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What is best tweeter height for the Devore O/96?

On the Devore Orangutan O/96 with the supplied stands from Devore Fidelity, the tweeter height is approximately 31.5 inches from the floor.  By comparison the tweeter height on the Devore Gibbon X is much higher at approximately 36 inches from the floor.  As a general rule, I always thought that it was more ideal to have tweeter height at approximately 36 inches, with the goal of having the tweeter at or near ear level, while in a seated listening position.  Why does the O/96 have such a low tweeter height?  What would be the effect of raising the O/96 to elevate the tweeter height to ear level?  John Devore could have made these stands any height he wanted for optimal sound, so why have the tweeter height so low?  Thanks for your comments.
bayreuth
bayreuth OP
25 posts
 
In my experience, the Orangutan produces an image height that is entirely satisfactory, with image height higher than the speaker cabinet.  The O/96 can produce a very wide soundstage with excellent height too, when properly set-up.  This apparently is exactly what Devore intended, with listening axis slightly above the upper edge of the speaker cabinet.  The speaker sounds somewhat taller than you'd expect.  :-)   They have excellent clarity and imaging while producing a rich and musical tone with great dynamics.
wolf_garcia
6,686 posts
 
Wasn't Mark Levinson lacking in the technical education most audio designers had obtained? A musician certainly, but an esthetic sense can have value when applied to technical design goals which was also seemingly exemplified by Steve Jobs…RISD indeed.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,085 posts
 
A good rule of thumb dating back to when I sold audio is when sitting the tweeter 
Be around ear level plus or minus 3-4 inches. This too depends upon your 
Speakers Xover sonic balance.as to how bright it is .
sunnyjim
927 posts
 

I think the Devore O-93 and O-96 speakers are both overpriced.  They have become the darlings of Stereophile  light weights, Herb Reichert, Art Dudley.and  the phased-out Sam Tellig, and other camp followers and "over-enthusiasts"

I also question how this guy drop onto the audio scene, (what) about 10-15 years ago. and still cannot justify his pricing or clarify his design philosophy.  He also assembles his speakers in a warehouse at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.  What no anechoic chamber?? or computer modeling technology??  He surely is not offering a "people's speaker" like the above cited models at $8400  and $12,000 in his "cottage industry" warehouse 

His use of exotic materials like bamboo wood for speaker cabinets does not demonstrate design genius, but possibly, problems. with cabinet material suppliers 

BTW,  several years ago, and documented by blowhard Sam Tellig when he worked for Stereophile,  Art Dudley and Sam were invited by Devore for an evening  "brandy and cigars" listening session  Such chummy pow-wows somehow make me less likely to become another "true believer" in Devore's speakers,or his alleged design genius  

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