What audio brands are you not attracted to?

[audio amateur]

Cerwin Vega

[E-Stat]

Cerwin Vega

I went to my first audio show in '74 where CV was showcasing their biggest horn system. They were playing the Lalo Shifrin theme from Mission Impossible at ear bleeding levels where your pants legs were flapping in the wind. Loud, yes. Refined, articulate, musical, realistic? None of the above. Like most all sound reinforcement systems I've ever heard.

rw

[audio amateur]

I went to my first audio show in '74 where CV was showcasing their biggest horn system. They were playing the Lalo Shifrin theme from Mission Impossible at ear bleeding levels where your pants legs were flapping in the wind. Loud, yes. Refined, articulate, musical, realistic? None of the above. Like most all sound reinforcement systems I've ever heard.

rw

I can't recall having ever heard Cerwin Vega. It's the philosophy and looks that completely put me off.

[E-Stat]

I can't recall having ever heard Cerwin Vega. It's the philosophy and looks that completely put me off.

They are very much like Klipsch. It's all about high SPLs. Having said that, even Gene Czerwinski acknowledges that static cable tests are irrelevant. Look here. Guys like Roger Russel have no clue whatsoever with their "It all sounds the same provided the resistance is low enough" mantra.

rw

[audio amateur]

They are very much like Klipsch. It's all about high SPLs. Having said that, even Gene Czerwinski acknowledges that static cable tests are irrelevant. Look here. Guys like Roger Russel have no clue whatsoever with their "It all sounds the same provided the resistance is low enough" mantra.

rw

Why are you mentioning cables?
I'm personally not a proponent of expensive cables because I don't believe the difference between cables (in a 'normal' system) are great enough to justify the expense, especially when other components of the system make a far greater sonic difference, including speakers and room acoustics. If one wishes to extract every last ounce of music out of his expensive system, then why not...
I feel however, that most wild claims concerning cables are just that, wild claims. No 'night and day' difference.
I did hear however a 'night and day' difference a couple years back, when a salesman swapped speaker stands as I was auditioning a speaker. That was an eye opener.

Back to the speakers. I feel Klipsch is in a different league than CW, but I could be wrong.

[JoeE SP9]

They are very much like Klipsch. It's all about high SPLs. Having said that, even Gene Czerwinski acknowledges that static cable tests are irrelevant. Look here. Guys like Roger Russel have no clue whatsoever with their "It all sounds the same provided the resistance is low enough" mantra.

rw

I looked "here". Very interesting. Unfortunately the real diehards won't bother to read "heresy".

[manlystanley]

I can't recall having ever heard Cerwin Vega. It's the philosophy and looks that completely put me off.

I had a pair of Cerwin Vega LS-8's for about 11/2 years. They were the first 'non-boom' box speakers that I ever had. I was amazed by them. But, then I figured out there was much better equipment and moved on.

Best Regards,
Stan

[Mr Peabody]

E-stat I tried to give a greenie for the link. The skeptics ask for an article, one finally shows up and it still don't do any good.

I wouldn't stereotype all sound reinforcement gear. Electro Voice has some excellent speaker components. I consider horns just another approach. Some will enjoy, some will not. Some are horrible and some are grand.

What keeps an amateur an amateur is never inspiring to do better. That would require and open mind and motivation.

[E-Stat]

I wouldn't stereotype all sound reinforcement gear.

I mention what I've heard.

rw

[JoeE SP9]

I mention what I've heard.

rw

What I've heard usually ranges from mediocre to poor. Most of it is closer to the poor end. Rarely if ever do I hear something "good" in sound reinforcement gear.

Would someone please kill (or at least cut their hands off) whoever is responsible for putting "piezo" tweeters in most pa speakers.

[E-Stat]

Would someone please kill (or at least cut their hands off) whoever is responsible for putting "piezo" tweeters in most pa speakers.

