My very modest system

[Jonboy]

In no time you be talking like Margetcarpet Alex Lol

Glad you are enjoying yourself Alex, i feel a valve amp coming soon

[Marco]

Personally, I think the old classics like 'an open window onto the music' and 'music suddenly snaps into focus' take some beating!

Glad you're enjoying the SP1s, dude

Basically, they're 'proper' speakers (just like the Celestions you heard at Scalford, although with their own unique musical signature), which were voiced in the days when people knew how music was supposed to sound.

Sadly, that's an art largely lost these days, where computers and rigid sets of measurements significantly control the final results obtained with today's loudspeaker designs, and you can hear exactly what wrong with the results that methodology produces when you've got an excellent benchmark for musical accuracy to hand from which to judge, such as original SP1s!

Marco.

[DSJR]

Sadly, that's an art largely lost these days, where computers and rigid sets of measurements largely control the final results obtained with today's loudspeaker designs, and you can hear exactly what wrong with that methodology, when you've got an excellent benchmark for musical accuracy such as original SP1s!

Marco.

I have to disagree with you here marco, as I think the knowledge is alive and kicking in those-that-know these things.

With respect, I'd suggest that it's commercial concerns - ie profit and also fashion (slim tall columns with honky organ-pipe style bass) which now dictates the main market. Why improve the B&W 600 series when what you really want to do is push the punter up to the blingier CM series, which probably doesn't cost hugely more to make, but looks posher and commands a much higher price-point.

Where I think we'll both agree, is that the BBC Legacy is still alive and well in both Spendor and Harbeth and there are plenty more speakers out there which do a good job but maybe not at peanuts prices new..... You guys really MUST get to hear some HL P3ESR's, as they do an incredible disappearing act and show the designer's art at its very best I reckon. They may seem expensive for "just" a 5" two-way, but the pride in ownership and long-term satisfaction achievable from these and their predecessors is second to none and very few ever come on the used market (old Spendors too).

[Marco]

Hi Dave,

I have to disagree with you here marco, as I think the knowledge is alive and kicking in those-that-know these things.

I don't disagree (in some cases), but sadly that knowledge isn't being used as widely as it should be, and instead is stifled by the demands of commerciality, which has resulted in the market becoming flooded with squawk boxes and so-so designs that fail to engage one emotively in music like good vintage designs can.

I'm afraid that's the reality!

We need to get back to basics and voice loudspeakers and equipment more by ear (note I said "more", not solely) to allow us to maximise on advantages of modern technology, and stop chasing unobtainable goals fueled by an obssession with achieving 'perfect measurements'.

Marco.

[Rare Bird]

If they voiced modern speakers to sound like oldies the companies wouldnt sell them & thats the most important thing! shame really that theirs so many def people in the world.

[MartinT]

The BBC ditching their world-renowned R&D department was a trajedy. From the superb LS3/5a upwards, they really did know how to voice speakers which just improved as the rest of the system improved.

[Marco]

The BBC ditching their world-renowned R&D department was a trajedy.

Indeed, Martin. And why do you think that happened?

Marco.

[MartinT]

Dumbing down. Spreading themselves too thin. New technologies. Possibly all of the above.

[BTH K10A]

Alex, Great speakers arn't they. I had a pair before moving onto Rogers studio 1a's.

I don't know about you but I found the grills were a pair to reemove easily and ended up putting some little tags on the side to aid removal.

I assume you've got the early ones with the alnico magnets on the bass drivers. If so be careful not to drive them too hard as it doesn't take much to burn out the voice coils in them. Which is precisely what the next owner of mine did and why there's a spate of frenzied bidding whenever drivers crop up on ebay.

I used valve amps with them which is a safe option.

Andy

[Alex_UK]

Alex, Great speakers arn't they. I had a pair before moving onto Rogers studio 1a's.

I don't know about you but I found the grills were a pair to reemove easily and ended up putting some little tags on the side to aid removal.

I assume you've got the early ones with the alnico magnets on the bass drivers. If so be careful not to drive them too hard as it doesn't take much to burn out the voice coils in them. Which is precisely what the next owner of mine did and why there's a spate of frenzied bidding whenever drivers crop up on ebay.

I used valve amps with them which is a safe option.

Andy

Hi Andy, great advice, very much appreciated. A steel rule helps with the grill removal, but to be honest, I've not bothered more than a couple of times as they sound so fine with them in place anyway!

I haven't given them too much of a caning, as not really my thing to be honest as my ears give up long before the speakers do, usually! But yes, they are the early ones, so I will be careful not to over-drive them. You're now the second person to mention valve amps... That new Croft integrated looks appealing...

Thanks again.