Salon 2, 8XXD, or SS-AR-1?

[PENG]

http://www.stereophile.com/content/sony-ss-ar1-speakers

I was impressed with the 802D, and I know many people around here, especially ACDTG dislikes them and thinks the Salon 2 is much better (apparently now the Linkwitz). Today I read two reviews (The Absolute Sound and The Stereophile) on the 27K Sony. The one by Stereophile compared it with the 800D and Salon 2 and seemed to think the smaller Sony was better (I believe the reviewer said more truthful or something like that) than both.

To me they all cost way too much, most likely well beyond the point of diminishing return. May be I should just settle for some mid end Paradigm signature, KEF 205/2, B&W 803D, Focal Electra, or even just a PSB synchrony, in my dream of course.

 

[its phillip]

Interesting, I didn't know Sony even made speakers that expensive.

Ugh at this though:

Kal Rubinson reviews the Sony SS-AR-1 loudspeaker ($27,000/pair) in the July 2011 Stereophile, due to hit newsstands next week, so I’d highly recommend reading his review if you want to know about these wonderful-sounding speakers. In addition to the Sony SS-AR1s, equipment in this room included Pass Labs X350.5 monoblocks, Sonoma 32 DSD multitrack recorder and editor, EMM Labs CDSD, EMM Labs DAC6SE, EMM Labs Switchman 3, with cable from Kimber Kable. System price, with two pairs of the Sony SS-AR1s, was $263,220.

We listened to a gospel track and the sound was expansive and detailed, with pinpoint imagining and all in all offered a truly moving performance. In this case, the Sonys seemed to enjoy this large ballroom, which makes me wonder what they'd be like in a normal listening room.

$54,000 in speakers.
$209,220 in electronics.

Considering how much the folks at stereophile revere electronics and speaker cables, how is that even a fair speaker review? lol. I imagine that the reviewer would be too busy thinking up ridiculous adjectives about the electronics to even notice the speakers.

 

[GranteedEV]

Considering how much the folks at stereophile revere electronics and speaker cables, how is that even a fair speaker review? lol. I imagine that the reviewer would be too busy thinking up ridiculous adjectives about the electronics to even notice the speakers.

Kal Rubinson? He's pretty grounded. I still can't fathom the sony being on par with the Salon2, though, but i can believe it's as good as the B&Ws ;P

 

[PENG]

In that review, Kal did not seem to think the 300 WPC McIntosh MC303 could make the Sony sound good due to the low impedance (2.8 ohm I think) and 53 degree phase angle at a couple of frequency points where there would be a lot of energy in the music. He felt the 1000W amp did it. I did not buy the magazine so now I have to rely on my short term memory. Apparently the Sony has been available in Japan for a few years but this is an updated model or something.

 

[PENG]

Kal Rubinson? He's pretty grounded. I still can't fathom the sony being on par with the Salon2, though, but i can believe it's as good as the B&Ws ;P

The Absolute Sound reviewer said something like listening to that Sony made him feel like he was listening to that orchestra in the concert hall where the recording was made, something like that anyway, my very short term memory is fading fast..

I believe Sony does have the resource to do things right if they are willing to allocate the needed resource for whatever reasons.

 

[GranteedEV]

I believe Sony does have the resource to do things right if they are willing to allocate the needed resource for whatever reasons.

Maybe, but to me it looks like a simple passive 3-way with nothing 27k special bout it, unless that tweeter is able to be crossed around 1khz with high SPLs

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The Absolute Sound reviewer said something like listening to that Sony made him feel like he was listening to that orchestra in the concert hall where the recording was made...

It seems like a lot of reviewer say that.

It may be true they feel that way for real.

But would we agree after listening to the same speakers (any speaker)?

I'm sure many of us will disagree, which is the nature of our hobby.

They didn't name the Sony best product or best speaker of the year, did they?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

http://www.stereophile.com/content/sony-ss-ar1-speakers

I was impressed with the 802D, and I know many people around here, especially ACDTG dislikes them and thinks the Salon 2 is much better...

I still can't fathom the sony being on par with the Salon2, though, but i can believe it's as good as the B&Ws.

I can see the SS-AR1 sounding as good as the B&W 800Ds too.

Well, until I see actual measurements of this Sony, I can't say much, except that they are very expensive.

