Lafite thoughts

[4Musica]

I have heard the larger Latours on several occasions, and always with Shindo electronics. As terrific as that speaker is, since I listen to a lot of large scale classical music such as Mahler, Wagner, etc., I would not buy the Latour unless I could also have another high end system that does large scale classical the way I like to hear it. To me, large scale classical is the only weakness of the larger Shindo Latour. And just to be clear, although I much prefer many other speakers for large scale classical, the Latours still did a much more credible job with large scale classical than I expected.

[Freestone]

Originally Posted by 4Musica

I have heard the larger Latours on several occasions, and always with Shindo electronics. As terrific as that speaker is, since I listen to a lot of large scale classical music such as Mahler, Wagner, etc., I would not buy the Latour unless I could also have another high end system that does large scale classical the way I like to hear it. To me, large scale classical is the only weakness of the larger Shindo Latour. And just to be clear, although I much prefer many other speakers for large scale classical, the Latours still did a much more credible job with large scale classical than I expected.

What did you think was missing with the Latour?

I generally agree - but I find that to be true with basically all speakers I have heard. The acoustics of the symphony hall are so important to my realism no speaker seems to convey it to me properly. All other music, including opera , is fine on two channel.

[4Musica]

Freestone - With large scale classical music played through the Shindo Latours driven by Shindo electronics, I feel the layering of instruments (or air/space between the instruments if you prefer) of the orchestra is lacking in comparison to the better "conventional" multi-driver speakers with which I am familiar. And I agree with you about the importance of the acoustics of the symphony hall; no speaker IME can fully deliver large scale classical. However, some (e.g., Vandersteen 7) do come closer than others (e.g., Shindo Latour).

Regards,
Steven

[Vinyljh]

Wow, completely disagree! Low efficiency speakers don't even come close. Its all about set up and the room, the best classical playback I have ever heard by a wide margin was through Latour. We had over 30 people in the room and had a standing ovation. If you like the sound of a real hall experience rather than "layering of instruments", the Latour is amazing. Unlike "conventional" multi-driver speakers, it doesn't make the orchestra sound like 100 unrelated musicans. I guess its all about preference and what one wants in playback. For me, I want to hear the musicans, I could care less about hearing the hall. I want to hear why they were recorded, not how they were recorded. Although the Latour will show those things extremely well, its just not my priority. Conventional speakers are often analytic tools, not music makers.

[FranklinLG]

Have either of of you, two, Richard and Steven, tried the Tannoy Kingdom Royals? If I make any move from my DeVore Orangutans I fully intend to give these a listen.

PS Welcome Vinyljh. Please share more...!

[Masterlu]

Vinyljh... Welcome!

[kev313]

Originally Posted by 4Musica

Freestone - With large scale classical music played through the Shindo Latours driven by Shindo electronics, I feel the layering of instruments (or air/space between the instruments if you prefer) of the orchestra is lacking in comparison to the better "conventional" multi-driver speakers with which I am familiar. And I agree with you about the importance of the acoustics of the symphony hall; no speaker IME can fully deliver large scale classical. However, some (e.g., Vandersteen 7) do come closer than others (e.g., Shindo Latour).

Regards,
Steven

Interesting. I had lower balcony seats at the CSO for years. I can tell you at Orchestra Hall there is NO layering or space between instruments. Not much scale in the balcony either. Main floor,that's another story. Much scale. Still no "air".

Different strokes, I suppose. If you want layering with Chicago, though, that isn't how it sounded in the hall.

[jondkaufman]

Hey Jonathan, aka VinylJH...happy Easter/Passover and thank so much for all that you do...best, Jonathan K.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Vinyljh

Conventional speakers are often analytic tools, not music makers.

Shindo electronics are able to transform most well made conventional speakers of more than 90 dB of sensitivity and with acceptable loads into music makers.
My Wilson WP8 are not supposed to work at their best with Shindo ( and the reverse), still, I am delighted by this combo and I can assure you that they are music makers.
But I have no trouble considering that the Latour or the Petite Latour would be even better.

[4Musica]

FranklinLG - I have not heard the Tannoy Kingdom Royals, and it has been a long time since I listened critically to any of the Tannoy speakers. Tannoy certainly seems to be a popular line of speakers. But if I had the space for the large Shindo Latours, and sadly I do not, they would be the only speaker I would consider to replace my Auditorium-23 Solovoxes. And I would do that in a heartbeat. The larger Shindo Latour is the best overall speaker I have ever heard. Its only shortcoming to my ears - not being quite as good as some of the better conventional multi-driver speakers for large scale classical music (an opinion with which others disagree) would not deter me! I will never forget the first time I heard the Shindo Latours, driven of course with Shindo electronics. Frankly, I do not expect to hear better overall sound from an audio system in my lifetime.

Regards,
Steven