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NEW Tekton Design Speakers - The Bonnevilles

I have in for review the Tekton Bonnevilles, described by Eric Alexander as a “passion project,” and easily the most attention-grabbing speakers set I’ve had in-home. These speakers aren’t for everyone, but if you have the space and can tolerate the eccentricities of setup, the Bonnevilles offer strengths that many other speakers really can’t match.

They feature four 15" woofers for deep bass, six horn-loaded tweeters arranged in a Tekton Polycell array for midrange, and a seventh dedicated horn-loaded tweeter that handles the high frequencies. Paired with the right amplifier, they can fill a room beautiful and visceral music, like a few other speakers. With proper setup, the Bonnevilles sound vibrant, alive, with absolutely amazing bass.

The Klipsch Jubilees are the closest comparison in terms of bass pressurization that I’ve heard. The Jubilees arguably have a bit more punch in the mid-bass, but the Bonnevilles seem to extend lower. I would also say the midrange and treble on the Bonnevilles are better than what I’ve heard from the Jubilees. The midrange of the Bonnevilles have the characteristic speed and detail that Tekton speakers are known for, but also seem warmer and more relaxed than Tekton’s smaller speakers.

Logistically, these speakers can be a challenge – in more ways than one. They require a lot of real estate in the listening space, they need 2-3 people to move, and turning a corner can be a real problem. But once they’re set up, the Bonnevilles deliver an absolutely gorgeous sound.

As a final brief observation, the Bonnevilles seem to require careful amplifier pairing. While the sensitivity of the Bonnevilles is relatively high – just a couple of watts will create a lot of sound – there seems to be a strong correlation between an amplifier’s power supply and current output, and the overall quality of sound. In short, the Bonneville’s seem pair well with amplifiers that can drop a lot of current.

I currently have three well regarded amplifiers available to pair with the Bonnevilles. Of those three, my current favorite is the Coda No. 8, which has an unusually large power supply and can deliver over 150A of current when needed. The other two amplifiers, while brilliant with smaller speakers, did not drive the Bonnevilles as well as the Coda.

Again, the Bonnevilles will not be for everybody – but a really fun set of speakers to listen to if you ever have the opportunity.

I’ll be publishing a full review of the Bonnevilles in the coming weeks in Stereo Times.

*For a sense of scale – the "little speakers" (as my kids call them) are the REL 212/SX subwoofers.

willrich47
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,964 posts
 

Hideous....

robshaw
260 posts
 

Everyone has an opinion, especially when it comes to visualization. I have owned 2 pair of Tekton speakers to date. Previously a pair of Double impacts, which with good amplification and room treatments sound wonderful, especially with Rock and Roll music. Not the fanciest of materials (keeping cost in check) but close your eyes, and appreciate what they sound like. My second pair (current) are a special edition of the Encore Model, (3rd pair made)  just shy of 6' tall, 175Lbs. and a bitch to move.( ASK MY WIFE)  No they are not the Bonnevilles by any stretch, but, for Rock and Roll at high 80's, low 90's db they are masterful. Use all the proper words to define the sound characteristics and they seem to possess them all, 2 additional subs to assist in that opinion. Mine were ordered with grills. (never used though)  As some viewers discussed, put a grill over them and viola, not quite an industrial look, just huge. Eric and his Tekton design  is not for everyone (this model being extreme) but from a sound stand point my (just shy of 10k)  Encores will just delight, especially if your a Rock and Roll person.  I've read a lot of reviews of Tekton speakers and of most posts, no one seems to make mention of how they sound, just don't like the appearance, therefore they are not good.

    If I had the room and the money and were looking for a pair of huge speakers (with grill clothes) I would love to hear what they sound like, IN ALL FAIRNESS!

Robert TN   How many times have we all closed our eyes during a listening session to enhance the aural experience?  Ps All my experiences with Tekton (Eric) have never been short or hurried, just helpful and friendly.

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,247 posts
 

I actually like their industrial, pro sound reinforcement look.  I have no idea how they sound.  They are big, but they are certainly no uglier than any number of Wilson designs.

deep_333
1,508 posts
 

Sometime ago, I thought the best sound I ever heard was at a relatively upscale nightclub randomly one night. I found out that it was a large higher end Pioneer PA array (XY-3B). Something about the acoustics of that venue and the PA system made it quite insane/thoroughly enjoyable. The same guys offer something in the ultra high end for the audiophiles at ~150k these days (TAD reference, beautiful finish n all).

If you set up this 15k, 20k, whatever PA kit and this 150k audiophile kit in a larger room with some high end electronics, i would not be surprised if 50% of the audiophiles who did a A/B somehow preferred the sound of that PA system, i.e., the price wouldn’t matter here, just a different type of sound, they preferred.. (Put a blind-fold on them for bias removal, of course).

What Tekton appears to be doing is trying to synthesize together ( trying atleast) the pros of each type of sound delivery ethos mentioned above with their own concoction perhaps. I mean it’s obvious the guy’s around live sound a lot/in a band/in venues whatever.

Many manufacturers don’t even think about it perhaps, anechoic chamber, kliippel, whoop di doo.

If Mark Levinson did the same thing, price will go back up to 200k. Go figure.

Eric and his Tekton design is not for everyone (this model being extreme) but from a sound stand point my

fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
964 posts
 

Has Mr. Alexander ever put together a concoction and then thought to himself, "This is a bad idea"?

Even the most revered masters of fine painting were known to have painted over their work such that one canvas worth millions is known to have another painting hiding under the surface. Mr. Alexander, methinks, has nothing in common with them.  

 

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