First impressions - Strata Mini
Schwingding
Posts: 363
Pictures to follow in a day or two.
My new Strata Minis arrived yesterday afternoon.
Read no further if you require an educated, hi-falutin' analytical type review. If you want to know how they sound to an average joe buying his first really nice pair of speakers, read on.
They were packaged wonderfully, each in its own crate, doubled boxed inside, well protected with foam, and finally wrapped in a cloth sock. The pair weighed 315 pounds, so each box weighed, well, about 30 pounds more than me!
Set up went as proscribed in the manual, and I'll need lots more time to properly adjust the subs, but I managed to calibrate them and adjust phase with little difficulty.
You should first know that I have never owned any really really nice speakers before. These replaced a nice pair of Mirage OM10 towers. Before that I had Polk RTi towers. They are being driven by Outlaw 2200 monoblocks.
I spent a lot of time last night with my jaw dropped, and I learned a lot of things.
I decided to stick with redbook CDs at first - I pretty much have lost enjoyment of listening to them in favor of multichannel SACD/DVD-A. (although not after last night) I have highly varied musical taste, as you will see.
At first I played the music that accompanies the Rives Test CD - some jazz, guitar, vocals, piano, etc.. I closed my eyes before I pressed play for the first time, and then within a second or two of vocals, I opened them because my ears were telling me that there was a speaker directly in front of me, yet I knew there was not. I simply had no idea that two speakers could project an image so clearly and persuasively. It would be impossible to convince someone with my experience that there was no center speaker in use if they were blindfolded.
Next I popped in Rubber Soul. After listening to a few key tracks I had the following thought: I've been listening to this album for probably 30 years and until now I had no idea what some of those instruments were, and it is so obvious now! I also heard voices, stage noise, footsteps, all sorts of things I had no idea were there.
Next up was the soundtrack to Twin Peaks. Angelo Badalamenti's music is so deep and dark, with lots of lows, bass, cellos, etc. I thought it would be a good example to see how these powered subs work. Dramatic would be an understatement, and they blend so well with the midranges!
Time for some hip hop - Cypress Hill's "Black Sunday". The bass lines in "I want to get high" and "Hits from the bong" were amazing. My OM10s coupled with my twin PB12 +/2s could never produce the same results. These in 2 channel only are amazing.
Then onto some SACD - Harry Connick Jr. for some vocals and jazz. The thing I noticed most is that the quiet passages are still alive. They're not just quiet music, the instruments still portray meaning and presence, and when Harry cranks up his windpipes he is there in the room with you.
This made me recall that I have Diana Krall's "Love Scenes" so in it went. I could go on and on but she even makes AM radio sound great, now, she sounded better than when I saw her live recently.
Finally I finished out my session with Ravel's Bolero as it has probably never been heard before in my zip code.
I'm sure there were one or two other discs listened to as well.
The Minis made me realize a thing or two:
1. Imaging and soundstage size is very dependant on the individual disc. From disc to disc, there seems to be very little consistency in where the vocalist is placed, on some CDs is sounds like everything is coming out of the speakers, but in others, the entire front of the room sounds like one big speaker, with stuff going on everywhere! I found this particularly noticeable with (yes) Dread Zeppelin's first disc! There were musical instruments everywhere in front of me! Previous to last night - I never noticed how much variation there was in CDs. Almost as bad as the PQ variation on Blu-Ray.
2. CDs can sound FANTASTIC! Ever since I discovered SACD/DVD-A I had grown disappointed in standard redbook CD. The Minis have undoubtedly changed that perspective.
3. I don't know if these speakers are considered entry level high end, mid range audio, or what, but they are by far in a different league than anything I have ever heard. I listened to a pair of ML summits in a store once, and they were pretty amazing, too, but it was hardly a demo. Other than that, nothing I've ever heard has come close.
4. My wife is awesome. She saw the boxes and said "New speakers? Can I have your old ones?"
One more nice thing about them? They also build the boxes for the SVS subs (till recently), so the rosewood Minis match my subs perfectly. Just icing on the cake.
