They are coming around nicely. The peaky issue has smoothed out. However, they are still not fully cooked, so I'm not ready to give my final thoughts. I noted a comment on another forum from someone at AXPONA who stated they didn't have enough treble for him. I also noted he liked Klipsch, so that should tell you all you need to know.
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."
I'll say this much for now. Other than the peaky issue, which at this point seems to have been burn in related I am throughly impressed and it takes a lot to impress me.
The one thing I don't like are the separate round grill covers. Should be a one piece job covering the entire front.
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."
I'll say this much for now. Other than the peaky issue, which at this point seems to have been burn in related I am throughly impressed and it takes a lot to impress me.
The one thing I don't like are the separate round grill covers. Should be a one piece job covering the entire front.
I know that you listen with your eyes closed so, aside from the aesthetic issue, it's all good!
Glad you're digging the tunes man and thanks for letting us know
Heard them powered by the Parasound JC5 earlier this evening. They sounded very good. Very punchy and dynamic. Impressive bass. No harshness from the treble even at 90db.
If I had to criticize them, I'd say it sounds like the treble is more "directional" than some speakers, meaning it sounded distinctly like it was coming from the lower portion of the speaker. Versus just the general area of the speaker, or from the area in between both speakers.
"Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
Just the opposite here, the treble just floats....doesn't matter if I'm sitting or standing it sounds 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."
"Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
I noted Mike of Suncoast Audio/AudioShark said of the S400 at the show, "Great sound."
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."
PMC, not PSB. It's not that I am "unhappy" with them, but a different speaker may give me more of what I am "looking for" right now, specifically in terms of electronic music. It's too much to type out on my phone. Call/text me anytime Victor and we can go into it further.
I'd love to hear ProAc. I'll look into local dealers.
"Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
After trying a few things I've come to the conclusion that these have too much treble energy for my liking. The cure results in a slight loss of transparency, but they are more musical now and I value that aspect more than anything else. To be continued.....
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."
My final conclusion. While the S400 has a lot of positive attributes such as an extremely wide soundstage and amazing bass for a bookshelf speaker I could not live with the mid/high energy issue I experienced. Since I haven't seen others comment as such perhaps it boiled down to a simple lack of synergy. Regardless and regretfully I will be returning the speakers.
I would still encourage anyone interested in them to take Buchardt up on their 30 day trial period as they could be the best speakers for you.
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."
I'd like to revisit this thread. I listened to the S400 Special Edition at my best friend's house Saturday afternoon. The SE is the same basic speaker as the standard version, but has upgraded crossovers utilizing Janzten caps, Superres 1% resistors and baked air core inductors.
That said, I need to back track a bit on my previous comment in which I speculated that my issue with the standard version might have been a simple lack of synergy. I knew what the issue was, but at the time was reluctant to say for which I regret. The issue was the sound signature of the Dayton caps. Listening to the SE version confirmed that as they sounded fantastic with none of the peaky/shouty characteristics of the standard version. Buchardt only made 25 pair and sold out. I hope at some point they offer the SE version again because I want a pair. In fact, I think they should only offer the SE version from now on, it's that good.
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."
Sort of an aside, but sort of not: The Daytons can certainly be a little edgy -- but, for the price they're hard to beat for, e.g., perkin' up an Original Large Advent.
Living Room:,T+A PA 1530R, Tyler Highland H2, Aries Mini, High Fidelity Reveal RCA, Grant Fidelity Tube Dac 11, W4S recovery, Wireworld Platinum Starlight, PS Audio Direct Stream JR.
Have but haven't used in a while: LH Labs VI Dac, Cayin SCD50T
You could always “hot rod” them yourself. Especially with your track record and skill set!
I thought about that when I had them here, but after peeking inside it seemed to me that the speaker cabinet is built around the crossover board meaning it looked darn near impossible to remove the board.
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."
Maybe they will offer to send them back for an upgrade?
I had them on their 30 day buy and try. I returned them long ago.
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."
That's personally one thing I like about his speakers. Every model I've heard put a smile on my face and I wouldn't mind putting money down on them. I can't say that about many other speaker brands.
FWIW, the Salk SS8’s use the ScanSpeak Revelator 8” woofers with RAAL tweeter, Accuton midrange. The Salk Exotica bookies paired the SEAS Alnico woofer and tweeter. The Exotica 3 floor stander added a pair of Rythmik 8” powered servo woofers. Personally, I prefer the SS8’s as they are more of an all round speaker where some say the Exotica just excels with the soft stuff.
