Speaker porn

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by uncola, Nov 23, 2016.

  1. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    B&W Nautilus, with Murata ES-103B supertweeters and 4x Jeff Rowland Model 12 amplifiers.
    Notice the external analog active crossovers...a sealed box speaker, with all drivers made from the same material, no wood cabinet, external analog active crossovers, and with the same amps for everything for the best sound coherence and headroom...if I had silly amounts of $$$ I wouldn't doubt it between this and any passive FOTM 100K speakers, add Studer/Ampex R2R and change hobby :cool:

    And yes, I know the Nautilus has been posted to death, but this setup is amazing :D
    [​IMG]
     
  2. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Always loved those TOTL B&W designs...
     
  3. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    Yes, there's something very special about the original Nautilus.
    The spiritual successor is the Vivid Giya line (made by the same designer) but imo lacks the aesthetic charm from the original, and also has internal, passive crossovers and a ported cabinet (meh).

    However, one can always throw a million dollars and ask for the Nautilus with full biocellulose drivers, permendur radial magnets, 2x Pass Labs XVR1 crossovers, 5x Accuphase A-70 amplifiers (two of them bridged for dat bass™) and the matching Accuphase C-3850 preamp :rolleyes:
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2018
  4. Lou Casadonte

    Lou Casadonte Friend

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    My Dream speakers!
     
  5. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Yeah, lacking aesthetic charm is putting it nicely. Look to me kind of like something that might be chasing after Dr. Who...

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Not Dr Who... Triffids!
     
  7. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Well, there's only one Nautilus and it should remain that way. But I find it quite cool that what Vivid does resembles it. If anyone has the right to mimic Nautilus without awkward looks of people, it's this product's designer.
     
  8. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    Lawrence Dickie definitely knows what he's doing, I like how he's faithful to his design philosophy and isn't afraid of taking risks. The magnet system and driver assembly of the Giyas is a piece of art, lovely overkill engineering.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2018
  9. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Yes, he does. And there's a degree of integrity in what he's been doing over the years. As you've put it, he's faithful to his own path indeed.
     
  10. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    Kinda reminded me of this guy's head and now i can't unseen it

    [​IMG]

    That said it's mind-blowing the broad range of gear that i, unfortunately, will never get to experience but should be such an amazing experience.
     
  11. WNovizar

    WNovizar Facebook Friend

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    Ugly AF!!

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Hardly, erm... subtle, but... it has a certain charm!
     
  13. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    At first sight, looks like a "conventional" Kef Blade, but it isn't...this is a one off pair, named "Concept Blade", and was made before the production version as a statement, "look at this you lil peanut", not-for-sale speaker.

    Rumors say that, if the production version were equal to the Concept Blade, it would be even more expensive than the Muon (probably over 150k, more or less 5 times the production model's price).

    What are the differences? The production version has a titanium tweeter, a midrange made of a mix of magnesium, lithium and aluminum (the ribs are liquid crystal polymer) and aluminum bass drivers, internal crossover and a "self-forming composite" (whatever that means) cabinet.
    Concept Blade has a full carbon fiber/balsa wood cabinet (like the Vandersteen Model 7, for example), full liquid crystal polymer midrange and tweeter (the latter rear chamber loaded, like the Nautilus and Vivid Giya speakers), flat woven carbon fiber bass drivers and a external crossover.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I have not heard this Concept, but I've heard the little brother of the production model, "Blade Two"...it had that kind of weird metallic tone (extremely similar to the LS50), but...the coherence between drivers, soundstage (I mean SOUNDSTAGE), pin-point imaging and "throw you out of the chair" non emphasized bass is an experience, for sure. I always thought that a Concept Blade, with the external crossover but with all the drivers made of a biocellulose/zylon kind of material for a more "natural, one voice" tone and sealed cabinet could be one of the best speakers ever made, hands down...sadly, it doesn't exist :(
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2018
  14. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    ATC SCM19A...active and ATC, no need for more explanation <3
    [​IMG]
     
  15. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Still would love to hear an active ATC, especially after auditioning the SCM40 passive.

    I feel their grills are really ugly though...
     
  16. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    Yes, the grills are next level ugly, fortunately, it can be used without them. Some people reported that even sounds better without the grills.

    The active versions are a clear step up over the passives imho, the crossover is analog and the amps are class A/B, for reference, this is the amp and crossover module for a SCM50.

    [​IMG]
     
  17. alubis

    alubis Acquaintance

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    ATC SCM19A is my current speaker replacing passive ATC SCM40 which I sold last year. I can confirm there is no difference in sound whether the grill is on or off. But you’re right, if you want full ATC experience go with the active.

     
  18. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    I just saw these at someone's house! I wasn't there for audiophile reasons so I wasn't able to listen. Very curious how they sound though.
     
  19. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Surely, you could have found some?

    :D
     
  20. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    Gryphon Pendragon speakers, Gryphon Mephisto amplifier and custom listening room...not bad! :)
    [​IMG]
     

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