Technics Bearing Mod

[MartinT]

The Mezzo's main strength was its midrange. Transparent, uncoloured and gorgeous within a slightly cool presentation. I used to think the advanced Teoxid inverted dome Focal tweeter was sweet and extended, but the Usher's Beryllium tweeter is frankly in a different class with incredible detail and extension but not in-your-face at all.

In the midrange they are closest but the projection and focus of voice and sheer neutrality of the Usher wins the day, not to mention the latter's serious dynamic punch.

No contest in the bass. The Mezzo was impressive for a single 11" driver per side, but needed a REL Studio II subwoofer to reproduce the bottom octave for my beloved organ recordings. No such need with the Be-20, which is a large speaker for my room and benefits from good room treatment.

Build and finish-wise, both speakers are superb.

Overall the Mezzos were always on the slightly cool side of neutral. The Ushers are as near as dammit neutral or very slightly warm in their presentation and better match my preference for transistor electronics.

[DSJR]

The ATC SCM200ASL's have two 12" bass units and the 300A's have two 15" drivers. The dynamics are better than any donestic setup I've yet heard, but they're NOT an easy listen as they can reproduce the natural dynamics of a drum kit or trumpet or sax for example. The big PMC's are similar I'm told, although I've never heard the BB15's, surely light years ahead of blingy domestic stuff ?

[Dave Cawley]

I may be convinced yet! Marco, where did you hear the ATC EL150's?

Dave

[Marco]

Hi Dave,

LOL - tempting you, am I?

Trust me, the big ATCs are the dogs danglies!

ECS (http://www.ecsamplifiers.co.uk/product1.aspx?id=11) demo'd them at a show a while back with their 200W EA-1 monoblocks (amps I used to own before going the valve route).

To say that the sound was staggering in a 'there's a live band in the room!' way was an understatement!

I've heard these too, and they're even naughtier (JBL K2)...



More info here: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-10313992-47.html

Marco.

P.S Martin, regarding Focal vs. Usher... I don't have as much direct experience as you, but from what I've heard of both I completely concur with your views!

[Dave Cawley]

JBL's look good, but way smaller than the GamuT, not sure I could live with that compromise? Which show did you hear the ATC's at? and where will they be showing next? Assume you haven't actually heard the Focal's though? You really should?

Dave

[Marco]

Hi Dave,

LOL... The JBLs might look 'small' in the picture but in the flesh they're humungous!

It was at one of the London shows a few years ago that I heard the ATCs. I've no idea where they will be showing next, if at all. Do you fancy them, then? What are you going to do with the Focals?

I know Focal speakers pretty well. I heard some (Mezzos?) at Whittlebury Hall and I thought they sounded dreadful. However, I've heard them sound much better than that though at Acoustica in Chester. Mind you, those were the older models before the update.

I've also heard Micro and Mini Utopias, many times in various systems, and various models in the Elektra range, right up to the biggest floorstanders.

They're good in some respects, but a bit 'toppy' in the French tradition. I much prefer the overall, IMO, more natural balance of the Ushers (large and small), which I first heard in Hi-fi Sound in Darlington (now Stockton-on-Tees) a few years ago.

Marco.

[Marco]

Dave,

Jamo R909 open-baffles are also rather nice:



More info here: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/jamo/909.html

I really like them in red (shown in the above link)!

All the new speakers I've posted here (at your request) represent my cup of tea and what I consider as 'serious'.

Marco.

[Dave Cawley]

In my youth, I had huge JBL's but the ones you suggested are not that big!! I'm looking way above Usher level, something with real bass and real drive, fast dynamics and little compression. At least two things contribute to that, a large bass cone area and a large cabinet, hence the GamuT's score so very well. I have heard them, and had an individual demo, it's no wonder the Worlds Hi Fi press like them. I need to hear the big ATC you suggest, hence my asking? My budget is up to £60K retail.

Dave

[Marco]

In my youth, I had huge JBL's but the ones you suggested are not that big!!

Then you need the DD66000EB Everests:



More info here: http://www.jbl.com/EN-GB/Products/Pa...?PID=DD66000RW And here: http://www.price.ro/specificatii_jbl...ood_134546.htm

Those should do the trick!

something with real bass and real drive, fast dynamics and little compression. At least two things contribute to that, a large bass cone area and a large cabinet...

This I know... It's why I don't 'do' diddy little speakers!!

Regarding the ATCs, contact Bob Polley - he's yer man

E-mail: bob@atc.gb.net. Phone: 01285 760561.

Marco.

[MartinT]

I'll bet they (the JBLs) can move air, they'd probably compression load the average room until your ears popped.