Speakers to beat at the $30K mark in 2012

[jdebonth]

Thanks everyone for the kind words, much appreciated!

Originally Posted by cmalak

How are you finding the top-end now? I know it struck you as being a bit polite, although, my sense as I mentioned before, is that with Rockport speakers, all the treble info is there and properly integrated into the whole, it's just not spot lit as with many speakers that boost the sizzle on top to give an impression of detail/resolution but end up being fatiguing over the long haul.

By the way, you mention you are taming the bass hump around 40-70 Hz region (at least that's what it looks like to me from your graph) with some EQ but looking at your signature, I am not sure what you are using to do the EQ adjustment. Just curious. Thx

Cyril, thanks again for the support given through PM's. I did find the treble too polite when I first set up the speakers and was missing detail. This has now been completely solved due to 1) speaker positioning; particularly slightly more toe-in than how I had the PMC's setup at, 2) the flattening of the 20-100Hz frequency response which was mudding up the midrange and treble, 3) I believe they just needed a few days of playing to fully open up, even though they were secondhand I am not sure how much usage they got in recent months. The treble detail is just as you describe it, its there and highly resolved, however not spotlit. I can't think of a better way to describe it. The scanspeak D30 is a remarkable tweeter with fantastic timbral accuracy.

As for the digital EQ, I use a mac mini as a source component from which I play lossless music stored externally on a NAS unit. I use iTunes for its excellent library management functionality (including iPad/iPhone remote app, physical IR remote which are all great tools to control playback), and Pure Music handles the audio engine aspect of playback. Pure Music supports VST and AU plugins, so I use a high quality digital EQ plugin (FabFilter Pro-Q) to apply minor EQ.

I measure the room with REW software and am then able to automatically generate a set of EQ filters to flatten out the response (20-100Hz only, above this I rely on physical room treatment). I then setup these same filters in Pro-Q so that everything played in Pure Music has this EQ applied. The EQ is done in the digital domain before the digital signal is sent to the DAC, and I find the EQ plugin 100% transparent. The results are absolutely stunning (perfect low freq response at the listening position is) and IMO this is THE biggest advantage of using a computer as a source, more so than the ready access to 1000's of CD's. If you want any further info on this I will be more than glad help!

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by jdebonth

Thanks everyone for the kind words, much appreciated!



Cyril, thanks again for the support given through PM's. I did find the treble too polite when I first set up the speakers and was missing detail. This has now been completely solved due to 1) speaker positioning; particularly slightly more toe-in than how I had the PMC's setup at, 2) the flattening of the 20-100Hz frequency response which was mudding up the midrange and treble, 3) I believe they just needed a few days of playing to fully open up, even though they were secondhand I am not sure how much usage they got in recent months. The treble detail is just as you describe it, its there and highly resolved, however not spotlit. I can't think of a better way to describe it. The scanspeak D30 is a remarkable tweeter with fantastic timbral accuracy.

As for the digital EQ, I use a mac mini as a source component from which I play lossless music stored externally on a NAS unit. I use iTunes for its excellent library management functionality (including iPad/iPhone remote app, physical IR remote which are all great tools to control playback), and Pure Music handles the audio engine aspect of playback. Pure Music supports VST and AU plugins, so I use a high quality digital EQ plugin (FabFilter Pro-Q) to apply minor EQ.

I measure the room with REW software and am then able to automatically generate a set of EQ filters to flatten out the response (20-100Hz only, above this I rely on physical room treatment). I then setup these same filters in Pro-Q so that everything played in Pure Music has this EQ applied. The EQ is done in the digital domain before the digital signal is sent to the DAC, and I find the EQ plugin 100% transparent. The results are absolutely stunning (perfect low freq response at the listening position is) and IMO this is THE biggest advantage of using a computer as a source, more so than the ready access to 1000's of CD's. If you want any further info on this I will be more than glad help!

Joost...congrats again and thx on the EQ adjustment description. When I enter the brave new world of PC audio, I may very well bug you for additional info on your setup I am very excited for you that the speakers have exceeded your expectations. It's always fun when a plan comes together just like you expect it to Enjoy the Rockports in good health for many years to come

[jdebonth]

Appreciate it Cyril, and to be honest I have largely you to thank because it was your many posts in various places around the net that really spurred my interest in these speakers! Couldnt be happier with them!

[bart]

Joost and Cyril: well done!
Interesting what you wrote about the bass management IN the computer Joost!

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by jdebonth

Appreciate it Cyril, and to be honest I have largely you to thank because it was your many posts in various places around the net that really spurred my interest in these speakers! Couldnt be happier with them!

Congrats on the Rockports....they look great. Nice to see the sophisticated EQ of Pure Music being put to use effectively.

[trek737]

Jdebonth, A Big Congrats! Those Rockport speakers are smoking hot!

[navrsale]

before making any decision. youtube adds or takes equally from each and through many recordings statistically one can get a real sense of the speaker. I've heard all mentioned speakers on youtube and Rockports did not impress me. cannot come close to focal scala nor b&w 80x diamonds.

tad cr1 that is the ultimate speaker. rockports, salon2 etc. average speakers at most. focal scala utopia III is a "poor" man tad cr1 and if you are tight with money then 802d which compensates its lack of cr1-like qualities with its own set of qualities.
if you are really tight with money go with Salk, and Symphonia 7R at the very bottom. remember always go to youtube first and hear speakers there as many recordings as possible

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

I would say always listen to speakers in person before making any purchasing decision. I agree that the TAD CR-1 are great loudspeakers but I would strongly disagree that Rockports and the Salon 2 are average speakers at most. I've had a pair of Salon 2 in my living room for almost a year and they are phenomenal sounding speakers in terms of transparency, clarity, neutrality, treble smoothness and bass response. Of course this can't compare to listening to them on You Tube.

[bart]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Of course this can't compare to listening to them on You Tube.

[Still-One]

Even in a dealers showroom you only get a indication of how a speaker is going to sound in your room. Making judgements from a video is suspicious.