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In Reply to: RE: Acoustat 33 posted by Mendel on April 02, 2015 at 09:06:55
Mendel,
How are your Acoustats working out for you? Initially your reports sounded as though you were a little disappointed in them. Then I seem to recall further reports where you'd given them a thorough cleaning and you sounded more encouraged. Interested to know how you feel about them now you've had them for a while? Hoping we didn't steer you wrong on the purchase recco.
Mike
Follow Ups:
Hi Sondek and bigtrio!
I have now had my Spectra 22 for just under 6 months and finally feel like I am getting great sound in my small room. I wish I had maybe 3 or 4 more feet of length so I could bring the speakers out a little further into the room, but I feel the room size compliments the acoustic output of the two panels per side. I can get lots of output and dynamics with my 90 watt tube amp.
The biggest issues I have had are dealing with the directivity of the output (compared to point source type of speakers) and the (ruthlessly) revealing nature of the speakers. Firstly, these speakers tell you about everything that is happening upstream of them. I have had to totally redo my turntable setup and spent days (weeks?) adjusting VTA and VTF. Lots of tube rolling in amp and preamp. Different isolation devices and acoustic tuning for the room. Every change is obvious thru these speakers.
With regards to the directivity, the sound changes with even a 1/2 inch movement of the speakers or even a small shift in toe in. To much toe in and you get great detail and a wider sweet spot, but the sound comes of the panels. Too little toe in and the sound floats free of the speakers but is less detailed a not as focused. When you get it right, when everything is right, it can be magical. Close your eyes and you are there magical. But it has been a lot of work. Definitely not speakers for the faint of heart. These are true hobbiest speakers.
I strongly feel that you must remove the factory "socks" to fully hear the magic of these speakers. And I have no doubt that upgrading the electronics in the interfaces (now approaching 30 years old) with modern caps and resistors will make them sound even bettor. But they are sounding so good right now as is that I am in no rush.
Your story with them so far sure reminds me of myself when I got my Monitor 4s. A-ffriggin-men on the ruthlessly revealing comment. If you have a week link anywhere in the chain before them they will make it their job to point it out to you in no uncertain terms. The optimum distance from the wall behind them is around 36 to 38 inches. Mine are 38 from the wall behind, 6' apart on center, and the listening spot is 9'. I have them toed in an never completely satisfied with the toe. It's almost like adjusting the toe per rrecording. It's not that bad but I seem to screw with toe more frequently than I ever did when I had Vandy's. The other thing you said about them being a hobbyist speaker is so true too. Like having a vintage sports car. Soooooo much fun, but, as you said, not for the faint of heart.
Edits: 04/04/15
Hi Mendel, that's cool how you have everything suspended from the ceiling. Just kidding. Post some more pics preferably right side up. I agree with you, about the stock sock. It is a burlap material and veils the sound considerably. I used a spandex material which is acoustically much more transparent.
Hey the picture looks right to me!
Here is one from the side view,
I loved my Spectra 2200s...even better than my Spectra 4400s!
They will tell you everything that your upstream system is doing...and the better you feed these speakers the better they will sound. I had seriously expensive gear on mine over the years and they were a reviewer's dream...making all changes very obvious and easy to spot.
Hello Morricab, I have read many of your threads regarding Acoustats with great interest. I'm glad you responded to this thread. A few months ago I bought a pair of Acoustat model 3's with red Medallion interfaces and that was my first experience with the side by side panels. My 1+1's and 2+2's I have listened to off and on since 1986. In my listening room there is something very special with the soundstage on these model 3's. I really like them. To me the difference is on the 3's the image seems to be more up front sounding as compared to the 1+1's and 2+2's the image seems to be more behind the speakers. I will be picking up my Spectra 33's from Ampzilla Joe this coming weekend so looking forward to the differences with the new panels and interfaces. I wish I knew how to stop buying Acoustat's but I guess that is the kid in me. It's always fun trying new toys.
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