Make yourself necessary to someone. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
Comments
"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
Joule-Electra LA-100; Balanced Power Technology AC conditioner;
Odyssey Khartago monos (with most factory upgrades); Magnepan MG 3.6R
The one thing I don't like are the separate round grill covers. Should be a one piece job covering the entire front.
"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
I know that you listen with your eyes closed so, aside from the aesthetic issue, it's all good!
Glad you're digging the tunes man and thanks for letting us know
Vinyl: Fluance RT82 * Nagaoka MP-110 * Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade * KAB RF1
Vinyl II: Audio Technica AT-LP120X USB * AT120EB * ART DJ Pre II * Acrylic Turntable Mat
Video: Hisense 55H8F * Panasonic DMP-UB200 * ROKU Premiere * Z-line Designs Elektra
If I had to criticize them, I'd say it sounds like the treble is more "directional" than some speakers, meaning it sounded distinctly like it was coming from the lower portion of the speaker. Versus just the general area of the speaker, or from the area in between both speakers.
"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
Sounds like maybe it was the hotel room itself then. Thanks for that clarification/insight. I'm considering them amongst these:
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-ev2XNhREYFb/p_405ALBBK/KLH-Albany-Black-Oak.html
https://www.svsound.com/products/ultra-bookshelf
https://thelsagroup.com/products/lsa-10-signature (special show price)
Are you unhappy with the PSB bookies?
Have you checked out the ProAc bookies?
Vinyl: Fluance RT82 * Nagaoka MP-110 * Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade * KAB RF1
Vinyl II: Audio Technica AT-LP120X USB * AT120EB * ART DJ Pre II * Acrylic Turntable Mat
Video: Hisense 55H8F * Panasonic DMP-UB200 * ROKU Premiere * Z-line Designs Elektra
I noted Mike of Suncoast Audio/AudioShark said of the S400 at the show, "Great sound."
"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
PMC, not PSB. It's not that I am "unhappy" with them, but a different speaker may give me more of what I am "looking for" right now, specifically in terms of electronic music. It's too much to type out on my phone. Call/text me anytime Victor and we can go into it further.
I'd love to hear ProAc. I'll look into local dealers.
"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
I would still encourage anyone interested in them to take Buchardt up on their 30 day trial period as they could be the best speakers for you.
"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
That said, I need to back track a bit on my previous comment in which I speculated that my issue with the standard version might have been a simple lack of synergy. I knew what the issue was, but at the time was reluctant to say for which I regret. The issue was the sound signature of the Dayton caps. Listening to the SE version confirmed that as they sounded fantastic with none of the peaky/shouty characteristics of the standard version. Buchardt only made 25 pair and sold out. I hope at some point they offer the SE version again because I want a pair. In fact, I think they should only offer the SE version from now on, it's that good.
"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
You could always “hot rod” them yourself. Especially with your track record and skill set!
Vinyl: Fluance RT82 * Nagaoka MP-110 * Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade * KAB RF1
Vinyl II: Audio Technica AT-LP120X USB * AT120EB * ART DJ Pre II * Acrylic Turntable Mat
Video: Hisense 55H8F * Panasonic DMP-UB200 * ROKU Premiere * Z-line Designs Elektra
Living Room:,T+A PA 1530R, Tyler Highland H2, Aries Mini, High Fidelity Reveal RCA, Grant Fidelity Tube Dac 11, W4S recovery, Wireworld Platinum Starlight, PS Audio Direct Stream JR.
Have but haven't used in a while: LH Labs VI Dac, Cayin SCD50T
I thought about that when I had them here, but after peeking inside it seemed to me that the speaker cabinet is built around the crossover board meaning it looked darn near impossible to remove the board.
"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
I had them on their 30 day buy and try. I returned them long ago.
"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
FWIW, the Salk SS8’s use the ScanSpeak Revelator 8” woofers with RAAL tweeter, Accuton midrange. The Salk Exotica bookies paired the SEAS Alnico woofer and tweeter. The Exotica 3 floor stander added a pair of Rythmik 8” powered servo woofers. Personally, I prefer the SS8’s as they are more of an all round speaker where some say the Exotica just excels with the soft stuff.
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *