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Thoughts on Dunlavy SC-IVa?

64.231.7.38
Posted on September 25, 2013 at 17:01:59
audio39
Audiophile

Posts: 669
Joined: July 15, 2003
 I'm seriously considering a pair of the Dunlavy SC-IVa speakers. My room is 14'x25'x8'...would that seem okay according to those that have heard these big speakers.

My listening position is a full 11' from the front of my present speakers, and according to everything I've read that distance was recommended by the late Mr. Dunlavy.

I listen to alot of classic rock and blues...that's what caused me to think of these big guys, but I haven't heard a pair of these play since 2002.

Your thoughts please!

 

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I love mine!, posted on September 25, 2013 at 17:22:10
Jive Turkey
Audiophile

Posts: 2409
Location: far left, geographically speaking
Joined: May 5, 2010
 I've had SC-IVA's for at least a dozen years and enjoy them thoroughly every day. I've enjoyed them with Rock, Jazz, Blues, and Classical music.

John recommended to sit closer than the spread of the speakers in his documentation. I subscribe to this, though it's not the only way I've had success with them, just preferred. Mine are eight feet apart and the distance from the grill cloth to my ears is about six and a half feet. They completely disapppear and the soundstage is behind them. I have zero issues with drivers blending in this nearfield setup. I cross over to dual subs at 50Hz.

I have a pair of Aletha's for backup if these ever crap out.

See ya. Dave

 

Darn, no pics, posted on September 25, 2013 at 19:20:30
Craiger56
Audiophile

Posts: 5571
Location: San Jose CA
Joined: April 3, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 29, 2003
 Would love to see your setup

 

Me too!!!! (nt), posted on September 26, 2013 at 04:08:24
audio39
Audiophile

Posts: 669
Joined: July 15, 2003
 nt

 

RE: Me too!!!! (nt), posted on September 26, 2013 at 07:16:36
Jive Turkey
Audiophile

Posts: 2409
Location: far left, geographically speaking
Joined: May 5, 2010
 These are some older pics I found on my computer.

Rega P3-24 with Groovetracer upgrades and 2M Black.




Preamp and Oppo BDP83 player.




One of the two subs (the battery backup is for a projector)




Here's the amp.




Here's the speakers.





See ya. Dave

 

Awesome...thanks!, posted on September 26, 2013 at 08:45:55
audio39
Audiophile

Posts: 669
Joined: July 15, 2003
 nt

 

RE: Awesome...thanks!, posted on September 26, 2013 at 12:24:05
Jack D II
Audiophile

Posts: 1535
Location: Hot Springs, AR
Joined: June 17, 2009
 I used them for at least 15 years with a Marsh Sound Design A400 (200w/channel). A combination that I would recommend without reservation-either one or separately. They were +/- 10 ft apart and 9.5 ft to my ears. Their spacing was not critical. As furniture changed and sometimes just for the halibut I would move them and get great sound from another position(toe, spread, distance).

 

A few current shots...., posted on September 26, 2013 at 13:00:59
Jive Turkey
Audiophile

Posts: 2409
Location: far left, geographically speaking
Joined: May 5, 2010
 Replaced KAB-EV1 with an Okki Nokki recently




Aletha and IV-A




Aletha with grill cover off






See ya. Dave

 

RE: Thoughts on Dunlavy , posted on September 26, 2013 at 14:01:45
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6599
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 If you do a search here or on Audiogon you may find more extensive comments I've posted.

I owned Duntech Princess speakers for 19 years. They are the older sibling to the SC-4a. I still consider John Dunlavy to be one of the best speaker designers and never heard any of his models (Duntech or DAL) which was not musical and enjoyable. A possible exception was the short-lived Duntech Black Knight.

At the prices they can be found for these days they offer exceptional value, so long as you a) don't mind large cabinets, b) have a large enough room, and c) are prepared to possibly upgrade other components in your system. They are revealing and each improved input will be rewarded.

