Critic's Corner

Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry.

Return to Critic's Corner

JA - Has S'phile reviewed any Tetra speakers?

66.108.29.102
Posted on October 25, 2009 at 08:47:38
Rick W
Audiophile

Posts: 6107
Joined: October 3, 2001
 I haven't heard any of their models, but a number of good musicians are apparently happy customers, as shown in the "Who's listening" section on their site.

This thread is beyond stupid...., posted on October 26, 2009 at 16:03:38
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 11876
Location: Toronto, Canada
Joined: November 22, 2003
 We have a Stereophile reviewer giving a very positive review, then JA measurements and poo-poos them.

All one need do (well in lieu of actually going out and listening to a pair) is decide where your priorities lay... and one way or the other big F'in deal!

As far as the musicians goes I'm inclined to believe they genuinely like the speakers, the suggestion of their recommendations be treated as mere commercial endorsements (a la the Hancock Bose endorsement) seems to me pure foolishness. How much do you think there is in it for them? I mean come on!... what?, Kieth Richards a little short on cash???

And it seems to me the OP is responsible for most of this ... what exactly is his hang up anyway???

Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
RE: This thread is beyond stupid...., posted on October 28, 2009 at 04:24:36
astralnavigator
Audiophile

Posts: 570
Location: North York, Ontario
Joined: June 28, 2009
 I don't think I have any equipment that measures well! Nothing that was ever reviewed by Stereophile or TAS either.

So I guess that where my priorities lie is pretty much how things sound in my home.

The Japanerse review mags have this part right in how they review.

Gosh and golly! I'm so sorry you found it necessary to waste your time dealing with my "hangup" ., posted on October 26, 2009 at 16:36:48
Rick W
Audiophile

Posts: 6107
Joined: October 3, 2001
 Maybe Kuller can give me some pills for it. Meantime.......

But you might try some for bipolar passive/agessive disorder...(nt), posted on October 26, 2009 at 16:46:40
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 15929
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 28, 2003
 (nt)

When all else fails.......... nt, posted on October 26, 2009 at 22:49:26
Rick W
Audiophile

Posts: 6107
Joined: October 3, 2001
 nt

You're the one with the obvious, and unexplained, aggression thang! LOL nt, posted on October 26, 2009 at 16:40:31
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 11876
Location: Toronto, Canada
Joined: November 22, 2003
 .
Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
Sorry, bjh,, posted on October 27, 2009 at 06:03:21
Dave Pogue
Audiophile

Posts: 7491
Location: DC Area
Joined: October 9, 2001
Contributor
  Since: March 18, 2003
 but coming from you that's pretty hilarious :-)

Yeah, seemed pretty amusing to me too :-) nt, posted on October 27, 2009 at 08:27:05
Rick W
Audiophile

Posts: 6107
Joined: October 3, 2001
 nt

RE: JA - Has S'phile reviewed any Tetra speakers?, posted on October 25, 2009 at 10:33:50
John Atkinson
Reviewer

Posts: 1900
Location: New York
Joined: November 24, 2003
 Yes, see http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/805tetra/ . Some
major problems.


John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
Wow, you apparently thought they sucked, both soundwise and engineering-wise. Dunno if......, posted on October 25, 2009 at 11:10:31
Rick W
Audiophile

Posts: 6107
Joined: October 3, 2001
 they got a huge discount or not, but I doubt if that's the reason guys like Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Dave Holland rave about Tetra's. Robert Silverman also endorses them. Isn't he one of the musicians S'phile recorded?

Do you think its simply a matter of ignorance - in terms of comparisons with other speakers they may not have heard - that explains why those excellent musicians like Tetra so much? Could be, I suppose.

John, none of the above is meant as an attack on you or S'phile. Bear in mind that I've never heard Tetra speakers, and obviously have no opinion on their sound. Just curious, due to the endorsements.

Don't buy everything musicians say., posted on October 26, 2009 at 07:32:43
soulfood
Audiophile

Posts: 1500
Joined: August 9, 2001
 "Just curious, due to the endorsements.

All fine musicians but what does their endorsement really mean?

I own some albums by all of them (Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Dave Holland) that are not so hot. I'm not sure if audiophiles make purchases based on musicians' endorsements. If they did a whole lot of money could be saved based on what many use as playback equipment.

I suppose it's advantageous to use such endorsements, particularity in light of tepid or worse reviews.

