Kingsound King II vs King

Doug, thank you very much for the additional info.

It's interesting that the key difference you found was a different panel construction, whereas Kings Audio emphasised to me that the crossover electronics are now separated off from the speaker in a separate box (each speaker has its own box that has two sets of speaker binding posts, the dc supply input and a switch).

I wonder also if there is any improvement in construction durability, although the feedback I've had from a UK distributor is of no serious problems with the King in the last 5 years but 1 in 10 needing their screws tightening.

You mention that the King II may be harder to drive now it is more similar to the Prince II, but perhaps the Prince II is harder just because it is smaller? We also found the Prince II didn't go as loud as the King.

I started that first thread you read about the Kings as I to was very, very close to buying them. I went to hear them and liked them. My only issue was the speaker could sound a little thin with OK recordings. It seemed the foundation of the music was missing on rock and when the music would get busy or complex on an average to poor recording.

Again they sounded great on good recordings. I ended up buying a used pair of Soundlab A3 speakers for $5000 and upgraded a couple of the crossover parts for $800. The Soundlab is a better speaker to my ear. More body and weight and more natural sounding without giving up an inch in transparency or bass response.

Now, I like a more laid back and rich sound as compared to forward or aggressive. Seems the King was lighning fast and dynamic with nice imaging and can play very loud indeed. The bass was deep and powerful. The Soundlabs are not quite as dynamic as the Kings. The sweet spot seems wider on my Soundlabs and they tend to float the tunes out with greater ease and sweetness. The King is more impressive sounding in terms of initial reaction and do seem to be more dymanic.

Mark, yes, the outboard power supply and the panel construction are the two main differences - at least in the prototype seen at CES.

Yes, the nature of the frame being held together with metal bolts is such that when shipped, upon reception the owner should check the bolts to make sure they're tight. No biggie. I did the same with the Eminent Technology LFT-VI I have. I think I found two not quite snug bolts on my pair of King speakers. 1/8 turn and done. There was certainly nothing loose on my pair.

Can't know if the King II is harder to drive than the King unless specs compared or trial is conducted. King's Audio should know.

Grannyring, when I first got the King I also thought it a bit forward or aggressive, but not after adding the VAC Royal Power Supply and trying tube amp(s). I have to laugh; at one point due to the output switch on the Ayon CD-5 player I was able to try the budget phenom Peachtree Audio Nova with the King! It sounded better than it had a right to! :)

Doug,

The Kings I heard did not have your upgraded power supply and glad to hear it helped. Would be nice to hear the King with that upgraded power supply from VAC.

Grannyring, power supplies are important for ESLs. I think that's one reason that King's Audio wanted to revisit their power supply for the King II. A reworked power supply with a panel like the Prince II has would potentially be a very good combination. Sounded good for a show demo at CES!

I think the power supply in the Soundlab is built in. However, you should be able to work with power cords. I typically keep some silver ofc and all copper power cords so that I can mix them as I see fit. It (different brands and conductor material) makes a surprising difference in an ESL speaker's sound. Easily audible; if not I wouldn't waste time on it. I don't pay attention to tweaks which are not significant/easily heard.

Gotta get to writing. :)