As Promised.....
Sorry this is so late tonight but I just got in from work a few minutes ago and haven't had time for a break.
Here are my thoughts, reasons for those thoughts, and back ground on the Sunfire Trio & Duo speakers. While it might sound like I'm a fan-boy, I assure you that I am not a fan-boy of anything nor am I on Bob Carvers jock like a lot of professional reviewers at major publications. When I audition a product for my business I have expectations based on prior experience sure, but they never ever get in the way of me judging a product as better or worse. I am ALWAYS more critical than any client I'll ever meet. That's why everyone is happy and my return rate is 0% unless I put something in that I feel is crap (like Triad Bronze &/or Silver in-walls.... I replaced those on my own dime for a client after using them for the first time).
On with the show....
I'll not make any secret about it. I generally love the clarity of a ribbon speaker. I'll preach until I'm blue in the face that the ribbon/Kevlar based BG PD-6Ci & it's 8" brother are THE best in-ceiling speakers on the market today at any price point. It's the ribbon. To my ears, the "spread" and imaging of a ribbon tweeter is unmatched by dome based products. It's tough to explain unless you sit and compare a few pairs of dome and then try a ribbon. It's engulfing.
Even with my expectations being so high the Sunfire Trio loudspeaker and their Duo counter parts have floored me to the point that they are my favorite speakers I sell. Not my favorite system - that's the Phase Technology dARTS - but my favorite individual speaker. They are on the "higher" price of plasma friendly on-wall/in-wall & book shelf speakers, but in my opinion they are without peer and the top bargain for that type of speaker. Can't be touched.
Most plasma, in-wall, or book shelf speakers sound smallish. Like they're always calling out for a bigger cabinet or more/bigger drivers. NOT the Sunfires. Not at all. They play big, loud, and strong throughout any range of volume you'd like. I would absolutely use either Trio or Duo in a dedicated theatre room. I would also use them as a bookshelf music system. In fact, I ordered a pair of the Duos to take around with me and demo the Sonos whole house audio system to people building homes. I also ordered the front three Trios and a rear pair of Duos for the secondary system in my own home. I personally use the secondary system the most because the 9 year old and her mother monopolize the primary system with high school musical reruns & other "reality" based TV shows that I don't want to always watch after a hard day of work. Typically I want to either blow stuff up on the X-Box 360 or watch old Arnold movies where he kills islands of people (mostly for the rediculous one-liners, not the killing people). To be truthful, I am totally pumped with the Sunfires going on the TV I use the most because I love their sound.
Musically, these things are great. A lot of people (wrongfully) think of ribbons as more of the "classical music guy" speaker. You know, a finesse product that was not meant for someone like me who occasionally likes to get the Led out and watches 90% action movies. The Sunfire In-wall Trios were concert-like in performance with all types of music. Guns & Roses, Eric Clapton, and Sheryl Crowe all sounded beautiful and I caught myself actually listening to Diana Krall's Christmas album through my clients new Sonos in his basement as we spoke about how to operate everything. Huh?! I'm a 27 year old dude listening to Diana Krall? That NEVER happens! But the Sunfires just sucked me in. I was enjoying it.
Build quality on these is unmatched for this type of speaker and in this price point. They’re very very heavy for their small size and a gorgeous finish. The in-walls are fully enclosed from the factory. Be warned: The in-wall center is particularly long so check your dimensions. I was really uneasy at first when I saw the speakers online but in person they're great. Very dark rosewood lacquered finish is superb. I wish Gloss piano black was available, but that's a small nitpick because the speaker looks black in anything but direct sunlight.
I will post pictures next week end when my client gets back in town and I go out for a final walk through. That project had the Sunfire Trio In-walls (paint matched) as well as two of the new Sunfire HRS-10 subs (which are also very nice by the way) and a Marantz SR8002. His install was quirky because for the rear speakers we had to go in-ceiling (BG PD-6Ci) which voice matched very well. I will also post pictures of my Sunfire System as soon as I can get everything up. On Monday I will pull some out of the boxes and post detailed pictures of the individual speakers including the “acoustical lens” that’s been mentioned in the reviews. If anyone else is interested I will also post pictures of the other systems we’re doing with the Trios as well.
Runamuck, I have not had the chance to use these behind a front projection screen. However, there’s no way they would have any problem at all.
Note: These things thrive on power. Get a great amp or higher end receiver. The Marantz SR8002 sounded fabulous in the system we just did.
Be back soon. Feel free to ask questions.
