Silverline Prelude: A Review
zombie boy 2000
Posts: 6,641
As I've mentioned in other threads, the recent transitition of my rig to a larger room necessitated a bit of a system overhaul to accommodate the new surroundings. To put it bluntly, this was scary stuff. I adore the Totem Arro. There is so much that this speaker does right that I believe you would have to pay many times its price to match it. The sole caveat being "in a small room". I believe many of its spectacular attributes (the ability to disappear like no other speaker, surreal imaging capabilities, foot-tappin' tempo and achingly beautiful reproduction of timbre) were in no small part a product of their slim baffle and small single driver design. It seemed if I wanted impact and the movement of air, I would have to be willing to make some notable concessions to remain within my price bracket.
However... some research unearthed an interesting possibility in Silverline Audio's new Prelude line of speakers. Here we had a speaker designer (Alan Yun) who shared many design goals and philosophies with Vince Bruzzese of Totem. Most notably the belief that the colorations introduced into a speaker's presentation through box resonations can be harnessed and used beneficially to provide a musically satisfying experience. A parallel easily being drawn to the allure of tube-based electronics.
Another important attribute of the Prelude was a slender cabinet housing two 3/12" drivers.... Here I had found a speaker that could keep up with the Arro in terms of tempo and pace, could disappear into the room, and could image like mad (all due to its small footprint). Yet, here I was with more available cone excursion -- and possibly more impact. We had a winner!
Throw in the fact that these speakers are 4 db more sensitve that the Arro and rated at 8Ohm (instead of 4) and you have the proverbial icing on the cake.
After spending the weekend with the Preludes, I am absolutely, positively, epically floored. I have no idea how to express my utter pleasure at finding something so ridiculously good at such a low price. As I anticipated, the Preludes do nearly everything the Arros do, but with more impact and presence. Case in point... right out of the box. I turned them on and went about three rooms to talk to my wife. However, I noticed that the music might be too loud so I walked through the house to turn it down. To my complete shock, the volume did not seem to increase as I got closer! These small, diminutive speakers actually filled the house with music.... I don't know how (as it seems to go beyond what is physically possible), but they did.
Which leads me to my next point... these speakers perform majestically. They create sound that is completely disproportionate to their size. And what's more, the bass created is quick, fast and articulate. So much so, that my wife completely forgot about her Sony Boombox and was at all times moving, shimmying and/or shaking.
Which bring everything full circle... imaging at the ZB2K household remains surreal. The Preludes were actually a bit more detailed (thought I might attribute this to their greater sensitivity paired with the same gear and the metal tweet). I never felt the music was forward or fatiguing, though I would suggest keeping tubes somewhere in the system.
Also keep in mind that I purchased the original version. Alan Yun has made some changes and introduced a "revised" version which supposedly trumps the former in some key areas.
I am smitten:) More to come as the speakers break-in.
However... some research unearthed an interesting possibility in Silverline Audio's new Prelude line of speakers. Here we had a speaker designer (Alan Yun) who shared many design goals and philosophies with Vince Bruzzese of Totem. Most notably the belief that the colorations introduced into a speaker's presentation through box resonations can be harnessed and used beneficially to provide a musically satisfying experience. A parallel easily being drawn to the allure of tube-based electronics.
Another important attribute of the Prelude was a slender cabinet housing two 3/12" drivers.... Here I had found a speaker that could keep up with the Arro in terms of tempo and pace, could disappear into the room, and could image like mad (all due to its small footprint). Yet, here I was with more available cone excursion -- and possibly more impact. We had a winner!
Throw in the fact that these speakers are 4 db more sensitve that the Arro and rated at 8Ohm (instead of 4) and you have the proverbial icing on the cake.
After spending the weekend with the Preludes, I am absolutely, positively, epically floored. I have no idea how to express my utter pleasure at finding something so ridiculously good at such a low price. As I anticipated, the Preludes do nearly everything the Arros do, but with more impact and presence. Case in point... right out of the box. I turned them on and went about three rooms to talk to my wife. However, I noticed that the music might be too loud so I walked through the house to turn it down. To my complete shock, the volume did not seem to increase as I got closer! These small, diminutive speakers actually filled the house with music.... I don't know how (as it seems to go beyond what is physically possible), but they did.
Which leads me to my next point... these speakers perform majestically. They create sound that is completely disproportionate to their size. And what's more, the bass created is quick, fast and articulate. So much so, that my wife completely forgot about her Sony Boombox and was at all times moving, shimmying and/or shaking.
Which bring everything full circle... imaging at the ZB2K household remains surreal. The Preludes were actually a bit more detailed (thought I might attribute this to their greater sensitivity paired with the same gear and the metal tweet). I never felt the music was forward or fatiguing, though I would suggest keeping tubes somewhere in the system.
Also keep in mind that I purchased the original version. Alan Yun has made some changes and introduced a "revised" version which supposedly trumps the former in some key areas.
I am smitten:) More to come as the speakers break-in.
I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
Post edited by zombie boy 2000 on
Comments
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Nice ZB,nice.Glad to see you enjoying your new toy.I smile when I see a post like this.The journey is fun bro.Now throw on some Barry White or Joe Jackson,turn off the lights,and dance naked with the wife,works for me.
UH...I mean my wife...not yours!!:DHT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Won't read until you post some pictures
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***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
HTrookie wrote:Won't read until you post some pictures
Just one to wet your appetite...I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
Oh....they look nice; I thought they would be more like these:_________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
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HT... you got it. Actually, I scored a pair in Rosewood -- basically an ultra-dark mahogany. From a distance of more than one foot, they look black.
Haimoc... they do. And like I mentioned, they're probably better suited for tubes. I can see how they might get a little edgy with some solid-state equipment. Then again, they're not fully broken in yet. I have a Unison Research Unico P hybrid integrated on the way, so we'll see if they play nice.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
