General Asylum: REVIEW: Emerald Physics CS3 Speakers by kugs22

Model:	CS3
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2,995
Description:	Planar Speakers
Manufacturer URL:	Emerald Physics
Model Picture:	View

Review by kugs22 on December 22, 2012 at 17:23:45
IP Address: 67.253.7.65 Add Your Review
for the CS3

Well, the last time I wrote a review here, it was under "JRK" for Eminent Technology LFT VIIIs. That was 2000. Don't want to rush into anything. They are darn nice planars, and still around. Now I want to say a word or two about my latest speakers, which I've had for about four months now: Emerald Physics CS3s. I am somewhat of a missionary, as I truly love these things...indeed, in many respects, they are so good, I just don't know what to compare them to. I ain't got nothing to do with Walter or his biz. I just think this was a very creative way to solve a lot of speaker problems.
First and foremost, the Affordable Audio review is dead right. Second of all, the Stereo Times review was dead right. I won't review the reviews, as you can read them yourself. What I will say is this: don't be afraid that there are "electronics" in the signal path. I have a Behringer, although the current models come with another (supposedly better) box. It is transparent. As in: you don't hear it. You do need an extra set of ICs with these (at least on mine), and Walter says ICs don't really matter. I disagree. To get the most out of these things, you treat them as you would any speaker - including good cables. I have Teresonic ICs, because I like them. You can roll your own, but they definitely do respond to a good signal.
Why are these things so good? Is it the concentric drivers that are made to play as a point source? They're "institutional" drivers, for cryin' out loud! There's NO WAY they can play with finesse - you say that until you've played a really nice recording, where brass has "just right" bite, and violins have "just right" string and body. Then you just shake your head. And play it again, because these things are just..so...much...fun.
In-your-room fun. Toe=tapping fun. Just incredible.
Unlike small monitors (which I used to use), these things have proper "size." I don't get the soundstage comments, though...these are very, very good, but I have heard better. Not a bother. They're fun! When your ears aren't listening for that CD "edge" in the soprano sax, when you hear the body of a piano, and the weight it lends to the music that often gets shuffled in to the mix on other (good) box speakers, you know you have a winner. And I haven't even started on the 95 db. sensitivity for dynamics. They DO need some amperage - Walter says so, and I agree. I'm running an Atlas Magnum with them that puts out 95W, and it's slammin'. I tried a First Watt f3 clone at 15 watts, and it just didn't quite have the oomph for these.
Walter's not big on tube amps with these and says an EL34 tube is out. I do have some issues on some music "hearing" the overt even-order harmonics of the Atlas, which on other speakers doesn't exist. So, they're finicky. But mostly, my amp is just fine for getting tonal colors correct.
A word about female vocals. They are exquisite. Locked in a vice in dead center, Tanita Tikaram just sounds perfect - very subtle, and very seductive. Male vocals have no chestyness at all (I was worried about this given the size of the main speaker).
I already had dual subs, so picking out CS3s was a no-brainer (the Behringer crosses over the subs at 79 hz). My subs have never worked better - set up was never faster.
However, that does bring up the slight problem with these speakers - listening closely, it gets the kickdrum right, but the bass is different...it doesn't "explode" like from box speakers. It's hard to put to words, but it is different. I've gotten used to it, and enjoy it immensely. But I have a feeling that hard-rock fans would differ.
I've been at this for 40 years. This is my - what - 15th set-up? It is SO much better than anything I've had before, I wanted to let people know not to "sniff" too much at the daring-do. I've lived long enough to see digital sources mature (thankfully, as my Classe CD-1 was awful compared to a $500 DAC today), and now I've seen someone tackle speakers. In close-miked stuff, the music is so "in the room" that it really is scary sometimes. I'm not alone. They've created a dispersion pattern for your room! Incredible! You'll likely get a similar response curve in your room. You have to treat for slap echo, but that's about it.
So, if you can stand two Erics from South Park sitting in your listening room, I really just don't know any other speaker for the price that can deliver as much fun as these can. It's like going to the Vienna State Opera House for Keith Jarrett's performance, but it's like having some of the guys over to the house for a jam session when done in studio and close-miked. It's just plain fun, and for an audiophile, that's getting somewhere.

Product Weakness:	Bass, for "box bass" afficianados.
Product Strengths:	Quickness, openness, tonal control, dynamic range

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Atlas Magnum (KT120s)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): in DAC
Sources (CDP/Turntable): CDP Lite 21
Speakers: Emerald Physics CS3s
Cables/Interconnects: Teresonic cables for everything
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Stevie Ray Vaughn, Luminaries, Tanita Tikaram
Room Size (LxWxH): x 20 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: yes
Time Period/Length of Audition: 4 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monarchy regen with Porter Port
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Atlas Magnum (KT120s)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	in DAC
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	CDP Lite 21
Speakers:	Emerald Physics CS3s
Cables/Interconnects:	Teresonic cables for everything
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Stevie Ray Vaughn, Luminaries, Tanita Tikaram
Room Size (LxWxH):	x 20 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	yes
Time Period/Length of Audition:	4 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monarchy regen with Porter Port
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner