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Post by pete on May 13, 2023 13:54:54 GMT
Today I checked out if the 851s were still level on the Townshend bars as they have been on there for a couple of weeks and I felt they may have settled on the carpet a bit. Sure enough the right speaker was a few mm lower at the front than the back so adjustment has made them level.
And the difference in SQ, can’t say I can notice, but is good to know they are correct😄
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,114
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Post by Bigman80 on May 13, 2023 14:06:50 GMT
Today I checked out if the 851s were still level on the Townshend bars as they have been on there for a couple of weeks and I felt they may have settled on the carpet a bit. Sure enough the right speaker was a few mm lower at the front than the back so adjustment has made them level. And the difference in SQ, can’t say I can notice, but is good to know they are correct😄 Always good to have everything in perfect position Pete. |
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Post by mikewxyz on Jul 1, 2023 2:46:05 GMT
pete: Very nice speakers that Jason constructed. Now that you've had them awhile, would you add anything to your review? I'm trying to decide between the 851's and the Ekta mk2's but leaning toward the 851's. Do you have any REW graphs of the 851's in your house?
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Post by pete on Jul 1, 2023 7:37:22 GMT
pete: Very nice speakers that Jason constructed. Now that you've had them awhile, would you add anything to your review? I'm trying to decide between the 851's and the Ekta mk2's but leaning toward the 851's. Do you have any REW graphs of the 851's in your house? I don’t have any graphs but Arke may form when they were installed. I was in a similar situation to yourself, deciding between the two. I had heard the Ektas and knew how wonderful they could be. So I went into a conversation with Jason, exploring other possibilities for my room based an my sound criteria. Jason was extremely patient and very helpful. After exploring alternatives I arrived at the 851, which are exceptional. Are they better than the Ekta? The Ekta is an amazing speaker in its own right, but the 851 is better for me in my room with my ears. Since the review I have had to put them away for some maintenance work but they are back out again, all be not for long as I have to do some more work to the floor of the room. How have they improved? If anything they have opened up more and sound faster. Soundstage is wider and deeper and more defined. Note decay is more defined. I guess I can hear more of everything in more detail, however, it is difficult to say this is just down to the 851s as I have also added a Mutec to my digital part of my system. As Oliver said, improvements in Hf and LF against the excellent Ektas. They are an outstanding speaker and given the choice again it would be what I would choose with my system. Jason’s build is outstanding too |
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Arke
Moderator
Posts: 1,018
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Post by Arke on Jul 1, 2023 8:40:19 GMT
pete : Very nice speakers that Jason constructed. Now that you've had them awhile, would you add anything to your review? I'm trying to decide between the 851's and the Ekta mk2's but leaning toward the 851's. Do you have any REW graphs of the 851's in your house? Hi Mike, I mostly measured the 851s at listening position. I do have some (very speedy) measurements in Pete's, Oli's and My (previous) listening rooms.  Oli's room is Green, Pete's is Red and My (old) room is Blue. The large variations in bass response are due to the effect of room modes. The 851's bass port is tuned to the low 30Hz region, so they comfortably reproduce bass to 30Hz. |
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Post by mikewxyz on Jul 1, 2023 18:04:12 GMT
Thank you both for the response. The 851’s look impressive in the real world.
Pete: I value your opinion since you are able to hear both speakers and compare them. I agree with others that preference plays a major role in what “sounds good” but your subjective opinion is much more than anything else I have to go on.
My current speakers are Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor M’s. I was reading on Troels Gravesen’s website that the Auditor M’s are one of his favorite speakers. They have fantastic vocal presentation, IMO. Apparently, the magic of the 15M driver used in the Auditors is also used in the 851’s or at least of version of it.
The other thing I like about the Auditors is that the off axis response seems quite good. You do not have to sit in “The Listening” chair to enjoy the music. I suspect that the 12M used in the Ekta’s have exceptional off-axis response as well based on measurements from Erin’s Corner.
Jason: I was reading your “Builders Response” to Troels where you said you had to attenuate the tweeter some. If I build the 851’s, I would likely do the same thing. Bright can be so fatiguing.
Your builds are inspirational. If I were to attempt this, it wouldn’t be until next year. I have a number of furniture projects to finish up on first.
I’m glad I ran across this site.
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Arke
Moderator
Posts: 1,018
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Post by Arke on Jul 1, 2023 18:45:05 GMT
Thank you both for the response. The 851’s look impressive in the real world. Pete: I value your opinion since you are able to hear both speakers and compare them. I agree with others that preference plays a major role in what “sounds good” but your subjective opinion is much more than anything else I have to go on. My current speakers are Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor M’s. I was reading on Troels Gravesen’s website that the Auditor M’s are one of his favorite speakers. They have fantastic vocal presentation, IMO. Apparently, the magic of the 15M driver used in the Auditors is also used in the 851’s or at least of version of it. The other thing I like about the Auditors is that the off axis response seems quite good. You do not have to sit in “The Listening” chair to enjoy the music. I suspect that the 12M used in the Ekta’s have exceptional off-axis response as well based on measurements from Erin’s Corner. Jason: I was reading your “Builders Response” to Troels where you said you had to attenuate the tweeter some. If I build the 851’s, I would likely do the same thing. Bright can be so fatiguing. Your builds are inspirational. If I were to attempt this, it wouldn’t be until next year. I have a number of furniture projects to finish up on first. I’m glad I ran across this site. I'm sure the 851s will work well for you, the midrange from the 15M is indeed wonderful. I'd imagine that the 851s will build on the bass and HF of your current speakers. Yes, the 851s sounded and measured a bit hot in my room. I have had the Ekta mkIIs, CNO4s, Discovery 861s, Ellam XTs and 851s in my room for extended periods. All, bar the 851s, were just right with the 'Troels' HF tuning. The others stayed at standard and the 851s were attenuated with about plus 1R2 ohms. If you love the Scanspeak sound and want to build on what you have I am sure you'll love the 851s. If you have the space and budget the CNO4s are another serious step up 😉. Enjoy the build and happy to help if I can. Also, the 851s are incredibly good off axis. When properly setup, with a decent recording and in a good system they do disappear. |
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