Anyone here using or heard Salk Songtowers?

mjg
mjg Posts: 86
edited September 2011 in Speakers
I recently bought a set of LSI 15s, and have not been really thrilled with the sound. They started out good, but then the base started to sound muddy, and kind of boomy, and they just got worse. I am still in the 30 day period, so I can get a refund. I can also get a new pair. But all the research I have done says that the Songtowers are the absolute best speaker in the under 2K price range. Wondering if I should go that route, or give the LSI's another chance. The gear I am usind to drive these is a Carver C-16 pre, with a carver TFM 24 amp, and I am using a new Marantz CC4001 cd changer. I have tried using a different amp (Adcom GFA 6000), different pre (Yamaha RX-V665), reversing the speaker wires, different IC's and they sound about the same.(Carver gear more layed back than Adcom and Yami) The base still sounds bad. Any info on the Songtowers or another option would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Maurice
Post edited by mjg on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited March 2010
    The LSI's need time to break-in, Mine sounded kind of flat for the first 50-100 hours then they started sounding much better. I wouldn't say the bass ever sounded boomy though.

    Another thing I've learned about the 15's is they can be a challenge to place in a less than perfect room, a small change in placement can make a big difference in the way they sound.
    I moved mine from 6" away from the back wall to 10" away and the low end completely changed.

    Jimmy
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited March 2010
    I had issues with the bass as well,, tried stuffing the port,placement,,bigger amps,, never could get it right,, did hear a pair with upgraded crossovers,made all the difference in the world,, you might want to consider some room treatments,,when you get them dialed in,they are very good. Good luck.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2010
    mjg--
    Our own Sean (Zero) reviewed the Songtower's, you'll see a link to his review on Salk's website.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mjg
    mjg Posts: 86
    edited March 2010
    I will try placement changes. I also have added 2 more possibilities for different speakers.
    Aperion 6T
    ERA Design D10

    Any input???

    MJG
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2010
    The Aperion 6T was reviewed by Stereophile...they liked it.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mjg
    mjg Posts: 86
    edited March 2010
    A little help guys?

    MJG
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mjg
    mjg Posts: 86
    edited March 2010
    I would love to hear your opinions on what you feel would be good choices in this price range. Any thoughts on the aperion 6T?

    Thanks, Maurice
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,014
    edited March 2010
    I've also heard them in passing,sounded Ok,but nothing that made me turn my head for a serious listen. Maurice, read the reviews, pay attention to the associated gear being used down to the wires. People tend to buy speakers based on a couple reviews without paying attention to what they are hooked up to. They get them home,hook them up to a low powered receiver,and expect the same results. Not saying that scenario would be you,but you have to read between the lines so to speak on reviews and pay attention to gear used.

    That said, maybe we could help you better if we knew your settings and/or placement issues if they exist. Experiment alittle,sometimes a couple inches in placement can be night and day.
    HT 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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mjg
    mjg Posts: 86
    edited March 2010
    Zero,

    I like a more layed back sound. We listen to alot of modern blues, older Eagles, Bonnie Raitt, America, Classic rock. We like base to match the music, not overly important. Room is 26' wide by 17' deep, wood floors with large area rug, drywall walls and wood ceilings with wood beams. Speaker sit on either side of a 10' wide stone fire place, about 16" off the wall. I am writting this in my running the gen set time as we have been out of power since last night.

    Thanks, Maurice
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mjg
    mjg Posts: 86
    edited March 2010
    Got our power back!!!! Zero, what are the speakers at this price point that you would rather own? Anyone else feel free to jump in.

    Maurice
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TouchOfEvil
    TouchOfEvil Posts: 967
    edited March 2010
    With a room that size you may need a subwoofer.
    Living Room Rig:D
    Rotel RSP-1069/Rotel RMB-1095/Rotel-1072/Polk lsI15's W/modded xoverW/DBsubs/Polk LsiC/lsI7's/Klipsch sub-12"the weak link"/DLP Mitsubishi 65"
    Xbox360/PS3/WII
    M.Br. setup:)
    Emotiva MMC-1/Rotel RMB-1075/Polk BlackStone TL350's/Velodyne SPL1000/Samsung 51" Plasma
    Computer Rig:
    Rotel RB1050/Tannoy DC4's/Klipsch RW-10d/ImodIpod/HK AVR230 for now....
    Headphones-Ultrasone-HFI780's w/LittleDot MK Vamp Portables Panasonic HJE-900's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mjg
    mjg Posts: 86
    edited March 2010
    I do have a kind of low end powered sub, but we only really use it for H.T.

    Maurice
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lumpy
    lumpy Posts: 113
    edited March 2010
    would it be possible to try the following - someone who knows all of mjg's equipment may know better. If it can be done it would provide better bass controll with your existing gear.

    it seems that the top section of the LSi15's should have about the same range as the song towers. Can you remove the jumpers between the speaker connections and bi amp the speaker with your current equipment? If so - can you split the LFE out of the receiver/pre to the imput of a seperate amp/amp channels to drive the lower speaker connections on the 15's?

    This would let you set the sub out to reverse phase and also let you reduce the LFE db level via the receiver/pre set up - I know that the 665 will do this.
    pop

    media room: Lsi25 mains driven by an audiosource amp300, LSi9's driven by another amp300, LsiC drivin by an audiosourcAmp200, Lsi7 rear channels driven by receiver - Yamaha 863, Panamax 5300, epson 6100 w/ 106" elite cinatension2 screen, HPz555 media center, oppo 980, techniques SLbd3 turntable,xbox and ps3,

    living room: VM30 mains driven by a niles 2125, VM20 center and VM10 surrounds, velodyne dsp10, yamaha rxv661, cambridge audio dvd89, panamax5300, philips 42" plasma
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mjg
    mjg Posts: 86
    edited March 2010
    Zero,

    I thought I did. Sorry if I dont communicate well. Of the above listed speakers, the only ones I would be interested in would be the Totem's. Any thing as big as a set of towers has to look good, as well as sound good. I also want speakers that are easy to place. I dont want the speakers dictating the layout of my living room. I have arranged for in home trials of the Salk Songtowers, and Aperion 6T. I really hope I will want to keep one of them. Thanks for the input, and I will post my feelings about these 2 sets of towers.

    Maurice
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • branon
    branon Posts: 1
    edited September 2011
    mjg wrote: »
    Zero,

    I thought I did. Sorry if I dont communicate well. Of the above listed speakers, the only ones I would be interested in would be the Totem's. Any thing as big as a set of towers has to look good, as well as sound good. I also want speakers that are easy to place. I dont want the speakers dictating the layout of my living room. I have arranged for in home trials of the Salk Songtowers, and Aperion 6T. I really hope I will want to keep one of them. Thanks for the input, and I will post my feelings about these 2 sets of towers.

    Maurice

    Maurice,
    I accidentally came across this post after doing a Google search on Songtowers vs Fritz Carbons. Anyways, i was wondering what you finally chose. I have been thinking of similar speakers like the ones you were planning to demo and like you, i am not interested in changing my living room layout.
    Thanks.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter