I was never a big fan of the sound of this Gold CD, finding it a bit dry and sterile. But now its tonal balance seemed to have inched into more verdant territory. It wasn't warm per se—in comparison, the midband of my Focal K2 936s is warm—but it wasn't cold either; it was just right. Instruments sounded crisp and clear, not brittle or overexposed—just there, in the flesh, uncolored, emanating an oxygen-breathing life force. Transients were laser-fast, giving percussive notes snap and the music a rhythmic brio the Brits refer to as PRaT (footnote 3). On the album's opener, "You and the Night and the Music," the atmosphere is palpably festive and bubbling—this was a champagne-serving, Happy Hour, lap-tapping occasion. And I realized: The Gold CD was never the problem; the problem was the playback equipment I was using at the time.
What I heard from these two selections—what they shared—was variety in tonal color. Anti-homogeneity. Each sound had its own, uniquely shaded tonal palette. Nothing smeared. At the same time, they delivered mesmerizing note-to-note flow, as if the melodic rails were greased.
The performance of the Gold CD inspired me to try another audiophile CD: Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto by the Fritz Reiner–led Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with violinist Jascha Heifetz (CD, JVC JMCXR-0009). Heifetz's playing techniques were drop-your-towel explicit. I could see everything he was doing and feel everything he was doing—emotionally, yes, but also in a hypertexturized, corporeal way. And when the full orchestra rises at the 2-minute mark, with its cascades of violins and trumpets, I was taken aback by its stature and the mosaic of shifting musical parts. And its composure. At high volume, nothing sounded twisted out of shape or shrieked by the pressure. When things got big and busy, the different parts just went about their business, autonomous and unfazed.
With my phono stage plugged into the Shinai amp's RCA inputs—the Shinai lacks balanced connections—I played Alice Coltrane's Journey to Satchidananda (LP, Impulse! IMP-228), an album whose nearly every note, melody, studio effect, playing technique, and tape warble I know as if I'd written and played every part. Listening to the title track through the Silver 500s, I wondered: Were Charlie Haden's bass lines springier, but also less fulsome, than I'm used to hearing? Were Coltrane's string plucks more explosive but also brighter? Was the soundstage more upfront? Were the instruments squeezed closer together?
I then put on Zappa's apostrophe (') (LP, Zappa Records ZR 3851) and wondered: Did the tempos sound quicker, but maybe too quick, almost fast-forwarded? Was the air thinner? Was the sound of the guitar wirier, the cymbals and female voices splashier?
I got to work, substituting the Cambridge for my phono setup. Via the Roon app on my cellphone, I searched for the best-sounding file of apostrophe (') to stream. Of the four versions I found, the best-sounding—better than the 24/192 MQA version—was the 24/96 MQA. The 96kHz version seemed to have preserved more tangible atmosphere and harmonic cohesiveness. The music didn't sound as fast as it did on the LP; does warmer sound slow the perception of speed? It didn't sound sluggish, either. Tone and flesh had been reinstated: The guitar's twang, the drive-by panning effects, the women's voices, the cymbal's shimmer, everything sounded like itself—their individual selves—again.
I had recently replaced my pair of 6DJ8 tubes in my Sonic Frontiers phono preamp, one of which had gone bad, with a pair of used, spare tubes from my iffy emergency stash. I ordered a set of my favorite 6DJ8 replacements—Russian-made, NOS 6N23P-EB. A week later—fully aware that my "new" tubes hadn't broken in yet—I inserted them in their corresponding mounts. Immediately, the picture sounded fuller, more colorful, with most of the soundstage depth and instrumental separation I'd heard through the Focal Aria K2 936s before my tube incident.
Switching back to CD via the Cambridge's digital inputs, I laid down some funky, beat-heavy music—El Oso by Soul Coughing (CD, Slash/Warner Bros. CDW 46800)—and pranced like an adolescent faun on my dance-floor rug. Bass response from the four woofers had drive, punch, and depth, but didn't project quite as much in-room energy as the much-more-expensive Focals do (although at the time I made this observation, I didn't realize that they were much more expensive).
I decided to play with the ports, which use the company's HiVe II (High Velocity II) reflex port technology, described as "a straight rifled design to accelerate air flow and reduce turbulence, allowing it to move air in and out much quicker than a conventional port." Each speaker has two ports and comes with two bungs.
I asked Michael why two ports per speaker, and if there was a recommended approach to using the bungs: "The aim of a port is to be able to tune it so the speaker extends to the mid 30Hz region to cover the full bass range," he said. "You can do this with a large diameter single port, or you can split the ports and place them at the best places, something we can determine with our simulator. Another benefit with two ports is that it offers the user more tuning options than a one-port speaker. I would normally try using the bung on the top port first and then switch, listening to both, and go from there. Whatever sounds best tends to be determined by the room."
I did as Michael said, using a bung first on top, then on the bottom, then on top again, then on both ports, then on none. Each time, with every configuration, the bungs added a bit more low-end warmth but also some wooliness that detracted from the 500s' pointlike tonal balance. Without bungs, the picture was in focus, linear from top to bottom.
Against my better judgment, I ended my review with the Singles movie soundtrack (CD, Sony 30104621), one of the worst examples of good music crushed to near-soullessness by excessive compression. While no set of gear, no matter how good, could ever make this recording entirely enjoyable, through the 500s, I found I could listen to whole tunes. It reminded me of something Michael had said during our interview: that Monitor Audio speakers are designed, most importantly, to sound good with every type of music. To that I'll add that the 500s, like all hi-fi equipment worth its salt, reveal not only what sounds better but by how much.
Coda
The Monitor Audio Silver 500 embodies a spirit of purity, which I'm inclined to believe is primarily due to the speaker's crossover. The whole wide frequency range of music sounds well-behaved, smooth, and of a piece. Notes seem to emanate from air, not from wooden boxes. The notes slide and shoot like stars.
What about the Made-in-China thing? I told Charles and Michael that a number of Stereophile readers have expressed concern about products built in China—that the choice appeared to those readers as cost-cutting to the detriment of build quality and after-sales service. They said they understood, but they disagreed, saying they wouldn't have their speakers built in China if it resulted in less-well-made products than they could produce in the UK. Should repairs be needed, service would be provided via the distributor (Kevro in North America), which keeps a large inventory of spare parts, even for discontinued models. If additional assistance is needed, Monitor Audio has a dedicated service and after-sales support team in the UK.
"A product that is very well designed is easy to build," Charles said. "It really makes no difference where it's made, as long as there are proper quality-control measures in place. One of the key benefits of having our products assembled in China is that it allows the consumer to own a premium product at a price that more people can afford."
When I first received these speakers, the price was described as "TBD." Until about a third of the way through this review, I didn't know how much they cost. When I finally saw their price, I thought: This is for just one speaker, right? Wrong. At $3200 for the pair, the Monitor Audio Silver 500 is one of the great audio deals of the pandemic era.
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COMMENTS
Going to Asia amounts to abandoning your loyal employees that make quality products at a fair price : for Profit !
Made in China also means horrendous Re-Sale value.
China gear is what sits on the shelves at Goodwill
Tony in Florida
ps. nice writing Mr. Robert S.!
Hi
Can't agree more, my friend. Some manufacturers put profit over & above anything, even employees' livelihood !!!!!
For yours truly, no FOOD, nothing substantial, e.g. audios from China. Maybe minor disposable sundries, like toothpick, first aid bandage from dollar stores. For cheapie pricing where durability is not a concern.
Jack L
I smile. Met with Mo in NYC way back in the day to negotiate US distribution rights for Monitor Audio, a British speaker company producing well made but undistinguished loudspeakers at the time. They had no stable presence in the States at that time. Young and naive, I thought I had a chance to help, noting my Dad was distributing the British JR-149 speaker then with some success. It was not to be. Monitor Audio eventually went on to produce excellent home theater oriented products on the way to first class audiophile loud speakers. Oh well, just reminiscing retiring as a psychiatric nurse shortly.
"Should repairs be needed, service would be provided via the distributor (Kevro in North America), which keeps a large inventory of spare parts, even for discontinued models."
How I wish Kevro/Monitor Audio would show the same level of commitment towards Roksan as they do with their MA speakers. Product support with Roksan's products, especially their iconic Xerxes 20+ is non-existent in North America. I know because they've told me over the phone. Would be nice if that changed, the brand deserves a better presence in North America.
Hi
"Assembled in China" is NOT same as "made in China".
If ALL the electroic parts, e.g. loudspeaker units, cross-overs & inter-wiring were exclusively supplied bt Monitor Auido UK to its China OEM which only builds the wood box. That is called "assembled" in China. I would buy the idea of saving the wooden box & electronic assembly costs for the consumers.
But if the key electrons were also "made in China" together with the wooden box, it is a different ballgame all together, IMO.
