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"Modern" or "Vintage"?
I posted a message recently about my completion of the Zaph Audio Seas two-way, which is a contemporary design that's comparable to many two-way speakers in the mainstream market (low sensitivity drivers, about 85dB final sensitivity with baffle step correction, small enclosure, high WAF). It looks very much like (and uses some of the same drivers) as speakers by Tyler Acoustics and Joseph Audio. It turned out to be a very nice sounding speaker which I would recommend for anyone who will be using it in a small listening room like mine. As soon as I completed the Zaph Audio speaker I removed 3 Pi "vintage" speakers to the garage to finally paint and veneer the enclosures. The 3 Pi isn't a vintage speaker, but it's designed along those lines with a large high sensitivity woofer, horn tweeter, and large (20"W, 30"H) enclosure. Its only "non vintage" characteristic is a modern crossover design using compensation networks to smooth out the effects of driver impedance and frequence response variations. Now the 3 Pi's are finished and back in the listening room, which gave me an opportunity to do some comparative listening. Using a three watt SET amp the 3 Pi's are clearly the better choice because this flea power amp can't drive the low sensitivity SEAS speaker. I also did a comparison using a 40 watt EL-34 push pull tube amp and a 125 watt solid state. A clear winner also emerges with these larger amps. It is... The Contenders
Did I forget to mention which speaker is the clear winner? Come to the Lone Star Bottlhead meeting at my house Saturday and decide for yourself. Can't quite make the trip from Poughkeepsie or Seattle? No problem. I'll post a message summarizing the consensus of those present, which will include both Bottleheads and Houston Audio Society members.
Say Fred; the SEAS; do those use the old crossover from the Joseph Audio line, that "infinite slope" design do you happen to know? The crossover they designed for the JSE series then modifyed for the RM series? I ask becuase those speakers were the imaging champs of the audio world. I nerver heard anything do imaging like that design; it was uncanny.
No, I assume the Joseph Audio "infinite slope" crossover is patented. I understand it's a 120dB/octave slope. The crossover in teh Zaph audio Seas speakers is the more common variety. It can be seen at the link below; just scroll down a bit. Zaph Audio Seas L18 / Seas 27TBFCG
I wonder if this could be the patent for the "infinite slope" crossover used by Joseph Audio? Patent Description
Yes; that sounds like it; he claimed over 100db/oct slope at the time. The Zaph speakers look nice. I put in my vote for the Pi Three's though. I will watch for the answer after the meeting. Thanks.
The 3 Pi Theater speakers by a vote of seven to five. Those who preferred the Pi speakers cited the warmer and deeper bass combined with a larger soundstage. Those who preferred the Seas speakers liked the clarity of the Seas woofer. Some felt the treble was too recessed, which surprised me because I find it almost too bright for my ears. I didn't vote, but if I had it would have been for the Pi speakers. Even at the moderate volume levels I find the Pi speakers are warm and non fatiguing over a long listening period. The bass is more extended and more powerful, but it is tightly controlled and not at all like the "wooly" bass I have heard with some real vintage speakers. The Seas have greater midrange resolution but they don't provide as much listening enjoyment. At higher volume levels the Pi's are the only choice.
Thanks, I'm pleased and humbled by your post. I've been talking to Natalie about the upcoming GPAF, and I'm looking forward to seeing you and the rest of the Texas folks there. Pass the word, and lets make this year's gathering even better than last year's. I love the laid-back unpretentious attitude there, especially considering the quality of systems. Your room sounded great, and I can hardly wait to see what you've got cooking for this year!
Nice; I kinda feel the same way myself about the PI's. Hard to beat. Many speakers do something better but no speaker does most thing's better.
Thanks, John, nice of you to say. Hey, what's the chance of coming to Tulsa for GPAF in May? I think plane or bus fare would be inexpensive, and rooms don't cost much at all here in Tulsa. I'll even have a couple extra rooms so that's an option if you need.
Hell; I'd love to. I would drive the Roadmaster though. Thanks for the invite.
That would be sweet. Gas prices make it a killer, I suppose, but I'll sure bet that would be one fun road trip. However you get here, we'll have a place here with your name on it.
I'm genuinely flattered. The Roadmaster believe it or don't gets 22/ 25 to the gallon on the hgwy. Thats a 350 in there. It's "aerodynamically designed."
Damn, that's excellent! I don't think I get that on my Harley and I know for sure I don't get it in my Olds!
I know; no one believes me. When did you swap out the rice-burner for a hog?
Not long ago, but long enough to realize I needed heads, pipes a cam and and a gear drive. Not loud pipes, a header. The header should be here this week, and all the rest isn't far off either.
Two of my friends in the Houston Audio Society are also Harley owners. One was asking if I thought she should spend $1K for a new front wheel to replace the stock one, which looked pretty good to me. It appears a Harley is like an audio system - a bottomless pit into which you throw lots of money to realize incremental improvements. Does a throttle cable upgrade improve the ride? How about expensive little rubber pads between your feet and the pedals?
Is this a new model; and which one, the 1380 cc?
It's a 100th anniversary FXSTB Softail "Night Train" with displacement of 88 cubic inches. Looks just like the one shown below except my wheels are cast instead of having spokes. I could have bought a new model of the same bike for just $2000 more, but one of my best friends is expert on these bikes and said this was the better bike. The new ones have a smaller drive belt and a few other things that are yet to be proven whereas the 2003 model has been a good performer. I know exactly what go-fast parts to use on it. 100th anniversary Harley-Davidson FXSTB Softail "Night Train"
Outstanding. Do they still use the EVO motor?