Sometimes these favorable first impressions wear off quickly. Maybe what at first…
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When I review an affordable loudspeaker, first impressions are important. Once I've unpacked the speaker, noted the quality of its construction and finish, and have complimented or grumbled about the ergonomics of its five-way binding posts, I fire 'er up and give 'er a first listen. Occasionally, the sound will put a smile on my face, either because I'm impressed with the amount of uncolored detail emanating from such an affordable product, or because the speaker sounds so sweet that I'm intoxicated.
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: 3½-way, bass-reflex, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1.1" (28mm) cloth-dome tweeter, 0.7" (17mm) ribbon tweeter, two 6.5" wood-fiber/pulp-cone woofers. Crossover frequencies: 800Hz, 3.2kHz, 14kHz. Frequency response: 37Hz–20kHz, ±3dB. Sensitivity: 91.5dB/2.83V/m.
Dimensions: 39.4" (1m) H by 7.5" (190mm) W by 13" (330mm) D. Weight: 41 lbs (18.6kg).
Finishes: Vinyl: Light Oak, Light Walnut.
Serial Number Of Units Reviewed: 6620156 L & R.
Price: $1595/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 102.
Manufacturer: DALI Loudspeakers,…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: VPI TNT IV turntable, Immedia RPM tonearm, Koetsu Urushi cartridge; Rega Planar 3 turntable, Syrinx PU-3 tonearm, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood, Aurum Beta S cartridges.
Digital Sources: Lector CDP-7T, California Audio Labs Icon Mk.II Power Boss, Creek CD53 Mk.II CD players; Pioneer DV-333 DVD player.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D phono stage, Audio Valve Eklipse line stage.
Power Amplifier: Audio Research VT100 Mk.II.
Integrated Amplifier: Creek 5350SE.
Loudspeakers: Nola Mini, Amphion Helium2, Monitor Audio Silver…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
My estimate of the DALI Ikon 6's sensitivity was close to the specified figure, at 90.5dB(B)/2.83V/m, this a useful 3.5dB higher than average. The speaker's impedance (fig.1) remained within 4.5 and 7 ohms over almost the entire audioband, with a minimum value of 4.25 ohms at 3.5kHz. The electrical phase angle also remained low for most of the band, though there is a combination of 6 ohms and –36° just below 100Hz. The speaker should not be that hard to drive, which, in combination with its highish sensitivity, will make it a good match for relatively low-powered…
I am a Revel junkie. Their Ultima Studios have been my reference loudspeakers for years, and I've spent many happy hours with their Performa F-30s and Ultima Gems. They're all great speakers. When the original Gem was launched, it was made clear that all the corporate and economic weight of Revel's parent company, Harman International, was behind the development of this new line. When I visited Revel some years back, I saw cutting-edge design and development, in-house manufacturing of the most critical parts under the tightest scrutiny, and quality control of nearly compulsive meticulousness…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Three-way, rear-ported, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units (all Organic Ceramic Composite diaphragms): 1" ferrofluid-damped dome tweeter with underhung copper-clad aluminum voice-coil, 5.25" magnetically shielded midrange unit with 1" voice-coil, two 8" cone woofers with 1.5" voice-coils. Crossover frequencies: 575Hz, 3kHz. In-room response and first-reflections response, 55Hz–15kHz, ±1.5dB. Low-frequency extension: –10dB at 28Hz, –6dB at 40Hz, –3dB at 52Hz. Impedance: 6 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum at 188Hz. Sensitivity: 90.5dB/2.83V/m (4pi…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Connecticut System
Digital Sources: Simaudio Moon Orbiter, Denon DV-3910 universal players.
Preamplifier: Meridian Reference 861.
Power Amplifier: Bryston 9B-STT.
Loudspeakers: Paradigm Reference Studio/60; Paradigm Reference Servo-15 subwoofer.
Cables: Interconnect: Harmonic Technology Harmony Rainbow, Crystal Cable Cinemax (multichannel). Kubala-Sosna Fascination (two-channel). Speaker: Kubala-Sosna Fascination. AC: Kubala-Sosna Emotion.
Accessory: APC S-15 power conditioner.
Manhattan System
Digital Sources: Sony XA-…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
The Revel Concerta F12's voltage sensitivity was both to specification and higher than average at 90dB(B)/2.83V/m. Its impedance remained between 4 and 8 ohms over most of the audioband (fig.1), but did drop to 2.9 ohms in the low treble. This, together with the combination of 5.2 ohms and –45° electrical phase angle at 90Hz, means that a good amplifier rated at 4 ohms will be required to drive the F12 to high levels.
Fig.1 Revel Concerta F12, electrical impedance (solid) and phase (dashed). (2 ohms/vertical div.)
A small glitch just below…
I first heard the Canadian-made Waveform Research Mach 17 loudspeaker system in New York City at HI-FI '96, Stereophile's Home Theater & Specialty Audio Show. Another Ontario native, Chris Russell of Bryston Ltd., had raved to me about their sound. His recommendation sent me outside my assigned reporting area and down to the sixth floor of the Waldorf=Astoria, to dimly lit room 602—full of ASC Tube Traps, amplifiers, cables, and the twin truncated pyramids of the Mach 17s.
The loudspeakers I heard that day sounded very dynamic, delivering the frequency extremes with definition and…
The three pairs of speaker terminals mounted at the rear of the woofer cabinet are heavy gold on solid brass. My review samples had received Waveform's standard finish: architectural-grade American steamed black walnut veneer, with black laminate at the cabinet's top and bottom. Other available finishes include quilted Makore and pommele mahogany. It is an understatement to say that the fit'n'finish of this cabinetwork is the finest I've encountered.
Setup is greatly enhanced by the Mach 17's modular design—the system can be unpacked, set up, moved, placed, and assembled by one mere…