Caliper Signature vs Duetta Signature?

Sogood51 - Thanks for your very thorough and thoughful response. You were dead right about the Apogee "sound".

I just picked up a pair of Calipers (non-signature) and HOLY CRAP, they sound good! As I mentioned, my room is quite large, but the amount of FULL RANGE sound coming out of these panels is nothing short of amazing.

Previously, I was using a pair of Acoustat 1+1s which were truly outstanding in their own right, but these Apogees are really something special. I've also owned Magnepan 1.6QRs and, while I'd still give them the nod in overall cohesiveness and transparency, the Apogees seem more dynamic and certainly dig deeper than any panel I've ever heard.

I listened to Lyle Lovett's "Road to Ensanada" and on the title track, there's a 5-string bass playing an "open B" (lowest string on a bass is usually E which I believe translates to 41hz? - someone correct me if I'm wrong - A 5-string bass adds almost another half-octave to the lower register so low B equals almost exactly 30hz).

On many speakers...like the Acoustats...this is totally inaudible. To give a point of reference, I also had a pair of Vandersteen 2CEs in the same room. Vandersteens are famous for their full range and they had a hard time with this track. The Vandies could produce the note, but it was shelved down several dbs. Consequently, they could not pressurize the room where you actually felt air move.

I can't begin to imagine what the larger Apogees are capable of. The Divas must be quite spectacular!

My only gripe(s) is that the midrange still seems a little "thick" compared to Magnepan 1.6s and the highs are a tad rolled off. But what they do, they do extremely well. My other complaint is that they're not exactly kid-friendly - or wife-friendly for that matter.

Anyway - thanks again for the assistance.

Gullahisland

Glad the Caliper's are working out in your large room. What amp are you using on them? We have a member of the Apogee user forum who has just built a digital amp based on the B&O "ICE technology" that we are all excited about. A couple of members went to his house over the weekend to have a listen on his Divas and Scintilla's. The early reports are that this amp could drive his 1ohm Scintillas with-out even a hint of strain to very hi spl's.

He has built 3 of these so far and is letting these out for home trial to members of the forum.

Here is a link with pictures and spec's of his new digital amp design. This link may not work with-out a password? http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=3924042&uid=1034484&members=1

Dave

Thanks Dave,

Well...Unfortunately, the Apogees are on the proverbial auction block. Unfortunately, they're not the most kid-friendly speakers in the world (as I mentioned before) and to keep the peace, I've decided to move along.

I just purchased a pair of ML CLSIIzs. I know they're not at all the same speaker, but the one thing that they share in common is the 3D soundstaging. The nice thing about the CLSs is that that they're pretty well protected and reasonably stable.

Don't get me wrong, my kids are extremely respectful and well-behaved, I just don't want to take any chances. It's not worth it.

That amp looks pretty slick. Maybe it'd be a nice match with the CLSs. I was thinking about picking up a BelCanto or Spectron. What's the price point on these?

Thanks!!

-Dan

Dan

I can understand your view, If I still had small children I would sell My Duetta Sigs also.

The new digital amp runs $2,000 for stereo and $3,000 for a pair of mono's. The ML CLS's are fantastic speakers!, enjoy.

Dave

I know you are selling your Calipers, but the photos look like you did not biwire them (unless those are shotgunned wires). Biwiring the Calipers really makes them open up. Also, the Caliper and Duetta Signatures have a plastic screen over the bass ribbons, which go a long way to protecting them from inquisitive fingers. The Duetta Signatures and the Divas can also be screwed into the floor, so they can't be easily knocked over by toddlers.
I also have utilized the Calipers and the Maggie 1.6QR's as main speakers and concur that although the Calipers are incomparable in bass power and dynamics, the Maggie is more neutral, more coherent throughout and superior in the higher registers. A Vandersteen 2WQ added to the Maggies almost makes up for the difference in the bass.