Originally Posted by
Marco
Not at all, Jez. I'm simply not in a position to hold a valid opinion, as I've never heard a pair of UL6s with which to make a proper comparison, so I'll take your word for it. The single one I've got certainly excels in its role as a centre speaker in the home-cinema system. The clarity of the midrange response in particular is superb
Nice one, mate. Again, I'm not really qualified to comment, although I would say that I can't detect much lack of speed and/or detail from the 15XRs. But both speakers are really from before my time.
One thing I suspect is that most people's memories (although I'm not necessarily saying yours) of these speakers would've been them used back in the day with a vinyl set-up, most likely a budget one, and most probably too a less than wonderful partnering phono stage or amp, and so overall less than ideal.
However, the 15XRs sound totally different when used in a modern context, on the end of components costing considerably more than they do (and here I'm talking about when used in my main system instead of the Tannoys), and in particular with quality digital equipment, which sounds a million miles away from some of the rather coloured and distorted vinyl set-ups they'd likely have partnered in the 70s...
Also, as front speakers in a bang up to date home-cinema system, they're remarkably capable in many ways and make most modern speakers of their size and calibre sound overtly 'spotlit', 'falsely forced' and musically broken. Therefore, if the cap upgrade adds a bit more finesse and transparency overall, I'll be a very happy bunny indeed
Marco.
That's a good point Marco and yes the vast majority of my considerable time spent listening to 15XR's was on just such equipment when about 18... however... I heard some with better equipment a few years back, CD and Sugden pre and power, and my immediate thought was "just as I remember them"... in their defence these ones had been positioned according to WAF and so were hardly being heard at their best!
The UL6 is a very different sounding beast. I always found the 15XR's a bit of a warm and cuddly sound that was kind to poor recordings and always pretty musical but lacking transparency, detail, speed, depth... the UL6 can make a dogs dinner of poor recordings but can sound startlingly good on the right recordings that show of it's midrange transparency etc. I always thought they sounded rather bass light though. I reckon they are truly accurate from mid bass up, in a "monitor" and "modern" way with full HF extension, but that due to the lack of real bass it leaves them sounding a bit bright on some material.
I'd love to try some UL10's! I've never even seen any in the flesh so guessing not many around...
Arkless Electronics-Engineered to be better. Tel. 01670 530674 (after 1pm)
Modded Thorens TD150, Audio Technica AT-1005 MkII, Technics EPC-300MC, Arkless Hybrid MC phono stage, Arkless passive pre, Arkless 50WPC Class A SS power amp, (or) Arkless modded Leak Stereo 20, Modded Kef Reference 105/3's
ReVox PR99, Studer B62, Ferrograph Series 7, Tandberg TCD440, Hitachi FT-5500MkI, also FT-5500MkII
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