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ORIS 150 mini-review

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Hello, thought I’d share my thoughts on my current out-of-control obsession for the absolute sound system and provide a mini-review of the Oris 150 horns.
It is currently comprised of:
SPEAKERS-
Oris 150 horns loaded with 15 ohm Lowther PM2mkII(same as PM4A with softer pole piece) magnets and AER cones. All run full range. I will refer to this system as the OLA from here on. http://www.lowther.nl/ also see http://www.welbornelabs.com/home.htm
Klipschorn bottoms(tops removed) loaded with 16ohm Altec 515B woofers. A multi tapped 14ga Northcreek inductor is used for a 1st order high-pass in the 140-200hz range depending on which tap is used.
Dual 15” woofers per side in a sealed enclosure used for low bass. Marchand XM9 24db crossover is used to provide an active lowpass in the 35-60hz range. http://www.marchandelec.com/
AMPLIFIERS-
Custom SE 10 amp. Using a 6EM7 tube for input driver duties and of course the 10 as the output. Electra-Print output transformers are used. One Audio Note copper foil-in-oil cap in the signal path. This amp uses a trick A1/A2 scheme that allows the tube to operate in A1 for about 1.5-2 watts and then goes A2 for an additional 4 watts if needed. With this amp powering the 105db OLA combo, I’m not utilizing the A2 capabilities of this amp but it’s cool to know that it’s there. This amp will drive my 92db Lynn Olson designed ME2 monitors very nicely. But not while the OLA system is in the house! This amp drives the OLA/Khorn combo with only the 14ga inductor in the Khorn signal path.
Yamaha Pro Sound 300watts per channel SS amp that runs the subs.
PREAMPLIFIER-
Supratek Syrah phono/linestage.
This is the handbuilt wonder by Mick Maloney from down unda based upon the famous Dr.Arthur Loesch’s circuit. The linestage was modified to use the 6SN7 tube with custom output transformers. No caps in the path of the linestage and only 2 AN CIO caps (my mod) in the phonostage. Read more at Micks site here. http://www.cantech.net.au/~supra/index.html
SOURCES-
Digital-
Pioneer Elite 300CD mega changer. Don’t laugh. I’ve compared this to an audiophile transport and the improvements were subtle. The tradeoff is I can listen 24 hours a day for nearly 2 weeks without leaving the sweet spot ;o) Looking to go SACD soon.
Audio-Note DAC Kit 1.1. Superbly natural digital if not the best bass slam in the world. Updated PS should help there. http://www.audionote.co.uk/
Analog-
Teres DIY turntable. Overbuilt bearing and platter make it a fundamentally superior beast. http://reality.sgi.com/cbrady/teres/
ET-2 Air bearing tonearm. As above, the fundamentals here are simply superior. I use a shop compressor with three stages of regulation for air supply. http://www.eminent-tech.com/
Ortophon MC3000 cartridge. Gobs of detail. Accurate to no end. http://www.ortofon.com/
Waiting on an Ortofon T3000 step-up to try in the system as well.

CABLES-
DIY stuff mostly. Belden 89259. Some Kimber stuff.
Patiently waiting on Allen Wrights latest silver foil DIY cables.
Gathering parts for DIY power cables.
Looking for a good power conditioning solution.

THE Oris 150 REVIEW-
This is mainly a review of the Oris 150 horns. But keep in mind I have only heard the Oris with either PM4A drivers at Ron Welbornes place or the PM2mkII/AER drivers at my place. I have NO IDEA how they would sound with the other Lowther drivers.
The Oris 150/Lowther PM2mkII/AER speaker system (OLA from here out) is capable of the most detailed, clear, startlingly realistic sound I have heard from any speaker system. The micro-dynamics and low-level resolution are unparalleled in my experience. Low volume listening is as satisfying as I’ve heard.
Macro dynamics are extremely good as well. Although my experiences with the many horn systems I have heard give me the feeling that there is some hardening to the sound at high volume levels regardless of the quality or watts of amplification. This may have to do with the excursion capabilities of the driver or it may have to do with the fundamentals of horns, I’m not sure. I have heard an extreme, high-powered system using a full-range multiple-dynamic-driver speaker that seems to produce better macro-dynamic high volume sound than any horn system I’ve heard. It seems the more drivers the better for macro-dynamics.
Maybe a multiple-driver horn system would be the ultimate for macro-dynamics. But I feel you lose something in a multiple-driver system mainly because the crossover becomes more critical/necessary. You also have the problems with time delay and multiple point sources that, with large horns, cannot easily be placed close to each other making the crossover that much more difficult..
Don’t get me wrong though, the OLA system will make your ears bleed it you want to play it that loud and they will do it as cleanly and smoothly as any home horn system I’ve heard. You only need a few watts as well!
This is a good time to mention that I have NOT heard the well reviewed Avantgarde or CAR horn systems. I will be hearing the AG speakers soon though.
I have heard several Altec based systems, Klipsch systems, round wooden horn/TAD based horn systems, commercial and otherwise, and they all have great potential but my next points will illustrate why I believe this OLA combo is about as good as you can do (save 3D holographic imaging) in the home at sane listening levels.
Coherency, pinpoint imaging and focus in a huge deep soundstage. The OLA speaker system I have assembled is able to create amazingly solid, focused images with such coherence and palpability that it destroys other horn systems I have heard in this regard. Couple that with the incredible low level resolution, detail and micro-dynamics and you have something that can truly scare the sh*%# out of you in it’s ability to fool you into thinking you are hearing the real thing. The soundstage I get in my 21x14ft room (speakers on long wall) is huge, from wall to wall, sometimes beyond. It seems to start 2ft off the ground and easily goes right up to the ceiling. It can be 10ft deep at times as well. I assume the absence of a crossover above 150hz and the OLA being a single point source contributes greatly to their ability to soundstage so well.
The only qualities I have heard bettered by other speaker systems are:
1. That beloved trait of mine that so rarely is achieved in any system, ABSOLUTE 3d holographic imaging. This happens only when everything in a system is so dialed in that your brain is “tricked” into hearing these round sonic holograms that hang in space. Something that this system may be capable of(more tweaking required) and is closer to being there than any other horn system I’ve heard. (Again, other horn systems may be able to do this and the other qualities I’ve described, but I haven’t heard it yet.) I think my lack of clean AC and quality power cords is holding me back here. I’m hoping the magical orbs will appear once these issues are resolved.
2. Ultimate macro-dynamics. Again, this system betters the other horn systems I’ve heard but it still can’t beat a high-powered, multiple-dynamic driver system.
3. Deeper soundstage. The OLA is capable of producing admirable depth of soundstage (again, better than any other horns I’ve heard) but I have heard other speakers do better.
Other than these three things it’s really hard for me to fault the OLA system at this time. I will keep everyone posted here with further developments… Anyone near Ft Collins, CO (1hour north of Denver) is more than welcome to visit for a listen…. shoot me an email… laters… Brian Day

