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

I have not heard Tektons, but I'm interested and like at least some of the philosophy.  I do like quality and accuracy,  but also want live, visceral sound.  We all have our experiences that shape these preferences. Maybe for me it's being, like the Tekton owner, a drummer, that creates the crave for the realistic reproduction of the impact and reverberation of a tom-tom. 

While subwoofers are a nice and necessary addition to the WAF tiny driver super slim speaker problem,  they don't cover the dynamic range. Flagship speakers are always the biggest for a reason.  I'm not downgrading the design or sound quality, but Tekton to me provides a DIY type budget entry point.  For most folks if they bought these pro drivers or other similarly priced ones themselves and built the cabinets and crossovers, it would cost them more than Tekton retail.  Probably sound worse using internet design or trying to design themselves, and look worse unless you are a skilled cabinet maker. 

Grill-less they do stick out in a crowd, but with grills, Tektons look like the many thousands of other rectangular box speakers out there.  Only, on average,  bigger.  And some owners like to order them in bold colors.  Because they can and Tekton doesn't just offer the boring colors every other manufacturer does. And they will customize color and custom design to suit customer needs unlike most manufacturers.  How dare they!

I think all horns are ugly. I don't care if Klipsch Jubilees are of the finest furniture grade.  To me they are a big ugly triangle with a big vent on top, but so what?  If they provided the sound that I wanted,  I would consider them.  

My current speakers happen to be well regarded as some of the best looking out there due to the real hardwood cabinet design. That is an added bonus to the design philosophy of the positive design traits of a real wood cabinet versus say mdf.  I don't need to understand the design though.  I just know they're my most favorite speakers so far. 

I look forward to reading the review on these Bonneville speakers that surely provide an interesting audio experience.   But for now I really need to get back to reading 500 reviews of skinny speakers that make wives happy.  The introduction says I'll be amazed at the bass extension from the multiple tiny drivers (wth that extra in room response you'll get, you don't even need a subwoofer unless you play EDM club music!).  The cabinet design is so luxurious, it's sure to fit with any home's decor (2 finishes to choose from!).  I can't wait to read more...

No

The bigger Tektons are anything but a flat wall of sound. They can attempt a TAD-like depthwise layering and nuance, but also with the big live dynamics and slam.

 

IMO, this “new design” is just another attempt at the “ Wall of sound” concept originated a few decades ago. Lots of drivers on a flat plane. I’d like to hear it in an appropriate space, maybe the Hollywood Bowl. 

@yoder

You like drums, dynamics, a live visceral sound, and solid wood cabinets...? Just go back 45-50 years.

 

https://youtu.be/iGa9259pz-I