This is the initial review...From my Wife:
First off, I'm not a speaker guy. Or gal. Whatever, I wish he didn't spend so much on speakers and, really, it can be too loud. So I admit I wasn't all that hyped for another damn new set of speakers and the subsequent rearranging of the living room.
Well. I didn't know it was my night to cook, but I'm about to eat some crow.
First off, they're really very pretty. They're sleek and kind of monolithic--but in a way that's more "sculpture by Ikea" and less "large brick with veneer on it." When he pulled off the screens--excuse me, the grills (I've been corrected) the woofers (I called them silver dishy-things) were just beautiful. They were so smooth and shiny I kind of wanted to go over there and rest my cheek against it.
But what really impressed me was the sound quality. I usually can't hear a lot of difference between the previous speakers before (which, oddly enough, is why I don't get excited about buying new ones). But when I played a few songs on these babies I actually heard differences. I mean, tiny specific things in the music I'd never heard before. (And for the record, I'm not one of those music people either) A few examples:
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey: I was able to hear the guitar more clearly, and in the first few verses, was really able to appreciate how it slowly built to a crescendo--and how much more complex those riffs were than I ever thought.
The Rainbow Connection by Sarah McLaughlan: I really appreciated how full and strong her voice is, while remaining so fragile-sounding.
Your Woman by White Town: I could pretty much hear entire new tracks on that one. I could hear enough detail in the baseline to realize that the main beat actually has a thrum like a drumroll in it. And I could hear all sorts of little sounds layered in there that I'd never heard--something like a washboard like in a jugband. Stuff like that.
My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It) by En Vogue: Honestly, the only thing that made it seem like I wasn't hearing a live person sing was the lack of interferrence. When you're in a concert, there are people talking, shifting, cheering, etc. Also, I could really appreciate the harmonies when they sang.
Bottom line is that they're the first set of speakers I've been excited about, and I'm actually kind of looking forward to getting another set--I think that those two sleek monoliths on either side of the room will look pretty damn cool.
There you have it. That is an untouched review from my wife. 6 hours in and I don't think I could add anything relevant. I'm awed that she nailed it. Thing is that she's not to fond of me buying new gear, when I get points like this....well it's a good day. I'm just sorry I spent what I did on the Polk's when I could have built the whole system from TSC.
Let's see what happens when I buy 12 sheets of Owens Corning 705 4" next paycheck....
Thanks all,
Chip & Abbey
