Ascend Towers - anyone own them ?

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gyosa
gyosa Posts: 715
in Speakers
Looking at the Ascend towers - the new ones , the ELX with the Raal tweeter ..
Anyone have experience with any of their towers or any other Ascends ?

Thx

Bk
PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,481
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    Hey there! I can't comment on the high end offerings, but will regale this. At one point had Paradigm 100 v2 and cc v2 for my front soundstage. The Ascend CMT340s blew them away. Sold the Paradigms. Still have those speakers in my kid's gaming system as well as a quad of the cmb140s for surrounds in my main rig. I have no doubt the ELX would be excellent. Though I have to admit I'm not a fan of the base plate. Some killer outriggers would really seal the deal.
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,554
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    Man, those sound good. In their description copy, they sound like they hit all my evaluation and trouble points perfectly.

    https://ascendacoustics.com/products/elx-tower-pair

    I'd love to hear these myself, now.

    Get 'em, @gyosa, and invite us over.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,065
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    I have to heard the ELX but every Ascend speaker I have run across have been pretty impressive. But at that price point, SVS just released their brand new Towers, which you might want to consider comparing as well as the new Focal Aria EVO X.

    So hard to focus on one brand at the 5k price point. Good luck.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
    edited April 8
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    Ordered them …. As close to a Salk as I can get now that Jim has retired …
    Finally gave up on finding a used pair of Veracity ST’s that were either local , or fairly priced …

    Lots of choices out there new and used for 5k , but I just have to have that big Raal , 70-20xr …it’s absolutely sublime - I’ve never heard a dome that sounds as good (to me) …. And Seas woofers / mids check the rest of the boxes ….

    Should arrive in a couple weeks .

    The SDA 1C’s will be replaced 😢 by my Salks …

    Bk
    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,646
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    Womp womp! Should've just ordered a pair of L600 instead.
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
    edited April 8
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    Clipdat wrote: »
    Womp womp! Should've just ordered a pair of L600 instead.

    😃😃

    Too big ,,, no way the wife would ever allow them into the house ! 😃😃

    Edit - disregard … shoulda read closer - thought it said “L800” !
    😂

    But yeah , I dunno why Polk hasn’t been on my radar … just hasn’t .. no good reason..

    Bk

    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
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    DaveHo wrote: »
    Hey there! I can't comment on the high end offerings, but will regale this. At one point had Paradigm 100 v2 and cc v2 for my front soundstage. The Ascend CMT340s blew them away. Sold the Paradigms. Still have those speakers in my kid's gaming system as well as a quad of the cmb140s for surrounds in my main rig. I have no doubt the ELX would be excellent. Though I have to admit I'm not a fan of the base plate. Some killer outriggers would really seal the deal.

    Dave , any recommendations on where to look for outriggers that are reasonably priced ?

    Bk

    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,646
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    gyosa wrote: »
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Womp womp! Should've just ordered a pair of L600 instead.

    😃😃

    Too big ,,, no way the wife would ever allow them into the house ! 😃😃

    Edit - disregard … shoulda read closer - thought it said “L800” !
    😂

    But yeah , I dunno why Polk hasn’t been on my radar … just hasn’t .. no good reason..

    Bk



    Best deal I think:

    https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/polkl600-brn/polk-audio-legend-l600-pair-7-3-way-floor-standing-speaker-brown/1.html
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
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    I’ve honestly never heard any of the newer “good stuff” from Polk . Don’t think they’re available in the Dallas area , at least I’ve never seen them - only the lower end stuff …

    But at any rate , we’ll see how the ELX’s sound ….. I wanted something at LEAST as good as my Salks - and the Salks are damn good - and preferably better ….. so we shall see !

    Bk
    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,646
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    Interesting Ascend is using NFS Klippel data measurements in their new designs.
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
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    Clipdat wrote: »
    Interesting Ascend is using NFS Klippel data measurements in their new designs.

    Yes … makes a big difference from what I’ve read of the reviews …


    Bk

    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,882
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    @gyosa, Nebraska Furniture might have Polks.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
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    marvda1 wrote: »
    @gyosa, Nebraska Furniture might have Polks.


