Looking forward to L800 but have concerns, what are your thoughts?

mpitogo

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I have never been impressed with the McIntosh setups I have heard either, except when paired with the bigger Magnepans…

Hi John,

My first exposure to McIntosh was in the 80's at an uncle's house where he had a Mac stack with Ohm Walsh Fs, he was playing Madonna. I was so impress with the sound. At the time I was only a kid and our main home system was a Fisher. Since then I've been looking at ways to improve the sound of the music I am into. Later on I used to hang around the public library reading stereo magazines and on the front cover of one which struck me was Matthew Polk in a lab coat with an SDA speaker. The rest is history and a lifetime of Polk speakers and a McIntosh combo.

marvda1

mpitogo wrote: »

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I have never been impressed with the McIntosh setups I have heard either, except when paired with the bigger Magnepans…

Hi John,

My first exposure to McIntosh was in the 80's at an uncle's house where he had a Mac stack with Ohm Walsh Fs, he was playing Madonna. I was so impress with the sound. At the time I was only a kid and our main home system was a Fisher. Since then I've been looking at ways to improve the sound of the music I am into. Later on I used to hang around the public library reading stereo magazines and on the front cover of one which struck me was Matthew Polk in a lab coat with an SDA speaker. The rest is history and a lifetime of Polk speakers and a McIntosh combo.

so you're saying that if Amar Bose had been on that cover you would now have Bose speakers

mpitogo

Maybe...glad it was Polk.

ptrooper

50 hours in. Starting to relax in place. They definitely need something to stop the forward and back rocking. These rubber spike protectors are to soft

Mike Reeter

ptrooper wrote: »

50 hours in. Starting to relax in place. They definitely need something to stop the forward and back rocking. These rubber spike protectors are to soft

For the size of those babies, I think they look great in your space!

ptrooper

Thanks Mike,They sure fill the whole room very nicely and the miss's absolutely loves them =Me winning sneaking them into place.
I can stand directly to the side of them and still here the opposite speaker!

Mike Reeter wrote: »

ptrooper wrote: »

50 hours in. Starting to relax in place. They definitely need something to stop the forward and back rocking. These rubber spike protectors are to soft

For the size of those babies, I think they look great in your space!

ptrooper

GAIA 2’s. Does any one know the thread size needed on the L800.looks like M10 ,Isoacoustic should supply these.

marvda1

I would call isoacoustics as being that close to the weight limit of the gaia 2, they might suggest the gaia 1

pitdogg2

pull yours off and use a thread gauge to be sure. I'm thinking they would be something like 1/4" x 20 tpi

F1nut

Polk typically used 1/4-20 threads, but I think some of the newer stuff is 6mm.

ptrooper

With the L900 height modules, they are definitely over GIAI 2's weight limit. cheers, point noted.

marvda1 wrote: »

I would call isoacoustics as being that close to the weight limit of the gaia 2, they might suggest the gaia 1

marvda1

I cried when I bought the gaia 2, don't know if would have needed the gia 1's.

ptrooper

Isocoustic responded with" GAIA 2's are fine but the GAIA 1's have a slight edge on performance".They also informed me the performance curve to the weight limit, curves back as weight increases over the recommended weight and doesn't drop of like a cliff!

marvda1 wrote: »

I cried when I bought the gaia 2, don't know if would have needed the gia 1's.

marvda1

you should have asked then why not a slight edge in price

mpitogo

Hope everyone is well and staying safe. I’ve been spending more time with these.

Mike Reeter

^^^Very nice looking room^^^ I'm sure you certainly enjoy your time in the sweet spot.

Well done!

mpitogo

Paul from PS Audio explains common ground.

JayCee

mpitogo wrote: »

Paul from PS Audio explains common ground.

Good explanation...he uses the BHK-250 to demonstrate, which is the amp I have to power my 1.2tl's, along w/dreadnaught.

As an aside...I took a screenshot from Paul's video and pixel peeped at the writing on their production milestones Post-it notes. I spy with my little eye "BHK M-500 Product Spec". I believe "M" is the nomenclature for an upcoming integrated line and the "500" represents power output. BHK is their top of the line amp/pre series designed by the legendary Bascom H. King.


Back on topic...I've been listening to the L200 as part of the club demo. Currently on an HCA-1500A and, so far, I really like the L200s. Since the Legend series uses all the same drivers, and has the reported same sound signature throughout the line, it really has me jonesing to hear the L800. Apologize if I've missed it but @mpitogo, do you have any experience w/the 1.2's for comparison?

mpitogo

@JayCee Sorry no.

displayname

Not sure why multiple posts just showed up from weeks ago, deleting duplicates.

displayname

Not sure why multiple posts just showed up from weeks ago, deleting duplicates.

displayname

nooshinjohn wrote: »

marvda1 wrote: »

i was just about to post this. this review puts them in a new light.
this might explain some of what we heard at the October bash.

Sounds like I was right on with my questioning how they were set up and what gear was involved. Sounds like these are the modern equivalent of the Infinity RS as far as being a difficult load.

I don’t think the gear involved was an issue given that the L800s were being fed by a Cambridge Edge A integrated amp, 851n streaming Tidal and connected with appropriate cables throughout. I never once felt that power was an issue with anything we heard. On the contrary, I said the power and fun factor was one of the best traits of the L800s. And the room may not have been ideal for the SDAs, but the onsite Polk rep did say they were performing correctly.

I think the review highlighted some really important elements of the L800:
“One of the more inconsistent loudspeakers I have ever encountered”
“A big hulking speaker that is actually very difficult to live with.”
“Here we have the L800 kind of acting like a prima-donna… that requires you on some level to conform to its needs”
“You have to kind of tailor your taste to what’s going make them work and perform at their best”
“You’ll sit there, and you’ll wonder where all the imaging went… The soundstage will completely collapse, and you’ll just be scratching your head.”
“I don’t know who this loudspeaker is going to appeal to because it is so big, it is so cumbersome, and frankly it is difficult to live with.”

To be clear, I’m not saying Andrew Robinson is the ultimate authority on audio. But those quotes above align with my experience. If I have the opportunity to hear the L800s again, I would gladly take it. I’d love to hear the differences in a symmetrical room. They had strong moments and I’d love to hear them at their finest. But based on my experience, I wouldn’t be pulling my wallet out for them and I would be very shocked if a different room or different gear swayed me to feel differently.

That’s obviously just my opinion, formed from a somewhat limited exposure to the L800s. But I think this review will resonate with a lot of people who have heard these speakers, and I think it brings up valid points of consideration for ownership.

ptrooper

ptrooper wrote: »

Well ,I hope they work well with a recapped sunfire sig series 625x 2 or a theatre gand signiture 5x 405 as i'll have a set in black in around 7 days .
There will be an oppo 105D bluray /pre amp with the Joe Rasmussen 4.2 ABC signiture upgrades, this has no capacitors inline via the output stage, cabling via transparent reference xl balanced cables to a Sunfire Signiture ,from there with transparent reference biwire speaker cables to the L800's
The room will be 18ft x 15ft....L800's will be 4 ft apart with reinforced side walls which are also only 4 ft away, the rear brick wall is a 9 ft wide partition at the same height as the L800's , i'll be trying to keep them around 5 inch's or under infront of this wall,behind this partition is another 18 ft x 15 ft room being a dining/kitchen so a good possibility a few hard surfaces might need treating .It'l be better explained with pics l8er.
Time will tell
The Vr3 Abbot CRS + 4.1's will now be doing rear duties in the theatre room.
Exciting stuff .
Hope the australian english can be followed.
cheers Sean

ptrooper wrote: »

