go to my future speakers for a listen. :o

    I still don't have a frigging clue as to what you are saying.....I mean, I think I know what you are trying to say, I guess, I just don't agree with it.
    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited October 2010
    Face wrote: »
    What is that, Kenwood amps? :D

    :-) or maybe even rebadged Trios...
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited October 2010
    Face wrote: »
    What is that, Kenwood amps? :D
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    :-) or maybe even rebadged Trios...

    LOL...Mr. Ken change the chassis for the supreme and charge about 10 times more and I said hell yeah!. :p
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited October 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    I still don't have a frigging clue as to what you are saying.....I mean, I think I know what you are trying to say, I guess, I just don't agree with it.
    BDT

    Troy,

    I know what you are saying but trust me I need a fastttttttttttt speaker. The ribbon in plats are at least 20 yrs old and the ribbon technology doesn't stand still. The weight (mass) due to the thickness of ribbon mass is a lot lesser these days.

    I need a Fastttttttttttt speaker. I don't know if BG RD75 uses lighter line source ribbon or not but I suppose it's time to find out.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited October 2010
    The diaphragms in old (and new) compression drivers are pretty low mass... and the motors that drive them can be pretty beefy.

    Have you listened to, say, an Altec 288?
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited October 2010
    Don't take this the wrong way, but that's horsehockey.

    Ribbon technology is physics and really hasn't changed all that much. The mass of those ribbons is insignifcant. I mean, if you want new speaks and the Carver's just aren't giving you wood like they used to, I get that. It happens. I'm also not discounting mechanical failures....but to say that the ribbon technology can't reproduce sounds as convincingly because of limitations inherent to the Kapton ribbons is manure.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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