Everest II Audition [Archive] - Lansing Heritage Forums

SEAWOLF97

06-16-2010, 02:32 PM

looks like that living room where the guy parks his Ferrari at night ....its been in the news , he has an electric drawbridge that is causing fights with the zoning commission...

LATER: no..I guess thats a different guy
http://www.egmcartech.com/2010/02/09/ferrari-owners-living-room-garage-angers-neighbors/

If many of you have that sentimental attachment to your vehicle to the point where you hate leaving it in the garage at night, then you can most probably share your feelings with Holger Schubert. The 43-year-old product designer loves his Ferrari 512 BBi Boxer so much that he parks it in the middle of his living room next to his stylish furniture, bookcase and a flat-screen TV that slides on tracks pasted on glass-made walls that frame a view of the ocean.
Sounds like a dream right? Well, it’s about to become one for Schubert as well. Los Angeles officials are about to ask him to tear down his exquisite garage after neighbors complained about a bridge that connects his Ferrari’s third-floor parking spot with North Tigertail Road.
The ruling by the West Los Angeles Area Planning Commission comes after the extravagant garage won Architectural Digest magazine’s Design Driven contest last year.

Schubert says that his neighbors turned against the whole garage/bridge idea after his home-remodeling project started taking too long, about five years.
Either way, if the neighbors win, Schubert’s 1984 Ferrari would have to go back into a regular garage on the first floor.

Schubert’s showroom is equipped with a hydraulic ramp that lifts the front of the Ferrari up, allowing the car to coast backwards across the bridge without starting the engine. That way no exhaust fumes enter the house.

mikebake

06-17-2010, 05:47 AM

My kinda guy.

HCSGuy

06-17-2010, 06:28 AM

Sounds like fun, I'll be there!

The website says we can bring our own music to listen to - if I bring my favorite CD of Sheena Easton covering "Wind Beneath my Wings" am I gonna get my a** kicked?:D

Robh3606

06-17-2010, 07:23 AM

Will there be any beer? Or should we bring our own?

Well I am bring some Pathmark no frills and some Thunderbird and Boones Farm so I have that covered. How about we tailgate some ribs and wings before we go in??

Rob:)

grumpy

06-17-2010, 08:50 AM

If you can sit through that same song as covered in "Anchorman", then I'll be impressed. :eek:

Robh3606

06-17-2010, 09:08 AM

All kidding asside I wish I could go and have a listen.

Rob:)

jblnut

06-17-2010, 09:09 AM

You west-coast guys have all the fun ! Wish I could be out there....

Love the '84 512BB too...one of my favorite all time Ferarris....

jblnut

grumpy

06-17-2010, 09:17 AM

yep. If I can wing it (no ribbing please), I'll go. If so, I'll put up a "I'm attending" post
(or append to this one). Last listen I had wasn't exactly optimum.

Valentin

06-22-2010, 09:12 AM

The last weekend of July there will be the first audio show in the San Francisco Bay Area in years... The California Audio Show.

http://www.caaudioshow.com/

I will be involved and will be holding a rather unique demo. We will have the Everest II, 1400 Array, and Revel Ultima Salon2 all set up for demos in the same room. In addition the Everests will be setup in a bi-amp configuration as well as the standard single amplified configuration so that show attendees will have an opportunity to hear it in both configurations.

So, for everyone wanting to spend some quality time with these amazing speakers here is your chance.

Widget

Good luck :)

Will you be useing Mark Levinson Amps and front ends
i have heard the ML 532H, 320, 512 with the K2 s9900 and its a great set up

what active XO will you be useing (sdec x4500)??

Mr. Widget

06-22-2010, 09:34 AM

Good luck :)

Will you be useing Mark Levinson Amps and front ends
i have heard the ML 532H, 320, 512 with the K2 s9900 and its a great set up

what active XO will you be useing (sdec x4500)??Yep on the Levinson gear... the exact models to be determined... as for the active crossover, while the SDEC crossovers are awesome for a topflight home theater, they aren't ideal for an ultimate 2 channel playback system. We will be using a Pass Labs XVR-1 with curves developed by Greg Timbers. Along with CDs we will be spinning records, so we want to keep the signal out of the digital domain so that we can have really phenomenal sound.

Widget

Valentin

06-22-2010, 06:01 PM

Yep on the Levinson gear... the exact models to be determined... as for the active crossover, while the SDEC crossovers are awesome for a topflight home theater, they aren't ideal for an ultimate 2 channel playback system. We will be using a Pass Labs XVR-1 with curves developed by Greg Timbers. Along with CDs we will be spinning records, so we want to keep the signal out of the digital domain so that we can have really phenomenal sound.

Widget

nice:)

please keep us posted with pic et all

Titanium Dome

06-22-2010, 06:33 PM

Along with CDs we will be spinning records, so we want to keep the signal out of the digital domain so that we can have really phenomenal sound.

Widget

Now I really have to try to be there to correct your obvious old school misunderstanding of the state of the art. :p

BTW, did you know your analog ears are connected to a digital processing device? It's called your brain. :eek:

EDIT: I really do hope I can make it.

EDIT 2: I really use "really" a lot.

hjames

06-22-2010, 06:42 PM

Now I really have to try to be there to correct your obvious old school misunderstanding of the state of the art. :p

BTW, did you know your analog ears are connected to a digital processing device? It's called your brain. :eek:

EDIT: I really do hope I can make it.

EDIT 2: I really use "really" a lot.

Wait, the brain is wetware, its not "digital" unless you get your hands involved somehow!
If your feet get involved its "pedal", of course ...

From the wiki ...
A digital system[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital#cite_note-0) is a data technology that uses discrete (discontinuous) values. By contrast, non-digital (or analog (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_signal)) systems use a continuous (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuum_%28mathematics%29) range of values to represent information. Although digital representations are discrete, the information represented can be either discrete, such as numbers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number), letters (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_%28alphabet%29) or icons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icon), or continuous, such as sounds, images, and other measurements of continuous systems.
The word digital comes from the same source as the word digit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digit) and digitus (the Latin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin) word for finger (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger)), as fingers are used for discrete counting.
The word digital is most commonly used in computing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computing) and electronics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics), especially where real-world information is converted to binary (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_numeral_system) numeric form as in digital audio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_audio) and digital photography (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_photography).

I really wish I could be there for the West Coast listening party!

scott fitlin

06-23-2010, 11:33 AM

I wish I could be there to hear these too!

:applaud:

JeffW

06-23-2010, 02:45 PM

Didn't somebody say Widget was supplying the beer? :cheers:

yggdrasil

06-23-2010, 03:05 PM

Didn't somebody say Widget was supplying the beer? :cheers:

Just buy a pair of those wonderful speakers, and the beer will be on Widget... :p

Would sure like to be there.

Mr. Widget

06-23-2010, 03:21 PM

Didn't somebody say Widget was supplying the beer? :cheers:We are actually discussing with the Hotel management a way that we can offer some of the local micro brews... to be announced later. :bouncy:

Widget

57BELAIRE

06-24-2010, 08:36 AM

You're just jealous! ;)

A friend of mine actually lives in a somewhat similar space and due to the controlled directivity of horn systems it can actually sound amazingly good.

