Ktema vs. Guarneri Evolution

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by jprice

Easiest answer is to become a subscriber . . . Doesn't cost very much and helps to support this wonderful forum site. Plus, you are obviously a very well informed and articulate listener and reporter on what you listen to . . . So, please, join us, become a subscriber. We want you here!

By the way, I, too, own Guarneri Mementos and have found that the addition of a good sub woofer (or two) transforms these superb little monitor speakers into a full range system that rivals most of the big boys in the price range I can afford. (And, if you look at my signature below, you'll find that I also own a couple of pairs of the better "big boys".)

Please do!

[Milimetr]

Originally Posted by rustdino

Hello Milimetr,

1) Have you auditioned Vienna Acoustic Klimt "The Music" speakers? I have found them to be most impressive and involving floorstanders. If you have, I would love to hear you comparisons with the Ktema and the GE.

Hello,
No I did not audition them, but I have had them on my short list to audition. I missed these speakers as they seemed too large for my room. I remember however that I was verry impressed by their little brother Vienna Acustic The Kiss. I may return to idea of audition The Music and directly compare them to Amati Futura in dealer store. I will report if I do such audition.

Originally Posted by rustdino

2) Are the Ktemas available for purchase? I thought there were only going to be 30 of them made and that all have been sold?!

I herad about 100 pairs not 30. The pair I have auditioned have serial number above 100, so I suppose that Ktema is still available.

[Milimetr]

Originally Posted by jprice

Easiest answer is to become a subscriber . . .

Thank you for your advice. I will consider it. However it is not a matter of costs definitetly. Rather the mater of rules. I am not sure if I remember correctly, but when I registered on this forum few years ago I have had some functions active - like private messaging or attachements for example. Then it was canceled. I do not like changing rules during the play.

Originally Posted by jprice

By the way, I, too, own Guarneri Mementos and have found that the addition of a good sub woofer (or two) transforms these superb little monitor speakers into a full range system that rivals most of the big boys in the price range I can afford. (And, if you look at my signature below, you'll find that I also own a couple of pairs of the better "big boys".)

I have tried my Guarneri with very special subwoofer from Wilson Benesch Torus. Sound wise results were very good but esthetically the big pot between GM ruined their beauty, so I resigned from this option...

[rustdino]

Originally Posted by Milimetr

Hello,
No I did not audition them, but I have had them on my short list to audition. I missed these speakers as they seemed too large for my room. I remember however that I was verry impressed by their little brother Vienna Acustic The Kiss. I may return to idea of audition The Music and directly compare them to Amati Futura in dealer store. I will report if I do such audition.




I herad about 100 pairs not 30. The pair I have auditioned have serial number above 100, so I suppose that Ktema is still available.

Thanks for your reply.

I have listened to the Amati Futuras and I was not all that impressed especially taking into account how much they cost. Unfortunately I don't think my next pair of speakers will not be from Sonus Faber.
I do not consider going from GM to GE the step up I'm looking for.
I was much more impressed by the sonic virtues of the Vienna Acoustic Klimt Music compared to Amati Futura and Wilson Sasha, but truth be told it is a big (very deep) speaker and maybe too big for my space...
I would wholeheartedly recommend that you try the Vienna Acoustic Klimt Music speakers. It is not going to be a waste of your time I can guarantee you that.

Here's the shortlist that I'm juggling around as to which my next speaker might be:

1) Franco Serblin Ktema
2) Vienna Acoustic Klimt Music
3) PMC PB1i Signature or the replacement for EB1i
4) ProAc K6
5) ATC SCM-50 Anniversary
6) Tannoy Kensington SE

The 2 at the top are the most expensive and the largest of the speakers in the list, and same as you my available space is not very large so I feel your pain, it is very difficult to get that perfect balance.

Please keep posting your findings as it will be of great help. Good luck.

