Braders in crime and my friend hatorni,
I hope its ok to share my personal thoughts and maybe to pave the way for setting the premise for my friend jess’ review…
The question is – “which speaker sings better?”
First…audio is indeed subjective…
The last audio test at streetsmart’s “dream theater” already speak for itself. My ears have more “luga” than my friends. :'( I preferred the dolby digital dts than loss less audio at the last EB.
Am sure gasgas na when you hear
"audition it for yourself"
"let your ears decide"
pero yan talaga ang tama.
Second…genre too play a role…
I remember asking the master to modify my DU-3i. He did not immediately say yes, he first asked what kind of music I listen to. He was wanting to create the best to suit my listening impression and modify to suit my ears.
I bought a pair of bookshelf speakers JMLab Focal Chorus 806V and man do they sing! Jim even told me not to sell those. Hearing a sample of John Lucien singing Dindi…you will hear the pauses, breaks, and his saliva slurps as clear as he was just like 3 ft from you. (Parang nung bumulung si jim kay jess!) But after playing my other genre, hmmmm...medyo bitin.
Third…system synergy is key…
We know that amplifiers are built differently…
they may provide different impressions even using the same speakers it is paired with…
the same amplifier combos may differ in sound depending on what you play on it...
there are several possible combos:
- integrated solid state 2ch,
- separates solid state 2ch,
- integrated tube 2ch,
- separates tube 2ch,
- integrated hybrid 2ch,
- solid state pre amp ch, tube power amp
- tube preamp 2ch, solid state power amp
- receiver solid state multi-channel
- pre/processor multi-channel, multi-channel power amp
An 8wpc single ended tube amplifier may sound better than a 30wpc tube integrated amplifier if paired with highly efficient speakers.
I heard the B&Ws paired with the 2ch Bada hybrid and IMO, they matched well. I heard the same B&W speaker paired with a Rotel Pre/Pro and powered by a 200wpc solid state Audio Research and it did not seem to please my ears.
To make it more complicated, amplifiers have different circuitries and tube amps would have different set of flavors with different sets of tubes.
We also know that speakers are built with varying sensitivities, power and harmonic distortions, size and cabinet build (bookshelf, floorstanders), number and size of drivers, built of tweeters (silk, ribbons, berrylium, horns to name a few), front or back port, etc.
We also know that interconnects and speaker wires have different builds and possesses different sound characters. IMO, My more expensive MIT did not work for my RS6 but my very affordable QEDs opened it.
We also know that they come in varying price ranges, hence build quality may differ from one another.
Fourth…tweaks also make a difference…
I used to play my speakers with about 4ft (tweeter to tweeter) distance. And I was already singing with it. But when I placed them farther apart and towed them in a bit, I was both singing, tapping my feat. When I changed my CDP, I was hearing more and more. When I changed to floorstanders from my bookshelf, I was playing more and more genre. When I changed the caps of my amp…I was dancing! Jaw-dropping sound! But that is me. Ewan ko si Jim ano impression niya...ayun iniwan ko...pailing-iling!
I heard my RS6 with its stock jumpers and I was smiling…I changed the jumpers with Kimber cables (c/o audiojunkie) and man, Jim and I was just looking at each other, immediately hearing the big difference – all things equal.
Fifth...varying degrees of use will tell a difference...
Equipment will produce different sound using the same source or speakers at its varying stages. straight from the box and after burn-in period.
The answer I will leave to brader jess…post your personal impressions away hatorni. Ok lang naman yan and no worries.
Jas, just posted his preference. Am sure the others, including myself will respect that. The guys are asking for your impressions and I guess they realize this is your subjective opinion.
This is ok la!
Lab ka namin remember! Pa kiss nga diyan!
Very well said pareng Don Jake, very well said.
Ok then, considering the requests, I will provide just short “observations” on the following speakers: Dali Ikon 7, Monitor Audio RS6 and B&W 602 S3. Caveat that these assertions are my take on the referenced speakers.
DALI IKON 7 : Sensitivity : 92dB
Impedance : 6 ohms
Power Handling: 25-200W
For HT, these babies deliver the requirements needed for a truly cinematic experience. Details on mids, highs and especially bass are forthwith noticeable. Brings the “action” directly to the listener, so to speak. Setting up the speakers for the best soundstage will also play a big role, too, so as to “bring out the beast”. Also tried bi-wiring these speakers and it brought out more the details for my desired HT experience. The amp currently driving the DALIs is the ONKYO SR875. Amp-speaker matching is a concern of some, but IMO, these speakers match well with the Onkyo.
Initially intended for my HT, these were transferred, upon my wife’s suggestion, to the audio set-up, to check out how it performs. Lo and behold, details were even more inviting. Voices are precise and compelling, you can actually hear the pressure coming out from the singers. When it comes to instrumentals, guitars especially, the details are overwhelming, as if you are sitting right in front of a live performance. Peter White; Lara & Reyes; Earl Klugh --- recommended. Amp used for audio is a Cayin A50T. Although my tube amp pushes out a small power, these speakers still packs a great performance. The wifey likes these babies to stay with the audio set-up, though.
MONITOR AUDIO RS6 :Sensitivity: 91 dB
Impedance: 6 ohms
Power Handling: 40-120W
This baby is quite laid back compared to the Dalis. Mids and highs are its strength, with the bass not too far behind. Considering that the speakers are still within the “break-in” period, SQ will surely have a different “feel” later. Hmmmm, maybe the kimber cables mentioned by Jake could also make a difference in the SQ department.
For an audio set-up, the RS6 produce the needed soundstage for my listening pleasure. Though without the “kick” compared to the Dalis, the RS6 still delivers the clarity music lovers, like myself, would enjoy. With Kenny G playing ….. I felt relaxed and even dozed-off. The RS6 are musical speakers, and IMO would be suited for an audio set-up. Oh, I should also mention that these are “handsome-looking” speakers, too.
B&W DM602 S3 :Sensitivity: 90dB
Impedance: 8 ohms
Power Handling: 25-120W
The 7 inch woven-Kevlar bass/midrange cone are immediately noticeable from these slightly “bigger” than your regular bookshelf speakers. The line “looks are deceiving” fit the profile of the 602. Though these speakers are bookshelf, it does provide good performance. Highs are crisp; smooth mids, with bass that packs a punch. Tried these babies for both audio and HT.
While hooked up to audio, music lovers will surely enjoy the bass, which is usually “lacking” in a 2-ch set-up. I also hooked up these babies on the HT front. Being an avid FS fan for HT, I was looking for that “umph”, which I felt that the 602 could not muster. Don’t get me wrong, guys …. it’s just my ears that are looking for that “something” in the HT department.
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Again, the foregoing are my observations of the referenced speakers. There are lots of other factors to be considered also, such as the type of amp used; music genre; and, of course, speaker wires. Yes, there had been debates on whether or not those “exotic wires” make a difference ….. as for me, there is. Hooked-up the regular gauge 12 speaker wires, and later on, the “exotic” wires on all the referenced speakers. Stayed on with the latter set of wires --- as the performance of the speakers clearly out-paced the “regular” wires. Wouldn’t want another debate on this, guys.
nga pala, mahirap talagang pantayan si Don Jake ..... ang HAYDOL ng bayan !!!!!!!