Widget

hmmmm,.....would that same principle apply to the Paragon? :p

Something about that living room setup that hints... Bueller?...Bueller?....

Hoerninger

06-24-2010, 09:31 AM

... Paragon?Maybe the drawings help to justify... (http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?18649-Soundstage-Paragon-amp-S2600-compared&p=189872&viewfull=1#post189872)
____________
Peter

Ian Mackenzie

06-25-2010, 12:52 AM

Mr Widget,

No certainty at this point but I have a window of opportunity to visit SF late July so I would love to make it and sample some micro brews with Lansing forum members (my shout this time).:)

cheers

Ian

Titanium Dome

07-20-2010, 05:10 AM

I'm seriously planning to go to this event. :drive:

Due to my complicated schedule, the only day I can attend is Friday, July 30. I have to be back in LA Saturday morning. My plan is simple, but stupid:

Leave LA around 2:30-3:00 AM Friday
Arrive Emeryville around 9:00-10:00 AM
Attend show from around 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Dine like a king (but unfortunately not like a drunk one) from 6:00-7:45 PM
Leave Emeryville around 8:00 PM
Arrive LA around 2:30-3:00 AM Saturday

There's room in my Sorento for 1-3 additional fools who think 12-13 hours of travel is nothing for 8-9 hours of hi-fi screwing around and a big meal in Pixar's home town. Plus there's the Widget bonus, of course.

My rules:

No smoking
No farting
No nudity
No weak stomach car sickness puking
No excessive profanity (only necessary profanity)
No weak bladders (needing to pee every 50 miles)
No whining about how your life sucks, how your wife is mean, how your kids disrespect you, how your boss is unfair, how your dreams have been shattered, how you've never been with a man but after spending the day together with (insert name here) you're thinking about it, how my car audio blows, etc.

Oh yeah, help me with travel costs, too, say $40, plus pay your own food and event costs. So if you don't eat at all your minimum expenditure is $50 for this life-altering journey.

Wow, even I don't want to go with all those rules and costs! In any event, if you're up for that kind of punishment, you can PM me.

4313B

07-20-2010, 07:47 AM

3. Disqualifies me. Have a good time.

Titanium Dome

07-20-2010, 07:58 AM

Yeah, I used to strip down in those muggy NW Ohio summers. :barf: Not a pretty picture.

"Mommy, is that a bear or chimpanzee?"

As for the trip, one slot is filled.

Mr. Widget

07-20-2010, 08:03 AM

As for the trip, one slot is filled.With a bear or chimp? :D

Widget

grumpy

07-20-2010, 08:52 AM

:p TMI caution

rdgrimes

07-20-2010, 11:22 AM

I'd go but I reserve the right to whine about anything at any time. This is America, whining is our constitutional right. I shall not be repressed.

cooky1257

07-20-2010, 11:22 AM

http://www.csecustom.com/product-reviews.asp?PID=3484
"JBL Project K2 S9900
Within the August 2010 issue of venerated UK Hi Fi journal Hi Fi News, John Bamford is allowed the space to deliver one of the most emphatically positive reviews of this long career. His subject, JBL’s K2 S9900s, combine ‘revelatory analytical detail with a surprisingly forgiving nature’ producing a sound which is ‘quite remarkable’. He reports that ‘after a week I was simply besotted with these speakers’, and noticed ‘their extraordinary transparency…it was if someone had allowed me to plug headphones straight into the studio’s mixing desk.’ In awarding the magazine’s highest commendation – an ‘Outstanding Product’ medal - he concludes simply that ‘to hear them is to want them’.
John Bamford, Hi Fi News & Record Review, August 2010 : 24-JUN-2010"
This is just a clipping I'm afraid.

Ian Mackenzie

07-21-2010, 04:53 AM

As for #2 I better lay off the Beer and the Ice Cream:).

Titanium Dome

07-21-2010, 05:27 PM

hjames

07-21-2010, 06:59 PM

So all the SoCal diehards are afraid to ride with the Dome? Don't really want to hear the Everest II and K2 S9900? All just talk? Don't want to see Widget and maybe a surprise visitor from Down Under?

Hmmm. :hmm:

Somebody man up.:crying:

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?28824-Everest-II-Audition&p=291555&viewfull=1#post291555

heck, I'd ride with the Dome for an event like this -
but gettin' to his neighborhood is the hardest part for me!

have a good show, whoever you go with!

grumpy

07-21-2010, 07:05 PM

Shotgun! :D

Robh3606

07-21-2010, 07:32 PM

Shotgun! :D

Good call!

Rob:)

Titanium Dome

07-21-2010, 09:02 PM

Shotgun! :D

Good call!

Rob:)

He means it literally. When we go through some of those mountain towns in the Grapevine at 4 AM, somebody better have a gun cocked and loaded. :007:

Cue the theme from "Deliverance."

http://www.youtube.com/user/FreewayBrent#p/u/17/NEVB4furug4

Robh3606

07-22-2010, 07:16 PM

Play this one as you roll on through

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMN7fGZW_BY

Rob:)

Ian Mackenzie

07-24-2010, 03:30 PM

Play this one as you roll on through

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMN7fGZW_BY

Rob:)

Rob,

That was funny.

Ian

Valentin

07-27-2010, 03:19 PM

good luck

keep us posted

wish i could be there too hear those active everests or just for the ride

Titanium Dome

07-28-2010, 09:02 AM

Grumpy and I are ready to roll, and we're hoping to catch up with Ian while there. Hopefully we can get Widget to have dinner with us and raise a glass to James B., Greg T., and everyone in between.

It's a fitting opportunity to see what is likely the last, best expression of JBL's consumer art right at the end of an era.

Any other Lansing Heritage members planning to attend on Friday? Let us know.

Mr. Widget

07-28-2010, 09:08 AM

Don C

07-28-2010, 11:41 AM

I'll be attending Saturday. Hope to see some fellow members there.

Mr. Widget

07-28-2010, 12:13 PM

I'll be attending Saturday. Hope to see some fellow members there.I'll be there... :D

Another forum member, rloggie, will be there showing some very interesting gear from several quite esoteric brands. http://loggieaudio.com/

As for the attendees... I wouldn't be surprised if Zilch made it down the hill to the show... and quite a few others are not terribly far away.

Widget

Valentin

07-29-2010, 07:56 AM

so please tel us what amplification will the everest be with
Mark Levinson 532 or 532h or 53s

the pre 320s is very nice supose you will have the 326s

Mr. Widget

07-29-2010, 10:50 PM

so please tel us what amplification will the everest be with
Mark Levinson 532 or 532h or 53s

the pre 320s is very nice supose you will have the 326sYes, we are using the No. 326S preamp. I want one, but can't afford it... the darned this is so elegant to use and invisible sounding.