"All fine musicians but what does their endorsement really mean?", posted on October 26, 2009 at 09:35:23
Rick W
Audiophile

Posts: 6107
Joined: October 3, 2001
 It means that three great jazz musicians who have MUCH, MUCH greater familiarity with what instruments/vocals sound like live in every imaginable type of space than the overwhelming majority of hifi mag readers and AA inmates think the model of Tetras they own are damn good speakers.

As I mentioned, its certainly possible that they don't have much experience with other - perhaps better - comparably priced speakers. But their endorsement piqued my interest, and I doubt I'm alone.
Most musicians are not audiophiles..., posted on October 26, 2009 at 12:04:59
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 15929
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 28, 2003
 ...because they have far greater familiarity with the sound of live instruments, they tend to fill in the missing stuff mentally.

That's been discussed here many times.

Everybody thinks the equipment they own is great.

Spare me the one-size-fits-all generalities and dismissive attitude., posted on October 26, 2009 at 13:33:25
Rick W
Audiophile

Posts: 6107
Joined: October 3, 2001
 The notion that musicians ".....fill in the missing stuff mentally" doesn't mean they can't recognize good - or to use laughable reviewer speak, *neutral* - sound from a playback system (including speakers) when they hear it.

Obviously Herbie/Ron/Dave (and the other musicians who are listed on the Tetra site) *do* care about playback quality. You didn't bother to read what they had to say on the site, did you?

"Everybody thinks the equipment they own is great."

You appear to be speaking somewhat backasswards as relates to the subject at hand. I'd bet Carter, Hancock, Holland (just to pick 3 of the musician endorsers) listened and thought the speakers were great *before* they bought 'em. Or - not knowing any of them - do you just assume they're dumb fucks who bought speakers, then because they did buy the Tetras are compelled to say they are great rather than admit they made a mistake?

I doubt Hancock/Holland/Carter bought Tetra just due to a big discount or freebies in exchange for endorsing Tetra. It ain't like Herbie couldn't afford whatever speakers he wanted, and neither Carter nor Holland are hurtin' for $$ either.

Speakers you've never heard and have no idea about..., posted on October 26, 2009 at 14:18:11
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 15929
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 28, 2003
 ...spare me.

If those famous musicians had endorsed a Bose Wave Radio, what would you be saying about them?

Probably that their endorsement was paid for.

And that may well be the case here.

But if you're arguing that their endorsement is valid and important, I'll believe you when you buy the speakers unheard.

"....I'll believe you when you buy the speakers unheard." Jeez, even for you, that's lame. nt, posted on October 27, 2009 at 10:20:46
Rick W
Audiophile

Posts: 6107
Joined: October 3, 2001
 nt

Herbie Hancock did an informercial for Bose. (NT), posted on October 26, 2009 at 15:21:50
Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 7158
Joined: June 5, 2002

Pardon me, we are discussing endorsements from musicians, posted on October 26, 2009 at 17:08:18
keith_d
Audiophile

Posts: 931
Joined: June 15, 2002
 LOL.

(But I mean it.)

That's your problem., posted on October 26, 2009 at 18:39:46
Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 7158
Joined: June 5, 2002
 I don't listen to any of that trio. And I do wonder about Bob????

Kal

Well Hancock appears on SF Test CD 3,, posted on October 27, 2009 at 07:37:02
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 11876
Location: Toronto, Canada
Joined: November 22, 2003
 where in addition to performing he also gets composer credits on the included material.

Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
RE: That's your problem., posted on October 26, 2009 at 20:14:24
keith_d
Audiophile

Posts: 931
Joined: June 15, 2002
 Perhaps I didn't follow the thread carefully or follow this reply of yours.

I was attempting to humorously imply that Herbie Hancock does not fall into the category of "musician" by admonishing your mention of him as a "musician" who endorsed Bose.

RE: That's your problem., posted on October 27, 2009 at 05:44:10
Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 7158
Joined: June 5, 2002
 I didn't see that humor was your intention.

Non humor: I don't care for Hancock's work., posted on October 27, 2009 at 11:35:41
keith_d
Audiophile

Posts: 931
Joined: June 15, 2002
 Humor: You have incorrectly categorized Hancock as a musician.