Lastly, I agree with Dave (JT), they do well with all types of music.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

Dunlavy 1VA, posted on September 27, 2013 at 07:46:54
DanWilson
Audiophile

Posts: 229
Location: Longisland NY
Joined: December 9, 2002
 Hi, if you have the room definitely get the Dunlavy 1VA speakers.
My friend has the Dunlavy 1VA speakers using Edge NL12 amp, Levinson 380 preamp, Marantz SA1 CD players.
The speakers have this incredible layered soundstage.
The bass is fast and tight.
Dunlavy made the best crossover. Plus the drivers are easily available.
The Woofers are 10 inch Scanspeak woofers and the mids and tweeter are Vifa.
I'v never heard the Dunlavy Aletha speakers, but i'm very curious to hear them.

 

How do Aletha's compare to 1VA speakers, posted on September 27, 2013 at 07:51:43
DanWilson
Audiophile

Posts: 229
Location: Longisland NY
Joined: December 9, 2002
 Hi, how do the Aletha's compare to the SC 1VA speakers?
Thanks.

 

RE: How do Aletha's compare to 1VA speakers, posted on September 27, 2013 at 09:20:49
Jive Turkey
Audiophile

Posts: 2409
Location: far left, geographically speaking
Joined: May 5, 2010
 The Aletha's image and soundstage like crazy, maybe due to their cabinet shape.

Where they fall short of the IV-A's is in the midrange, IMHO. Pleasant but not quite as natural sounding. I assume it's the difference in the midrange driver. The IV-A's have a 5-1/2" driver and the Aletha's have a 6", and they appear to be of different materials.

That said, I could easily listen to the Aletha's long term IF I didn't have the IV-A's around!

See ya. Dave

 

I have heard some say that Dunlavy used very cheap drivers/components. , posted on September 29, 2013 at 08:14:46
hukkfinn
Audiophile

Posts: 3486
Location: East Coast
Joined: July 19, 2002
 Anybody have thoughts on this?

 

very cheap drivers/components. , posted on September 29, 2013 at 10:14:24
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6599
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 The Duntech models I'm familiar with (designed and built while John was still associated) utilized Dynaudio and Scanspeak drivers, not exactly cheap choices.

But he believed there was no sense utilizing expensive parts when he didn't feel they were warranted. He left Oz to return to the US to build a Duntech model here and eliminate the high cost of transporting such large and heavy speakers such a distance. When that model failed he separated from Duntech and began Dunlavy Audio Labs (DAL) in the US, building similar and expanded models from those he designed for Duntech. With this he did look for ways to reduce his building costs. He chose less expensive drivers and simplified cabinet construction as two ways I'm aware of. When he later worked on a powered speaker design he used Adcom power modules, not Krell or Levinson.

Still, I think it would be very unfair to accuse him of using "cheap drivers/components". John had very high sonic standards and would not have produced a product that failed to meet those.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

Morel and Vifa too. nt, posted on September 30, 2013 at 06:42:34
Mr. Dick Hertz
 nt

 

So what's your verdict?, posted on October 1, 2013 at 18:06:40
Jive Turkey
Audiophile

Posts: 2409
Location: far left, geographically speaking
Joined: May 5, 2010
 To buy or not to buy?, that is the question.

See ya. Dave

 

RE: So what's your verdict?, posted on October 2, 2013 at 12:50:01
audio39
Audiophile

Posts: 669
Joined: July 15, 2003
 I've decided to stay with my Harbeths.

 

RE: Awesome...thanks!, posted on October 7, 2013 at 20:39:19
iqaudiocorp@gmail.com
Manufacturer

Posts: 9
Location: los angeles
Joined: October 7, 2013
 The Dunlavy speakers, when you are sitting on tweeter axis, are really superb.

John Dunlavy speakers, with their time alignment, and clever crossover design, passed a square wave, much like a Quad-esl-63 or newer Quad electrostatic. Not many dynamic speaker can do that.

Really nice speakers,

I visited with John several times in Colorado, and he aswas one of the worlds best speaker designers.

 

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