Follow Ups:

ORIS Owners, How is the listening window size with your set-up? n/t NewbieBaby 09:40:42 01/27/01 (0)
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Re: ORIS 150 mini-review Mark Sousa 19:28:59 01/26/01 (0)
Brian,
I was interested to read that you are using 515B's in your Klipschorns. I've been trying a number of alternative drivers in mine: JBL D130, TAD TL-1602, and TAD TM-1201. So far I like the D130's best. Have you found the 515's to be especially good compared to other drivers?
I'm also surprised that the 16 ohm 515 have enough voltage sensitivity to match the Oris. Does there seem to be any step down in volume at the 140-200 Hz crossover?
Mark
Re: ORIS 150 mini-review Ron W. 14:41:28 01/25/01 (1)
Hi Brian,
Thanks for taking the time to post your experience with the Oris Horn.
I agree with you about the macro-dynamics. While the Oris is very dynamic, it's not quite as dynamic as say an Edgar Horn system, Exemplar, etc. However, if you were to use a more powerful amp with the Oris (say a 20W SE or 40W PP amp) you could coax more slam from these speakers. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that the higher powered amps won't provide you with the same amount of low level resolution and micro-dynamics that you mention you're obtaining now....you win some and you lose some.
Concerning soundstage depth; moving the ORIS further out into your listening room will provide better depth and also help somewhat with the 3-D imaging effect you so cherish. Obviously this might not be an option for you (because of the K-Horn bass cabinets) and others because of room size limitations.
That being said, the Oris are somewhat of a finicky speaker, i.e. don't expect to just plop them into your living room and begin experiencing their magic. While the Lowther driver is generally refered to as being somewhat directional and therefore should be less sensitive to placement. You must understand that at the lower frequencies 150-500Hz the Lowther in effect becomes a 31" diameter driver. This is a BIG SPEAKER!!! Notice I could have said a BIG HONKIN' SPEAKER, but the Oris doesn't honk;) And so they ARE very sensitive to room placement.
I've spent the last year pushing these speakers (and furniture) around my room trying different locations, listening angles, distances, etc. and only recently got them to a point where I thought they sounded REALLY GOOD! And then couple that with the fact that these speakers are very revealing of your electronics and so one could probably spend another year searching for just the right cables, power cords, conditioners, etc. to extract even more low level resolution from this system.
So keep working at it Brian. It will get even better...maybe not as good as you would hope for...but then you might get bored if you were completely satisfied!
Ron
- Re: ORIS 150 mini-review Brian Day 14:52:04 01/25/01 (0)
  You are right Ron, I haven't experimented with room placement much at all. I just placed them on top of the Khorns and pointed them at my listening chair The sound is pretty amazing now. I do hope for better and experimenting with positioning and all the other things that affect the sound like the cables NTM amps and such should allow me to come closer to maximizing their potential. Thanks for the advice!
  Brian
Re: ORIS 150 mini-review RD 12:11:05 01/24/01 (1)
Brian,
I enjoyed your Oris review, and I concur with your comments. I have been using the Oris horns for well over a year and they are easily the best speakers that I have ever owned in my over fifty years in this hobby. I have a picture and a less comprehensive review on Bert's web site.
I am using Lowther PM4A drivers in the horns. Could you comment on the differences in sound between the conventional Lowther cones and the AER cones. I upgraded drivers from PM2A to 4A less than six months ago and I do do not wish to take a big loss on these drivers trading up to the AER cones if I can avoid it.
I know what you mean bout the macropdynamic, or compression situation, I noticed this too. I reciently pulled my 25 watt, SV572 amps out of the closet to see how they would sound with the horns, and they sounded great. The dynamic compression was gone. I would have thought that my 300B amps would have been over kill, but I learn more all of the time.
Ralph Donaldson
- One more on AER cones and PM4A drivers tvikeby 18:10:02 02/03/01 (0)
  Hello,
  I do also have the Oris system with PM4A drivers. It would be interesting to have some opinions from someone who have tried the AER cones on the PM4 drivers.
  I have the Onken bass cabinets and use a Marchand XM-1 active crossover set at 160Hz. I am quite happy with that combination.
  By the way, anyone familiar with this product: C37 lacquer for speaker cones and mutch more. I am a sceptic of nature for such products. Opinions anyone?
  Link: http://www.c37sound.com/lacquer.htm
  Tore H. Vikeby

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