Ever heard of, any opinions on, these speakers?

04-22-12: River251
It was tight with the Anthem. Only once or twice did I notice any boominess. Plus they did not put the spikes in, and it was a foot from the back wall. I pulled it out 2 more feet but not much difference. Probably a 15x15 listening room. Think it might be OK?

If it was tight with the Anthem, then the boomy bass issue would foremost be the 8B's higher output impedance and therefore, its damping factor. Tube output stages (especially vintage ones) with a high output impedance translate into bloomy loose bass unless they have an extensively wound transformer with 4-ohm taps.

The 15x15 room would be particularly problematic, as the resonance of a 15' wavelength would be doubled (at least) compared to a room with only one 15' dimension. 75 Hz puts out a 15-foot wavelength. That splits the difference between the D and Db not quite 2 octaves below middle C on a piano. If your room is not square and has different dimensions than the audition room, you can just about count on any resonant modes being elsewhere, and probably not as strong. 3' from the wall *plus* spikes should make a significant difference.

I plan to post elsewhere to get help finding the most well-recorded jazz double bass CD of all time, and the best-recorded jazz drum kit.

Two of the best acoustic bass recordings I've heard (and have) are Modern Jazz Quartet's "The Watergate Blues" on their "Echoes, The Modern Jazz Quartet Together Again 1984", also available on "The Best of the Modern Jazz Quartet," a CD which is still in print and available from Amazon. Watergate Blues is an extended bass solo by Percy Heath, well mic'd and recorded. It's one of my gold standards for plucked acoustic upright bass.

The other is Christian McBride's well-recorded opening to Diana Krall's "All or Nothing at All" on her "Love Scenes" album. Another song on that album, "Peel Me a Grape," is good for hearing a speaker's resolution. A resolving one will easily reveal the reverb added to the mix, and the little special effects (like the popping of a cork) in the song.

Oops, I forgot a couple recommendations for recorded drums.

Earl Klugh Trio volume I. Lewis Nash's drums sound very in-the-room, particularly his brushwork solo on "One Note Samba."

Tower of Power: Direct has very realistically recorded drums using state-of-the-art (at the time) tube microphones and recorded directly from the mixing console to make a 2-channel master. I have this in both LP and CD. Both remarkably capture drums.

Dick Hyman: From the Age of Swing, an HDCD recording made by Reference Recordings and Keith Johnson, inventor of HDCD. Butch Miles (former drummer for Count Basie and chops equal to Buddy Rich) does the drumming.

River,

My first impression with the bass was the same as yours. I think they have settled down nicely now. They sounded totally different after I put some hours on them. I have these in a second system, and the room is all hardwood floors, a couch, and one chair. No room treatments, so, I expect the room is a bit to the bright side. I have not tried them in my main system. That may be a factor, but, I don't find the bass "bloomy" or "loose". I like the resolution... For the cost. I have much better at home, but they cost much more as well.

I also sell PSB and Klipsch, to name my two top sellers. I've had B&W, ProAc, KEF, and many others over the years. I can't list all of it on here due to manufacturers restrictions.

The 460T's that I had, sold out quickly. In hindsight, I wish we had ordered more. I had a special offering for Maple, which is not usually available. Are you looking at the Maple by any chance?

I don't know what you can buy these for, but, I don't think you would be disappointed in them. I don't use them for critical listening, but, in this system, I'm very pleased.

If you want to contact me, you can email me at zydo1966 at yahoo dot com. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. Pity you live so far away from me, we could put them in my main room, and spend some time with them.

Are they audio nirvana? No. Are they a good value? I'd say yes. I'm listening to them as I type, and I'm enjoying them.

Jamie

River251:

Have you researched the Roth speakers?

Dekay, yes, I have read everything I could find on the internet on them. Not very flattering.

Thanks.