Goldmund video

[TommyC]

Best of 2012: World's Most Expensive Stereo, $1M: Video - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/video/best-of-2012-world-s-most-expensive-stereo-1m-6PWb4HwuQP6gmfBz1yM2HA.html)

[howiebrou]

Best of 2012: World's Most Expensive Stereo, $1M: Video - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/video/best-of-2012-world-s-most-expensive-stereo-1m-6PWb4HwuQP6gmfBz1yM2HA.html)

The video does Goldmund no favours imho.:nono:

[jfray]

Has anyone heard Goldmund speakers? How do they compare to SF or Wilson?

[bart]

Has anyone heard Goldmund speakers? How do they compare to SF or Wilson?

They're surely not as beautiful as SF or Wilson... :no:

[metaphacts]

Has anyone heard Goldmund speakers? How do they compare to SF or Wilson?

I have heard many of them over the years. They can be very, very special. Goldmund has been on the leading edge of speaker design throughout its history. The Goldmund Dialogue in 1981 was made of cast granite powder loaded methyl methacrylate, the forerunner of many of the high tech synthetic materials used in cabinets today. They started making aluminum based enclosures in the mid 90s, well before others discovered the advantages. There are many other things but enclosures are the easiest to see.

The speakers shown in the video are not the complete top of the range though the modules used in Mr Rosen's speakers are the heart of the complete Epilogue system.

Disclaimer: I ran Goldmund's US arm (International Audio Technologies) from 1986 through 1993.

[howiebrou]

I have heard many of them over the years. They can be very, very special. Goldmund has been on the leading edge of speaker design throughout its history. The Goldmund Dialogue in 1981 was made of cast granite powder loaded methyl methacrylate, the forerunner of many of the high tech synthetic materials used in cabinets today. They started making aluminum based enclosures in the mid 90s, well before others discovered the advantages. There are many other things but enclosures are the easiest to see.

The speakers shown in the video are not the complete top of the range though the modules used in Mr Rosen's speakers are the heart of the complete Epilogue system.

Disclaimer: I ran Goldmund's US arm (International Audio Technologies) from 1986 through 1993.

I agree that Goldmund's speakers sound very special. If I could ever get myself to accept the looks they would be a shoe in with my Telos 2500 mono blocks :yes:

howie

[Elberoth]

I was always fascinated by this design:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/apertura/3.png

If Darth Vader was an audiophile, that is what he would probably use.

[metaphacts]

I agree that Goldmund's speakers sound very special. If I could ever get myself to accept the looks they would be a shoe in with my Telos 2500 mono blocks :yes:

howie

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2880072151_6aab568a2c.jpg

What's not to like? :dunno: :D

[metaphacts]

I was always fascinated by this design:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/apertura/3.png

If Darth Vader was an audiophile, that is what he would probably use.

The Apologue, introduced in 1988, was accepted into the Design Collection at MOMA in NY in 1989. Claudio Rotta-Loria is the Italian designer responsible for the aesthetics.

[howiebrou]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2880072151_6aab568a2c.jpg

What's not to like? :dunno: :D

No contest :D

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u43/howiebrou/Coltrane_L_Marten20Design20Coltrane.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u43/howiebrou/SHOW20ROOM203_1024nepesufumu.jpg

[GaryProtein]

The Apologue may be a fine sounding speaker and the external design of their Apologue is not very different from the original Wilson WAMM. The Apologue being in the MOMA isn't exactly a reason to consider buying them. In fact many things in MOMA don't have a reason to be bought. MOMA has Pablo Picassos and Edvard Munches. YUCK!

I like Howiebrou's photos much better.

Regarding cabinet technology, I guess Goldmund doesn't agree with diffraction problems caused by and elimination of sharp corners on cabinets that so many manufacturers have adopted.

[Masterlu]

Gary... Although I agree with you; who knows how they look inside. :dunno:

[GaryProtein]

That's why I made reference to their external design. They aren't pretty. Neither were the original WAMMS, but they certainly had their devotees, but it was for how they sounded, not how they looked. MOMA didn't want them so they could be cut open and their innards be displayed.

[redm]

Best of 2012: World's Most Expensive Stereo, $1M: Video - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/video/best-of-2012-world-s-most-expensive-stereo-1m-6PWb4HwuQP6gmfBz1yM2HA.html)

Just seems like some guy bragging about how much money he spent.... Move along

Sent from my iPhone

[GaryProtein]

Just seems like some guy bragging about how much money he spent.... Move along

That too!

He could have done a lot better for $1M.

[f1 fan]

That too!

He could have done a lot better for $1M.

+1...

Dave

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[metaphacts]

No contest :D

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u43/howiebrou/Coltrane_L_Marten20Design20Coltrane.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u43/howiebrou/SHOW20ROOM203_1024nepesufumu.jpg


I was tongue in cheek but you are correct. :thumbsup:

[TommyC]

Bill, the last shot is fabulous.

[metaphacts]

That's why I made reference to their external design. They aren't pretty. Neither were the original WAMMS, but they certainly had their devotees, but it was for how they sounded, not how they looked. MOMA didn't want them so they could be cut open and their innards be displayed.

Apologues look and function nothing like WAMMs.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l218/kris0080/DSC06339-1.jpg

Speaking of the sound, the first year and a half's production (48 units) was sold in 3 days at the 1988 CES based on the demo done at the Hotel Nikko.

As for MOMA is was Rotta-Loria who submitted them, not Goldmund.

Not saying you should like them, just clarifying.

[GaryProtein]

I still think they're pretty similar with the rods holding the boxes on a frame.

