@213runnin I find your comments interesting, in terms of how they represent you and what you are actually motivated to explain. You have an intelligent view, for sure, with strengths and limits.
Could any of you supply me with a definition for fanboy? I would imagine this varies. I love a great deal of music. Would I consider myself a fan of Harry Connick Jr., owing to have listened to his mesmerizing album, "Lofty's Roach Soufflé" about thirty times in the past six weeks? I'm not particularly interested in much of his vocal work, but his trio - mesmerizing! If we aren't careful in our use of definitions, terms like "fanboy" can quickly become a kind of attack, what is termed the "ad hominem" attack, or fallacy, where criticism using a pejorative name is intended to act as a reason against that which the person is judged to be fanning.
I've had my Moabs for two months. You want the good and the bad - I found them difficult to set up, partly because I've never wielded speakers that weigh 135lbs a piece. Initially, I found the bass difficult to dial in, and the soundstage was lacking... My room is smaller: 14.5 x 12, considering the 69" stature of each speaker.
I think you called Tekton speakers "boxy" and I've had that label come up in my mind a few times, after reading an earlier post (I think it was yours). I have reflected on all of my earlier speakers and all of those dozens I've poured over at various high-fidelity shops these past decades. Speakers are a combination of boxes, smooth or soft edges, and sometimes some rounding, or globular looking effects. Some designers spend a lot of time and money tricking out the appearance of their speakers. I did first sense that Tekton's had what I was calling an "industrial" look, but then I found the tweeter array kind of exciting. Have I yet hit the mark for "fanboy"? Examples would help, here.
In my home, the Moabs are... in appearance, kind-of awesome. They are huge, white, imposing. I dialed in the paint in the room where they stand, as well as the adjacent stairwell and the walls that climb up along the stairwell. My previous Klipsch and Vandersteen, Bose, and advent speakers were all much less interesting to look upon. This is a personal experience, of course, and yet I'm sure I'm not alone.
Sound-wise, after about a month, everything gelled. The full-range effect is, all by itself, very compelling. I could have bought some of the newest Vandersteen standmounts, and perhaps some element of the sound would have been more refined, but I seriously doubt it, and there would have been no bottom end. The top end, with all of those tweeters more-or-less effortlessly synergizing the sound, has had a number of noteworthy effects. First, the "air" - the effect wherein each voice seems to be moving the air - it's just delicious. My previous speakers - Klipsch RP280F - quite literally harmed my ears, as they were too bright. Initially, I kinda liked the fierce detail of those speakers, until I found that they were fatiguing my ears to the point of distress. The Moabs, on the other hand, have yet to cause even the slightest fatigue, and I'm not a casual listener. I sit with absolute focus, eating songs as though each is a small, but tasty meal. I think that's an honest reflect - take it for what it's worth.
And by the way, if there are significant criticisms about the sonics of the Moabs or the Double Impacts, perhaps you could do some serious work to collect those in a sensible account of the available critical cross-section of reviews on these speakers. Many of us would be interested to hear an intelligent breakdown of "poor" reviews of the newer Tekton models.
The bass is full and tuneful in the Moabs. There did seem to be some improvement over time, as the two 8" drivers in the RP280F's appeared to supply stronger mid-bass, initially. About two weeks back, it seemed to me that the mid-bass filled in, with the Moabs. This was probably because I mounted them each on their own bamboo cutting board. I definitely sensed bass improvement with that inexpensive modification. I'm particularly interested in hearing percussion, so I study the bass notes very carefully. I like to hear them change and shift and expand. I can keep my attention tuned directly at the bass material throughout a tune, because I see that section as the foundation of many of the selections I appreciate. Again, the bass sound is tuneful, cultured - defined and full. There are other words, but maybe just "live" is the right one. I have had that impression before, that the Moabs are able to give a BIG sound experience, able to fill the room with little effort, able to leave me feeling as though I was right there, on the dime, with the music, filled by it.
Of course, there are many different speakers (brands), each with something of their own sound. I loved my Vandersteen. Now I love my Moabs. A full, big, effortless, deep, life-like sound. They suck to move around. I also appreciated the "leap of faith" that was required to buy from an out-of-state online retailer, who was not as prompt with communication as I would have preferred. I think Eric could be more up-front about his timeline, for instance. I think it actually increases credibility to submit up front that it's going to take six, instead of three weeks. I could even discern when I was told "three weeks, but we are very busy" that it was going to take longer than three weeks, but I really shouldn't have to read through the lines, nor should Eric and Tekton need to feel they have to dance around the timing issue. So, I did experience some distress over the timeline issue, however, I made four or five visits to the local shops, auditioned Maggies, the latest Klipsch Cornwall IV, a few Paradigm models, and Golden Ears, I know I'm getting more for my money than would have been possible with one of these companies that is paying for a fully staffed front office, marketing department, salespeople, etc. Frankly, the Cornwall IV was compelling, but it would have cost a solid $2000.00 more. They want $6600.00 for the pair, at the local shop. The Maggies that include a full bottom end, were right up around $5900.00. The Moabs were not just a leap-of-faith on an online retail scenario, they were actually much more expensive than I was looking to spend. I'm not a big roller. I always scratch my way to the best possible deal and so you might note that I'm running these huge speakers off a Schiit Saga, purchased on a closeout value of $199.00. It includes the tube option. I'm also running the Schiit Modi 3. I'm also running the Nuforce STA200, which is delicious, until I start to demand chest bumping volumes, at which point it throws off waves of heat through the heat sinks and chasis. So, you are looking at a total outlay, including Cambridge CD transport, of about $6000. That's still very expensive by the standards of the ordinary consumer. The audiophile lifestyle is really (on average) very much removed from the finances of the ordinary person. You realize, don't you, that the average American would have a very difficult time accommodating an unexpected $400.00 emergency. So, my $5800.00 is really, by ordinary standards, an extreme outlay, and yet here on Audiogon it's almost peanuts... for me, it's been an experiment and, ultimately, a real joy.
Finally, I like good criticism as much as the next guy, if it's useful. If it sounds defensive, or as though its attempting to put a finger on the scale, or if it seems oddly motivated, it's fairly easy to detect.
Anyway, this is my two cents worth...
