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Joseph Audio: Perspectives and Pearls

There have been several recent threads that have included both of these speaker. However, much of the discussion has focused on the Perspectives, with a number of positive reviews. I am quite interested in hearing them, but am also seriously considering the far more expensive Pearls as well. 

 

I am wondering if anyone has done a direct comparison or has upgraded from the Perspectives to the Pearls?  I am specifically interested if the Pearls might overwhelm my room (13 X 18 with 9 foot ceilings) which is not a space dedicated to my system (it's my living room.)

Thanks in advance for your experiences with these two speakers. 

128x128thr1961
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,442 posts
 

The Perspectives are interesting. Cannot find the sensitivity spec on their site? I think it may be low, based on the Pearl model. JA seems more like an assembler sourcing drivers and cabinets externally. Does Mr Joseph build his own crossovers or do they come into his shop assembled? Part to part wired or circuit board?

I assume Mr. Joseph designs each speaker and simply uses suppliers to build to his design specs.

I do like the aesthetics of the speakers and know they have a solid reputation for sounding very good.

prof
3,454 posts
 

 

grannyring, the Perspectives were measured to around 84dB sensitivity at Stereophile, with a generally even "tube friendly" impedance.

 

The Joseph speakers had long used a proprietary "infinite slope" crossover design (created by Richard Modafferi).  So not off the shelf in that regard.  Apparently the crossover design has been tweaked over the years and I'm not sure it still fits the original "infinite slope" design.  But it's still quite steep, I believe.

Personally I have no problem with a speaker designer like Jeff Joseph taking the best parts he can find to create his speakers.  Driver makers like SEAS are among the best that exist - they have so much history and expertise.  Some speaker companies brag about creating their own proprietary drivers, but that's certainly no guarantee they are better than a top shelf driver from a far more experienced company like SEAS.

 

 

 

rsf507
2,250 posts
 

+1 @prof again I'm looking forward to hearing JA speakers in a few weeks

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,290 posts
 

Jeff Joseph builds his own crossovers and he has the cabinets built to his specifications.  Just because he uses off the shelf drivers, as do many speaker manufacturers does not mean he is just an assembler.  It is HIS designs, HIS crossovers and HIS cabinet designs. I have heard his speakers many times at audio shows and although they aren’t for me,the always sound fantastic.  Usually, VPI shows with him. 

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,599 posts
 

+1 @prof ​​​​​@stereo5 

Jeff Joseph is a bonafide designer and not a mere assembler. 
His speakers are world class!

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