Nor do I but......................................., posted on October 27, 2009 at 11:48:40
Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 7158
Joined: June 5, 2002
 his name was introduced by others many paces back in this thread. When someone asked about Bose endorsements, I wanted to remind all of his complicity. ;-)

Kal

lol t, posted on October 27, 2009 at 13:04:39
keith_d
Audiophile

Posts: 931
Joined: June 15, 2002
 t

LOL. Complicity? He committed a crime?, posted on October 27, 2009 at 12:20:46
Rick W
Audiophile

Posts: 6107
Joined: October 3, 2001
 The guy endorsed a RADIO you apparently don't dig. Wow, that certainly disqualifies that earless money grubbing musical ignoramus's view regarding any/all other products.

Nah. I added a smiley to my comment. (NT), posted on October 27, 2009 at 13:18:18
Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 7158
Joined: June 5, 2002

Sorry, missed it. nt, posted on October 27, 2009 at 13:47:47
Rick W
Audiophile

Posts: 6107
Joined: October 3, 2001
 nt

endorsements are not charity, posted on October 26, 2009 at 15:06:39
jdouglas51
Industry Professional

Posts: 651
Location: arizona
Joined: November 11, 2005
 goods, services, or cash is paid.

Of course - usually meaningless...(nt), posted on October 26, 2009 at 15:13:33
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 15929
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 28, 2003
 (nt0

RE: Most musicians are not audiophiles..., posted on October 26, 2009 at 13:18:20
Rob Doorack
Audiophile

Posts: 4706
Joined: May 26, 2000
 One musician I knew explained his crappy stereo to me by saying that to him the difference between a great audio system and a bad one was far less than the difference between all reproduced music and the real thing.

But the same is true of most people in general ... most are not audiophiles., posted on October 26, 2009 at 12:43:35
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 11876
Location: Toronto, Canada
Joined: November 22, 2003
 But when a musician is also an audiophile I see no reason to suspect them being somehow inferior, or compromised, audiophiles ... why? makes no sense.

Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
1. The track record of endorsements. 2. The good ones really do listen to the music & don't fixate on gear. t, posted on October 26, 2009 at 17:10:11
keith_d
Audiophile

Posts: 931
Joined: June 15, 2002
 t

RE: "All fine musicians but what does their endorsement really mean?", posted on October 26, 2009 at 09:48:10
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 11876
Location: Toronto, Canada
Joined: November 22, 2003
 I'm a bit surprised you can't arrange a listen.
Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
Probably could, but at least until I move into......, posted on October 26, 2009 at 10:22:43
Rick W
Audiophile

Posts: 6107
Joined: October 3, 2001
 a bigger living space - hopefully in around a year or so - I'm pretty happy with my Sonus Faber monitors. It'd be nice to have full range speakers at some time in the future.

If you meant listen at Ron Carter's place......I've never met him. AFAIK he's the only one mentioned by Tetra who lives in NYC.

Yeah, the latter ... shame you two haven't met. nt, posted on October 26, 2009 at 11:05:05
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 11876
Location: Toronto, Canada
Joined: November 22, 2003
 .
Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
I have almost always found the audio equip. endorsements of professional, well known musicians to be off base, posted on October 25, 2009 at 15:02:41
keith_d
Audiophile

Posts: 931
Joined: June 15, 2002
 Whether formal endorsements or informal statements. I don't know why this should be, but it's been true for decades.

I haven't heard the Tetras in a serious way, so I'm making a generalization based on my observations of these kinds of endorsers over time.

Also, while decent measurement results can't tell me if a speaker will sound good, poor measurement results can surely reveal basic engineering problems, imo.

I would be interested to hear (read) the manufacturer comment..., posted on October 25, 2009 at 16:31:28
ElDragon
Audiophile

Posts: 1437
Joined: February 19, 2009
 ...maybe the pair was..."broken?" I remember one amp designer had total meltdown in his reply on bad review, and other speaker manufacturer laid the blame of his company demise on Stereophile review. I think it was KR "kronzilla" amp and Waveform speaker?


That reads like a 4 out of 5 star review to me. Maybe I didn't read between the lines? N/T, posted on October 25, 2009 at 14:03:25
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 6371
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 N/T

“ Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination. ” -Michael McClure
Read this., posted on October 25, 2009 at 14:54:53
Rick W
Audiophile

Posts: 6107
Joined: October 3, 2001
 The last paragraph of JA's measurement section of that Tetra review.