Well ,I hope they work well with a recapped sunfire sig series 625x 2 or a theatre gand signiture 5x 405 as i'll have a set in black in around 7 days .
There will be an oppo 105D bluray /pre amp with the Joe Rasmussen 4.2 ABC signiture upgrades, this has no capacitors inline via the output stage, cabling via transparent reference xl balanced cables to a Sunfire Signiture ,from there with transparent reference biwire speaker cables to the L800's
The room will be 18ft x 15ft....L800's will be 4 ft apart with reinforced side walls which are also only 4 ft away, the rear brick wall is a 9 ft wide partition at the same height as the L800's , i'll be trying to keep them around 5 inch's or under infront of this wall,behind this partition is another 18 ft x 15 ft room being a dining/kitchen so a good possibility a few hard surfaces might need treating .It'l be better explained with pics l8er.
Time will tell
The Vr3 Abbot CRS + 4.1's will now be doing rear duties in the theatre room.
Exciting stuff .
Hope the australian english can be followed.
cheers Sean

ptrooper wrote: »

Well ,I hope they work well with a recapped sunfire sig series 625x 2 or a theatre gand signiture 5x 405 as i'll have a set in black in around 7 days .
There will be an oppo 105D bluray /pre amp with the Joe Rasmussen 4.2 ABC signiture upgrades, this has no capacitors inline via the output stage, cabling via transparent reference xl balanced cables to a Sunfire Signiture ,from there with transparent reference biwire speaker cables to the L800's
The room will be 18ft x 15ft....L800's will be 4 ft apart with reinforced side walls which are also only 4 ft away, the rear brick wall is a 9 ft wide partition at the same height as the L800's , i'll be trying to keep them around 5 inch's or under infront of this wall,behind this partition is another 18 ft x 15 ft room being a dining/kitchen so a good possibility a few hard surfaces might need treating .It'l be better explained with pics l8er.
Time will tell
The Vr3 Abbot CRS + 4.1's will now be doing rear duties in the theatre room.
Exciting stuff .
Hope the australian english can be followed.
cheers Sean

ptrooper wrote: »

Well ,I hope they work well with a recapped sunfire sig series 625x 2 or a theatre gand signiture 5x 405 as i'll have a set in black in around 7 days .
There will be an oppo 105D bluray /pre amp with the Joe Rasmussen 4.2 ABC signiture upgrades, this has no capacitors inline via the output stage, cabling via transparent reference xl balanced cables to a Sunfire Signiture ,from there with transparent reference biwire speaker cables to the L800's
The room will be 18ft x 15ft....L800's will be 4 ft apart with reinforced side walls which are also only 4 ft away, the rear brick wall is a 9 ft wide partition at the same height as the L800's , i'll be trying to keep them around 5 inch's or under infront of this wall,behind this partition is another 18 ft x 15 ft room being a dining/kitchen so a good possibility a few hard surfaces might need treating .It'l be better explained with pics l8er.
Time will tell
The Vr3 Abbot CRS + 4.1's will now be doing rear duties in the theatre room.
Exciting stuff .
Hope the australian english can be followed.
cheers Sean

mhardy6647

displayname wrote: »

...
I think the review highlighted some really important elements of the L800:
...
“Here we have the L800 kind of acting like a prima-donna… that requires you on some level to conform to its needs”
...

I would opine that this is true of all great loudspeakers. They're like trophy spouses -- or (perhaps more optimistically) like Navajo rugs . They're never perfect, and their flaws or idiosyncracies demand something, perhaps much, of their keepers. But they have souls (like a 1952 Vincent ) and, if that's something one values in a loudspeaker, then it's OK.

JayCee

@ptrooper, assumed after your recent surgery, any chance you'd do a head-to-head using your SRS's with same space, gear, songs, for a critical comparison? You seem to be the only one on CP with this unique ability. Not to say the CRS's won't work to a lesser degree, but it would be interesting to compare/contrast on a known reference point...AND...a big AND, you have the advantage of truly knowing SDA vs, IMHO, the pro reviewers that hit and run with respect to SDA. IMO, a very apples to apples comparison considering the L800 is the new "Legend" on the block and claimed to advance the technology.

