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Original Message
REVIEW: Quadrature DSP-5a Speakers
Posted by Jerry O on March 29, 2004 at 10:04:03:
Model: DSP-5a Category: Speakers Suggested Retail Price: $8,750 Description: Three-Way Cone Driven Loudspeaker with DSP allignment Manufacturer URL: Not Available Manufacturer URL: Not Available
Review by Jerry O (A) on March 29, 2004 at 10:04:03
IP Address: 130.76.64.16Add Your Review
for the DSP-5aIt's been a struggle for me for years trying to find a loudspeaker with the coherency, speed, and detail of 'stats combined with the dynamics of cones. So, I've gone through 7 pairs of speakers including 4 pairs of Martin Logan hybrids over the last 8 years or so. I've always gone back, though, to the ML's as the best sonic compromise. I was getting a bit frustrated, and, of course, I don't have the pocket book or perfect room for some $50,000 "dream" speakers, so I could not avoid the inevitable system compromises. And, I wanted additional dynamics so badly that I was even looking at some of the "high-end" horn hybrid pro speakers...oh no!...Well, I stumbled into a local dealer who had on consignment a very obscure, DSP driven cone speaker from a company that was the brain child of Rene Brezne (former co-founder of original Threshold Company). The speaker is a traditional looking tower, 3 way cone driven, with gorgeous rosewood cabinetry, and unsually an outboard digital signal processing (DSP) unit for constant allignment of phase, timing, etc...(way beyond this layperson's expertise).The speaker had what I wanted aesthetically, but did it deliver the sonic goods? I tested the speakers with the following musical selections: Tchaikovsky 1st Piano Concerto, 3rd movement (G. Solti conducts), Kathy Lowther-Captain Courageous (Chesky), and Diana Krall (Live in Paris). To put it simply, I was absolutely amazed! The music approached the speed, detail, and coherency of my beloved Martin Logans. Blending of the cones was seemless. Openess and transparency were very close to the 'stats, quite a feet for cones. And, the dynamics were incredible! The bass is almost too much...I said "almost". I did A/B with the DSP unit in and out of the circuit. The DSP added a small amount of gain and the music was a smidgen more articulate, but not to a great degree. Anyway, suffice it to say, this was the best balanced speaker I've heard anywhere near my modest budget (fortunately for me, they were on consignment at $.30 cents on the dollar). They actually reminded me soncially of a smaller version of my Dad's Infinity Beta's which I still feel are one of the best sounding speaker sytems I've ever heard, including when compared to today's "dream" speakers.
Product Weakness: A little bass heavy sonically. I think, though, I can get use to it. Product Strengths: Wonderful balance of coherency, detail, and dynamics. Lovey rosewood cabinetry.
Associated Equipment for this Review: Amplifier: Yamaha PC2002M (Class A/B studio speaker, 240 wpc) Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Canary Audio CA-801 SE line state; Monolithic Sound PS-1/HC-1b phono stage Sources (CDP/Turntable): Musical Fidelity A3.2 CDP, VPI HW-19MkIV/Rega RB300/Grado Sonata Speakers: See Review Cables/Interconnects: Audio Magic, Harmonic Tech, Tekline Music Used (Genre/Selections): See Review Room Size (LxWxH): 12.5' x 17' x 8-10' Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 weeks Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
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