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Paul S
San Diego, California, USA
Posts 2,623
Joined on 10-12-2006
Post #:
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22
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Post ID:
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27298
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Reply to:
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27279
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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
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