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Is the Accuton driver that good?

It seems a lot of new speakers are using the Accuton or similar ceramic drivers (and I notice the diamond variant for tweeters). I've heard them (mainly in Kharmas), but not others. Evolution, Salk, Avalon, and like I said Kharma use them.
Do they have any particular coloration or quality that is making them gain popularity? In the Kharmas, it was pace and timing and a natural sound without overhang, but it was different than regular (non-metallic) cones & domes, which, fwiw, are less detailed but maybe more relaxing.
It's like for me with the Kharmas "this sounds great and real and not bright or hard either" but somehow it is not as relaxing as the Aerials or Von Schweikerts or Quad dynamics(or even Apogees) I have lived with). I can't put my finger on it.

I'm not sure if it was just the Kharmas or the ceramics in general, but I wanted to raise the question.
rgs92
fiddler
581 posts
 
Charles1dad,

My Indras are far more neutral than my PHY drivers. The PHYs are much warmer and not nearly as detailed, nor as fast as my Indras. I consider my Indras to be very neutral and an open window to what's in front of them. It did take well more than 500 hours for my Indras to become as smooth and complete sounding as they are now. Early on they were much more sterile or analytical sounding. I suspect I currently have somewhere between 800 & 1,000 hours on them and they don't sound remotely like they did when I purchased them with about 300 hours on them.

My PHYs aren't even close to my Indras. The PHYs are the 12", KM 30 SAG.
fiddler
581 posts
 
sorry for the typo. Should be, "...they're still doing..."
rtn1
535 posts
 
I can understand why some people find ceramic to be sterile and uninvolving. However, the driver is just one small part of a total system, and with careful component selection, the Accuton can produce a holographic image that is spooky real, with potential for outstanding harmonic textures and clarity. For classical music, they are particularly excellent. There are many speaker designers with many speakers at all levels, so it is difficult to generalize.

Most such speakers require power, so an excellent SS amp or monster tube amp is required. A tubed preamp and gold interconnects helped my system tremendously. I've heard the seemingly most insignificant change, like a different fuse, make my system sound inconsequential and uninvolving. One needs to be open to experiment and build around the speaker. The weak link in the chain will be heard.

I didn't like the all-ceramic Kharmas. They sounded thin and lean, bass was lacking and not real sounding. Combining a ceramic mid with a Kevlar woofer seems to be a great combination. Add a diamond tweeter, and one is capable of the most extended, pure, and angelic top end.
chuck
203 posts
 
I agree with Rtn1. Although I am biased as I own a pair of Avalon Acoustics Eidolon Diamonds. The Avalons driven by a pair of VAC Renaissance Signature 140's deliver a textured organic sound IMHO. Are they perfect? NO! But they make music!!!
montejay
285 posts
 
Hi Develboy,
Read and prepare to be enlightened

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue55/coincident.htm

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue55/coincident.htm

If they are properly implimented they are not at all sterile. Also note the amps being used to drive them with best results.

Regards,
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