Think I would prefer a $10,000 system in a $990,000 home.... but thats just me.
So, I listened to a $1Million Dollar System
So, I listened to a $1Million dollar system.
A somewhat local dealer had an event that showcased the Dan D’Agostino Relentless Epic mono block amps, Relentless Preamplifier, Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX speakers and subsonic subwoofer. Along with the Transparent cabling, HRS stands, DCS Dac and other accessories I estimate the total cost to be over $1Miilion.
I was able to sit in the front row center. The speakers estimated to weigh over 700 lbs. were toed in quite a bit towards the listener.
The demonstrator played a lot of obscure music that centered on some very deep bass. I must admit the bass was quite impressive.
Eventually (reluctantly) the demonstrator played a few tunes that I requested, and I was quite surprised.
With this million-dollar system the music sounded quite dull, the rep called it “mellow”, but to me it was dull. There was no life to the music, limited highs and zero music coming from the extreme left- right.
For instance, I use the Linda Ronstadt track “Blue Bayou” as a reference. Within this track at about the 40-60 second mark there is a mandolin that plays in the extreme left channel. On many systems that information is buried deep into the mix. However, systems with high resolution can play it clearly. Unfortunately, with this million-dollar system I could not even detect it.
So why is it? Can the Wilson speakers be adjusted in such a way as to accent the bass and attenuate the mid-treble? If so, why would they demonstrate that way? Were the speakers too toed in? Or was it because there were about 10 people in the room (btw, a large room) which muted some of the speaker’s energy? Whatever, I was NOT impressed.
ozzy
- ...
- 113 posts total
I don't care who you are...that there is funny!
Also, very funny.
You and me both. You and me both.
|
It's the speakers. The ultra high end speakers have like 17 drivers in them and not even a 1000w mega amp can drive them properly. Imagine trying to design a coherent crossover for such a multi driver array, with many of those drivers housed in 4-5 different separated cabinets. This is why all they excel in is the bass and large orchestra, the smaller scale stuff and music at low volumes sounds terrible. |
My conception of fine audio goes like this: 100% perfect, unattainable on Earth by the means of mankind; Mount Audio Olympus, where the Gods live; they have no equipment; they just ask for music and its so amazing that they break down crying. Then there’s the real world where we live, and the best we can attain is 96%. It’s shockingly easy to attain high 80’s or 90%, with learning and wise choices, but those last few percentage points are where we wonder if there’s more to be had, and debate what is best. The difference between 90% and 91% vs 95% and 96% is like the scale of earthquakes or the force of wind, not a gradient scale but an exponential scale: it’s easier to go from 90% to 91% than it is to squeak out those last few percentage points to enter the elite realm of 95% or 96%. |
- 113 posts total