My new Strata Minis arrived yesterday afternoon.
Read no further if you require an educated, hi-falutin' analytical type review. If you want to know how they sound to an average joe buying his first really nice pair of speakers, read on.
They were packaged wonderfully, each in its own crate, doubled boxed inside, well protected with foam, and finally wrapped in a cloth sock. The pair weighed 315 pounds, so each box weighed, well, about 30 pounds more than me!
Set up went as proscribed in the manual, and I'll need lots more time to properly adjust the subs, but I managed to calibrate them and adjust phase with little difficulty.
You should first know that I have never owned any really really nice speakers before. These replaced a nice pair of Mirage OM10 towers. Before that I had Polk RTi towers. They are being driven by Outlaw 2200 monoblocks.
I spent a lot of time last night with my jaw dropped, and I learned a lot of things.
I decided to stick with redbook CDs at first - I pretty much have lost enjoyment of listening to them in favor of multichannel SACD/DVD-A. (although not after last night) I have highly varied musical taste, as you will see.
At first I played the music that accompanies the Rives Test CD - some jazz, guitar, vocals, piano, etc.. I closed my eyes before I pressed play for the first time, and then within a second or two of vocals, I opened them because my ears were telling me that there was a speaker directly in front of me, yet I knew there was not. I simply had no idea that two speakers could project an image so clearly and persuasively. It would be impossible to convince someone with my experience that there was no center speaker in use if they were blindfolded.
Next I popped in Rubber Soul. After listening to a few key tracks I had the following thought: I've been listening to this album for probably 30 years and until now I had no idea what some of those instruments were, and it is so obvious now! I also heard voices, stage noise, footsteps, all sorts of things I had no idea were there.
Next up was the soundtrack to Twin Peaks. Angelo Badalamenti's music is so deep and dark, with lots of lows, bass, cellos, etc. I thought it would be a good example to see how these powered subs work. Dramatic would be an understatement, and they blend so well with the midranges!
Time for some hip hop - Cypress Hill's "Black Sunday". The bass lines in "I want to get high" and "Hits from the bong" were amazing. My OM10s coupled with my twin PB12 +/2s could never produce the same results. These in 2 channel only are amazing.
Then onto some SACD - Harry Connick Jr. for some vocals and jazz. The thing I noticed most is that the quiet passages are still alive. They're not just quiet music, the instruments still portray meaning and presence, and when Harry cranks up his windpipes he is there in the room with you.
This made me recall that I have Diana Krall's "Love Scenes" so in it went. I could go on and on but she even makes AM radio sound great, now, she sounded better than when I saw her live recently.
Finally I finished out my session with Ravel's Bolero as it has probably never been heard before in my zip code.
I'm sure there were one or two other discs listened to as well.
The Minis made me realize a thing or two:
1. Imaging and soundstage size is very dependant on the individual disc. From disc to disc, there seems to be very little consistency in where the vocalist is placed, on some CDs is sounds like everything is coming out of the speakers, but in others, the entire front of the room sounds like one big speaker, with stuff going on everywhere! I found this particularly noticeable with (yes) Dread Zeppelin's first disc! There were musical instruments everywhere in front of me! Previous to last night - I never noticed how much variation there was in CDs. Almost as bad as the PQ variation on Blu-Ray.
2. CDs can sound FANTASTIC! Ever since I discovered SACD/DVD-A I had grown disappointed in standard redbook CD. The Minis have undoubtedly changed that perspective.
3. I don't know if these speakers are considered entry level high end, mid range audio, or what, but they are by far in a different league than anything I have ever heard. I listened to a pair of ML summits in a store once, and they were pretty amazing, too, but it was hardly a demo. Other than that, nothing I've ever heard has come close.
4. My wife is awesome. She saw the boxes and said "New speakers? Can I have your old ones?"
One more nice thing about them? They also build the boxes for the SVS subs (till recently), so the rosewood Minis match my subs perfectly. Just icing on the cake.
