Nelson Bass Messages: 39 Registered: November 2012
Baron
Back in 2010 I was sceptical and avoided to build the 4pi back then. Lots of excuses like to expensive drivers, too ugly, too boxy design... Instead I went another route and built 3 other pairs of speakers (two Decware using DFR8 and DTQWT MKII designed by Troels Gravesen.)
The best thing about the Decware speakers were their price - cheap. The second best thing was I did not loose that much money when I sold them...
The DTQWT are super great loudspeakers. Smooth, detailed and dynamic. Compared to 4pi the DTQWT are lacking some details, dynamics and the superb coverage of the room that the 4pi excels at. But still the DTQWT are great loudspeakers that compete with lots of so called high end loudspeakers regardless the cost. To my ears what the DTQWT are great at the 4pi just do better. A 15" driver can move more air with lower distortion than a 8" driver. It's physics.
I regret that I did not built the 4pi in the first place but at the time I disliked the 4pi design. How could such an ugly speaker ever be able to reproduce music true to life? But what the 4pi don't have in sex appeal is forgiven when they play music!
The 4pi are truly great - highly recommended!
Next project is to find a house where I can have a pair of 7pi cornhorns! I'm a fan of Pi Speakers now!
my0x Messages: 23 Registered: October 2012 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Chancellor
Nelson,
Looking forward to listening impressions after you've had a chance to really listen in to the 4pi's. Curious about which Decware speakers you built in the past. You can take a look at my recent 4pi build thread and see the HDT's I built and have enjoyed for many years
Nelson Bass Messages: 39 Registered: November 2012
Baron
I'll report more listening impressions later when the 3pi subs are up and running and dialed in.
I built the Decware HDT and ZOB and was very disappointed with both designs. My intention was to combine those speakers as mentioned by Steve in his white papers but never came around it as the HDT did not provide the bass response I wanted.
And I can't stand the distorted sound from most full range drivers when braking up... Useless IME.
I look forward to read about your impression of the 4pi when finished.