We do have a No. 532 (400wpc) on the Revel Ultima Salon2 and the 1400 Arrays. On the Everests we are using two channels of the No. 433 (200wpc/400wpc 4 ohms) on the woofers and a Pass Labs XA 30.5 (30wpc class A) amp on the horns. We are using the Pass Labs XVR-1 crossover and the system is sounding great for a show demo... actually it is sounding surprisingly good period.

Widget

grumpy

07-30-2010, 02:44 AM

... on the road again... :)

scott fitlin

07-30-2010, 02:55 AM

Yes, we are using the No. 326S preamp. I want one, but can't afford it... the darned this is so elegant to use and invisible sounding.

We do have a No. 532 (400wpc) on the Revel Ultima Salon2 and the 1400 Arrays. On the Everests we are using two channels of the No. 433 (200wpc/400wpc 4 ohms) on the woofers and a Pass Labs XA 30.5 (30wpc class A) amp on the horns. We are using the Pass Labs XVR-1 crossover and the system is sounding great for a show demo... actually it is sounding surprisingly good period.

WidgetI wish I could have made it to hear this. You sure sound as UP for it as anyone could be.

The power amp combination just sounds like you know it is going to be all that! :thmbsup:

louped garouv

07-30-2010, 06:08 AM

I'll be there... :D

Another forum member, rloggie, will be there showing some very interesting gear from several quite esoteric brands. http://loggieaudio.com/

As for the attendees... I wouldn't be surprised if Zilch made it down the hill to the show... and quite a few others are not terribly far away.

Widget
:bouncy:

i trust you all will have an extraordinary time...

savor the moments.

Valentin

07-30-2010, 08:50 AM

the best of shows for you

hope it turns in too sales

looking forwad for some photos

Fangio

07-30-2010, 03:00 PM

the best of shows for you

hope it turns in too sales

looking forwad for some photos
and please don't rely on TiDome's mobile alone. Thanks ;)

speakerdave

07-30-2010, 05:25 PM

Well, I finally got to hear the Everest II's today. It's a bit hackneyed to say so, but I almost immediately started listening to music. They are balanced, clear, musical, undistorted, fast, relaxed, precise, accurate. People with the money should buy them. Darn, I forgot to ask Widget about the show special on them, if any.

I confess that part of the reason I wanted to hear them was to see how I was doing with my little Tad 4003/JBL 1400nd (4 of 'em) project. I've a ways to go yet, but I'm not doing that bad. ;) My amplification is nothing like what Widget had going at the show, of course.

I spent quite a bit of time also in the other rooms. A lot of interesting trips being put out by very earnest people. A lot of small speakers. It's been so long since I listened to small speakers I'd forgotten how much is missing with them. No matter how cute and sweet and precise they are, they all sound disembodied. You need significant acreage of moving surface to make it sound right below 100-150 Hz, period, and JBL has been doing that for a long time.

Any forum denizens within reach should try to make it.

4313B

07-30-2010, 05:48 PM

Robh3606

07-30-2010, 08:37 PM

I confess that part of the reason I wanted to hear them was to see how I was doing with my little Tad 4003/JBL 1400nd (4 of 'em) project. I've a ways to go yet, but I'm not doing that bad. ;)

Nice! Could you please drop up a couple of photo's I would like to see them. Wish I could have made it:banghead:

Rob:)

Mr. Widget

07-30-2010, 09:45 PM

Darn, I forgot to ask Widget about the show special on them, if any.Oh, I didn't mention it? Yeah, we were offering Everest II's to all Lansing Heritage members for $500 a pair, first day of the show only... I guess I should have mentioned it. Sorry. :D

Nice! Could you please drop up a couple of photo's I would like to see them. Wish I could have made it:banghead:Hi guys... finally home from day 1 of the show... it was a long day! I didn't bring a camera, but many photos were taken... a number by someone from Stereophile, I guess they will probably be on the Stereophile blog... I would also expect the show producers will have some pics on their show blog. http://www.dagogo.com/default.asp

Saw Zilch, Speakerdave, TiDome, Grumpy, Ian and Bo... a few non-forum friends and a ton of other folks... who knew there were that many audio nerds? :blink:

The room is far from perfect, but all in all, the Everests and the other gear sounded pretty darned good, especially when that 80Hz room mode wasn't excited. ;)

Widget

speakerdave

07-30-2010, 10:07 PM

Oh, I didn't mention it? Yeah, we were offering Everest II's to all Lansing Heritage members for $500 a pair, first day of the show only... I guess I should have mentioned it. Sorry. :D

:)

Titanium Dome

07-31-2010, 11:45 AM

Oh, I didn't mention it? Yeah, we were offering Everest II's to all Lansing Heritage members for $500 a pair, first day of the show only... I guess I should have mentioned it. Sorry.

I left my $500 with Grayson. Did you get it? I gave it to him while he was trying to fix the ceiling vibration with his skateboard, under the watchful eye of the "journalist." I think the journalist liked what it implied. Oh man, do you think Grayson misunderstood, too? :blink: :wtf:

Hi guys... finally home from day 1 of the show... it was a long day! I didn't bring a camera, but many photos were taken... a number by someone from Stereophile, I guess they will probably be on the Stereophile blog... I would also expect the show producers will have some pics on their show blog. http://www.dagogo.com/default.asp

It was a great day at the show. Widget, Grayson, and Terry were very good demo hosts and had the best gear by far. There were some other good rooms, too, but none had four top flight systems in a room that was large enough to accommodate them.

The Everests were challenged by the room's peculiar mode(s) more than the other systems, but as the day wore on and the in-room attendees increased, they actually worked better with more bodies in the room. It was by far the best-attended room of the day, and people would not leave at the six o'clock closing time. After doing some additional demoes, only a few diehards were left, so I kept whining that I wanted the K2 S9900s to be hooked up, and a couple of guys with $100 bills hanging out of their pockets were all for it, too, so Widget and crew moved them, hooked them up, and WOW! what a great cap to a great day.

So in one room: Everest II DD66000, K2 S9900, 1400 Array, and Revel Ultima2 Salon, all driven by Mark Levinson and Pass Labs electronics, with a couple of nice turntables, an iPod dock, and a great Furman power unit. Nice. :yes:

How could you not show up for that?

Saw Zilch, Speakerdave, TiDome, Grumpy, Ian and Bo... a few non-forum friends and a ton of other folks... who knew there were that many audio nerds?

Forum member Robin Loggie had one of the best rooms at the show, and we went up to hear his amazing gear, which was basically beyond my capability to understand. I'm sure Grumpy can sort it out for everyone. ;) Robin's a first-rate guy, and we chatted again with him in the lobby as we were heading out.

Some of us met up for dinner, which ended up being dinner and a show (sort of like Jerry Springer meets Dr. PHil on a special celebrity The Bachelor). A great time was had by all, after which Grumpy and I drove back to LA, arriving at my place at 3:00 AM, making the whole adventure literally 24 hours for me, and probably 26 hours for him.