I was referring to MOMA in general. I'm not a fan of modern art.

[metaphacts]

I still think they're pretty similar with the rods holding the boxes on a frame.

I was referring to MOMA in general. I'm not a fan of modern art.

The frame is used only to align the enclosures so that the speaker's full mass is coupled enclosure to enclosure to the floor at a single large spike. Were it not for the Mechanical Grounding design, the frame would be completely unnecessary.

Gotcha on the MOMA.

[Masterlu]

I happen to like Modern Art, but still not a fan of these speakers. :sigh:

[GaryProtein]

Just to be clear on the "modern art", I have nothing against newly produced art. I just like it to be realistic art, not abstract.

[Masterlu]

Just to be clear on the "modern art", I have nothing against newly produced art. I just like it to be realistic art, not abstract.

The price is abstract too! :beatnik:

Wikipedia - Abstract: indicates a departure from reality. :p

[Elberoth]

What was the retail on Apologues ?

[metaphacts]

What was the retail on Apologues ?

Introduced at $49.5k and went up to $59.5K a year later IIRC.

[howiebrou]

I was eyeing a pair of epilogues 1&2 for 30k the other day...

[JSCC]

I was eyeing a pair of epilogues 1&2 for 30k the other day...

The first step to an all Goldmund setup :naughty:

[Masterlu]

The first step to an all Goldmund setup :naughty:

Might be Howies last step... :D

http://www.stephenjayschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/falling.jpg

[howiebrou]

The first step to an all Goldmund setup :naughty:

Its very unlikely as i am not one to go for one brand in general. Of course that does not rule it out but my room is too small for the Epilogues (1,2 &3) anyway.

howie

[f1eng]

Its very unlikely as i am not one to go for one brand in general. Of course that does not rule it out but my room is too small for the Epilogues (1,2 &3) anyway.

howie

My story may be of interest here then.
in the late 90s, fed up with always reading about better kit, and always being tempted to change, I decided to try to choose the very best loudspeakers I could find.
One of the highest rated speakers in the world had been the Wilson WAMMs and a pair was available at the premises of the (then) Wilson European distributor just outside Paris. They have now retired and are badly missed, at least by me...

To cut a long story short they were also the European distributors of Goldmund, and they also had both Apologues and Analogues avaiable for audition.

The Wilsons, which i went there expecting to buy, were quite impressive but not even close to as fast and transparent nor near the instrumental timbre of the Analogues, never mind the Apologues. I was about to but the Apologues but since he was a F1 fan the guy told me Goldmund were working on a new speaker and perhaps I should listen to them too before committing.
These turned out to be the Epilogs and I listened to the first pair, way before the Epilog 2 and 3 were in production.

I ordered a pair and pre-ordered Epilog 2s at the same time. The improvement adding the Epilog 2 was less than I anticipated. A greater loudness capability and about another half an octave of bass extension.

I don't love the styling, but have got used to it... It doesn't matter that much since I have a dedicated music room so they are not in a living room.

They are still the best loudspeakers I have ever heard, and I have heard quite a few since.
The more modern speakers using similat technology, such as Magico, would be interesting to compare. I have heard the Q1, which is similar in concept to the Epilog 1, and being 15 years later has more modern drive units. I have not been able to do a direct comparison though.

IMHO Goldmund's greatest talent is in their electro-mechanical engineering so, whilst it makes a useful difference in their electronics, their biggest superiority over the competition has always been turntables and loudspeakers.

[Dynamo]

Hi all,

Every one knows the "U-Room" in L-A; here is the "LOGOS Room" from the french dealer.

http://www.on-mag.fr/images/stories/2013/07/Goldmund_Logos_Room-1.jpg


Please read this review in french, if you mind...:tresbon:

Goldmund Logos Media Room : une salle Hi-Fi/Home Cinéma d'exception, unique en Europe (http://www.on-mag.fr/index.php/topaudio/actualites-news/12146-goldmund-logos-media-room-une-salle-hi-fi-home-cinema-d-exception-unique-en-europe)



Best regards
D.

[f1eng]

Hi all,

Every one knows the "U-Room" in L-A; here is the "LOGOS Room" from the french dealer.

http://www.on-mag.fr/images/stories/2013/07/Goldmund_Logos_Room-1.jpg


Please read this review in french, if you mind...:tresbon:

Goldmund Logos Media Room : une salle Hi-Fi/Home Cinéma d'exception, unique en Europe (http://www.on-mag.fr/index.php/topaudio/actualites-news/12146-goldmund-logos-media-room-une-salle-hi-fi-home-cinema-d-exception-unique-en-europe)



Best regards
D.

Thanks for that. Interesting and impressive!

[GaryProtein]

The guy in the Goldmund video doesn't even have their big speakers.

I actually like this Honda lawnmower [the next video] better than the stereo. :D :D :D VROOOOM!

Honda's 133 Mph Lawnmower vs. 178 Mph Porsche 911: Video - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/video/honda-debuts-the-world-s-fastest-lawnmower-1uRj7yLLTmuJpZm7zWDrtg.html)

[f1eng]

The guy in the Goldmund video doesn't even have their big speakers.



True, I also have the speakers shown in the video. I have listened to loads of high end speakers and these are still the best I have heard, though rather expensive nowadays, around €130,000.
Goldmund recommend the big ones for home theatre, for the subwoofer sound effects and phantom centre channel, but say they are no benefit over these Epilog 1&2s for music, or at least they did when I bought mine! Home theatre is very much a low priority for me, probably used less than weekly so a -much- less expensive REL Studio sub does well enough for me for the sound effects...