[larevoj]

Hi Milimetr, I have A/B - Ktema, Futura, GE, GM and including Auditor M in the same showroom. They all had different tone, character, soundstage and designs aesthetically. I do agree with you its not a fair comparison to stack a stand mount speaker against a floor stander i.e. Ktema vs. GE.

GE as a standmount has no lack in bass. The reason I purchased a pair of GE was for its ability to scale effortlessly and firm grip on its bass notes. I was utterly floored when I first heard it and though by coincident I had no qualms putting a deposit for it immediately. It was not a rash decision as I have auditioned several pairs of speakers and flew into Hong Kong to see the launch of Accordo. Ken Kessler recent review in Hifi News summarized it quite well when he said "While the Homage and Memento were hardly wimps, this one kick sands in their faces. And it all starts with the bass...It was enough that the bass sounded more extended, more fulsome, while the spatial concerns bloomed by 20% or more, and in every direction. Some live Dave Alvin, in intimate clubs, with a swampy rootsy, rocking band, seemed more convincing, more authentic, by virtue of the increase in front-to-back depth, and the air and transparency allowing you to hear an approximation of the room. Any traces of spatial congestion simply vanished."...you will have to hear it to believe.

Ktema is a lovely pair of speakers and when I compared it against Futura they both excel in different areas. They both have no lack of bass but its bass tonality is different. Both will need proper placement and space to achieve its best but Ktema placement/positioning would be a little more critical, however once you dial it in music flows...I would love to hear your comments if you ever have the chance to A/B them.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Milimetr

Then the Guarneri Evolution arrived. It turned out that this comparison were a little pointless as GE being monitors and cheaper speakers have had no chance in direct comparison with Ktema, especially in bass department. The better would be Amati Futura, but I did not have them on hand.

Overall right from the beginning GE sounded with better tonal balance and required much less changing to the position and tube rolling. Ithing that differences n tonal balance can be because of afferent components used in crossover. Ktema uses Claritypand sound very clear, and GE probable still uses Mundorfs with little warmer presentation.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Milimetr

Thank you for your advice. I will consider it. However it is not a matter of costs definitetly. Rather the mater of rules. I am not sure if I remember correctly, but when I registered on this forum few years ago I have had some functions active - like private messaging or attachements for example. Then it was canceled. I do not like changing rules during the play.

It really is quite simple, without Support AA cannot exist.

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

It really is quite simple, without Support AA cannot exist.

The cost of my subscription/support has been re-paid a million times in advice, help and camaraderie. This site has proven to be invaluable to me.


Adjective: Extremely useful; indispensable: "an invaluable source of information".
Synonyms: priceless - inestimable - inappreciable

[Milimetr]

Originally Posted by larevoj

Hi Milimetr, I have A/B - Ktema, Futura, GE, GM and including Auditor M in the same showroom. They all had different tone, character, soundstage and designs aesthetically.

Do you reflect my findings about a little lean charakter of the Ktema and too much trebles? I wonder if it was intendent tuning or it shows that Franco has already 70 years old...

[jfray]

Originally Posted by joeinid

The cost of my subscription/support has been re-paid a million times in advice, help and camaraderie. This site has proven to be invaluable to me.


Adjective: Extremely useful; indispensable: "an invaluable source of information".
Synonyms: priceless - inestimable - inappreciable

+1

[AudioNut]

Originally Posted by Milimetr

I have tried my Guarneri with very special subwoofer from Wilson Benesch Torus. Sound wise results were very good but esthetically the big pot between GM ruined their beauty, so I resigned from this option...

Then perhaps you should try a sub or two from JL Audio - with their built in room-tuning program, you can place them just about anywhere you want - out of sight but definitely not out of mind - because they blend so seamlessly with the Guarneri speakers, all you hear is a pair of very refined, full range, speakers.

The JL subs definitely don't need to be placed in the center of the Guarneris - sitting out there looking dumb.

Lots of folks here are using the JL subs very successfully in all kinds of systems. Great subs!