Don't worry about the "Australian English" with your review. You tolerate our American English quite well.

Please, pretty please.🙏

Edit to add...I'll spearhead a CP go fund campaign to send you a sixer of Cooper's Original Pale Ale! And you thought we American's only know Foster's.

ptrooper

My SDA SRS' live in a theatre / sound room that is a giant sponge with very few if any high frequency reflections which would only come from room ornaments , the cables are mm2's from transparent so connectivity is definitely not the weakest link,They also have VR3 Abbot builds throughout so a comparison wouldn't be fare at this time.
When my SDA SRS were stock, they certainly couldn't sound this good in the space the L800's are in now Its a bright room, the L800's have done 240 hrs + and are really just starting relaxing.
Acoustic GAIA1's are on their way, they have transparent reference mm2 biwire speaker cables and balanced transparent reference xl interconnects from a oppo Joe Rasmussen 105d 4.2 pre/bluray/.

When the L800's have the Abbot build i would seriously compare them!

nooshinjohn

There is no replacement for displacement....

F1nut

displayname wrote: »

nooshinjohn wrote: »

marvda1 wrote: »

i was just about to post this. this review puts them in a new light.
this might explain some of what we heard at the October bash.

Sounds like I was right on with my questioning how they were set up and what gear was involved. Sounds like these are the modern equivalent of the Infinity RS as far as being a difficult load.

I don’t think the gear involved was an issue given that the L800s were being fed by a Cambridge Edge A integrated amp, 851n streaming Tidal and connected with appropriate cables throughout. I never once felt that power was an issue with anything we heard. On the contrary, I said the power and fun factor was one of the best traits of the L800s. And the room may not have been ideal for the SDAs, but the onsite Polk rep did say they were performing correctly.

I think the review highlighted some really important elements of the L800:
“One of the more inconsistent loudspeakers I have ever encountered”
“A big hulking speaker that is actually very difficult to live with.”
“Here we have the L800 kind of acting like a prima-donna… that requires you on some level to conform to its needs”
“You have to kind of tailor your taste to what’s going make them work and perform at their best”
“You’ll sit there, and you’ll wonder where all the imaging went… The soundstage will completely collapse, and you’ll just be scratching your head.”
“I don’t know who this loudspeaker is going to appeal to because it is so big, it is so cumbersome, and frankly it is difficult to live with.”

To be clear, I’m not saying Andrew Robinson is the ultimate authority on audio. But those quotes above align with my experience. If I have the opportunity to hear the L800s again, I would gladly take it. I’d love to hear the differences in a symmetrical room. They had strong moments and I’d love to hear them at their finest. But based on my experience, I wouldn’t be pulling my wallet out for them and I would be very shocked if a different room or different gear swayed me to feel differently.

That’s obviously just my opinion, formed from a somewhat limited exposure to the L800s. But I think this review will resonate with a lot of people who have heard these speakers, and I think it brings up valid points of consideration for ownership.

I said something about that guy early. I think he's only experienced with consumer grade home theater speakers because the L800 is not that big and anyone experienced with 2 channel speakers knows that placement is critical if you want the best out of them. It's not unusual for a half inch one way or the other to make magic happen. As for the rest of his comments it seems obvious to me he has no idea what SDA can and cannot do.

Pretty sure I found out something about that Cambridge integrated not being all that if you want to look for it. IMO, it's unfortunate he was given the chance to review them.

nooshinjohn

F1nut wrote: »

Pretty sure I found out something about that Cambridge integrated not being all that if you want to look for it. IMO, it's unfortunate he was given the chance to review them.

We did find something...It was not compatible with the ohm swings the L800 presents and although it has some power, it was sorely lacking in CURRENT, and the L800 needs both to be available in order to get the most out of them. Combine that with poor room placement and these speakers will be all over the map. The Cambridge is a great piece, but not a great fit in this case. Synergy...

F1nut

Not sure what happened, but my comment, "IMO, it's unfortunate he was given the chance to review them." was in reference to the review guy.