It would be much better for the UK manufacturer for saving substantial cost, hence boooosting its profit than the price saving for the consumers. Consistency of product quality control could be of concern, IMO.
Jack L
Distinct and measureable improvements for a price equal to what the supply chain problem has done to us. Looking forward to a demo between this and the Martin Logan 60Xti. Nice job by the reviewer.
I disagree with "that a number" statment. I count two serial China-bashers, and they a both in this thread. There are any number of reasons to bash China, but the quality of made or assembled in China audio gear (such as Monitor Audio) is not one of them.
Hi
How do YOU know so decisively ???
FYI, I fixed a few tube power amps built in China bearing whatever Chinese brandnames for my audio friends. I know how good (or lousy) they were built, let alone the sound quality.
Please learn more about how Chinese manufacturers run their business COMMERCIALLY & technically before you comment.
Thanks but no thanks.
Jack L
"How do YOU know so decisively ???"
By reading reviews in Stereophile and others of Chinese made gear.
"FYI, I fixed a few tube power amps built in China bearing whatever Chinese brandnames for my audio friends. I know how good (or lousy) they were built, let alone the sound quality."
Off brand EBay specials are not playing in the same leage the speaker in question is. Stereophile does not review black plastic crap or disposables.
"Please learn more about how Chinese manufacturers run their business COMMERCIALLY & technically before you comment.'
The Chinese can make any level of quality your QA forces them to do.
Simple question for you; is the speaker under review in this article inferior in your mind, despite the good results, simply because of where its from?
Blanket-statements about the quality of products coming out of an entire country is just misleading and misinformed. I'm sure the poster is telling the truth about his experiences, but nonetheless those experiences are to one person.
I agree with MatthewT here; QA can be and is controlled by manufacturers running these facilities. Moreover, there are Chinese manufacturers themselves that also have excellent quality control and products. Topping and Denafrips come to mind and have been vetted by way of reviews in Stereophile. The truth does come out over time. Follow-Ups reinforce that.
While I don't buy Chinese gear purposefully, I can see why many value-minded audiophiles do.
Making powerful, absolute statements may feel good to the speaker, but they are rarely true in these modern times. Too many grey areas...
Wondering if MA upgraded this speaker to compete against the Revel Performa3 F206 or the ML 60Xti? I find things like this to be of far more interesting then somebody’s frankly boring flatulence about China. Let’s not lose sight of a nice review and an outstanding speaker with this kind of pontification.
As the country western song says “Here’s quarter, call someone that cares.”
I'm old enough to remember when "made in Japan" was a joke, a euphemism for cheap crap. I'm also old enough to remember when American made cars went through a period when they were, basically, disposable, intentionally poorly engineered and designed to keep the wheels of capitalism greased by unsuspecting consumers through planned obsolescence. Before we Americans go pointing a finger abroad, we would do well to look at what's happening in our own country. How many of you China bashers own TV's "made in America"? How many of you own air conditioners and other major appliances "made in America"? How many of you own Japanese cars, even those "assembled in the USA or Canada"? Have you looked under the hood of a Ford or a Chevy lately? How many of those parts are "made in the USA"? It always kills me when Americans refer to the USA as "America". The United States (not that we are united anymore) is NOT America! We are, or should be, the United States of America. Yeah, USA! Let's not forget our Canadian brothers & sisters, much less our South American brothers & sisters. If our captains of industry weren't such greedy in-bred SOB's supported by equally greedy power-hungry corrupt politicians, our working people could get paid decent, livable wages and we would be making the world's best stuff right here in River City! It's the decline of the Roman Empire all over again! We are our own worst enemies! Time... no, long past time... to wake up, smell the coffee and stop fighting with one another! How 'bout a little... just a little... more love, tolerance and understanding and just a little less hatred, grumbling and blaming?
Sorry! This kind of tripe always rubs me the wrong way!
..during the latest lockdown I bought a chinese dac/headphone amp compo from Wuhan no less and man its awsome alright. Futhermore my 12yr old german loudspeakers featuring chinese made transducers have admirably resisted all attempts to destroy them by force. And let me not speak about my precious chinese made cans that I repeatedly crushed on concrete floor or the lately acquired 0.5K turnkey turntable that puts anything analog to shame. Chinese people are intelligent and hard-working and we should all better follow suit - as they once did with us - instead of bitching around like stray dogs.
