I see a lot of opinions--but no measurements (on-axis or better yet--polar sonograms) for even the DIY configurations. So it appears that the OP might have listening biases rather more likely than than loudspeaker...or even room acoustics...issues. I see no calibration on the listener's hearing system.
After saying this:
Chris
After saying this:
...the gentleman is inviting the kind of discomforting comments that seem to be increasing.
Chris
Just as a reference point:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/volti-audio-razz-loudspeaker-measurements
https://www.stereophile.com/content/volti-audio-rival-loudspeaker-measurements
Per the designer, from his manufacturer’s comment on S’phile in 2017:
Compare and contrast the subjective reviews to the objective measurements above. Sighted listening tests, etc, etc…as humans, none of us are immune.
Best,
Anand.
I took a look at the Stereophile measurements of the Volti speakers. I can see right away why these will have a distinctive "sound" or tonal balance - the frequency response curves have (1) a bass peak at 100 Hz, and (2) overall the FR has a pronounced "U" shape across the audio band that is 10dB or more in amplitude. That is exactly how many noob listeners tend to EQ their systems. It can leave a positive impression after a quick listen but in the long term often gives rise to listener fatigue.
Nothin' that can't be fixed with the right cables.
I suppose it differs depending on if one wan't to demonstrate DSP capabilities or compare transparency....
//
I went to AXPONA on Friday. The room that blew me away the most was the one with the Voigt Pipe and Alpair 11 speakers. I couldn't believe the sound I was hearing in that room and the speaker looked so simple (see photo in OP's post). I wish I had spoken with the speaker designer.
If it doesn't clash with my racing schedule I am going to be there. I can enter something. I think you said the format is two house songs and then one of your chosen songs in a room of people seated.
So it would have to be my 3 way towers for that. I try not to compete because I can get really competitive.
Greg Roberts is a nice guy, but apparently has not shed his carpentry mind set (building houses in Maine, and DJing in his spare time). I'm still not sure that knows how to take and interpret acoustic measurements of his own designs, much less produce a loudspeaker that measures as well as he thinks it sounds.
Chris
She prefers the sound ours at home but she liked these ones that were really tall and swoopy. They had a nice clear sound, very natural, and they were absolutely gorgeous. Had like two woofers at the bottom facing out at 20 degree angles. I don't have a Pic of those.
For casual DIY events, like those in InDIYana, Detroit and Iowa, there is 5 minutes house tracks followed by 5 minutes of your own demos.
At the Speaker Design Competition there are 3 approximate one-minute tracks. The three judges sit in the prime listening seats with everyone else behind them in rows do chairs.
Judges last year were Vance Dickason, Andrew Jones, and Jerry McNutt (Lead Transducer Designer at Eminence).
That was a given as far as I'm concerned. I didn't think it was the least bit deceptive. If you're going to bother with DSP in the first place, why tie one hand behind your back? Use it for all it's worth. Anybody who's going to buy a $4000 DSP crossover ought to use every bit of its considerable capability.
It was clear talking to the Volti guy that he's not very technical.
I am aware of the measurement shortcomings from the reviews.
I still thought the sound in his room was quite good, and I like the way he's updated the old Klipsch concepts. His speakers are gorgeous.
I also think it would be fun to "Perry-ize" one of those designs, or a Klipsch design. A DSP Klipschorn or LaScala with better drivers and linear phase and constant directivity and all the rest.
DSP is a gift to loudspeaker builders though, and there are excellent designs that are largely based around the speaker needing DSP to behave right. So many speakers out there where the goal is to get good DI and then fix everything else with DSP.
I fully agree with this. It's quite quick to design a new crossover and (at least with sigma studio) you can implement several crossovers and switch from one to the other only pushing a button to abx. I would probably never tried to make a crossover before, just because of the price it can cost in material to make trials ...
Are these speakers by Andrew Jones?
I've attended every AXPONA for the last 14 years including when they were at the Westin by O'Hare. This year was so disappointing, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thought my system at home was better than 95% of the rooms. How can B&W make 800 diamond series speakers sound so bad? I also thought the number of rooms and exhibitors was down by a third.
I did get to meet Wayne and Anastasia from PASS Labs, the highlight of the show for me. I've always wanted to thank Wayne for his BA2018 preamp design as I've built two, one balanced and one single ended.
The highlight of my experience was lunch at the Mitsuwa Marketpalce food court. Spicy Ramen noodle from Santouka is still my favorite.
I've been to Iowa a number of years but never to AXPONA.
Every year I leave IA amazed at how good some of the designs are. More so when the builders talk about " I had some old drivers on the shelf, thought I'd do something with them because I was bored"
I wish I was that good...
Every year I leave IA amazed at how good some of the designs are. More so when the builders talk about " I had some old drivers on the shelf, thought I'd do something with them because I was bored"
I wish I was that good...
I agree, why handicap either design by having to match to the other?
For me apples-to-apples, would be the best passive one could make, vs the best active DSP one could make.....on the exact same physical speaker.
After all, isn't the best sound possible, what we are all after?