:drive:

Well worth it! :bouncy::applaud:

The room is far from perfect, but all in all, the Everests and the other gear sounded pretty darned good, especially when that 80Hz room mode wasn't excited. ;)

Widget

As noted above, the room got better with more bodies, and I hate to say this kind of stuff, but I think the Everests just needed to driven for a bit to hit their stride. Don't ask me about science; it's just my opinion. It could also be due to the fact that between the first demo of the morning (we were there for that) and the last demo of the day (we were there for that) we'd heard a boatload of systems, most of which were also-rans compared to any of the systems in the Design Interaction room.

I was ready to declare the Revel Ultima2 Salons as best in show until the K2 S9900s were hooked up. Now I'm not sure which impressed me more. In a better room, the Everests would have been the champs iMO, but in that room on that day, the Salons were exceptionally good, and the K2s just blew me away. The 1400 Arrays were impressive, too, but the room was big; the LE14H-3 drivers certainly reproduced the LF material with authority, though.

All in all, Design Interactions did the audio community a great service by bringing these fine systems together in one place. I'm sure it's an eye-opening/ear-opening "first" for attendess to walk into a room dominated by world class JBL systems. Despite the room's physical shortcomings, no one could deny the genius of the (possibly) last of the great JBL/Timbers et al systems, and the amazing Salons.

It was also clear that JBL/Harman has a strong line up of gear across a broad price range, all leaders in their market segments: $11k, $22k, $40k, $66k. Yeah, to some of us bargain hunters and financially constrained folks here, that's stupid money, but in the context of what we saw at the show, it beats everything in bang-per-buck.

I just wish I didn't have the feeling that Harman (executive) is about to eff this all up. :banghead:

I'm sure I'll have other comments to add, but in the context of the show, Mr. Widget can be very proud of what happened in that room.

Well done, Widget!!! :hurray: Thank you for a great day.

4313B

07-31-2010, 12:00 PM

Thanks for the good read! :)

tom1040

07-31-2010, 02:36 PM

Does anyone have any pictures of this event to share here?

Titanium Dome

07-31-2010, 03:52 PM

Many photos were taken, but none by me. I was all ears.

Eventually they'll come. :)

grumpy

07-31-2010, 06:36 PM

or eventually, I will wake up... Doug, you -did- give Widget my $1250 for the
5ch Everest setup, right? ... perhaps it was -all- a dream.

Start of the day at Design Interaction's room:
4685846856468554685746859

grumpy

07-31-2010, 06:37 PM

Zilch and Beckczar (getting the full skinny from TiDome); good to see you both there!
46865

Rloggie's room, demoing Acappela Violoncello(?) loudspeakers (that's an ion-tweeter, folks)
and Ypsilon electronics:
468614686246863

Back to Design Interaction (with mood lighting):
46860

grumpy

07-31-2010, 06:45 PM

Great end to a most enjoyable day:
(TDome, Widget, Ian, Bo, your's truly)

46866

Titanium Dome

07-31-2010, 06:55 PM

Yep, we just had been released from the jail across the street. :D

Bo's pointing at the jailhouse door. Or the guy who got us pinched. Or both.

Why isn't there any food on that table?

Ian Mackenzie

07-31-2010, 07:45 PM

Mr Widget, Grayson, and Terry were very good demo hosts and had the best gear by far. There were some other good rooms, too, but none had four top flight systems in a room that was large enough to accommodate them.

The Everests were challenged by the room's peculiar mode(s) more than the other systems, but as the day wore on and the in-room attendees increased, they actually worked better with more bodies in the room. It was by far the best-attended room of the day, and people would not leave at the six o'clock closing time. After doing some additional demoes, only a few diehards were left, so I kept whining that I wanted the K2 S9900s to be hooked up, and a couple of guys with $100 bills hanging out of their pockets were all for it, too, so Widget and crew moved them, hooked them up, and WOW! what a great cap to a great day.

. :yes:

How could you not show up for that?

As noted above, the room got better with more bodies, and I hate to say this kind of stuff, but I think the Everests just needed to driven for a bit to hit their stride. Don't ask me about science; it's just my opinion. It could also be due to the fact that between the first demo of the morning (we were there for that) and the last demo of the day (we were there for that) we'd heard a boatload of systems, most of which were also-rans compared to any of the systems in the Design Interaction room.

I was ready to declare the Revel Ultima2 Salons as best in show until the K2 S9900s were hooked up. Now I'm not sure which impressed me more. In a better room, the Everests would have been the champs iMO, but in that room on that day, the Salons were exceptionally good, and the K2s just blew me away. The 1400 Arrays were impressive, too, but the room was big; the LE14H-3 drivers certainly reproduced the LF material with authority, though.

All in all, Design Interactions did the audio community a great service by bringing these fine systems together in one place. I'm sure it's an eye-opening/ear-opening "first" for attendess to walk into a room dominated by world class JBL systems. Despite the room's physical shortcomings, no one could deny the genius of the (possibly) last of the great JBL/Timbers et al systems, and the amazing Salons.
.

Hi Doug,

You summed it up very well.

Mr Widget, Grayson, and Terry put in the most professional demonsration at the show.

Hey Doug,

If it were not for significant shipping costs and custom duties I would have bitten the bullet on the K2 9900's there and then.

The high & mid range reproduction of the Everest and the K2 9900 seemed least effected by the demonstration room and in that respect they are the most accurate and natural sounding systems I have heard. Listening in close proximity to the Everest and the K 2 9900 the bass reproduction was equally impressive.

The Everests were drive by the Mark Levinson and Pass labs amplification.

The Pass labs AX.5 30 powered the compression driver and horn and seemed perfectly matched for this application. The Mark Levinson amp powered the bass effortlessly.

The bi amping of the system was accomplished with a Passlabs XVR1 electronic crossover (analogue) using customised filter slopes provided by JBL and Pass Labs.

XA30.5
I carefully listened to the other systems in the room and while the Revel system performed very very well the high frequency balance was a little too bright for my ears.

The Everest and the K2 9900 and the Array produced a more integrated midrange and high frequency performance in the demonstration room. I think Bo also came to this conclusion. (actually Bo bought this up first!). This could be a result of the demonstration room and system placement.

But to put this in perspective the Revel system wiped the floor with every other non JBL loudspeaker at the show in terms of realism. The other systems suffered excessive high frequency brightness, lack of bass and seemed to show more issues with in room peformance than the Revel and the JBL systems.

When the K2 9900 was played after the Revel system it was a no brainer which was the superior system. But at twice the cost most (except a JBL fanatics) would still be satisfied with the Revel.

For those in the SF area if you have not attended the show there is still Sunday.

Given other recent events it could well be the last and only opportunity to hear all these fine systems in one place publicly.

Titanium Dome

07-31-2010, 07:53 PM

Hey Doug,

If it were not for significant shipping costs and custom duties I would have bitten the bullet on the K2 9900's there and then.

