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Linn speakers

I'm currently using Linn Sara's and looking to upgrade. I like the sound of the isobarik woofer(s) and the highs very much. But I'm looking for more detail in the mids and better imaging. The Sara's are a 2-way design. I'm thinking that a 3-way speaker might provide the improvement I'm looking for - but I still want the isobarik design. I know that Linn no longer uses the isobarik design in their current speakers, so I'm obviously looking for something used. I am aware of the Keltik, but that's probably out of my price range (and is active only?). Did Linn make anything else that meets my criteria? -

3-way speaker,
Isobarik woofer design,
Can be driven passively (ability to reconfigure for bi/tri-amping would be nice),
Price range would have to be equivelant to one model down from the Keltik.

Thanks in advance
Don
hessong
whknopp0713
179 posts
 
I don't know any 3 way isobariks, but the Totem Mani 2 has a great midrange. You might also check into servo controlled subs, like in the Genesis line, and I think even the Linn subs are servo, if I'm not mistaken.
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Hessong,

I owned a pair of Sara's for better than 15 years. I loved them in spite of reading all the negative reviews. They deserved the negative reviews when paired with the wrong amplifiers. Difficult load. Anyway, I now own an Aktiv pair of Keilidh's bought used and am more than satisfied. They better the Sara's in every way and when purchased used with all the associated stuff are an incredible bargain. There's magic in active crossovers that go beyond what you hear on a casual listen. You can eamil me directly if you want to discuss these issues.

Patrick
hessong OP
15 posts
 
Twl, After reading your description of the DMS again, it's starting to sound familiar. Was this model also known simply as "The Isobarik" or some such? I'm thinking of a speaker that had multiple tweeters, firing in various directions and maybe multiple midranges as well. Is this the same animal or something different?

Patrick, Let me ask just a couple basic questions here. Are the Keilidh's three-way? Are they isobarik? Can you bi-wire passively with the Keilidh's? I'm probably not interested in going active, but I'll just ask anyway; How much for the Keilidh's with all the associated stuff (used cost)? Have you ever heard the Keilidh's driven passively or bi-amped passively? How do they stack up to the Sara's in that configuration?

Thanks
Don
twl
3,251 posts
 
Hessong, yep, that is the same critter. It had(in each cabinet) 2 B139 modified woofers in Isobarik configuration, and 2 B110 modified midrange drivers, with 1 in front and 1 on top, and 2 Scanspeak dome tweets, with 1 in front and one on top. These top-firing drivers provided an ambience filling role, but from what was explained to me, they also worked in a vibration reducing manner, where the driver frames were directly coupled by rods, and provided equal "shove" against each other, thereby reducing doppler induced effects from the drivers microscopically moving against the cabinet. I feel that there was some crossover related reasons as well. These speakers sounded quite good, and were well above the Sara in performance. They, like all Linn speakers from that era, were designed to be placed against the wall and on their factory stands.
hessong OP
15 posts
 
Twl, OK any idea how much the DMS weigh? I seem to remember their being quite big. And in the passive configuration how much power does it need? From the description, it sounds like a hog. My Plinius 8200 is rated at 175 W.

Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a non-active Keltik? And if so, can it be bi-amped passively?

Thanks for all the help.

Don
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