Blumenstein Orcas

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by Merrick, Oct 3, 2016.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Can't argue against the price, but I personally won't pay $600 for moderately resolving 3" pseudo full range computer speakers.
     
  2. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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    I think "moderately resolving" is very flattering. I personally can't deal with the limp dick dynamics of these small drivers either.
     
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    True. They don't have the efficiency of the slightly larger Fostex's, so liveliness factor sucks.

    I know seven of you guys have heard them and privately confided to me that you think they suck. Stop being quiet you turds. WTH is up with gentlely-men mutual adulation society lately, or in the past 17 months?

    Their only saving graces is that they are not expensive and they look nice.

    Seriously, I've never heard so many lame excuses for such serious deficiencies. Even @Hands, the NOS DAC lover, goes out of his way to steer most people away from NOS DACs.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2017
  4. MrTeaRex

    MrTeaRex His head's not fat, he's my brother!

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    @OJneg and @Psalmanazar are banned...
     
  5. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    For a 3" driver at $600 with equal low end reach, you can get a pair of Genelec 8010's... granted that's a 2-way active bi-amped ufo looking speaker, so about as apples to oranges as you can get.
     
  6. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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    The Genelecs are far superior.
     
  7. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    Heard them. Fairly strongly disliked them. Never confided. So make that 8. I just found them to sound hollow and couldn't tell you more because I tuned out pretty quickly. I've mentioned to a few people offline that I just didn't get the appeal, and never got any push back... but hey, they seem to make some people happy!
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Good. I now leave in peace. Balance has been restored in the Force.
     
  9. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    But I'm not banned and I heard them. Meet impressions and too noisy, but I was not impressed. Didn't really speak up much because I did not give them a very serious listen.

    BTW, I think they are very expensive for what they are. This from a costumer perspective, not from a vendor perspective (i.e. not considering millions of dollars in R&D, top notch unobtainium components, put together by a virtuoso-genius, hand crafted by grandmaster, submerged in the waters of the death sea, blessed by the local bishop, and whatever other thing that may come to mind).
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2017
  10. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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  11. Armaegis

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    The Blumenstein prices don't seem that outrageous to me given the cabinetry, but maybe I'm a sucker for the nicer aesthetics.

    I think if I were to go passive in that price and form factor, I'd also consider the Mini Philharmonitor.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2017
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The Mini Phil is more suited to gear most people will have. Good drivers, the 5" aluminum Seas and RAAL. Something like Saga and Vidar would suit them perfectly. Those 5" Seas will go relatively low too.

    The Fostex' require expensive SET amps to wring the most out of them.

    I've worked with all of these drivers and actually have them on my shelf in my garage except the RAAL ribbons. Got the 5" aluminum and $$$ magnesium Seas. The 3" Fostex', the 4" including the $$ Sigma version. Same with the 6".

    I'll get the P1000 out and write a report on them with measurements. The cabinet is kind of wimpy, which limits their potential.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2017
  13. bazelio

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    $20 bucks worth of 1/2" apple plywood.
     
  14. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I'm listening to mine right now, and I still enjoy them. They're not the last word in anything but again for my specific situation, small room, low volumes, not worried about the low end cutoff, listening to mostly mid-centric music, they have a certain something. Eventually I'll get a proper SET amp to drive them and take things up a notch.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2017
  15. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    What's a non-diy passive speaker for the same cash that's more favourable?
     
  16. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    At $875 there's a few alternatives. The mini philharmonitor was just mentioned.

    Edit: also, these are $875, not $600 (the orcas). We should stop quoting the wrong price.
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2017
  17. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    True, but what the differences/improvements are weren't unfortunately.

    What are some of the others that you were thinking of?
     
  18. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

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    https://www.blumensteinaudio.com/all-products/vintage-orca

    The older design, which is still available is $600, but yes the current is $875.

    This is true for everything, but they can be had for sub $500 used and I know that's how many of us, including myself got them.

    I've refrained from any kind of formal impressions because I'm a passive speaker noob. But considering I'm unable/willing to do woodworking DIY and for that used price, I have found much enjoyment out of them in my modest system and they look great.

    Adding a sub later helped, but at lower volume levels, where I am often forced to be, I'm fine without it.
     
  19. bazelio

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    Hmmm. Read that a couple times, but still don't understand it. I think what ZeroD said is there are alternatives. You'd want to pick speakers based on the rest of your chain, and final goal for the sound. Orcas, for me, were just too flawed to consider in any rig I might have put together. I heard the $500 Elac bookshelves and think they might be a decent option for somewhat thinner, more incisive amps. Think Rag or similar. They might work with something more neutral like the Ncore400 too, depending on your preference. A bit on the warmer, thicker side yet reasonably articulate, they'd not be a good match for toobey front ends in the opinion of most people I'd bet.

    Lots of tradeoffs at 600 bucks, essentially. Pick the right ones to achieve best results with your choice of gear. There's no one right answer to the "more favourable" question.
     
  20. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Regardless we got there and appreciate your feedback!
     

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