can ID speakers compete?

[Halvie]

Pretty sure one or few models actually are the HiVi...if you look at the bolt pattern on their 6.5" "dyanaudio like" models, you notice that its either a few bolts, say around six or a bunch, around twelve. Well the HiVi 6.8 driver has about 12 bolts where I have never seen a dynaudio driver with that many...and I have tried to find one that does. I seriously doubt that dynaudio has two versions of its 6.5" driver just with a different bolt patter. I have read both that they do and don't, but until I see a dynaudio driver with that layout I feel that it is a HiVi driver.

edit: notice the pattern on the forest. http://www.totemacoustic.com/us/products/columns/forest/ now look at the model one http://www.totemacoustic.com/us/products/compact/model-1_signature/ now look at the swan D2.1se http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_23&products_id=69.


edit: http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/Loudspeakers/reviews/forest.htm....we both are wrong lol?

 

[tomd51]

Sorry Fred, I'm just sick of seeing it over and over. I'll ignore it from here on this thread... -TD

 

[furrycute]

Totem bookshelves use Dynaudio drivers for the woofers, and SEAS tweeters.

Dynaudio makes several grades of drivers, Totem uses one of the most expensive model.

There are 2 SEAS factories, one is the original SEAS Norway, one is the cheaper SEAS India. Totem uses tweeters made in the SEAS Noway factory.

 

[Halvie]

Umm not all Totem bookshelfs use Dynaudio drivers and that being said its blatantly obvious that the driver in the Forrest isn't the same as the Dynaudio drivers used in the higher end bookshelfs.

 

[silversurfer]

There are 2 SEAS factories, one is the original SEAS Norway, one is the cheaper SEAS India. Totem uses tweeters made in the SEAS Noway factory.

Are you sure about that? I know there is a Peerless and a Peerless India.

 

[furrycute]

You are right, I got those 2 mixed up. Was reading about Peerless and Peerless India.

Totem uses SEAS tweeters in their bookshelves.

 

[jostenmeat]

... I seriously doubt that dynaudio has two versions of its 6.5" driver just with a different bolt patter. I have read both that they do and don't, but until I see a dynaudio driver with that layout I feel that it is a HiVi driver.

This was discussed a while back at AVS, and it was confirmed they are not Dynaudio. I can't remember what they really are, but IIRC, it was in a thread with Jon Lane himself as a participant.

 

[Sheep]

http://coincidentspeaker.comcan stand up with/to/surpass anything on the market.

Hey check out those cables! Only $1100 for 4 feet! Everyone get out your wallets!

SheepStar

 

[Soundman]

Originally Posted by Penny View Post
http://coincidentspeaker.comcan stand up with/to/surpass anything on the market.

Hey check out those cables! Only $1100 for 4 feet! Everyone get out your wallets!

SheepStar

Wow! Talk about praying on the ignorant!! Steer clear of these guys.

 

[jcPanny]

ID Awareness

I think that the popularity of forums like this is contributing to the growth and sucess of ID companies.

At AV123 for example, they are bringing a second Cali factory online to try to keep up with demand for the X-series speakers and sub. They plan to ship thousands of the new MFW-15 model this year. MLS is also starting some type of business venture in Vietnam and their new line of electronics will start shipping soon.

No, AV123 is not affiliated with Emotiva. They used to be a supplier just like they were for the Swan speakers back in the day.

 

[fredk]

I think that the popularity of forums like this is contributing to the growth and sucess of ID companies.

That and the quality of their product.

It seems most of the posts in this thread are positive. I would have expected more people would have questions/concerns.

Fred

 

[bkmerrill]

That and the quality of their product.

It seems most of the posts in this thread are positive. I would have expected more people would have questions/concerns.

Fred

agreed..i thought so too..not too many negative things to say about ID..i guess people that like ID stand by them and everyone else doesnt really have any reason to bash ID because they dont know much about them thus the lack of negative posting in this thread. is there nobody here that has a negative opinion about the quality of ID speakers vs b&m?!

 

[fredk]

I can only comment specifically on Axiom as that is the only ID speaker company I have had experience with.

Why should a well run ID company be any different than a well run B&M. Folks like Paradigm & B&W have been around for a long time and make good speakers.

Axiom has been around for a long time and makes good speakers. They also happen to consitantly get rated above their class in sound quality, so they offer a good value for those who can get past the business model concerns.

Really the biggest negative is that it is harder to kick the tires. Some ID companies, like Axiom, have an auditioning program where owners let you come in to their homes to listen, but its harder to do an a/b comparison (though some have).

It also takes effort and in most cases a little money if you are not sure and want to return the speakers.

The risk is that you don't like what you hear once they arrive. The return is that you end up saving a lot of money if you do like what you hear.

Which ever route you go, you can find good quality speakers. You will, however pay a premium for the security of buying B&M.

Fred

 

[bkmerrill]

i think for me that security eliminates a lot of stress, especially in the case of a return, when if im not satisfied with the ID's im just gonna have to pay to return them, then pay the same price i would have for b&m speakers in the first place when i decide i dont wanna deal with ID, and then end up LOSING money not saving it....so i think that i will only buy speakers that i can audition first! if i can find people in my area with some of these ID speakers for me to listen to, then i would probably consider buying ID if i liked what i heard.

 

[rnatalli]

when if im not satisfied with the ID's im just gonna have to pay to return them

Not always. Aperion pays shipping both ways and av123 often offers paying shipping both ways on some speakers like their ELT525's at the moment.

 

[tomd51]

Not always. Aperion pays shipping both ways and av123 often offers paying shipping both ways on some speakers like their ELT525's at the moment.

If most IDs went in this direction, I can't see how anyone wouldn't want to demo their products in their own environment, it's essentially risk-free. Regardless of how many speakers you can listen to at a B&M store, they're likely to sound different in your own home.

That's one thing that I've always found strange, when dealers don't let you take them home and demo them, even for a short period of a few days. I'm sure the mentality is that they could stand to lose a sale if the prospective buyer isn't happy with them in their own home and they'll have to reduce the product price as they've been opened and are no longer brand new if the customer does return them, but think of how many sales they lose out on where folks want this option but forgo buying from these dealers and instead go to a big box electronics store instead... -TD

 

[fredk]

bkmerrill. That makes perfect sense.

Tom, I suspect that speaker damage is a major concern for dealers. Unfortunately, not everyone takes good care of things temporarily in their posesssion.

 

[tomd51]

Tom, I suspect that speaker damage is a major concern for dealers. Unfortunately, not everyone takes good care of things temporarily in their posesssion.

Good point, but there are stipulations that can be put into effect to mitigate product damage issues.

Not sure if/how the big box stores handle things like this (if they do at all or just accept it if it's w/in the return time frame), but I'm sure they could come up with some solution if they felt this was a direction they wanted to go in... -TD

 

[bkmerrill]

Im sure the first concern of the companies and the reason for not moving towards that is the risk of damage. shipping to and from the buyer, carelessness unopening the package or in setting up the speakers, and other factors are reasons that i could understand the ID companies do not provide this free shipping and free no strings attached auditioning. However, this hurts them if you ask me because for people like me who like security, and enjoy being efficient, well read consumers, it is impossible to fully know what your getting without hearing it in your home first, thus my hesitation to buy ID.

anyways, its a problem that will always be there for the ID world, and there will always be people who are willing and able to take the risk, but for those like me who like to make good investments in products which i can see, hear, and feel and verify that it is high quality before i reach for my wallet, the ID route is one of the last resorts in the search for speakers.