Asian people are superb artisans,
can make outstanding quality,
can compete against any other human craftsman from anywhere on the Planet !!
but
There are serious manufacturing problems sourcing in Asia ! bottom line profit seems worth it -- short term .
and
For investing Audiophiles, there are financial issues in buying Asian -- resale being the biggest ! future service is an additional worry. ( can you speak any of the Asian Languages ? ).
Try to get the bulk of the Asian stuff serviced, is there a diagram ? , Can the device be opened up ? is there any support print in English ?
What ever is purchased from Asia is likely worthless in a few years.
Tony in Florida
Hi
Yes, as discussed above, some audio manufacturers take the SHORT term business approach - profiteering by assigning OEM offshore, sacrificing the livelihood of their local employees. Profiteeering, I say it again !!!!
Also as already stated in my above post, it is the consistency of quality control of the end products made over there. I have heard enough horse stories about it.
I know enough China trades. Decades ago, the largest building constuction electrical cables manufacturer in USA who supplies cables & wires to all major hardware stores in USA & Canada. This company intended to hire me to market their entire electrical
product range in China. I was invited to visit the huge company campus of the size of a small town. 2-day fully paid orientation for me there. I lost the job to a Chinese employee there who also wanted the China job. I am glad I did not get the job otherwise I would have missed my family for years, being 15 hours non-stop flight apart.
As a consumer, cost saving is a good reason to own a merchandise wherever it is made as long as it is backed up with effective warranty locally.
But for yours truly, I am skeptical about anything hi-tech 100% made in China as I already said above re my repair of a few power amps made in China "let alone the sound quality" !!!
Jack L
Dear Tony:
If your Parasound or Marantz or Monitor Audio, etc. device needs service, would you write in mandarin or write a request in English to the manufacturer ?
Who is obliged to do the service: the Asian manufacturer or the company?
Who fulfills the guarantee: the Asians or the company?
I would like to know. Like others, I have asian made goods with USA brands...
Asian Service has always been dubious, speaking as a Manufacturer and Importer.
I sell used gear to an Asian Market.
Asian Brands can become Name Brands here in the States i.e. Toyota, Honda, Kia, Sony but they have to have a Full Service Center with Phones that a English Speaker answers.
The Chinese Woo Audio is right here in NY and make magically performing Audio gear that never seems to get reviewed by Stereophile ( for some reason ). Woo firefly is more gorgeous than anything this Mag. has ever put on it's covers.
China makes darn good gear.
We USA DIY Audiophiles need a little English Speaking Hand Holding
Tony in Florida
ps. Mr.HR did just try a Woo design for Electrostatic headphones ( triple ultra-niche )
If there is anyone to blame for the poor quality of products manufactured in China for Western High End Audio companies or otherwise, it is the companies themself. They, not the Chinese manufacturing companies specify the quality to which their product is built. From what I have seen, Chinese manufactures who either design and build for there own domestic market, or manufacture products for Western companies, can produce products of high quality.
Hi
I would not dispute it BUT for how long ???
Jack L
Hi Jack,
If you are referring to Asian OEM's manufacturing products for a US Audio company, it is up to the US company itself to ensure they choose a reliable OEM partner.
This includes ensuring a ready supply of spare parts to support the life of their equipment beyond the warranty period.
As far as the warranty goes, it is up to the US company, not the OEM manufacturer to specify the terms of the warranty. I only mentioned this because others have commented about warranty concerns regarding Chinese made equipment. This may be an issue for Chinese branded equipment they manufacture for their own domestic market, but that is not the issue we are discussing here.
Hi
Yup, you have just dugged up the very concern we audio consumers have in mind.
What IF that US manufacturer has chosen a not so "reliable OEM partner" in term of product OEM technical standard, consistent quality control, & long term quality performance after its warranty period ???
Who would suffer upfront ? Its WE, the consumers. Who made most of our hard-earned money we paid for that product - the brandname orginal owner. I called it again - profiteering.
Let's be realistic in this real world. There is no free lunch for paying less for a product made somewhere else other than the original brandname manufacturer.
Would you buy a Mercedes made somewhere in Eastern Europe other than in Germany ?? I would never want to own a car not made in its country of origin. Period.
Jack L
My apologies to all concerned who are tired of this conversation. This will be my last post on the subject.
My question to you Jack, does that also go for a Mercedes Benz manufactured in Tuscaloosa, Alabama ?, just asking.
Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing: Made in the USA
Several Mercedes-Benz models are manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International plant located near Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This factory produced its first vehicle in February 1997. The models that are still produced at this facility include:
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Mercedes-Benz GLS
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Here, you’ll also find the Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center, which features a museum showcasing cars throughout Mercedes-Benz history.
