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October 14, 2009 - 8:20am
#1
Vision acoustics soloist speakers
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Hi Jim.
Thanks for joining the Forum. I'm not sure which web page you're referencing, but if you go to the top of that page, it should note the issue in which the review originally appeared. You'll find the issue information immediately below the article title and author byline.
Unless you play music at headbanging levels you will rarely harm a speaker with too much power. If you blow tweeters the cause is usually amplifier clipping. Too much power usually causes woofers to bottom out. When woofers bottom out, turn the volume down.
Not all of Stereophiles equipment reviews are available on line. You could try contacting VA. The address is below.
http://www.vision-acoustics.com/index.html
The Soloist was reviewed in the August 1994 issue of Stereophile. This review is not yet reprinted in our on-line archives, but it was not very well-received, I am afraid. Our reviewers, especially J. Gordon Holt, found it inoffensive, but ultimately uninvolving.
Original price was $1795/pair plus stands.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
Well, at that original price, I guess a dollar each wasn't too bad a deal...
I don't worry about clipping, as I don't overdrive amps except by serious accident.
Is there any feel about when(if) the August 1994 issue will make it online?
Thanks for the helpful replies.
Jim
Jim Frank,
My name is David Powers and I'm the inventor of the Vision Acoustics Soloist Loudspeaker that you're referencing. That speaker has a tweeter attached to the woofer's cone making it the only true point source multi-way loudspeaker ever made. All other non-single drivers are coaxial and there are many opinions about the benefits of both designs. Let your ears decide.
I concur with all of the comments made in the blog, including the reviews. I have been advancing the speaker's design for over 20 years now, and if you're ever in the Denver area, perhaps for the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, look me up. I'll be glad to give you a tour of the latest version and I'd be happy to pass along the latest crossover design to you, which is quite a bit different than your model, for you to build yourself. I'm no longer in business, but if you have any problems with the speaker, I'd be glad to service it. I do occasionally build speakers for friends that have visited my theater and loved the latest sound.
This is my first posting to the Stereophile blog so I hope you're notified about this communication and can similarly alert me. I'm not sure what the protocol is for exchanging contact information.
Regards,
David J. Powers
Jim,
I will attaempt to contact you.
David J. Powers
Jim,
Contact initiated.
Regards,
David J. Powers
"Vision Acoustics Soloist w/ Sound Anchor stands
Perfectionist Series 1
Two-way stand mounted
One 8" Uni-Source drive-unit
55Hz-16Hz +-3dB
Sealed box
86dB/W/M
20W-200W input 300 Max
5kHz crossover
8 ohms/7ohm impedance nomial
19" H by 12" W by 10" D
List $1795 pair stands $395 pair
The design philosophy of Vision Acoutics is to minimize time and phase alterations by transmitting all of the frequecies from not ont only the same moving surface, but from the same point. The Uni-source drive incorporates a high frequency transducer mechanically connnected to the low frequency transducer's moving surface. All the sounds are radiated from the same location, therby providing exceptional imaging.
The stands are Sound Anchor. The speaker sits on 3 ball bearings with a center hole and threaded insert in the bottom of the speaker with a bolt to tighten. They do sound better loose.
Stands are then spiked to the floor. Rock solid work from Bob Worsalla.
These speakers have a deep wide soundstage, smooth and natural sound. The image is free-floating and very stable. The bass is tight with good extension. Naturally spacious with high involvement. They will make you smile...every time."
Kind Regards,
Ron
Ron wrote,
"The speaker sits on 3 ball bearings with a center hole and threaded insert in the bottom of the speaker with a bolt to tighten. They do sound better loose."
Well, doh! Can you guess why? ;-)
Part 2 - is this Tuning? :-)
Answers at 11.
Geoff Kait
Machina Dynamica
Comments on a 6 year old post?
Really?