Awr, you're making my head hurt. While we listened to the K2s, I actually used the BofA banking app on my iPhone to check my account balance. :banghead: Thank goodness I got out of there in time! I was afraid I'd walk out with two systems. I talked about the K2s and the Revels all the way home (six hours), whether Grumpy was listening or (pretending to be) asleep.

Dammit, Widget! :bash:

DavidF

07-31-2010, 09:41 PM

Ian flew over for the show? Well blow me down...

I attended today thinking I would only need the morning to see what I wanted to see, or hear. I ended up spending about two hours in Widget’s room over a couple of sessions and didn’t leave the hotel until 3pm.

I agree that it seemed the bigger crowds were in the Design Interaction/JBL/Harman room. And those crowds seemed to linger there longer.

I wanted to hear the Harbeths in Tone of Music room but could not get in the door. Also, disappointed in not hearing any of the Magico products up in the penthouse. Legacy (speakers) was also in the penthouse and set up in a large room. I found the sound in the room impressive and the speakers were clean, dynamic and room filling. Just something short of convincing, though. A local company WIN Analog had some wicked looking Class A tube amps driving the Legacies that actually retailed for more than the Everests II.

Plenty of analog and glow bugs-in-bottles on display including the ole reel-to-reel. Still glad I am not anchored to analog source served up by tubes. Love vinyl but dang- ain’t it fussy! I heard comments about worn/dirty stylus in Widget’s room both in the morning and the afternoon. Of course it wasn’t the platters offered up by the audience. Nope, it had to the equipment. Oh, and some amount of insistence that the Everest II might be better served by glass amps driving the low end. Why let all that high sensitivity go to waste? Reminded me how anal we audiophiles (in the broadest sense) can be. Come on guys (98% males, my guess) focus more on the painting, less on the brush strokes.

One surprise I found was Salk speakers out of Oakland. In Michigan, not the Oakland down the street. They had small footprint MTM quarter wave line (Song Tower) running on Van Alstine tube gear. Twin 5.25 woofers, 35 watts, smooth, focused and dynamic. And…even I could afford it!

So, back to the reason for the visit in the first place. The Everest II is ruthless and demanding. Ruthless by way of its incredible dynamic range and micro transient qualities. Demanding by way of the requirements for quality source and supporting equipment. And oh by the way, how big is your room? Large and imposing at idle it can take over the room when wakened. Some one brought out a CD of the Handel Halelujah chorus. I snickered a bit at first but as I listened, wow, the recording was dripping with reverb and texture. The choir was in your face with the full weight of the choir and spread across the entire room. Just as quickly the voices would stop leaving only the sound of the concert hall. The sound just peeled off the walls and ceiling. No smear, no ringing, you could feel the sound drifting away.

Widget’s room was a portioned-off meeting room in a long rectangle. Angled from one corner were the Everests II. Angled on the other side were the Revel Salons and the Array 1400. Never before heard either the Revel or the Arrays. The Revels seemed to me to be of more interest to the audiences that rotated around. I was duly impressed. The most striking feature was the image floated in the corner. The Arrays by contrast seemed a bit darker and did not throw out an image like the Revel. They were just as dynamic with no sense of compression. Still, I liked the Array a bit better for reasons that I can only explain as sounding more relaxed. The Revel, quick, clear and detailed, just seemed to lack some of the weight in the power range shown by the Array. Trouble is I could go with either system.

The room was not ideal for bass response and I heard Widget mention his struggle with a mid base hump. Whoa, no wonder I liked this room. Just like mine at home!

Well, I did have to leave the fun in the room. Widget and his partners did a fabulous presentation. I am sure there was a lot of time and effort put in even before the show opened.

grumpy

07-31-2010, 09:42 PM

..zzzzZZZZzzzz ... sorry, did you say something?
(not aimed at you DavidF ... too bad you weren't able to hear the Magicos...
did a lot of things very nicely, the darTZeel room had some good sound too
with Evolution Acoustics MMMiniTwo).

Seriously, thanks to Doug for the offer to drive, presented in this forum,
Widget for the opportunity to hear equipment I'll have to hit the lottery to
afford, and to the gracious/generous dinner company (as well as the lovely
hostess in blue that took that final pic for us).

For the audiocurious regarding other stuff hawked at the show as viewed
through the eyes of an industry rag writer (Mr. Serinus, you're welcome
for the Branford Marsalis disc listen ;)):

http://blog.stereophile.com/cas2010/

Zilch

07-31-2010, 11:24 PM

Zilch and Beckczar (getting the full skinny from TiDome in the luncheon photo above) brought John Lee Hooker's "Boom, Boom" and Dzihan & Kamien "Stiff Jazz" to see what could get down. Everest II and 1400 Array certainly did, whereas Salon2 provided an "audiophile" presentation. I may go back to hear the K2s tomorrow.

[We were surprised to discover EconoWave components (Selenium D220Ti HF and Eminence LF) in a $4500/pair design on demo elsewhere at the show.... :D ]

Titanium Dome

07-31-2010, 11:36 PM

..zzzzZZZZzzzz ... sorry, did you say something?

"...but then I was thinking I could have some thin marble or glass caps custom fit to the tops of the K2s so I could... Dave? David?"

For the audiocurious regarding other stuff hawked at the show as viewed
through the eyes of an industry rag writer (Mr. Serinus, you're welcome
for the Branford Marsalis disc listen ;)):

http://blog.stereophile.com/cas2010/

Sheesh, did this walnut attend the same show I did? Well, he did kind of look like he was in anther world, or universe.

I will say the Salk products were magnificently finished, and they were better than most of the other gear at the show. I spoke to the big cheese Salk himself, and he was very genial and attentive. There's a cadre of Salk Song Tower lovers over at AVS, and they've got a lot to be passionate about.

As for some of the speakers that sounded amazing in the orbit of the Serinus star, in the Dome Zone I was looking for a paper bag. :barf:

The Magicos were initially quite impressive but ultimately unsatisfying to me. Bob Kehn is a really nice guy and he was helpful and informative. However, the longer I listened, the less I liked of the speakers themselves.

I commented to Grumpy they were "dry, raspy" while at the same time I kept maligning anyone who used those "audiophile terms" to try to make any sensory analogy out of sound. On a per $$ basis, they were overpriced and under performing. Later I had to drink a Long Island Iced Tea and some wine, 'cuz my throat was still dry from the audition. :cheers: (Thnx Ian and Bo.)

Tonight at dinner, Annie commented, "Your throat sounds a little raspy." Bam! Talk about a set up. I replied, "It's those damned Magicos." :dead_horse:

4313B

08-01-2010, 02:13 AM

If it were not for significant shipping costs and custom duties I would have bitten the bullet on the K2 9900's there and then.It might be interesting to see what price point the Studio Monitor version comes in at. None of it is Made in the U.S.A. so maybe the cost will be lower. It will be the first large format JBL Studio Monitor without that label.
The high & mid range reproduction of the Everest and the K2 9900 seemed least effected by the demonstration room and in that respect they are the most accurate and natural sounding systems I have heard. Listening in close proximity to the Everest and the K 2 9900 the bass reproduction was equally impressive.How did the Be, Mg, and Al diaphragms compare?

