Post by Themanthatisi on Mar 9, 2010 11:01:04 GMT -5
Hey guys,
I was at the show too, its been awhile since I had a chance to hear so many nice pieces of Equipment. First, I want to mention, I agree with LCSeminole on the 1 driver speakers in the Cary room, for their size they were impressive. However, even with their great detail and clarity, I do think their smaller size, like most small speakers, lack the “soundstage” I prefer. However, they were the best sounding bookshelf sized speakers my ears ever had the pleasure to listen to. I am a big speaker guy, to me, small speakers are for when you don’t have the room or a wife - lol. After hearing most of the speakers there, I did prefer the sound of the Legacy Audio Whispers, they are massive though and cost 16K. However, they have the most awesome soundstage, clarity and depth of all the speakers I heard there, but thats my opinion, others may not agree.
I know most of you, like me, only care about the stuff we can actually afford. I will never own speakers that cost 16k for a pair anyway, unless I win Lotto and have money to throw around. There was also the many “golden ear” goodies for the snobs that know it all. Like the uber expensive 3’ power cords that are suppose to offer better sound even though the 50’ or so of wire in the wall back to the breaker panel is construction grade solid core wire with no shielding- LOL. Ok, I won’t continue on bashing people with God-Like hearing and come across as jealous I am only a mere mortal.
As for Emotiva, well, they were, I think one of the only ones with a HT setup going, most there were showing off 2ch sound. Emotiva had 2 rooms and did a EXCELLENT job in my opinion. What I wanted to hear the most was their XPA amps compared to the UPA’s and I was able to have that demo (mono’s vs mono’s). Well, I did a blind test, not knowing where they started off and ended and going back and forth when I asked (they had a fast switch over). Well, if I had to chose, the XPA’s hands down were more detailed, had a better soundstage, imaging was better and all while sounding relaxed (not too forward I mean), as if long listening would not cause ear fatigue. This is also a testament to their speakers that I enjoyed very much . The only complaint about the speakers is when I listened to SRV on them, they were a bit too laid back compared to other music and I do not like the black finish. If they offer these speakers in real veneers, I would definitely have a closer look. But I won’t say if I like them better then my Swans, it would not be fair since different rooms and amps would make that opinion invalid.
The Emotiva stuff was as well presented as anyone there with a price point that is way cheap. You could literally sit in Emotiva’s room and compare them to the likes of Krell, Cary, and so on with price being no object even. Put it this way, even If I was rich and did not already have a system, I would have went home with Emotiva XPA monos, the ERC-1 CD player and the Legacy Audio Whispers… That’s saying a bunch considering all the legendary names at the show.
In saying that, I am happy with my own setup and have money to spend on other hobbies. Most of the stuff there are for snobs with money to burn. I am sure some of them think Emotiva should not even be there simply because it’s not overpriced like others and CAN’T be any good. I will tell anyone to take a close look at Emotiva. By the way, my friend Jack, who was there earlier in the day with me is doing just that after he heard the 2ch setup. Its not hard to be an Emotiva fan at all…. :-)
I was at the show too, its been awhile since I had a chance to hear so many nice pieces of Equipment. First, I want to mention, I agree with LCSeminole on the 1 driver speakers in the Cary room, for their size they were impressive. However, even with their great detail and clarity, I do think their smaller size, like most small speakers, lack the “soundstage” I prefer. However, they were the best sounding bookshelf sized speakers my ears ever had the pleasure to listen to. I am a big speaker guy, to me, small speakers are for when you don’t have the room or a wife - lol. After hearing most of the speakers there, I did prefer the sound of the Legacy Audio Whispers, they are massive though and cost 16K. However, they have the most awesome soundstage, clarity and depth of all the speakers I heard there, but thats my opinion, others may not agree.
I know most of you, like me, only care about the stuff we can actually afford. I will never own speakers that cost 16k for a pair anyway, unless I win Lotto and have money to throw around. There was also the many “golden ear” goodies for the snobs that know it all. Like the uber expensive 3’ power cords that are suppose to offer better sound even though the 50’ or so of wire in the wall back to the breaker panel is construction grade solid core wire with no shielding- LOL. Ok, I won’t continue on bashing people with God-Like hearing and come across as jealous I am only a mere mortal.
As for Emotiva, well, they were, I think one of the only ones with a HT setup going, most there were showing off 2ch sound. Emotiva had 2 rooms and did a EXCELLENT job in my opinion. What I wanted to hear the most was their XPA amps compared to the UPA’s and I was able to have that demo (mono’s vs mono’s). Well, I did a blind test, not knowing where they started off and ended and going back and forth when I asked (they had a fast switch over). Well, if I had to chose, the XPA’s hands down were more detailed, had a better soundstage, imaging was better and all while sounding relaxed (not too forward I mean), as if long listening would not cause ear fatigue. This is also a testament to their speakers that I enjoyed very much . The only complaint about the speakers is when I listened to SRV on them, they were a bit too laid back compared to other music and I do not like the black finish. If they offer these speakers in real veneers, I would definitely have a closer look. But I won’t say if I like them better then my Swans, it would not be fair since different rooms and amps would make that opinion invalid.
The Emotiva stuff was as well presented as anyone there with a price point that is way cheap. You could literally sit in Emotiva’s room and compare them to the likes of Krell, Cary, and so on with price being no object even. Put it this way, even If I was rich and did not already have a system, I would have went home with Emotiva XPA monos, the ERC-1 CD player and the Legacy Audio Whispers… That’s saying a bunch considering all the legendary names at the show.
In saying that, I am happy with my own setup and have money to spend on other hobbies. Most of the stuff there are for snobs with money to burn. I am sure some of them think Emotiva should not even be there simply because it’s not overpriced like others and CAN’T be any good. I will tell anyone to take a close look at Emotiva. By the way, my friend Jack, who was there earlier in the day with me is doing just that after he heard the 2ch setup. Its not hard to be an Emotiva fan at all…. :-)