    👍

    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,481
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    gyosa wrote: »
    DaveHo wrote: »
    Hey there! I can't comment on the high end offerings, but will regale this. At one point had Paradigm 100 v2 and cc v2 for my front soundstage. The Ascend CMT340s blew them away. Sold the Paradigms. Still have those speakers in my kid's gaming system as well as a quad of the cmb140s for surrounds in my main rig. I have no doubt the ELX would be excellent. Though I have to admit I'm not a fan of the base plate. Some killer outriggers would really seal the deal.

    Dave , any recommendations on where to look for outriggers that are reasonably priced ?

    Bk

    Haven't really investigated them, so no. What color did you get?
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,554
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    Well?
    How do they sound?!?
    I disabled signatures.
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
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    Won’t be here for a couple weeks .
    Ordered satin espresso.

    Bk
    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
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    Arrived today … ordered a month ago..

    Bk


    dhhhxa83ql0o.jpeg

    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,138
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    Unfortunately they may sound boxy!

    Love the delivery pics!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
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    The Salks will be going into the bedroom , the SDA 1C’s in the bedroom will be departing the house one way or another …


    wycdnhl3fmvd.jpeg
    kldojernsc24.jpeg



    This is a nice touch ….
    One for each speaker

    xvu6i6qyzexa.jpeg
    g54cjrcc3lmv.jpeg




    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,138
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    I'm honestly surprised those will displace the salks. Those seas excel drivers are honestly about as good as it gets. There's a reason they have remained unchanged for almost twenty years.

    Beautiful gear there!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
    edited May 4
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    The Ascends use 6” Seas Excel drivers - same as the Salks- but 6” vs 5” - modified for Ascend.
    Same exact Raal 70-20XRAM tweeter …

    I searched in vain for a used pair of Salk Veracity ST’s - since Jim retired last fall ..
    I finally gave up …
    These are as close to Salks as I can get ….

    Apparently the ELX Ribbon is a game changer from what I’ve read .. designed using a Klippel NFS.
    We’ll see … haven’t had time to give them a spin yet as the wife is watching TV through them now .

    wzafjsorqe23.png
    Post edited by gyosa on
    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
    edited May 4
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    Now a question ….

    Better to couple them to the hardwood floors using spikes and discs , or uncouple them with the giant rubber footers I have ? The Salks were coupled as in the photo .

    I know there’s two schools of thoughts ..

    Bk
    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,138
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    Ah I see, pretty cool they are using a modified excel, looks like the non magnesium cone version or a variation of. Very cool!

    I bet they both sound excellent
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
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    Looks like the woofers are aluminum…. The mid looks like it has some kind of “weave” to it …
    Looks almost like a carbon fiber or Kevlar ? I dunno ..

    Wife will be gone tomorrow, so I can dedicate some time to them …

    Bk

    Bk
    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • rainbow1919
    rainbow1919 Posts: 12
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    Definitely jump on if you can. Personally I'd take it too if everything plays fine and the towers are in good shape. I don't believe there are upgrade kits for the towers themselves from Ascend to DIY but I could be wrong.
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
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    Huh ?
    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 715
    edited May 6
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    How’s the sound ?

    Very , very similar sound compared to my Salk’s ..

    My Salks , I think , are some of the most articulate , detailed and precise speakers I’ve heard … they were only lacking in the deep-end a bit - but their bass was very accurate, albeit a tad lean .. the mid-range is really where they shine.

    The ELX’s have the bass in spades.. no subwoofer needed at all ..they dig really deep ..

    The Mids are a bit more coherent and clear - obviously a 3 way vs a 2 way but the airiness of the highs is still there - due to the same Raal..

    As I suspected, basically , my Salks on steroids …

    Only had a few hours to listen today , but very , very impressed so far …. I suspect the only Salk competition for them would be the BePure 2’s or Song 3 encores at double the price …

    So , yeah , I do love the signature sound of Salks
    And these will do just fine …..

    Cabinet is nowhere close to the work Jim does on his Salks , but they’re still finished great - just not high-end furniture grade … if you had never seen Salks in person you’d be more than happy , the Salks are just on a whole ‘nother level , finish wise.

    The bamboo cabinets appear to be very solid with no resonance when rapping them with your knuckles… magnetic grills - nice touch and mandatory in my opinion.

    So , yeah , I’m impressed , especially given their price of @$5k….
    Definitely punch well above their price point


    Bk
    PS Audio S300 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,138
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    Glad you are digging them!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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