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RE: Craigslist - Spica TC50- Followup Initial Impressions

Posted by Ross (A) on October 5, 2015 at 14:59:23

In Reply to: Craigslist - Spica TC50 posted by Ross on October 3, 2015 at 12:19:53:

Spica TC50 Early Impressions

I picked up a pr of TC50 speakers for $200 and finally had a chance to install and listen to them. They replaced my usual speakers- Triangle Titus 202, in the same location (essentially free space) and on the same stands. Everything else remained as stated in my profile.

I did some research and quickly realized that the speakers have specific placement requirements. Away from walls (almost free space), and distance between the speakers should be slightly less than the distance to the listener's head. They also respond to toe in and the listener's ears should be level with the midpoint between woofer and tweeter. On my stands and in situ, there is 6ft between the speaker centers, and 80 inches from the front edge of each speaker to my ears. Each speaker was toed in such that the front baffles directly faced me and I could not see any of the cabinet sides. Speakers were several feet away from all walls- essentially free space.

Cannonball Adderly- Something Else. Japanese King reissue
Steely Dan- Katie Lied. MoFi reissue
Brian Wilson- That Lucky Old Son. New Capital pressing

Sonics were remarkably consistent with the 3 records.

Bass was better than the Triangles, with greater extension and definition.
Upper Bass, Lower Mids were exceptional. Natural weight, heft, definition and decay (though attenuated for deep bass).
Midrange was clear, but sounded recessed
Treble extension was much less than what I am used to

Overall clarity was a bit muffled- like I was listening from farther away.

Soundstage width did not extend beyond the speaker boxes
Soundstage depth was greater, but also seemed to be from a greater distance to me (see above comment).
Louder group sounds and massed choruses seemed to meld into one sound rather than retaining the character of individual voices or musicians playing in harmony.

Pianos, tubular bells, vibes sounded very realistic. Note harmonics, and bass fundamentals hung in space with a natural decay trail.
Individual voices sounded realistic.

Initial summary is that there are some very good qualities, but they sound veiled or recessed, with transient response that is inferior to the Triangles.

I used 40 watt tube monoblocks and vinyl. I noted that original specs and in period reviews specified a need for a high current amp that is stable into 4 ohms. Reviews noted a treble response that begins to roll off at about 8khz. I did note slight changes in frequency balance when moving my head up and down. But for the most part my head and ears were kept in line with the med point between the woofers and tweeters- as directed.

I did hear some good, but also much that can use improvement. These speakers may respond better to high current solid state amplification, and digital sources. Luckily I can supply both to find out. Stay tuned.

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Schiit Audio

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