Post by Animo on Jul 26, 2010 14:37:58 GMT -5
Sure Leo,
Thank a man for what he put in your stomach.. ;D
But I guess when you were leaving, you were more concerned about taking the EmoWear that I gave you from my GTG than taking home your Bel Cantos. I take that as thanks enough.
As mentioned by the others, it was a great day and Wideawake was a gracious host. I can't wait to see the finish that finally ends up on those dipoles. I can say this much, I was very impressed with the sound that was reproduced by these speakers. I kid Wideawake about comparing his DIY dipoles, to my DIY enclosed speakers. We both like it loud. We both like detail, and we both like imaging. I will say, that compared to mine, the dipoles imaged a little better. They completely blend into the environment. The crispness and clarity of the top end was comparable to mine. The bass reproduction was just slightly off compared to mine, but still quite respectable for an open design. Truthfully, I was quite impressed. Now bear in mind that I have a pair of 10 in woofers facing out from the sides of my cabinets, and the dipoles have a pair of 12s facing fore and aft. I am assuming that the open design is not reinforcing the bass as my cabinets do. And I am not including the use of my sub in this equation either. In the midrange, the dipoles were no slouch, but I still think I have some of the sweetest sounding midranges ever made in my system.
As mentioned by Ben and Leo, when we hooked up the Bel Canto amps to the full range drivers, and powered the woofers with the Emotiva amp, Wideawake's speakers opened up a bit more in the all around presentation. There is no fatigue at all and I could listen to these speakers all day at any decibel level. The only thing Wideawake needs to work on is some room treatments to eliminate the null areas, which he had warned us about prior to any listening. At the sweet spot, these speakers are just that.....sweet.
One other note, Ben's DAC continues to impress those familiar with it's sound, and newcomers alike. At my GTG, those present were awestruck by the detail this little piece of equipment produces....and now, it is even more impressive, as it now has an enclosure...aka...the Dac in a Box......
Toward the end of the day, we put The Hulk into the Oppo, set the sound for 2 channel Dolby and away we went. For just 2 speakers, the presentation was quite good. There was a completely open sound-stage, and a very good low end, considering we had no LFE channel or surrounds. I'm sure this will be addressed sometime in the future, possibly hanging his ERM-1s on the side walls, a third dipole for the center, although it didn't really seem to be lacking anything with just the 2 up front, and maybe a sub...(I'll help build one if asked, and you all know what I have in mind ;D)
Ok, enough words, you guys have been busting for pictures so here they are. Sorry I didn't take more shots, but we were more involved in the experience than anything else.
The gear and speakers
The gear up close
Bi amped mode
Ben's DAC (at my GTG)
Ben's DAC in a BOX
Thank a man for what he put in your stomach.. ;D
But I guess when you were leaving, you were more concerned about taking the EmoWear that I gave you from my GTG than taking home your Bel Cantos. I take that as thanks enough.
As mentioned by the others, it was a great day and Wideawake was a gracious host. I can't wait to see the finish that finally ends up on those dipoles. I can say this much, I was very impressed with the sound that was reproduced by these speakers. I kid Wideawake about comparing his DIY dipoles, to my DIY enclosed speakers. We both like it loud. We both like detail, and we both like imaging. I will say, that compared to mine, the dipoles imaged a little better. They completely blend into the environment. The crispness and clarity of the top end was comparable to mine. The bass reproduction was just slightly off compared to mine, but still quite respectable for an open design. Truthfully, I was quite impressed. Now bear in mind that I have a pair of 10 in woofers facing out from the sides of my cabinets, and the dipoles have a pair of 12s facing fore and aft. I am assuming that the open design is not reinforcing the bass as my cabinets do. And I am not including the use of my sub in this equation either. In the midrange, the dipoles were no slouch, but I still think I have some of the sweetest sounding midranges ever made in my system.
As mentioned by Ben and Leo, when we hooked up the Bel Canto amps to the full range drivers, and powered the woofers with the Emotiva amp, Wideawake's speakers opened up a bit more in the all around presentation. There is no fatigue at all and I could listen to these speakers all day at any decibel level. The only thing Wideawake needs to work on is some room treatments to eliminate the null areas, which he had warned us about prior to any listening. At the sweet spot, these speakers are just that.....sweet.
One other note, Ben's DAC continues to impress those familiar with it's sound, and newcomers alike. At my GTG, those present were awestruck by the detail this little piece of equipment produces....and now, it is even more impressive, as it now has an enclosure...aka...the Dac in a Box......
Toward the end of the day, we put The Hulk into the Oppo, set the sound for 2 channel Dolby and away we went. For just 2 speakers, the presentation was quite good. There was a completely open sound-stage, and a very good low end, considering we had no LFE channel or surrounds. I'm sure this will be addressed sometime in the future, possibly hanging his ERM-1s on the side walls, a third dipole for the center, although it didn't really seem to be lacking anything with just the 2 up front, and maybe a sub...(I'll help build one if asked, and you all know what I have in mind ;D)
Ok, enough words, you guys have been busting for pictures so here they are. Sorry I didn't take more shots, but we were more involved in the experience than anything else.
The gear and speakers
The gear up close
Bi amped mode
Ben's DAC (at my GTG)
Ben's DAC in a BOX
