Posted by newsjeff [ 216.54.96.140 ] on January 25, 2005 at 21:44:17:
In Reply to: Please report any SEX experience with the Theater 4s! posted by Garland garland on January 18, 2005 at 17:01:48:
I had the pleaure of listen to my Theater 4s with the new Bottlehead S.E.X. amp Monday.
Please keep in mind that I am terrible at writing reviews. Also, I'm not sure the amp was fully broken in. Possibly less than 25 hours on it.
The first thing I noticed about the amp: it's DEAD quiet. No hum or buzz whatsoever. Not even when I put my ear right against the horn with the amp turned up almost all the way. Black.
If I could describe this amp with one word it would be precise. The reproduction of music was exact, almost clinical. The full spectrum of sound was fully discernible with no major flaws. If you like clean, honest sound, you'll love he S.E.X. amp. The music tracks on the Stereophile Test CD 3 made this amp really show the honest, detailed sound it's capable of reproducing.
Volume level? I got 87db with my SPL meter at 15 feet from the speakers. This was with the amp turned about 3/4 of the way up.
The bass was better than I expected, too. Tight and deep enough to get all but the lowest frequencies. Nice job, Doc, Paul and gang.
If I was to fault anything with this amp, it would be the lack of dynamics. The amp just didn't give me the fast, lively sound that I really like. Live music from Dave Mathews with the volume turned up did get me going. Yes, it's there. But you gotta find it.
The amp sounded wonderful on both sets of headphones I used, the Grado SR-60 and the Sennheiser HD-650. To be honest, I felt the S.E.X. was a much better headphone amp than an amp for driving my main, full-range speakers.
Everything said and done, this is one great little amp. Espically for the money. If you into modding and/or experimenting, buy it now. If you are looking for great little headphone amp, put it at the top of your list.
Nice job, Bottlehead.
Speakers: Pi Theater 4
Amp: Bottlehead S.E.X kit
CD player: un-modded Toshbia 4960
Speaker wires: Jon Risch CC89259 w/WBT Sandwich Spades.
Interconects: Jon Risch design 89259 w/Eichmann Bullet Plugs.
Headphones: Grado SR-60 and Sennheiser HD-650
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