Hi
So would YOU buy a made-in-USA Mercedes ? If so, be my guest.
For yours truly, I've never ever buy buy & drive any car built off shore.
That's why my first car I bought some 30 years back here was Toyota Camry, made in Japan. I never buy any Toyota any more as most of them are made in USA.
Todate I am still a proud owner & driver of Subaru Forester All-wheel-drive SUV which are ALL built & imported from Japan.
My first Forester lasted me 14 years (!!!) which I traded in for the same model of much better built in Japan, of course. It navigates like a chime on icy roads no sweat ! It never fails to start up instantly in deep freezing temps, having parked on my house driveway. -25C this morning !
Be a wise consumer, pal !
Jack L
You may wish to re-read your post Jack.
The second sentence seems to contradict the rest regarding where your cars came from?
Hi
Sorry for my sometimes lousy wording. I missed repeating "other than built in its country of origin."
Thanks for pointing it out.
Jack
is Bowers & Wilkins. They have been making the speakers in their closely managed factories for over 20 years. Lots of other examples with similar success. Monitor Audio is another... lol.
That Stereophile’s readership in 2022 is reduced to a bunch of dinosaurs squabbling over Made in China gear is sad and out of touch but entirely accurate. Why even feed this discussion in the review, RS? Why is Stereophile allowing know-nothing bigots like tonykaz and Jack L to keep coming back to spew their nonsense? Step up and do something. Somehow the magazine still gets published and the measurements from JA are always appreciated, but the community around the magazine is in shambles. It’s like the feeling you get when you’re certain you’re in the last operating Kmart in existence.
...it's a bit of a sensitive topic. It's about manufacturing, but it's also about politics. And a lot of people, not just dinosaurs at the world's last Kmart, have concerns, which is one reason Stereophile publishes the country of manufacture of the products it reviews, and why some manufacturers like to tout the fact that their products are entirely made in the US, or Canada, or Germany, etc.
I was also curious to see how a Western company would answer my question. What I was told may not be totally surprising, but I think it's good to be reassured as consumers that QC is an ongoing concern for the manufacturer that will not be overlooked.
I think you guys need to lead the way on changing things. You name something like the NAD M33 product of the year, made in China. Same with its little brother the NAD C298 which made the short list this year. KEF LS50 Meta and its predecessor are instant classics, made in China. On and on, the gear proves its worth, but you let these same guys poison the comments section. It’s time for you to say this isn’t a place where “the community,” what’s left of it, is allowed to bash gear for being made in China. I mean, just look at the embarrassment that was the D’Agostino M550 monoblock measurements. That’s a product with the highest American pedigree possible, made in USA at an insane premium, and it’s just a complete gremlin-infested disaster. Time to shut these guys up who can’t deal with reality and who drag you, your work, and all the rest of us down.
...... are entirely made in the US, or Canada, or Germany" quoted rschryer
Hi
Indeed.
I take proud of yr candid & impartial comment, reflecting the concern of many consumers.
Keep it up, my friend.
Jack L
Hi
So if I were a "know-nothing" bigot, you would be a "know-ALL" pigot, right ???
So please show me "know-nothing" bigot WHAT you know about audio that I don't "know nothing" at all.
Awaiting !
Otherwsie, I consider yr such statement above as inflamatory personal attack !!!!!
Jack L
I’ve suddenly remembered why I shouldn’t bother. You write like a 70 year old impersonating a six year old. Carry on. Stereophile is you and your ilk’s to keep.
HI
Be civil. Vent yr spreen somewhere else !
I hereby request yr apology for yr imflammatory big-mouthed personal attack in a public venue here. It stinks like a toddler's poop !!!
Jack L
Sadly, many Corporations and media have eagerly looked the other way regarding China's abuses. The last abuse was a real doozy. Chasing increasing revenues/profits is the goal. For those that have no problem buying their products, buy them. For those that "get it" and don't buy, well, good for you.
Hi
Bingo!
Profit is the name of the audio game.
Abuses? Not their business !