Was the difference in low frequency extension obvious or subtle between the 1400 Array, K2-S9900 and Everest II?

What is the opinion of the comments posted on the Internet alluding to the poor low frequency response of the Everest II by people who never actually heard a pair? Is their assessment, based entirely on published specs, accurate?

[We were surprised to discover EconoWave components (Selenium D220Ti HF and Eminence LF) in a $4500/pair design on demo elsewhere at the show.... :D ]I'm not feeling the econowave thing, that's about what a tricked out pair of 4344's run...

http://blog.stereophile.com/cas2010/"We need more stuff," he told me, but there was no more stuff at his disposal.

:rotfl:

Ian Mackenzie

08-01-2010, 08:46 AM

How did the Be, Mg, and Al diaphragms compare?

Was the difference in low frequency extension obvious or subtle between the 1400 Array, K2-S9900 and Everest II?

What is the opinion of the comments posted on the Internet alluding to the poor low frequency response of the Everest II by people who never actually heard a pair? Is their assessment, based entirely on published specs, accurate?

The Be and Mg are very close.

In terms of the LF extension it was very room dependent. The Everest had the overall authority and the 9900 showed superior transient capability over the Array and the Revel.

I would trade that for the so called extension in the real room setting any day. (not on paper)

In comparison to the classic blue monitors* are that are not tuned for in room response like the K 2 and the Everest (but use agressive tuning for flat response on paper as opposed to the banana curve) the blue monitors sound muddly in most domestic listening settings without elaborate Eq. That is a fact.

You can garner the degree of LF lift and reach you want from room gain and modest Eq.

I think Greg has been over this time and time again but people don't get it because they make judgements on un qualified blurb and not the understanding of a qualified technical appraisal.

These days I model LF extenstion and amplitude response using my own room's LF Room Gain Curve. That is a far more accurate way of determining a systems true LF response.

* (Ref audio comparisons in Japan Oct 2008)

4313B

08-01-2010, 10:14 AM

I think Greg has been over this time and time again but people don't get it because they make judgements on un qualified blurb and not the understanding of a qualified technical appraisal.I don't think they want to get it. I just think they're enthralled with being able to post stuff on the Internet. :rotfl:

I'm glad you guys had a great time. :)

Outstanding job Mr. Widget! :yes:

Don C

08-01-2010, 10:53 AM

4313B

08-01-2010, 11:45 AM

It took about ten seconds to remind me that I am perfectly happy with what I have. The best sound of the day was back at home.It took me a bit longer than ten seconds after listening to Greg's 1200 Arrays but I eventually found my way back home too. :)

Titanium Dome

08-01-2010, 01:17 PM

I don't think they want to get it. I just think they're enthralled with being able to post stuff on the Internet. :rotfl:

Agreed, but that's the way of the world. It's just harder to ignore it with everyone feeling empowered by the Internet to think half-assed opinions matter.

I'm glad you guys had a great time. :)

Outstanding job Mr. Widget! :yes:

I think we had such a good time that it'd be dumb not to do it again, but this time without all the noise from sycophants and voodoo priests. Design Interactions and Widget did such a good job that I think we need to organize a visit to Design Interactions for a tour and audition.

It may help sway the decision in our favor if someone buys something from them.

Titanium Dome

08-01-2010, 01:24 PM

Sorry I missed some of you guys. My favorite room was the Legacy audio room, but that was just my sick sense of humor at their expense. I've never heard so much money spent to sound so bad. I was also laughing to myself in the Audio Image room, expensive voodoo everywhere, but only mid-fi sound.
I'm agreeing with Ti on the Revels, they impressed in the Design Interaction room. They integrated with the space well. The D66000s Impressed with dynamics. I kept waiting for some program material that would test them to their lower limits of bass response, but it never happened. I blame myself for not bringing any music with me. I returned home and turned on my own performance series gear to listen to a new purchase, Tom Petty's Mojo Blu-ray. It took about ten seconds to remind me that I am perfectly happy with what I have. The best sound of the day was back at home.

I think those of us who have Performance Series gear are predisposed to like the Revels for obvious reasons. I sure liked them a lot--more every time I heard them. While there might be a debate about whether JBL's high end horns are better, I think everyone can agree there isn't anything else in the direct radiator universe below $100k that can match them. (I used $100k since I've never heard a DR system more expensive than that.)

Since I've also got some Arrays here, I was happy with the Arrays there, but the Revels really struck a chord with me.

As for the K2s.... Dammit Widget! :bash:

Titanium Dome

08-01-2010, 01:27 PM

It took me a bit longer than ten seconds after listening to Greg's 1200 Arrays but I eventually found my way back home too. :)

Heh, I've been home for a day and a half and everything here still sounds like crap. Okay, not crap, but man it's hard to refocus my expectations. :banghead:

HCSGuy

08-01-2010, 01:50 PM

Thanks Widget for a great show, and lots of work on the part of you and your company - I hope it generates enough client interest to have you back next year (if there is a next year here).

It's been awhile since I'd seen the Everest II's in person, and they always blow me away with their sense of scale - they are really BIG - they make even the largest of my speakers look petite, which is a description I've never heard attached to 4343's or 250TiLE's. On the contrary, the 9900's look very reasonable and are so shallow they should be easily integrated into any room aesthetically.

Listening to the 66000's, I really think that if you are purchasing a pair, you need to have your room tested, and probably re-engineered. Everything from lower-midrange up was very evenly presented and I was impressed with the imaging on the Mark Knopfler piece, until the man with the most acoustically absorptive head I've ever seen sat down in the row in front of me and sucked up the entire output of the right speaker (not sure if it was the huge pony tail or what). Luckily he didn't stay long. The Rodrigo y Gabriella sounded good up high, but really showed the bass problems in the room - boomy lower midbass, then a suck out, but the first octave really came back. Unfortunately, it seemed disconnected from everything else, like someone could have been thumping in the next room. Again, if you're buying these, make sure your room is up to task. Listening to vinyl reminded me of why I got rid of my collection 15 yrs ago - it really is a full time job just keeping your discs clean! I'm not sure how to judge "Micro-detail" with the distraction of scrapes and pops and the rest preventing me from focusing on the music, but at least the music was well picked. I came back later for some more listening which was fun, but was distracted by the conversation behind me (This isn't the right music", "I can't tell, this guy's head is blocking the whole right side") - apparently, I'm cursed with an abnormally soft, foam filled head as well. Once again, though, I think the current generation of JBL horns (Array and up) are so far ahead of their previous designs that they really can do any type of music, and are some of the least colored speakers I've heard, period.

It really is a shame DIY'ers can't get drivers this good anymore - the highs are so much better than anything other horn-loaded JBL stuff we can get, which I'll be reminded of every time I listen to classical music on anything with a 2405 in it :(

Anyway, great show and I really do hope this is successful enough to repeat - you just don't get to hear different equipment anymore. Thanks again Widget, and let me know if you need a place to store any of that junk...