Unfortunately for listeners, they are both inexpensive and bulletproof, two priorities for sound reinforcement systems. Fortunately, they do not appear to be used in the newer batch of theatre based systems.

rw

[audio amateur]

Making 600 bucks out of a piece of could be junk. Nice job!

Someone just posted about Tangant Audio. That's another brand I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.

[Mr Peabody]

JoeE, are you referring to sound reinforcement at concerts or in your own controlled envirement? At concerts I'd agree whole hardily but keep in mind the effect of amp, set up and venue. We used to play with the Electro Voice in the store hooked to regular home gear and most products were really good. I remember they had a separate horn and compression driver that played down to 800 Hz and just sounded awesome doing it. In a full cabinet speaker though you do have to deal with the draw backs of horns in general, dispersion limits, low frequency extension etc. They also have their own benefits as well too. I've got some folded horn designs that will play low but who has the room for a sub the size of a double door frig As you can tell I hold those days in fond memory. Nothing like being able to have a job in the hobby you love. To show the extent of insanity in experimentation, our car installer began using E-V woofers in auto sub boxes. Believe it or not, the craze blew up in our area. They built a monster truck where the dump bed was one huge speaker box full of drivers. We had it at a car stereo contest and on a parking lot you could literally feel the ground vibrate with the rhythm.

[JoeE SP9]

JoeE, are you referring to sound reinforcement at concerts or in your own controlled envirement? At concerts I'd agree whole hardily but keep in mind the effect of amp, set up and venue. We used to play with the Electro Voice in the store hooked to regular home gear and most products were really good. I remember they had a separate horn and compression driver that played down to 800 Hz and just sounded awesome doing it. In a full cabinet speaker though you do have to deal with the draw backs of horns in general, dispersion limits, low frequency extension etc. They also have their own benefits as well too. I've got some folded horn designs that will play low but who has the room for a sub the size of a double door frig As you can tell I hold those days in fond memory. Nothing like being able to have a job in the hobby you love. To show the extent of insanity in experimentation, our car installer began using E-V woofers in auto sub boxes. Believe it or not, the craze blew up in our area. They built a monster truck where the dump bed was one huge speaker box full of drivers. We had it at a car stereo contest and on a parking lot you could literally feel the ground vibrate with the rhythm.

Mr. P, I live in the inner city. There are 10 wannabe DJ's on every block, mine included. They almost always have piezo tweeters in their PA speakers. In the summer at any of the two or three block parties my block has, two or three set their DJ systems up on their front porches and entertain the block. Mine is an exceptionally long block with 86 row houses on it. I can walk from one end of the block to the other and it's like going to three different clubs. Unfortunately all three clubs have "cut your ears off and run away" highs on their speakers.
As far as concerts go, I think most mixer guys need lessons in what music sounds like.

AA:
As for cylindrical subs, come over and check out my two 7' 4" tall 12" dia. TL PVC sewer pipe subs. They are equalized flat to 18Hz. They are loud, deep, cheap and clean. I can shake my front door and everything else just like the rolling distortion boxes that pass by.

I may paint them to look like Barber Poles!

[audio amateur]

AA:
As for cylindrical subs, come over and check out my two 7' 4" tall 12" dia. TL PVC sewer pipe subs.

An official invite, you're gonna regret this

I've read a bit of their white paper in the past, cool stuff. Did you use sonotube? I'd love to see a picture of your gear someday. This summer I'm hoping to work on a cylinder sub to replace my pathetic 8" Jamo. Should be fun

[TheHills44060]

Emotiva (please guys stop with this **** already) , Klipsch (post 1990 stuff), Bose, Paradigm, Axiom, SVS, Swans (post 1999 stuff) any French-made gear, Bryston...that's all i can think of now.

Although i do have to say the 1980 Bose 501 III's i had were pretty kick ass drunk speakers. They looked attractive sober and after a case of beer they played any type of music i could throw at them and yes they did direct/reflect music everywhere. I put them in the corners of the room and turned up the volume.

