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In Reply to: Anybody Heard EFE Tech T-22/T-32; Green Mountain Europa; Reimer McCullough GS? posted by The Chosen One on May 29, 2003 at 09:25:36:
Hi,Above is a picture of the T-22s.
The Europas and T-22s are the two best stand mounters I've ever owned, no contest. I had them in two different rooms with different electronics so it's tough to compare them, but I'll try. The GMs are VERY detailed and really spacious sounding. The T-22's have more punch but have that same since of realism that the GMs do. This is really a tough call on which one I prefer. The GMs need more power than the T-22s. As far as I can tell 80 watts plus if you like it loud. I think the T-22s had a more relaxed sound than the GM's but then again, I was driving them with a tube amp in a small room. Both designers are two of the nicest guys I've ever dealt with. Ed Frias now uses carbon woofers in his T-22 which he says make it sound much better(hard to believe). Ask me about any of the other stand mounter I've owned and it would be easy. These are the two best and I like them both equally. It sure would be nice to have them side by side to compare.
Good Luck!
Follow Ups:
Just learned today from talking to the Reimer McCullough designer that he also uses phase & time coherence like the Green Mountain speakers. He apparently uses a quasi-second order crossover of premium parts but only a few parts are needed in this type of crossover. He says his crossover is the best he has ever developed. That IMHO means alot, as his speakers have been voted or nominated "Best in Sound" at various audio shows. You really can't go wrong with this jewel.
another small manufacturer making an incredible product an outstanding value.I haven't heard the above speakers but have heard good things about them.... I have had a number of speakers from Meadowlark and Audio Physic up $5500 and the sound that I get from my JTM's from www.carolinaaudio.com is a revelation. If have had their monitor at home as well and have never heard such range from a speaker this size.
The combination of the Jordan single driver with a true transmission line is just something that has to be experienced to be believe. They are going for $1500 but I've heard there is going to be an increase sometime in the summer.
Hi Newk,If I could get that magic that you mentioned out of their $500 and $750 models that would be something. Have you heard them?
Thanks,
I will be listening to the smaller Carolina 5XL's in the next couple of weeks. If you shoot me an email I can tell you what i think when I get to spend some time with them.
Yes I've heard good things about transmission line technology.Carolina Audio and the Bugtussel Cingulate (very highly reviewed bookshelf) use transmission line and seems to be the next evolution up from traditional speaker design.
The Green Mountain Europa, however, is cheaper than even the Carolina. From the reviews I've read, the Europa seems to be destined as a classic regardless of price. Roy uses time/phase design. Both the tweeter and woofer are in phase with each other. VERY rare among mfgrs. (Vandersteen and Thiel use this principal). Benefits include realistic, dynamically LIVE sounding, like an electrostat, but with the tight bass of a well designed woofer. Soundstage is said to be huge and eerily realistic. Marble cabinets and heavily designed dampeners make the speaker DEAD quiet vibration-wise (less than 1% THD at 93 db I believe).......Electrostat/woofer designs like Martin Logan have been reviewed to have flubby bass compared to the Europa..........For lit and pics, contact the owner Roy at: gma@pcisys.net .........His website will be up soon. When contacting him, you'll realize that he's an audio genius like few I have ever come across. He's truly on a different sphere than all of us when it comes to audio.
Reimer's McCullough GS is another stand-out. Based on my research, they use top-line drivers, exceptional cross-overs, great craftmanship, and real *value* to boot! Great customer service. Unfortunately, speakers from him take 2 months to make. A dealer I know preferred it's mids and highs to the vaunted VMPS 626r.....Thus, the McCullough is in extremely elite company.
The Buggtussel Cingulate (transmission like the Carolina) was reviewed highly at the same levels as the 626r and McCullough. This, for me, is hard to believe. I must audition this one to see if that's true.
The EFE Technology T-22, B-15 and T-35 floorstander are designed by S. Cali based Ed Frias--a supposed crossover expert. Since crossovers are extremely important to the design of the speaker, Ed Frias' speakers are "giant killers" at relatively amazing prices. The $1k T-22 is said to be around the sonic equivalent (except he deeper bass) to the $6k JM Labs Mini Utopia. The $1.6k T-35 (30 HZ bass) is said to best the $8k B&W Nautilus 802.........Unfortunately, unless you live in S. Cali, or find an owner, you won't be able to audition. Based on the reviews on audioreview.com, it's a safe bet that you'll end up with a pretty amazing speaker. The fit and finish is also pretty nice.......For info, you can email him at: EFESPKRS@aol.com for literature and pics.
One other already recognized speaker that is exceptional regadless of it's budget price of $1300 street is the VMPS 626r. Use neo mid ribbons and ribbon tweeter. Supposed to provide amzing sound. Only caveat is it's narrow sweet-spot and the loss of sound from the ribbon mid when you stand-up. If you sit stationary in your den, then it's amazing. If you move around on a sofa and stand up alot, then there are better options to your lifestyle.
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