Intuitive Summits & R.S. Audio Sasons?

Hello Post-a-teers!

Thanks Ted, Ehider and Rhythmace for taking time to post your thoughts.

Rx: I've heard rumors over some time you've wanted to make it over this way. Hope you're able to make it at some point.

The break-in thing: The Sasons do take some good time to break in and settle down. We've always said about 500 hours. Up to about 200 hours the Sason are okay - nothing too special - and they can certainly be frustrating if one doesn't keep their sights and expectations set on the 500 hour mark. After the 200 mark, healthy glimpses of what the Sasons are about kind of come and go but...mostly come the closer they approach 500 hours.

Break-in is a funny animal and while it's something that a lot of us experience in our personal systems, it seems most folks don't have enough broad experience to talk about a given product's break-in character in a wide range of installations. I think this is true whether we're talking about speakers, electronics or cables.

As a manufacturer, we're fortunate to have a lot of experience with regards to break-in in a lot of different installations - for us, whether it be our cabling or the Sasons. What we've been able to conclude is that break-in is not isolated to just the component that's been newly installed. To one degree or another, an entire system needs to re-acclimate to the new component. As all the other componentry "centers" around the new component, it's all being "exercised" differently and needs to "break-in" accordingly. I suppose it's kind of interesting this seems to never be considered or talked about. It should be at least an important consideration during the evaluation of a newly installed component. And still, I think that's just kind of the beginning! What about the AC that powers our gear and how that varies from one neighborhood to the next, whether you're in a rural or a densely populated metropolis, etc, etc. Consider that in light of the music we listen to is the AC being modulated and controlled by all the circuitry in each piece of gear. I guess ones head could begin to hurt after a while or, be encouraged that the new piece of installed gear isn't as "broke" as it might sound.

Ha! It's been some time ago but I had one Gent report that a pair of "P"!!! S/Cs took 500 hours to break in at which point he became thrilled with their performance and kept them after many comparisons to other cables. Another Gent reported that after about the 100 hour mark the cables were still sounding less than optimal. At that point he informed me he was ready to send them back. The next day I get another email from him informing me he had left the system playing for an hour or two while he went and did some chores and came back for one last listen. LOL! Transformation and he kept them! His words: "...the darndest thing I've ever heard!" Go figure! I know this, our cabling for example does not, in and of it's self require a ton of break in and they sound pretty darn good cold so, there's definitely more at play here than just the newness of a component.

All this to say I'm never surprised how different people's experiences with break-in differ. There is a myriad of things that contribute to the differing experiences. Getting an idea of others experiences can be helpful to some degree but I would set my expectations or conclusions based on another's experiences given all the variables.

So, in light of that, I wouldn't negate your lengthy process Ted. I'm just glad you stuck it out to get to the pot of gold! On the other hand, Steve and I personally set up Rhythmace's pair and another pair before that in the same town late June. Both Steve and I were surprised at how good the Sasons sounded right away in these new installations. No, they didn't have the magic they are capable of after being fully broken in but they sure as heck didn't sound as un-involving as a new set sounds in our music room or in other new installations we've heard.

So...go figure! Or, save some mental anguish and perhaps wrap your head around what I posted above. LOL!

Hope that helps a bit.

Cheers to all!

Robert
RSAD

Ooops! Correction to my post above. I forgot the word "not". Should read:

"...Getting an idea of others experiences can be helpful to some degree but I would not set my expectations or conclusions based on another's experiences given all the variables."

Cheers!

Robert
RSAD

Ted, all I wanted to convey is that my impressions with the break-in period was quite different from yours. Germanboxers also bought a pair around the time I did and found the majority of break in to be complete around five to six hundred hours. I heard it myself. I would like to add that both of our pairs were " hot off the press", without any break in from the factory. His room and mine although similar in size, are very different. The placement of his speakers were also quite different from mine. I think there are a great number of variables involved with the process that can certainly affect break-in. You were stating your experiences with yours, I was stating my experience with mine. I'm ok your ok. FWIW, my pair of Sason's have never sounded like crap, not even from day one. They certainly sounded different than they do now, but not like crap. What does crap sound like? I think crap could have distinctly different sounds. For instance, " crap hitting the fan " would sound completely different than the sound of " one hand crapping ". Sorry I digressed. In all sincerity, I am glad to hear that the speakers have come into their own and your enjoying them Ted. I think we are both lucky.

Robert and Rythmace4218,
Thanks for the perspectives. Steve knew that I was truly eval'ing these speakers and taking advantage of the generous 45 day trial; we spoke about it very frankly and openly. I'm simply saying they sounded bad enough for me that there was absolutely no way I was keeping these speakers with their pre-42 day sonic signature because they weren't hinting at anything special about to emerge. I have beeen in this 30 years (I'm 53) and have never before experienced a metamorphisis where the butterfly emerges with such incredible beauty. And Robert's comments about being surpised that the Sasons sounded so good day one in your room(s) is further proof that our experiences are quite different but legit. So I'll put this to bed; all I wanted to tell prospective buyers is "hang in there".

Anyway, Rhythmace4218, did you get the newer shorter bodied-Sasons, with the external crossover-in-stand? I assume they sound similar but am frankly glad I own the larger ones; they are now even more of a one-of-a-kind speaker than before. :>)

My Sasons came to life at about 250 hours (they may have had some factory break in). They went from just "sounding-like-music" to "coming-alive", between about 225/250 hours (rather quickly I thought) - but what an amazing change it was. I've had my pair for over a year now and am 100% satisfied. I can't imagine replacing them. They play most all weekend, every weekend and I find it's hard to casually listen anymore - I'm continuously drawn into my listening room. "Engaging" doesn't begin to describe the emotional impact of the Sasons. I've had some decent past speakers (Theil and Sound Labs), but technical bits can't describe the ability of the Sasons to leaving you emotionally exhausted. I didn't know this was possible. Regardless of what other great speakers are out there, you must hear the Sasons.