Kren,
Yes, for smaller scale music, mini monitors are quite compelling. One additional reason I just thought about is how the drivers are close together, creating better time alignment. Perhaps Dave Wilson was inspired by mini monitors and wanted to create large speakers to utilize this concept. With my medium height electrostatics, I place them close together to obtain tight imaging like my former Rogers mini monitor. What do you think of ricevs' most recent video of those medium size cheap speakers a few pages ago? I'll see if I can post the link later today.
chazzzy,
Yes, I heard all of Jay's videos using the stock iMac system exclusively. For video 3 of MSB/DCS at work, I used my HP laptop exclusively. That system has less bass and more HF dominance than my home iMac. I was better able to hear the differences using the HP vs iMac. Since I mainly listen for midrange/HF accuracy, I found the HP system to be more revealing. No headphones in either case. I will get out my headphones and see if I can hear the differences easier than with the stock iMac.
On violins, the pinnacle of design and results was reached by Strad. He lived to 93 and was still making violins when he died. He experimented with different shapes, thicknesses of the top and back. I played an early 1690 instrument, and mostly the instruments of his golden period from 1700 to 1736. That wonderful 1736 was made at age 92, the year before he died. (There is hope for me as I continue to improve with age.) It is pictured on the cover of a CD/LP from 1987, to commemorate the 250 year anniversary of Strad's death. It is early digital and has some severe digititis in a few spots, but it is live and upfront exciting. It is SCD13 from START (state of the art) Records, released 1988, called Gala Stradivarius Concert, from the Royal Academy of Music Foundation. The entire string orchestra plays Strad instruments (he also made a few violas, cellos, basses). I have both the LP and CD.
No later violin maker has figured out why Strad is still king. I have read theories which sounded good. One particular maker claimed he understood the great makers' tuning system of topographic thicknesses of the top and bottom. I played his instrument and wasn't impressed, unfortunately. So SOTA was reached 300 years ago!
Sonus Faber is an Italian speaker maker inspired by the great Cremonese violin makers. Their models include Amati, Strad, Guarneri, the greatest families of makers of all time. The violins of Amati appeal to dainty women who like their sweet, delicate sound. Guarneri del Gesu was the greatest of that family, whose sound tends to be more aggressive and bold of them all. I played a few del Gesu's, and hated most of them, although my friend said that the walls were shaking from the power of a del Gesu he tried. The most prestigious violinists tend to fall into either the Strad or Guarneri camp. Some own both, for different music and moods.
rh67,
Yes, it is good to have a few hobbies so you don't go overboard on any one. The mechanical precision of motorcycles and cars can help appreciation of well designed audio gear.
Yes, for smaller scale music, mini monitors are quite compelling. One additional reason I just thought about is how the drivers are close together, creating better time alignment. Perhaps Dave Wilson was inspired by mini monitors and wanted to create large speakers to utilize this concept. With my medium height electrostatics, I place them close together to obtain tight imaging like my former Rogers mini monitor. What do you think of ricevs' most recent video of those medium size cheap speakers a few pages ago? I'll see if I can post the link later today.
chazzzy,
Yes, I heard all of Jay's videos using the stock iMac system exclusively. For video 3 of MSB/DCS at work, I used my HP laptop exclusively. That system has less bass and more HF dominance than my home iMac. I was better able to hear the differences using the HP vs iMac. Since I mainly listen for midrange/HF accuracy, I found the HP system to be more revealing. No headphones in either case. I will get out my headphones and see if I can hear the differences easier than with the stock iMac.
On violins, the pinnacle of design and results was reached by Strad. He lived to 93 and was still making violins when he died. He experimented with different shapes, thicknesses of the top and back. I played an early 1690 instrument, and mostly the instruments of his golden period from 1700 to 1736. That wonderful 1736 was made at age 92, the year before he died. (There is hope for me as I continue to improve with age.) It is pictured on the cover of a CD/LP from 1987, to commemorate the 250 year anniversary of Strad's death. It is early digital and has some severe digititis in a few spots, but it is live and upfront exciting. It is SCD13 from START (state of the art) Records, released 1988, called Gala Stradivarius Concert, from the Royal Academy of Music Foundation. The entire string orchestra plays Strad instruments (he also made a few violas, cellos, basses). I have both the LP and CD.
No later violin maker has figured out why Strad is still king. I have read theories which sounded good. One particular maker claimed he understood the great makers' tuning system of topographic thicknesses of the top and bottom. I played his instrument and wasn't impressed, unfortunately. So SOTA was reached 300 years ago!
Sonus Faber is an Italian speaker maker inspired by the great Cremonese violin makers. Their models include Amati, Strad, Guarneri, the greatest families of makers of all time. The violins of Amati appeal to dainty women who like their sweet, delicate sound. Guarneri del Gesu was the greatest of that family, whose sound tends to be more aggressive and bold of them all. I played a few del Gesu's, and hated most of them, although my friend said that the walls were shaking from the power of a del Gesu he tried. The most prestigious violinists tend to fall into either the Strad or Guarneri camp. Some own both, for different music and moods.
rh67,
Yes, it is good to have a few hobbies so you don't go overboard on any one. The mechanical precision of motorcycles and cars can help appreciation of well designed audio gear.