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At some point recently I became particularly aware of the fact that the sound from the Loudspeakers has transformed significantly over the five months that I’ve used them, not in the sense that the character of The Loudspeakers has changed, rather Musical substance has somehow been “added” even as the speakers’ agility and adroitness have increased, which, in a way, “counters” the sense one typically gets with “added material”, especially in cases where it can become “too much”. One way to sum it might be, more information with less fuss and bother. This seems to build on the quality of “Refinement”, which The Loudspeakers share with the MA-9S2s. While I do not generally recommend “doubling down” on one “characteristic” of sound, in my case, where the Refinement is concerned, I’ve actually tripled down, since both my analog and digital front ends sport this quality, as well. I am not just defending myself when I say that I do not think the Refinement has become problematic in my case, because I have turned away components that were “voiced” for someone’s idea of “refinement”, that either seemed relentlessly soft, or syrupy, or velvety, or satin-y, on and on, and I am not a sucker for just any particular version of “refinement”. I don’t like or advocate ever-present or “own sound” for my system. Yet, here I am…  Anyway, in the case of The Loudspeakers this seems to be a result of a long “break-in” period, perhaps the fancy, expensive X/O parts, or the 12 AWG wire, and certainly the “stiff” “pro” drivers. I just tried the “scratch and tap test” on the (paper) direct drivers, and I was surprised to hear how much they’ve changed since I last performed the test, months ago.  Both drivers remain a good deal “deader” than I would have imagined is good for Sound; but the proof is Listening, and they sound very nice, indeed over the frequencies they are allotted when they are actually in use, playing Music as parts of The Loudspeakers. So, what do I know? I have heard plenty of drivers that had the life engineered right out of them; but, lucky for me, Troels could obviously hear, appreciate and design for Life from the drivers in The Loudspeakers in a way that I am able to develop with the MA-9S2s, at any rate. The Big Woofer has been especially transformed, becoming more articulate and generally more helpful at the X/O point. The cone is still quite dead compared to the many 15” drivers I have “on hand”. But, again, I can’t argue with the results I’m getting, as the Music is anything but dead. Live and Learn, I guess. No surprise to hornies, I suppose, but the horns have also gotten better and better the more I’ve used them. I liken the 18Sound CD/horn to my old Pole Star, the JBL 375. Of course, the 18Sound does not go that low, but it shares the Refinement quality with the storied JBL classic unit. And I am just tickled with the Visaton TL16H super tweeter! I never dreamed it would integrate so well for me with The Loudspeakers! Incredibly, it seems to have “color” that ribbons I’ve used lacked. Perhaps this comes from greater output down the spectrum; I don’t know, but I like it!>>

Happy Thanksging (apropos),

Paul S

Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site