Tekton Enzo XL Measured by Stereophile

[slipperybidness]

http://www.stereophile.com/content/tekton-design-enzo-xl-loudspeaker-measurements

Well, for $2100, I'm pretty confident that you can get something that measures MUCH better.

But, these don't measure nearly as terribly as other members of AH have previously postulated based on the design.

 

[Swerd]

The maker claims sensitivity is 96.5 dB/W, while Stereophile measured a much more believable 90.6. That isn't low, but its significantly less than 96.5.

They say this is a 3-way speaker. I thought it was a 2-way.

The off-axis response below 2 kHz does drop off in a big way. I am used to speakers that don't do that, if I heard beaming like that, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like it.

Is the crossover point near 2 kHz? There was an ugly looking resonance near that point.

The cabinet appears to have large resonances.

For $2100, I'd avoid those speakers.

The written review was classic smoke & mirrors, where the reviewer spoke more about himself than the speakers he was reviewing. Fortunately, he didn't mention those pricey crossover options.

 

[zieglj01]

Yes, there are more expensive speakers that do worse

However, as stated above - the sensitivity claim and the toying
with the lively cabinet, tends to annoy me for an ID brand.

For an ID brand, they look to be over-priced to me.

I would like to see a good well built 3/way with them nice SB Acoustics
tweeters, mated with a nice midrange driver in a well braced cabinet.

 

[zieglj01]

The written review was classic smoke & mirrors, where the reviewer spoke more about himself than the speakers he was reviewing. Fortunately, he didn't mention those pricey crossover options.

Yes that annoyed me - I could not really read the review.

 

[slipperybidness]

Yes that annoyed me - I could not really read the review.

Yeah, I agree, just like we all expect from this mag. I scanned through the review just to see if there was any info on the company itself, and my eyes glossed over for the other non-sense ramblings.

 

[slipperybidness]

Fortunately, he didn't mention those pricey crossover options.

You know, that's a good point!

If the "fancy crossover options" really improve the speaker as much as advertised, then why not send the fancy crossover version to the mag for review?

 

[Cos]

I saw that review, $2100 for paper woofers, did I read that correctly?

 

[Swerd]

I saw that review, $2100 for paper woofers, did I read that correctly?

There are some really good $2000 speakers with paper woofers.

I can think of one in particular . Hint: see my signature line.

 

[Cos]

Interesting of note, I went back to look what my T1s are made of

Glass Fiber and Nomex® Composite Cone -- (Paper) sort of, well I learned that paper is a really generic term to describe speaker material.

 

[zieglj01]

Interesting of note, I went back to look what my T1s are made of

Glass Fiber and Nomex® Composite Cone -- (Paper) sort of, well I learned that paper is a really generic term to describe speaker material.

It all tends to be in the marketing - one of my favorite speakers use
Organic Composite Cone Material (OCCM) - which is a fancy way to
say paper cone - however, they are real nice and have the SB Acoustic
type tweeters (likely modified). The Boston VS260

 

[slipperybidness]

Interesting of note, I went back to look what my T1s are made of

Glass Fiber and Nomex® Composite Cone -- (Paper) sort of, well I learned that paper is a really generic term to describe speaker material.

Just like anything else or any other material, there are advantages / disadvantages to using paper on a cone.

Biggest advantage of paper is the lower mass. Biggest disadvantage is that it is less rigid. I think that's why they usually use composites now for paper, to add rigidity.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, it's not as bad as some more expensive speakers. It could be worse.

Aside from the -5dB dip @ 2kHz, the 200Hz-10kHz window is about +1/-3dB, which is definitely not as bad as some more expensive speakers out there.

 

[slipperybidness]

Well, it's not as bad as some more expensive speakers. It could be worse.

Aside from the -5dB dip @ 2kHz, the 200Hz-10kHz window is about +1/-3dB, which is definitely not as bad as some more expensive speakers out there.

Right.

You know, he probably COULD build a great speaker, he certainly seems to have some skills in this area. It just seems that the product is handicapped right out of the gate.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Right.

You know, he probably COULD build a great speaker, he certainly seems to have some skills in this area. It just seems that the product is handicapped right out of the gate.

Perhaps he could have made the speaker measure +/-2dB FR.

But perhaps the speakers didn't sound as good subjectively to him?

Look at B&W. No other cabinets are as inert and stable as the 802/800. B&W could have made their speakers +/-2dB FR. But they chose not to do that because they felt it didn't sound as good to them?

Just wondering.

Not that I would buy Tekton or any speaker that didn't measure accurately.

 

[slipperybidness]

Yeah, that's kind of what I was getting at.

Tekton seems to have a good idea of what he is doing. It's just he design decisions that are opposite from most of the AH crew would choose.

 

[Swerd]

Tekton seems to have a good idea of what he is doing. It's just he design decisions that are opposite from most of the AH crew would choose.

I have a different take.

Tekton Enzos are speakers that have developed an intense but questionable internet hype about them. The Stereophile measurements demonstrate that, while they are "not bad", they are quite far from "the greatest thing since the second coming of Christ".

For $2100, I know better sounding speakers.

 

[nogaro]

they are quite far from "the greatest thing since the second coming of Christ".

That happened already? Being on these audio forums is sure keeping me oblivious to what's going on in the world around me

 

[djreef]

I'm thinking that this is why most Tekton owners dump these things after about a year, or so. They seem to have a very 'Bosey' allure to them that wears off over time.

 

[slipperybidness]

For $2100, I know better sounding speakers.

Yeah, like a long list of better speakers at that price point.

 

[Swerd]

I'm thinking that this is why most Tekton owners dump these things after about a year, or so. They seem to have a very 'Bosey' allure to them that wears off over time.

2013 - Tekton, greatest speakers since the 2nd coming, or Zu Audio

2015 - Tekton, greatest bargain on Audiogon, since Zu Audio