HT/music rig
Panasonic PX60U 50" plasma
Yamaha 5990 AVR
Onix SP3 tube amp
bunch of Outlaw 2200 monoblocks
DUAL SVS PB12+/2 subs :eek:
Denon 3910 DVD/SACD/DVD-A
DirecTV HR10-250 DVR
Onix Strata Mini mains
Mirage OM10 surrounds
Polk CSi5 center
Polk SC80 rear surrounds
Samsung BDP1000 blu-ray player
Bedroom rig
Jolida SJ302a tube amp
Denon 2910 universal player
Onix Ref 1 monitors
Velodyne minivee
Panasonic PX60U 50" plasma
Yamaha 5990 AVR
Onix SP3 tube amp
bunch of Outlaw 2200 monoblocks
DUAL SVS PB12+/2 subs :eek:
Denon 3910 DVD/SACD/DVD-A
DirecTV HR10-250 DVR
Onix Strata Mini mains
Mirage OM10 surrounds
Polk CSi5 center
Polk SC80 rear surrounds
Samsung BDP1000 blu-ray player
Bedroom rig
Jolida SJ302a tube amp
Denon 2910 universal player
Onix Ref 1 monitors
Velodyne minivee
Post edited by Schwingding on
Comments
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cool write up wish I could hear a pairDodd - Battery Preamp
Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
Outlaw ICBM - crossover
Beringher BFD - sub eq
Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..." -
That's wonderful! Enjoy them.HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
MLS and company have some great stuff don't they? Very good website as well. Can't wait for the old colors to return as the blue has everyone talking. I'm meeting a local who owns several pairs for a demo and I am really looking forward to it. Those mini's are supposed to be fantastic, congratulations!Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend.
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The speakers look gorgeous, and I am sure they sounds good as the look. Congrat.
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Congratulations! Those are excellent speakers. I heard them at Joey's house and was very impressed...and that was immediately after hearing the ML Summits!
It's also cool that they are allowing you to rediscover your CD collection.
Enjoy!Von Schweikert VR4-jr
Valve Audio Predator
Denon DVD-2900
PS Audio Digital Link III w/Cullen Level IV Mods
Pro-Ject Xpression w/Blue Point No. 2
Graham Slee Special Edition 2
PS Audio UPC-200 -
I've always liked the apearance of the Stratas... glad to finally hear a review on them.
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They are beautiful. Congrats.Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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Wow - those are some really nice speakers and I enjoyed your write up on them. Congrats on the purchase!
Are you going to update it once you've had a chance to try them out with some Blu-ray movies?My HT
HDTV: Panasonic PT-61LCX65 61" Rear Proj. LCD
AVR: Harman Kardon AVR 235
Video: 80GB PS3, Toshiba HD-XA1 HD DVD
Fronts: Polk Audio RTi8
Center: Polk Audio CSi3
Amp: Emotiva LPA-1
Surrounds: Polk Audio R150
Sub: HSU STF-3
The only true barrier to knowledge is the assumption that you already have it. - C.H. Dodd -
Great review! Good looks & SQ to match - what more could you ask for? Congrats!Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
Congratulations. They sound like they are a true bargain......now I'm interested.
MikeModwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
Consonance cd120T
Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
Usher CP 6311
Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote -
The write up was a fun read (especially for someone like myself who is new to this whole audio addiction...) and the speakers are incredible aesthetically. Congrats on what looks to be a phenomenal purchase!2007 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
2010 Club Polk Fantasy Football Champ
2011 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
"It's like a koala bear crapped a rainbow in my brain!" -
Congrats, Mike. Great write up. They are some really nice speakers.
Looking forward to putting an ear on them.
ScottI like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D -
I enjoyed reading your thoughts. Thanks for posting them.
You and I belong to a very exclusive club. Those that critically listen to rap and hip hop albums. -
I vote you post some pics of the actual rig, as I want to see some non-stock photos of these beauties.
