Thanks
@Hari Iyer for the invite. It was a privilege and pleasure. Let me capture my impressions here.
Firstly, let me say that I am easily the technologically most ignorant member on this thread. So no pretence about understanding what I don’t. Guys, please tone down your expectations from this report.
Having clarified that, let me first express my emotion about this project itself. Having known Hari for over a year, I have been extremely impressed with his passion for technology - not just at knowledge level, but even at the level of creating. He is also one of the most truthful (painfully so at times) persons I know and that’s how true technologists are. I said painfully because every time he hears my optimisations with my entry level system, I have to be ready for almost no appreciation, but very keenly spotted specific gaps being highlighted. Knowing a bit or two about personality types (as well as Hari), I am able to now take it, and keep working on the gap pointed out. Hari has built speakers and systems in the past, but this is the first project he has undertaken since I met him. So I’ve been curious myself. Reading the technical discussion on the thread is mostly a bouncer for me, so I was eagerly waiting for the opportunity to actually listen. For a full-time professional to dedicate so much time and effort is a testimony to his passion and I find that highly admirable.
And then
@newlash09 ! Arts and technology have evolved and prospered over the centuries because there were benevolent sponsors. Whether in the form of kings, noblemen or more recently some business houses and governments. It’s not transactional and cannot be measured in terms of monetary returns. And therefore requires a leap of faith along with generosity to commision projects of art and technology that speak of individuality and passion. Having resources is not the only qualifier. I admire newlash09’s adventurous and encouraging spirit. (A reference to
@prem is due here too as the networker connecting the two).
Now let me get to the listening session (I can hear some ‘hussshh’ here).
I had seen the photos beforehand, but for someone who hadn’t, the sight of the speakers is itself a shocking experience! They look so different from the staid vertical boxes we are so used to. They were still delightful to me, especially to touch and feel the deco painted surface - the color combo oozing individuality. Two shape references come to mind - the ATM machine (Any Time Music?) and the Emperor Penguin. Am so glad newlash09 didn’t go for the usual wood veneer (something like most, I too am used to as default). Am sure there must be contextual blending reasons behind it.
Coming to the sound (I heard old Hindi, Norah Jones, Allan Taylor, Dave Brubeck and Led Zepp), let me share the first impression as I settled down and Hari put an old Hindi LP (the only LP I heard before moving onto the CDs I carried). The immediate feeling was: “this sounds right”. Followed immediately by “this connects emotionally with me”. And doesn’t seem to be making much effort to impress me, but just conveys emotion in an easy manner. This feeling remained through the CDs too.
I think (rather, guess) Hari has got the crossovers right as the sound felt very coherent across the frequency range. Coming from a tall 3 way, that’s quite an achievement. The mids are at ear level instead of the tweeter which made me wonder for a second why was it still sounding right, before Hari helped me see how the upper part of the cabinet is slope forward. I’d think this will suit a mid field listening position the best - say anywhere between 4 to 8 feet from the speaker plane. Hari’s room didn’t allow me to listen from far field, so cannot confirm this.
The imaging seemed good to me (I feel a bit charlatanish using these terms as I have heard so few systems). But I tried moving from one lateral wall to another and the image stayed at the center.
As of now, the speakers’ strength seems to be the mid-range, especially vocals. Hari helped me see that the tweeters would take 300 hrs to open up fully, so the voice will undergo a change, most likely for the better. But even as of now it’s very enjoyable to listen to vocals for prolonged periods. I’d like to listen again after some more break in as right now I felt the airiness in the treble lacking. The sound therefore, coupled with Hari’s tube amplification, is on slightly warmer side.
While the vocals were enjoyable, Jazz (Take Five) sounded quite engaging, but when the volume was raised a bit. I’d like more transient here, especially when the sax kicks in.
There are various ways to see sound. One of the ways I see it ason a continuum from melody to rhythm. These speakers (with the tubes) are towards the melody side and consequently may gain from a bit of enhancement on the rhythm side. One way is to couple with SS amp (we’ve decided to bring my Audiolab integrated next time). Or else with the packing inside the woofer cabinet. Hari said it was thicker earlier, and consequently the bass was fast but thin. He has already removed half of that packing. My personal optimum lies somewhere between that half and full quantity. A bit more of speed and separation in the bass so that it can play faster music like Rock too. It can enhance the rhythm a bit without compromising much on the lovely melody.
But since this is a custom-built, what matters is the user needs and preference. Reading newlash09’s post here I see that he is aiming for a system in contrast to the PMCs. And if he is going to be using these speakers in a more private room, a study or a bedroom... it’s more likely to be for melodious, soothing music than energetic, blood-pumping music. I can see how these speakers could be ideal to listen to in the night as one is winding down. Something like preferring warm yellow light instead of bright white light. Something that helps you relax than excite you. Mistake not, these aren’t warm in a fuzzy way, there’s good clarity.
What I couldn’t test was the soundstage. And that’s because for the size of the speakers Hari’s room isn’t wide enough to separate them sufficiently apart. Ideally they need to be at least 7 ft apart (my gut feel totally) to get enough separation between instruments in a busy piece like Stairway to Heaven.
That’s my overall impression. Have I missed anything? I guess that’s most of it. I understand that this is a trial crossover to set the design and build parameters. Once the higher end crossover comes in, the sound will be further refined. And by then the tweeter would have broken in too. I am waiting for a second or third listen when that happens.
Ok, here’s the last bit on the admiration. How can I forget the forum! How on earth would these three guys have come together to effectuate this kind of a project without such a forum! While there are a number or value propositions the forum offers (trouble shooting, decision making, awareness & education, buying and selling etc.), this one is the pinnacle - when one FM brings two others - one a generous connoisseur and the other a passionate technopreneur together to create something that can only further the love for sound for all involved.