JBLAddict

08-01-2010, 03:06 PM

fortunately for me the E2 was in an acoustically fantastic room when I heard them paired with DartZeel gear in Japan. It left only an impression of absolute perfection, nothing of humps, bumps and suckouts. Conversely the K2 was sitting out in an open untreated room, and while the potential was obvious there was absolutely no magic and sounded like a mere fraction of it's big brother.

pos

08-01-2010, 03:47 PM

Conversely the K2 was sitting out in an open untreated room, and while the potential was obvious there was absolutely no magic and sounded like a mere fraction of it's big brother.Those k2 you heard in Japan were S9800 or S9900?

Widget, how do you feel these E2 and K2 compare to your DIY speakers?

grumpy

08-01-2010, 03:55 PM

Just don't make me listen to "coal train" for another year or so :)

4313B

08-01-2010, 04:28 PM

What do you guys think about the 045Be?

It's coming on at 20 kHz in the Everest II and 15 kHz in the S9900 (It was 10 kHz in the S9800).

Again, if you're buying these, make sure your room is up to task.Mine isn't. The dual Everest II woofer thing doesn't work in my current room. I might try going vertical with them someday or I might just stick with the singles since they work very well.
It really is a shame DIY'ers can't get drivers this good anymore - the highs are so much better than anything other horn-loaded JBL stuff we can getThe Truextent diaphragms in the 4-inch cores are quite nice. The 2452H-SL core is probably the best bet.

Don C

08-01-2010, 04:58 PM

Just don't make me listen to Chris Isaak for another year or so. :)

grumpy

08-01-2010, 05:10 PM

:rotfl:

Combo of (Be M&HF + Be UHF) vs (Mg+Be UHF) for me, in that room, with that listening
material was a wash. Didn't stuff a sock in the 045Be to check the "air" that the 045 might
provide. I -did- prefer that combo (whether Everest or K2) to the very top end of the Salons...
personal thing, I'm sure. Also, that $15K source and $$$ front end really seemed
to allow whatever was on the recording to come through (another area that I will not be
duplicating in the near future... "Dammit, Widget :bash:"® ;)).

Interestingly, I didn't feel like the bass articulation (again, in that particular room) was that
far up from well setup 4430's. No one need scream about that... I could probably do nicely
with the Everest bass setup in my listening area where I'm sure more detail would present
itself: the top end of the 4430's can't compare... not even close... as much as I still enjoy
them, that balloon has been popped.

I should say that other than the material I listened to beforehand, brought along and had
demoed, then listened to again when I got home and regained consciousness, it was difficult
to get much more than a feeling for the potential of systems listened to ... in suboptimal and
unfamiliar environs. It would be much better to have a real/personal listening experience in
a familiar/comfortable setting with actual material that one enjoys and listens to regularly.

(2452 cores are on the agenda... 2446 cores are currently playing with the Truextents in
old Emilar horns... one can hear the potential. The show was a good motivator to do more
with them :) )

Titanium Dome

08-01-2010, 05:20 PM

Just don't make me listen to effing "polite" music for another year...:D

Zilch

08-01-2010, 06:24 PM

Room was mostly full today; Everest II ruled.... :)

Zilch

08-01-2010, 06:33 PM

Just don't make me listen to effing "polite" music for another year...:DRobin Loggie played "Psycho Killer" from Talking Heads 77 (on vinyl) for us.... :p

Robh3606

08-01-2010, 06:48 PM

What do you guys think about the 045Be?

Hello 4313B

I think they sound great. One advantage of having them in an Array set-up is the lower crossover point. You really get to hear what they can do.

Hello Ian

These days I model LF extenstion and amplitude response using my own room's LF Room Gain Curve.

Yeah me too it makes sense and you avoid too much bloom that way.

Hello Widget

Well done:applaud:

Rob:)

Mr. Widget

08-01-2010, 09:55 PM

Thanks for the compliments guys... I will post my observations soon... I still have one more day of up early, more gear packing and transporting... It was fun, but I am so beat. Even the CD player we were using is heavy! Damn heavy gear... why couldn't we have used digital amps, Oppo players, and Bose speakers?!

Widget

boputnam

08-03-2010, 02:12 PM

... on the road again... :)Glad our careening paths collided! Great to meet you and TiDome in person. FAR better than trying to think we know each other here... :blink:

IMO, the room managed by Design Interaction (http://design-interaction.com/Home_Theater/home.html) (Widget, Terry and Greyson) was miles ahead of the nearest others. I confirmed I am a horn man - something about their ability to image I quite simply prefer. Even with those Revels right there, switching to any of their JBL offerings was superior to my tastes. I found I enjoy the Everest II's from a bit further back - to me, their imagery and smoothness was improved every so much. DI had the most thoughful selection of source material and were the best hosts.

Most of the rest of the entire building was offering systems which to me were poorly representing the audible frequency spectrum. Very poor balance, typically highs and mids overwhelming LF. As I said to Ian, too many use the LF domain as percussion instruments and not tonal instruments - that was the case in almost all presentations. There was some really goofy setups - most had the preamps/amps as a shrine with cool lighting and framed by ferns. No WAF at all... Worst of all, too many rooms were talking luvfests, where it was impossible to really audition the gear. Not that it matter so much because most of the systems were clearly not to my taste so I didn't bother asking the yackers to take it outside - but it was really boorish of them to carry on so loudly within the listening rooms. Sucks.

One exception that really got my attention was a back room in the Soundscape AV (http://www.soundscapeav.com/) suite (their main room was entirely ordinary in the context of the show, and entirely too loud). But hidden away in a second room, and hard to get to, they had a "relatively" pedestrian front-end, of the Sherwood Newcastle R-972 (http://www.sherwoodamerica.com/site/newcastle/receivers/R972.php?mtype=1) processor. Soundscape folk had done a very convincing job of tuning to the room (5.1 zone delays and EQ) with the Trinnov Optimizer (http://www.trinnov.com/en/optimization/concept) system using a measurement mic cluster. We walked through some great DVD's scenes, and 5.1 recordings, but when I pushed them into the 2.0 realm, the system really, really performed to my tastes. Truly amazing. Speakers were of MartinLogan (http://www.martinlogan.com/) build, with the Ethos (http://www.martinlogan.com/ethos/index.php) XStat as front L/R's. I sat there for over an hour, anxious for each attendee's "I must listen to this" carry-on baggage. Imaging was intense; representation true; and frequency response excellent.

Mr. Widget

08-03-2010, 11:34 PM

My perspective on the sound of the Everest II speakers at the show is bound to be biased, but it is also unique. I was in a position where I had to be in that room listening to music for almost 8 hours a day listening to some of my music, the music of professional critics, random individuals who were audiophiles in some cases and real music lovers in others... yet at the end of the day, when I came home I still missed my 1400 Arrays. Since they were at the show, I couldn't come home and unwind with them. I am not saying that I longed for them over what I was hearing, rather that even though we were playing so much music and quite loudly at times, I never felt fatigued or as though I had had too much.