Maybe Peyton Manning & Justin Timberlake (with all their Sony commercials) might buy these Sony to match with their Sony TVs?

 

[highfigh]

I can see the SS-AR1 sounding as good as the B&W 800Ds too.

Well, until I see actual measurements of this Sony, I can't say much, except that they are very expensive.

Maybe Peyton Manning & Justin Timberlake (with all their Sony commercials) might buy these Sony to match with their Sony TVs?

I don't know what they're using for woofers but the mid and tweeter are SEAS.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't know what they're using for woofers but the mid and tweeter are SEAS.

Oh, hey, wait, my Linkwitz Orions use SEAS drivers. So these Sony speakers must be really good then.

 

[its phillip]

I don't know what they're using for woofers but the mid and tweeter are SEAS.

according to something i read, it's all scanspeak...an aircirc tweeter, revelator midrange, and revelator woofers.

but I don't know anything about drivers so I can't say

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I just can't imagine paying $27K for a Sony speaker.

The only Sony speaker I've ever heard was back when I little sister had them after college graduation. They were $200/pr and sucked 200%.

I had the same price $200/pr Pioneer speakers (15" woofers, 3-way), and they sounded 100x better than the Sony.

So I just can't imagine a $27K Sony speaker.

It's like I can't imagine a Sony AVR that I would recommend to anyone.

 

[GranteedEV]

according to something i read, it's all scanspeak...an aircirc tweeter, revelator midrange, and revelator woofers.

but I don't know anything about drivers so I can't say

looks like you're on point based on the picture. The midrange has the revelator 'slits' and the tweeter looks like an air circ. the woofers look like aluminum revelators.

Good but off-the-shelf drivers and a passive crossover. If this were a Salk speaker it would cost around $5,000 and probably not be as good as an HT3 or HT2-TL

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hey, PENG, I think you should just bypass the B&W offering and go straight to the KEF 207/2.

They have my full undivided approval.

Our friend InTheIndustry likes them too!

 

[DenPureSound]

http://www.stereophile.com/content/sony-ss-ar1-speakers

I was impressed with the 802D, and I know many people around here, especially ACDTG dislikes them and thinks the Salon 2 is much better (apparently now the Linkwitz). Today I read two reviews (The Absolute Sound and The Stereophile) on the 27K Sony. The one by Stereophile compared it with the 800D and Salon 2 and seemed to think the smaller Sony was better (I believe the reviewer said more truthful or something like that) than both.

To me they all cost way too much, most likely well beyond the point of diminishing return. May be I should just settle for some mid end Paradigm signature, KEF 205/2, B&W 803D, Focal Electra, or even just a PSB synchrony, in my dream of course.

ACDTG -- says those Def. Tech BP7000SC's are the ones -- he is missing his.
I seriously think you have to set a budget for what they are worth to you as a function of $$, and the time you listen to them vs. your Income.

Still Analyzing what a FINE couple of Fronts are Worth to me.

 

[GranteedEV]

To me they all cost way too much, most likely well beyond the point of diminishing return. May be I should just settle for some mid end Paradigm signature, KEF 205/2, B&W 803D, Focal Electra, or even just a PSB synchrony, in my dream of course.

You know, deep down inside, that's why DIY exists

Just look at that sony speaker...

Four of these for around $1200
Two of these for $400
Two of these for $400

plus crossover/cabinet components - maybe an extra $800 to $3000 at best... and you've got a $27000 speaker

 

[ErnieM]

its phillip noted the system is:

$54,000 in speakers.
$209,220 in electronics

Well, this seems way out of whack. Isn't it a guideline that we spend at least 50% on speakers alone????

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Still Analyzing what a FINE couple of Fronts are Worth to me.

They are worth $4K.

And yes, I am missing my BP7000SC...boo...hoo...hoo...

 

[GranteedEV]

They are worth $4K.

And yes, I am missing my BP7000SC...boo...hoo...hoo...

Yep... 'them bipolars

Not that you haven't spent a ton of money in the last while already, but you should consider going back to some bipolars... from $300 infinities to... well... not so cheap

*runs*

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yep... 'them bipolars

Not that you haven't spent a ton of money in the last while already, but you should consider going back to some bipolars... from $300 infinities to... well... not so cheap

*runs*

Wouldn't you group bipole, dipole, and omnipole speakers together vs. monopole?