Really? Then how come so many companies get them wrong?
Mostly because people don't know how to use them. They'll deploy them in singles rather than multiples, not set the levels/phase/delay properly, think that an autocal routine that doesn't even measure mains/subs interaction but instead sweeps each channel individually has a chance in hell of getting them integrated into a coherent system, run them crossed over to the mains rather than blended with the mains, etc.
True, some commercial subs fall down compared to the best subs because they use drivers with excessive inductance (many low end subs, JL Audio on the high end), perhaps they're tuned too high (see Josh's review of a Cadence sub here), or they're too small for the room. Also, there are some self-defeating technologies, such as "servos" that lower 2d order distortion down low (which is basically irrelevant) at the cost of limiting bandwith on the top end (which is hugely important).
But seriously, subs are easy.
That seems to be a rather bold statement to make, considering there's nothing to substantiate it. Seas and Fountek are both very well respected companies, so what information lead you to make such a proclamation?
To people who understand the underlying physics, my comment needs no explanation. But for those who do not, a quick primer.
First, let's look at directivity. The Fountek Neo2.0 can't be used lower than 2.5kHz or so, and that's only if one doesn't listen to music with actual dynamics in it, or doesn't mind replacing the foil strip every once in a while. That means we're talking a big ol' midrange mushroom cloud.
Second, let's look at the W18 as a driver. It has a gigantic breakup at 4kHz and change. So basically the breakup is right on top of the crossover frequency. I'd like to see that kind of nasty
at least 2 octaves out of the driver's passband, and tamed with a notch filter.
The breakup basically means the Seas W18 is a decent driver for car audio use (I use a set of Seas Lotus 8" woofers in my car for midbass, under a pair of Aura Whisper widebanders; "Lotus" is Seas-ese for "Excel car-fi"), or a limited-dynamics 2-way with a very low tweeter crossover (either a mid-tweet like the Aura Whisper, or a waveguide-loaded dome) or in a limited-dynamics compact 3-way.
I wouldn't use a Fountek ribbon for anything, personally, but others seem to like them OK. All the ribbons I've ever heard or used have sounded fatiguing to me. And if you look at them, you'll see that they're basically diffraction generators.
Basically, if you want a garbage speaker with expensive parts, a Seas W18, Fountek ribbon is a great way to get there.
I just ignore his posts. Seems to have nothing postive to say about anything.
Nothing good to say when something does not warrant saying anything good, perhaps.
If he thinks he is so great, why don't I see a successful speaker company?
Because I'd rather not make my hobby a job.
Also, in the audio industry one has to genuflect towards the idiots who think that wires, amps, etc. have "sound." I have absolutely no stomach for that.
This is the same guy that says he know how a speaker will sound just by looking at his computer monitor
Please learn to read. As I had to point out to Nuance a while back, I never claimed what you think I wrote.
What I have written and what is true, is that I can look at a speaker and tell if it's poorly designed. But sometimes speakers hit the visual cues but still have design flaws that lead to poor sound. The old KEF iQ/xQ lines and the current Q300 are good examples of that. One can't look at the Q100 and Q300 and realize that the Q100 is a vastly better speaker. One has to listen. (Though one could of course look at horizontal polar measurements of both and realize the Q100 was better. I write that having heard both but not having seen polar maps for either. I know what midrange mushroom cloud sounds like.)
The distinction between my claim and your misinterpretation of it is not subtle.
He tears down eveyr brand mentioned, whether it be Ascend, XTZ or whatever. None of them knows how to make a speaker right but he does
Most of the so-called high end audio industry doesn't seem to get what's required for a speaker (even though studies by Klippel, Toole, Olive, the KEF/B&O Archmedes project, etc. have spelled it out), and I do, that is true.
That said, there are plenty of great speakers out there.
If you want a top-to-bottom good-to-excellent Scandinavian speaker line that's reasonably priced, I recommend Gradient.
I would like to hear the
XTZ desktop setup with the Dirac DSP and amp, though. On paper, unlike most of the speakers on their website, that has serious potential to be a good product in its market niche.
The
A800 mini-amp is interesting, too, though it would be better with an optical or HDMI input. Then one could use it for an auxiliary zone to power speakers in an external zone, with an AppleTV or AirPort Express for the source.