So how did it all sound? I much prefer the sound of the 1400 Arrays in my home to the way they sounded in the show... they sounded fine at the show, but in a smaller room with better acoustics they can hold their own with the audiophile stuff and yet still get down and boogie and make music happen. Most people who heard them at the show for the first time were quite impressed by them.

The large Revels when paired with the massive and extremely expensive Mark Levinson No. 532 amp were a bit of a surprise... they were far more dynamic and lively than I had heard them previously. The deep bass that I have heard from them in typical listening rooms was lacking in that rather large room and the 80Hz room mode was there but not nearly as pronounced as it was by the Everests, but they were unflappable and accurate. Another interesting yet predictable thing about them... the off axis listening experience was far better through them than any of the horn systems.

The Everests were quite unique though. I heard some music where that damned ~80Hz room mode made the listening experience unfortunate and I cringed each time it was excited, but then there were times where a cello or set of drums was absolutely tuneful with clean clear tonality. The most remarkable thing about the Everests was their ability to sound like the band was actually playing in that space. Their presentation of size and dynamics was unparalleled in my experience... they were not the most holographic or audiophile, though quite passable in this regard, but the full sound and weight of an orchestra or rock band was nothing short of remarkable. Previously the large 4350/55s had been one of the few systems that could pull off the full dynamic sonic onslaught of a rock band, but they sound colored and veiled and never quite fool you into believing that the musicians are in front of you. With the right source material these speakers simply disappear and transport the band or orchestra into that room. As bad as the room was, I think the scale of the room, the wide spread placement of the speakers, and the extreme amplifier headroom we had available all contributed to their ability to fool you.

As Bo mentioned they did sound their best further back... this was due to a few factors. First these are large speakers and you do need to be back a bit for the sound to properly knit together, the speakers were a good distance apart so you needed to be back to get the full stereo effect, and lastly, the room mode was weakest at the best listening position for the speakers. ;)

I am glad many of you were able to make it to the show, I am sorry more couldn't. It was also a great feeling to be able to reintroduce JBL to so many who had no idea that these magnificent products existed... the bitter sweet aspect of their place in history aside, it was quite gratifying to be able to share Mr. Timber's masterpieces with so many.

Widget

Titanium Dome

08-04-2010, 08:25 AM

I much prefer the sound of the 1400 Arrays in my home to the way they sounded in the show... they sounded fine at the show, but in a smaller room with better acoustics they can hold their own with the audiophile stuff and yet still get down and boogie and make music happen. Most people who heard them at the show for the first time were quite impressed by them.

The large Revels when paired with the massive and extremely expensive Mark Levinson No. 532 amp were a bit of a surprise... they were far more dynamic and lively than I had heard them previously. The deep bass that I have heard from them in typical listening rooms was lacking in that rather large room and the 80Hz room mode was there but not nearly as pronounced as it was by the Everests, but they were unflappable and accurate. Another interesting yet predictable thing about them... the off axis listening experience was far better through them than any of the horn systems.

I am glad many of you were able to make it to the show, I am sorry more couldn't. It was also a great feeling to be able to reintroduce JBL to so many who had no idea that these magnificent products existed... the bitter sweet aspect of their place in history aside, it was quite gratifying to be able to share Mr. Timber's masterpieces with so many.

Widget

I spent some time last night listening to my One Arrays. I used some of the music that was played in your demo room, and I must say, they are excellent in a good room of reasonable size. Of course the One Arrays require quite a bit more effort to get right, but their flexibility does allow (pricey) custom fitting to your specific sonic environment.

Yes, the Revels were super impressive. They represent one of the finest statements of direct radiator speakers ever, and I think the audience as a whole was very enthusiastic about them. Some were fawningly in love with them. :D

As a general observation, what was most impressive about the Design Interactions set up was the contrast to all the other vendors' wares. The JBLs in particular represented a completely different way of thinking.

Most of the other vendors' speakers were small, nicely finished, and easily WAF acceptable. They typically were flawed in some key area: too bright, too generic, too boomy, too forward, too uneven, etc. They could get loud but not sound powerful. They could go low but not sound authoritative. They could go high but not sound open and effortless. They usually sounded their best with some odd-s#!t music.

In the few cases where there were larger speakers, they were either a big, ostentatious hodge-podge (how many drivers does that damn thing have and why are they using cheap, off-the-shelf stuff?) or they were just way out there (that has a photon beam tweeter AND a warp drive woofer? really?)
:beamup:

The JBLs and the Revel could rock. Hard. They could play soft. Delicately. They were as big as they needed to be, but elegant, attractive, well, hell, let's say they were actually designed. They had form AND function.

Yes, it was bittersweet to see the power of that imagination, artistry, and engineering from JBL/Revel stand out so clearly, yet feel the achingly harsh disappointment of where Harman is taking all this brilliance as it appears now to have abandoned its Lansing Heritage.

rontec

08-04-2010, 04:25 PM

I enjoyed meeting Widget and others in the Design Interaction room!
I liked the 1400 Arrays, IMO they reminded me of the Altec live sound. The Revels for me were a fine example of the studio monitor sound. And the Everests seemed to me to be a very nice blend between the 1400 Arrays and the Revels. (live vs. monitor) With certain types of music all of them sounded state of the art!
However, I love Altec horns so I was a little partial to the Arrays. In fact once I turned my Altec 511bs/ 808-8bs 90 degrees to vertical, however the sweet spot became too narrow so I eventually went back to horizontal mounts at about the 4 foot height. The Arrays also seemed a little narrow in the optimal listening sweet spot but still very dynamic. (I also listen to mod 19s /live sound and Energy Veritas 2.3s /monitor sound).
At the end of the day though, I would have to choose the Everests simply for the LF output and overall balance. All of the systems could be additive and provide sonic Nirvana. IMO, it boils down to personal preference.
So all in all, it was a very enjoyable day. Thanks again to Mr. Widget and others in the Design Interaction room. :)

JBLAddict

08-05-2010, 09:20 AM

The most remarkable thing about the Everests was their ability to sound like the band was actually playing in that space. Their presentation of size and dynamics was unparalleled in my experience... they were not the most holographic or audiophile, though quite passable in this regard, but the full sound and weight of an orchestra or rock band was nothing short of remarkable.

With the right source material these speakers simply disappear and transport the band or orchestra into that room. .

As Bo mentioned they did sound their best further back... this was due to a few factors. First these are large speakers and you do need to be back a bit for the sound to properly knit together, the speakers were a good distance apart so you needed to be back to get the full stereo effect

This really is the differentiator. In a good room, with quality feed, and at a distance appropriate for their size (11.5 sqft face, 302 lbs) and capability, you just find yourself in awe, not picking apart various sounds, just in awe. "Truly fooled, disappear, knit together, weight, magnitude" all become a set of applicable terms I'm not sure another system could claim simultaneously:hmm:

This review (http://hometheaterreview.com/jbl-project-everest-dd66000-loudspeaker/)summed it well, IMO