[audio amateur]

Emotiva (please guys stop with this **** already) , Klipsch (post 1990 stuff), Bose, Paradigm, Axiom, SVS, Swans (post 1999 stuff) any French-made gear, Bryston...that's all i can think of now.

Although i do have to say the 1980 Bose 501 III's i had were pretty kick ass drunk speakers. They looked attractive sober and after a case of beer they played any type of music i could throw at them and yes they did direct/reflect music everywhere. I put them in the corners of the room and turned up the volume.

Hey Shodulik, I'm curious to know what you don't like about these brands (aside Klispch and Bose which I understand), and especially the French gear?

[pixelthis]

Emotiva (please guys stop with this **** already) , Klipsch (post 1990 stuff), Bose, Paradigm, Axiom, SVS, Swans (post 1999 stuff) any French-made gear, Bryston...that's all i can think of now.

Although i do have to say the 1980 Bose 501 III's i had were pretty kick ass drunk speakers. They looked attractive sober and after a case of beer they played any type of music i could throw at them and yes they did direct/reflect music everywhere. I put them in the corners of the room and turned up the volume.

I really don't think you have listened to any Emotiva.
I hadnt, just went on the basis of its nature.
Another audio company making cheap stuff from China.
Well, you might want to try them, I did and got a pleasant surprize.
A 125wpc amp for 250$, not much risk.
As for Bose, I had 501SERIES 4'S, and they were pretty decent, thats back when Bose was a audio instead of a marketing company.
Triangles are Frenchie, and good, BTW.

[Mr Peabody]

I'm curious as well. Emotiva's sound may not appeal to every one, nor does any line, but they do offer a great value and can give some one on a budget a feel for higher end gear. Bryston? An excellent brand.

Of course, the thread says "attracted" which if taken literally has nothing to do with sound. I'm not a good judge of what looks cool. Although I did see some Shanling gear that was really innovative looking that I thought cool. My friend's Esoteric transport I was impressed with, again, no judge of looks but what impressed me it looked like it was chizzled into a solid block of aluminum.

[TheHills44060]

...
Of course, the thread says "attracted" which if taken literally has nothing to do with sound.

Yes Peabody that's the way i read the thread as well. I was not commenting on the sound, strictly appearance. As far as Emotiva gear goes it looks completely tacky to me. It's like they are trying so desperately hard to "look" higher end with that styling.

Bryston gear is just ugly to me. I don't like their logo, faceplates or amp handles.

Bose is well, Bose.

I cant's stand the look of cylindrical SVS subs. I know they make box subs too but they are generally known for their cylindrical models.

The cheap looking plastic baffles on the front of most Paradigm speakers is such a put-off for me.

I am biased against anything french so i had to throw them in the mix even though i like some JMLab and Triangle designs, lol.

[audio amateur]

Yes Peabody that's the way i read the thread as well. I was not commenting on the sound, strictly appearance. As far as Emotiva gear goes it looks completely tacky to me. It's like they are trying so desperately hard to "look" higher end with that styling.

Bryston gear is just ugly to me. I don't like their logo, faceplates or amp handles.

Bose is well, Bose.

I cant's stand the look of cylindrical SVS subs. I know they make box subs too but they are generally known for their cylindrical models.

The cheap looking plastic baffles on the front of most Paradigm speakers is such a put-off for me.

I am biased against anything french so i had to throw them in the mix even though i like some JMLab and Triangle designs, lol.

Funny, I didn't like the looks of cylinder subs for a long time. Recently though I've taken a liking, probably because I've learnt that they can easily outperform box subs which has put the looks a little out of the picture.

I'm guessing you've had a bad experience with something French, or in France perhaps?

[Mr Peabody]

Barber poles....... now that would be an interesting look.

Not many people outside the audio world know about SVS or HSU. So when they see my SVS U13 they are amazed. I love it's performance. My wife says it looks like I have a hot water heater in there.

[audio amateur]

I love it's performance. My wife says it looks like I have a hot water heater in there.

You should show her what it's capable of (If you haven't already)