"While Paul Bolin apparently managed to work around this speaker's limitations to some extent, its disappointing measured performance precludes any recommendation for the Tetra 505LTD from this magazine, its stunning appearance notwithstanding. From my own auditioning, I feel this speaker is unacceptably colored in the midrange and, in my opinion, suboptimally engineered"

John Atkinson
Frankly my Dear ... nt, posted on October 25, 2009 at 17:26:25
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 11876
Location: Toronto, Canada
Joined: November 22, 2003
 .
Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
RE: Read this., posted on October 25, 2009 at 16:33:30
Wendell Narrod
Audiophile

Posts: 7966
Location: Louisville, KY
Joined: June 2, 2000
 They were too colored for John's tastes. Clearly they weren't for the reviewer. I, for one, don't care how a component measures. If I like the sound that is all that matters to me. I wouldn't let a set of measurements keep me from auditioning a component.


-Wendell
Well, that's absurd. Of course you could see measurements that would make you rule out a component., posted on October 25, 2009 at 19:48:43
keith_d
Audiophile

Posts: 931
Joined: June 15, 2002
 An amp that wouldn't drive a <6 ohm load without shutting down.

A pair of speakers with extremely poor pair matching.

And so on.

Now, maybe if something sounded good to you you would forgive gross frequency response errors or drivers wired out of phase for a given crossover type or a driver which manifestly operates outside of its effective area and so which has no dispersion or has high distortion. I know lots of products guilty of one or more of these maladies and people still like them.

RE: Well, that's absurd. Of course you could see measurements that would make you rule out a component., posted on October 26, 2009 at 05:31:10
Wendell Narrod
Audiophile

Posts: 7966
Location: Louisville, KY
Joined: June 2, 2000
 No, it's not. Why would a spec keep you from listening to a component? Otherwise, why listen at all. Just read the specs and buy. Now, that's absurd. :-)


-Wendell
No, I didn't say buy just because the specs appear minimally okay, posted on October 26, 2009 at 06:19:43
keith_d
Audiophile

Posts: 931
Joined: June 15, 2002
 I said it's perfectly easy to imagine specs which would reasonably preclude a purchase on the basis of their not looking minimally okay. And I gave common sense examples...for naught.

You're right then..., posted on October 25, 2009 at 15:59:48
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 6371
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 I hadn't read that far.

That doesn't at all jibe with the written review and the reviewer's comments.

Since I hardly ever read it, that's what I get for not being familiar with Stereophile's methodology.

Based on the actual review though, I'd like to hear the speakers.

“ Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination. ” -Michael McClure
RE: You're right then..., posted on October 25, 2009 at 19:29:48
Pat D
Audiophile

Posts: 7558
Joined: June 20, 2000
 Well, at $8,000-$11,000, I wouldn't put a speaker that measures like that on my audition list! I might listen to it if it happened to be in a store I was visiting and I had a lot of time. The response is too uneven, and there seem to be some strange resonances.

I have linked below to Stereophile's measurements to a nice speaker, the PSB (new) Stratus Mini, that first came out about 1996, and listed about $1000. We have a pair in our family room for HT. They are very clear on voices, quite good on music (not quite as smooth as my main speakers), and very easy to listen to.

"Probability is the very guide to life."---Cicero
Agreed, posted on October 26, 2009 at 08:10:50
kerr
Audiophile

Posts: 3695
Location: Central Indiana
Joined: November 10, 2003
 >Well, at $8,000-$11,000, I wouldn't put a speaker that measures like that on my audition list! I might listen to it if it happened to be in a store I was visiting and I had a lot of time.<

Listening to the speakers *might* make the measurements irrelevant but it's not something I'd bet on enough to put this pair on my audition list.

The reviewer (Paul Bolin) didn't think they sucked, far from it in fact., posted on October 25, 2009 at 11:37:49
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 11876
Location: Toronto, Canada
Joined: November 22, 2003
A concise summary of the Tetra 505LTDs is easy: they were a lot of fun to listen to. Their big, open soundstage, liveliness, and outstanding coherence might have been expected, but their surprisingly deep bass response was a pleasant shock. I've spent the last few years with huge, heavy behemoths: the Focal-JMlab Nova Utopia Be, the Calix Phoenix Grand Signature, the EgglestonWorks Andra II, and the Legacy Audio Focus 20/20 and Whisper. The Tetra 505s opened my eyes and ears to the fact that it's not only the Andre the Giant–sized speakers that can provide an enjoyable listening experience.

I've heard one of the "heavy behemoths" listed above, the EgglestonWorks Andra II, of which I am reserving judgement because I heard them in a poor room with dubious electronics, in which setting they sucked.


Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!

Page processed in 0.117 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2009, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ] [ Go Green ] [ Take5 ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]