Cube Audio or Charney

What you get, above all else, with high efficiency single driver systems is explosive dynamics, a vivid and lively sound that engages the listener.  But, that often comes with the tradeoff of frequency response peaks, un-natural tonal quality of instruments, bass deficiency and a "rough" sound.  Similar problems are common to horn-based systems as well.  I like the sound of these types of high efficiency systems enough to live with these trade-offs (I have a horn-based system).  The trick is to find designs that minimize the trade-off while still being able to deliver the goods.  What represents the best balance of trade-offs is a matter of taste.  To me, the Charney speakers are shockingly good because they do a great job of minimizing problems while still delivering the excitement. 

The Cube Audio speakers deliver the dynamics and are reasonably devoid of some of the extreme peaks I've heard with other full-range systems, but, they are not at all close to the Charney speakers in terms of tonal balance, smoothness, and suitability for all types of music.  They are also more efficient than the Cube Audio speakers, making them more suitable for use with very low-powered amps (my favorite kind).

I think anyone in the market for these types of speakers should hear both and make their own decision; certainly, they are both contenders.

@larryi   In what settings and with what component chains have you listened to the Cube Audio speakers? Thanks.

David_ten,

I heard both the Charney Audio and Cube Audio speakers at the Capital Audiofest, although not in the same year.  I've heard the Charney speakers at two such shows, in both showings the company used a low-cost 300B SET amp.

At the latest Capital Audiofest, I heard the Cube Audio speakers with the 10" woofer.  I don't recall what electronics were being used, but, I believe it was solid state.  

I've heard quite a number of full range systems with drivers ranging from cheap Tangband drivers to systems with very costly Feastrix fieldcoil drivers and Western Electric fieldcoil drivers.  I've heard systems with Lowther drivers (permanent magnet and fieldcoil), Voxactiv systems, AER systems, Jensen fieldcoils, and a few others I don't recall the specifics.  For my taste, the Charney was the first fully satisfying single-driver system.  But, that is not to say that I didn't like what I heard from Cube Audio and Voxativ, and I can see how these two, and others, can be favored by someone over the Charney.

I've heard a number of systems that utilize fullrange drivers in multi-way systems and that approach can be quite satisfying.  I particularly liked a system with an old Jensen M10 fieldcoil fullrange driver (13" cone) and a simple high-pass first order crossover to a Jensen RP302 tweeter in an open baffle configuration.  

Have not heard any Charneys, but did listen to two Cube speakers at the AXPONA a few years ago and they sounded fantastic.  Looking at the Chareny site and the descriptions of their speakers in this thread, I have no doubt they also sound wonderful.  That said, may I suggest you take a look at Omega speakers (I have owned the SAM with 6.5" Alnico driver for 5 yrs now with no desire to change).  Rodge827 mentions " I do own pair of Charney Audio Maestro with the Omega RS7 driver".  Omega offers some great single driver speakers (at considerably less cost than either Cube or Charney, if that is an important consideration for you). And Louis Chochos, founder, owner, designer, and builder of all Omega speakers is very willing to chat about his speakers and what you are looking for in a speaker.

I spent 3 hours in July listening to Charneys speakers and they do sound nice but ultimately not for my taste.  Also the one I really liked for my room was very expensive esp given the build quality so I couldn't justify it or resale value if i got tired,, but that point is taste as well.