Glad you like them Drjoe!
You won’t find another speaker with quality rosewood veneer cabinet, nicely voiced, and high quality crossover like this for $300.
You won’t find another speaker with quality rosewood veneer cabinet, nicely voiced, and high quality crossover like this for $300.
What's even more insane is I got them on the Memorial Day Sale for $250!
Am I correct in assuming that larger inductor is in the woofer circuit and don't bother trying to "upgrade" to air-core?
Am I correct in assuming that larger inductor is in the woofer circuit and don't bother trying to "upgrade" to air-core?
Yes, it’s the woofer and has very low DCR. You will need a very heavy gauge air core to get same low DCR. This gives the nice bass response. Iron core works well for woofers if properly implemented.
I have placed my Vanguard Scouts in a 'Compromised Location'. Mainly because of other factors of life. My main listening room is occupied by a Very Large Horn System, and the Scouts are doing duty in my Upstairs Great Room for TV, Movies and Background Music. The Bass can get a bit boomy because of this location. They are on a book shelf, with 10 inches behind the speaker. They are basically inside a small 'cavern'. (Picture Attached). I am thinking that a Port Plug of some type would help with this situation. What would you recommend for this?
Some grey packaging foam (polyurethane open or closed cell) stuffed in the port should work. Even a small microfiber towel.
I used a couple of Micro Fiber towels as you suggested, and that seems to have taken care of the boomies. So, thanks much !
Great sound does not have to cost audiophile dollars. $299/pair Vanguard Scout speeakers driven to bliss with $130 single-ended tube amp from China (FM 30 tube amp).
Unbelievable..
Unbelievable..
That FM30 Amplifier only puts out about 4 Watts per channel, Correct? --- Is that really enough power for those speakers? - I own a pair myself, but that would seem to be under powered to me. Unless I'm missing something.... Also, what kind of speaker stands are those?
That FM30 Amplifier only puts out about 4 Watts per channel, Correct? --- Is that really enough power for those speakers? - I own a pair myself, but that would seem to be under powered to me. Unless I'm missing something.... Also, what kind of speaker stands are those?
They are Pangea LS300 speaker stands.
With FU-19 tubes, I have seen the 4 watts figure, but I thought I saw somewhere possibly 6 watts(?) with FM30 tubes, or it could just seem more powerful due to higher gain.
In my desktop audio setup above, FM30 plays as loud as I want, but in traditional speaker setups, who knows? I bought a second FM30 amp for a traditional room, but it's powering 110 dB sensitive horns, so..
Some grey open cell foam used in packaging works well. Stuff it in tight.
A rolled up or balled up sock works too, just not as pretty.
I also found they loosened up and the boominess went away after a couple days of playing. I'm sure next to a wall they need the ports stuffed.
I know that I'm late to the party here, but I happened to have heard this amp in Nov. 2024 at the Capitol Audiofest. It was in a room hosted by an informal local group. They wanted to showcase a few systems that didn't break the bank yet sounded really good. I believe they had the Scouts hooked up to an inexpensive Fosi 2-channel amp and used a Macbook as the source. These speakers sounded amazing. I couldn't believe that they were $299. I was so impressed that when I decided to put together a 2nd desktop setup that I ordered a pair. They came today, but I haven't unpacked them yet. I will see what they sound like in the morning. I'll probably have to stuff the ports, as I doubt the rear will be more than a foot from the rear wall and I won't be able to pull them out further.
Based on my past experience I would say that they are a great deal. Maybe you could do better in terms of performance with $300 spent on a DIY kit, but then you have to do the work.
Based on my past experience I would say that they are a great deal. Maybe you could do better in terms of performance with $300 spent on a DIY kit, but then you have to do the work.
I build DIY speakers and I know that there is no way you could DIY something this level of cabinet and crossover and fit and finish for $300. The cabinet is amazing on these things and they sound great. The crossovers parts and construction are quite premium. You are getting the benefits of mass production.
@xrk971 I didn't mean it as an insult. Only that DIY MIGHT be the only way to better the Scout, with exceptional skills. My statement was meant as a complement. The Scout is a great speaker. I wouldn't have purchased it otherwise. Though if you look at my comment, I didn't bring fit and finish into it. I only referenced performance. Even that would be challenging. Even DIY has a hard time competing with economies of scale. And you are correct. The execution all around of the Scout is flawless.
No offense taken, I was just pointing out that in my experience making DIY speakers, it is very tough to beat this price - even on performance alone. But you could come close if you have donor cabinets already. Thanks for buying them. Have you set them up and listened yet?