Jack L
The thing I find most troubling from all these comments from those that expect us to treat them as intelligent adults is the number of spelling and grammatical errors that would make a second grader ashamed. This is the intellectual decline of society on a massive scale, increasing exponentially. The more technology we have at our disposal, the more stupid and ignorant we become, to where we eventually won't be able to spell our own names without looking it up. How can I be expected to take any comment seriously from anyone who can't spell or type or form a sentence with proper structure any better than a grade school child? This is what troubles me most. If WWII occurred today, would the average man and woman off the street have the intelligence or other abilities required to go from what they're doing to building warships, fighter planes, bombers, explosives, missiles and other ammunition, tanks, artillery, ant-aircraft, radar and radio equipment, and other equipment needed to save the world from tyranny as quickly as is needed, as our parent's (and grandparent's) generation did? I have my doubts.
Hi
So may I ask YOU the same question you just raised above: Are you an "average man" ??
If SO, can you build warfare weapons ????? Otherwsie you would be an ordinary Joe Blow down the street. So why grumble for lacking the knowledge that needs professional training & experience ??
Jack LK
It's not a work of fiction, and we are halfway there.
Hi
That was a lousy bookoffice film for less than 1/2 million dollars:
"Sci-fi sex comedy".
Come on! Who would take such fiction comedy seriously ??
Jack L
Maybe.
I'm nothing if not average, and half of the US population is dumber than me. You should be worried, and DougM is correct is his opinion.
Hi
Please, please do not compare person to person, people to people.
So what even if you were the top genius of USA ? You want a medal from the president or whoever authorative ??
I'd stay low profile as an ordinary Joe Blow down the street. Showing off comes with a price.
Jack L
Apparently your reading comprehension skills are quite lacking or you'd see that I said that during the war effort ordinary citizens, housewives, secretaries, students, salesgirls, etc., men and women from all walks of life were able to be trained in those positions very quickly to make the military equipment needed to defeat Germany, Japan, and Italy. Others were trained in communications, radio, radar, etc., and I'm not sure the average person off the street would have the ability to be trained so quickly in those type positions today. As for me personally, yes, if not for my age and ailing health, I have no doubt that I could rise to the occasion, since I worked as a test technician in Silicon Valley for most of my working life, and as a machinist before that.
Hi
I am indeed honoured to be exchanging "intelligent" thoughts with your goodself. I wish you could mentally & physically returned back to the hayday of your youth.
FYI, both my younger son & in-law are working in 2 of the world's largest international hi-teck electronic firm in San Jose, the "Silicon Valley" for over a decade now as senior design engineers. Still I am affirmative they would not like going to warfare business - too ambitious !!!!
Money is not all, pal. Surely they both have made gooood money, owning 2 nice houses in San Jose for working only a decade !!! I am very proud of them both.
Jack L
I have no desire to support Communist China. But I have no idea if an audio company in China supports the CCP or if they hate the CCP and wish the CCP would be overthrown. I suspect that small entrepreneurs and dedicated music lovers there in our hobby are not fans of Xi Xinping.
This is different than buying mass market clothes, TV sets, processed food, and cheap furniture. I think. I prefer to buy from company in a free country but I won't automatically exclude my few hundred or a few thousand dollar purchase if it is China. But I will look hard for good "free country" or USA made shiirt. Or is it spelled shirtt.
Hi
BINGO !!!!!!
I would definitely spend my money toward a FREE country for anything substantial, e.g. audios.
Jack L
Hi. Based largely on this review of the Monitor Silver 500 7g I am purchasing them, but have a question please. I am intending to run them with a Prima Luna Dialogue HP integrated amp. Should I connect the speakers to the 8 ohm or the 4 ohm taps? Thanks.
...but 8 ohms is the best bet.
Btw, as much as I like these speakers, if possible, nothing beats a trial period to listen to speakers in one's own system.
Hi
"Nominal" impedance seems to be the universal terminology used in all loudspeaker specification.
IMO, "norminal" is a pretty tricky word to use to protect the makers from claims. Instead of stating MININUM impedance, "norminal" means pretty similar to "mininum" but even provides more leeway to go.
It means the impedance of say 8 ohms is only an indicative value being one of the minimum values, IMO.
From the impedance measured data provided by J.A., my interpretion is the average value would be much much higher than 8 ohms. Is yr amp is a tube amp providing 16-ohm tap as well, I would suggest you to try the 16-ohm tap as well to hear the differnce.
Listening is believing
Jack L
Thanks for your reply Rob. I will try 8 ohms first. Fortunately I was able to get these speakers with a 60 day trial period. Based on your and JA’s positive reviews, I am hoping they will work out well in my space.
The follow up letter from the manufacturer was the weakest one I’ve ever seen. I read that first and thought they had gotten a shitty review. It was basically, thanks for reviewing our product, done.
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