If you don't mind, I'd like to share my perspective. First off it was great to hear a nice variety of speakers together in the same listening space. While this wasn't a "controlled" face off, I don't believe that was really the focus of this event so much as it was to appreciate the products so many of the Audioholics readers get much enjoyment from.
Although the test conditions weren’t ideal, (bright lively rooms, open space, and high ambient noise) it still allowed each listener to gauge the tonal characteristics of each speaker system to decide what they preferred in that particular listening environment.
Ricocetj did a great job balancing out the levels and I was glad my Sencore SP495C Audio Analyzer came in handy to help out. This was the first time I actually used this device and I am really digging its portability and relative ease of use. Best of all it has 1/30th octave resolution which is quite good for a handheld. In the noisy environment we were in, I couldn’t take accurate measurements, for that it would have been better to bring along my LMS equipment, but again this get together wasn’t about being a propeller head as it was more a celebration of good audio equipment among friends who all suffer the same afflictions. Yes this is Audioholics Anonymous and although I’m the President, I am still a member
I figured I’d throw up a few pics I took (see below).
The family room seemed more focused on tower type speakers. I had a chance to listen to the Emotiva towers using my own source disc from Dianne Reeves. This disc usually identifies a speakers over aggressive top end and coloration in the mids. I was pleased to not hear these issues on the Emo towers. Instead, I heard well balanced sound with nice punchy bass that although didn’t dig down to the lowest octaves, remained tight and well controlled which is what a good tower speaker system should do.
The Emo gear did a great job powering everything, no surprises there and I am looking forward to reviewing the new XPA-2 shortly.
The comparison between the AV123 ribbon speakers and Martin Logans was a bit skewed to favor the latter since they were about 4-6dB louder but once the levels were adjusted on the fly, I ultimately felt the Logans offered a more balanced tonal quality to them and larger soundstage. I personally think the AV123s needed more room as us sitting in such close proximity wasn’t a good indication of how they would sound at their sweet spot, at least not where I was in the front row.
I was glad to have the Status Acoustics Decimo speakers there as the main reference for bookshelves. The fact that these have remained in my reference system since Audioholics inception speaks volumes of my opinion of them so I need not further elaborate as you are welcome to read my review:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/status-acoustics-decimo
I was eager to hear the SVS MBS-01 speakers since they feature a top end Scan Speak tweeter. Overall I thought they were good but I did detect some coloration in the mids (a cupped sound on brass instruments and vocals) and the bass, although well extended seemed a bit loose. I later came to find out that SVS is now offering an upgraded crossover that allegedly improves their performance so it would be interesting to hear these again at a later date with the update.
The AV123 encore x-ls’s were very impressive, much more so than the original samples I had during our face off last year.
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/speaker-face-off-iv
Their tonal balance was laid back, perhaps a bit tame in the top end for some, but they worked very well in a lively room which I suspect more than fewer people have these days, especially in Florida. Considering these speakers sell for around $400/pair and look so nice, I have a hard time critiquing them as they seemed to be the real deal for this asking price. I may ask AV123 to upgrade my units and retest them at a later date.
I heard the complete Emo 7.1 setup which sounded quite nice with the DTS multi channel mix that Bandphan brought along. Although during the Twister movie I had to walk out b/c it was too friggin loud in that room for me. Thus I retreated in Dave's awesome theater room and watched a little Transformers action with that smoking hot .... I mean cool robots
The new Emotiva bookshelf featuring dual 6 1/2"s and a 1" tweet had a nice bassy punch to them and although were at a disadvantage below 80Hz (purposely designed that way), could easily blend well with a couple of subs and play at high SPLs with no fear of bottoming them out. The woofers barely moved and since there are two in tandem that means they can play louder with 1/2 the distortion compared to similar single woofer designs. These speakers are dynamic and appear to be extremely well suited for home theater applications. In Dave's room, I preferred the tweet setting to -2dB which gave the best tonal balance and reduced listening fatique at high SPL's. I am looking forward to reviewing this system along with their subs once everything is officially released.
Overall this was a fun experience and the company was excellent. Next time around it would be great if this event would be held in a more acoustically neutral environment but NOT if that hampers the food and beer supply
