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Speaker Asylum General speaker questions for audio and home theater. |
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Speaker Asylum General speaker questions for audio and home theater. |
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In Reply to: Infinity IRS BETAS posted by Ampzilla on April 8, 2012 at 08:01:27:
I would generally agree with regards to dynamics and transparency. Where I would not agree is in terms of tonal neutrality. I heard a pair recently (mine were sold years ago) and again the power etc. was great but tonally they were colored and rather obviously.
I noted it originally when I owned them but you get used to it because, despite the number of drivers they sing with one voice pretty well. However, after time and space away from them and then hearing them again I have to say that the L-EMIM, EMIM and EMITS have a definite sonic signature. It is not the same as a cabinet resonance, which is why you can get used to it and then its like its not there...mostly.
In this respect Apogees are far superior speakers (I also owned Caliper Signatures...great medium sized speaker) but of course more dynamically limted in the bass (except for the "Almighty" Grand, which is STILL the very best speaker I have ever heard or possibly ever made). Apogees also had less "zing" in the highs, which I think is a bit of artifact from the EMIT design (I hear it to some extent on my Genesis speakers but less so). They are equally transparent as the Betas but about the lowest coloration I have heard from a speaker.
The other classic speaker that can still take on the best of today are larger Acoustats. I had the 1+1 (great except for some bass limitations) the Spectra 2200 (truly full-range in a small/medium sized room) and the Spectra 4400 (a true beast with the best planar bass I ever heard...comparable in power to the Beta towers!).
Rather than get a Beta system, I would recommend the following possibilities:
Apogee Duetta Signatures or Divas + 2 Velodyne or Genesis servo subwoofers (must be servo subs to keep up with the Apogees). Cross them over at a low 40-50 Hz.
Acoustat Spectra 2200 or 1+1 (medallion and modded) + 2 Velodyne or Geneiss servo subwoofers (The acoustats are actually the best of the bunch for low level resolution. A little bit more colored than the Apogees but far less so than Beta panels). Better dynamics overall than Apogees IMO. Also crossover at a low 40-50 Hz.
A used Wisdom Audio system. The BG drivers are quite good when used properly
A used Genesis 300 or 350. The earlier 300 has a better bass system I think but the later one has a better planar driver and more tweeters (less distortion). Also, it is everything in only 2 "boxes"
My "ultimate" system was a pair of Spectra 2200s used above 100Hz (would have preferred lower) and a pair of Spectra 4400s as subwoofers. I crossed them over with an Accuphase F-25 active Xover. I drove both sets of panels with KR Audio VA350i amplifiers (8 ohm tap for the 2200s and 4 ohm tap for the 4400s). I used to call it my "Electrostatica Grand". It did pipe organ like no tomorrow and had all the dynamic slam of the Betas. It was effortless at all volume levels...but it was HUGE.
Now, I have two sets of speakers from Genesis. I have the Genesis III and the Genesis VI. The III is totally passive and has bass down into the upper 20s. It has two 8 inch woofers per side and has a full, rich sound. The mids and highs are shockingly transparent and neutral tonally. The bass is a bit on the rich side but with great texture, really great.
The VI is a monster speaker in a little package. It has a similar but not as rich tonal balance to the III and has a much tighter drier bass. It also throws sound around more as its a dipole. The bass system is three 8 inch woofers per side that have their own outboard servo amp (600 watts). It is exceedingly transparent and neutral but perhaps a bit lean balance wise in the lower mids...right where the III is a bit richer.
I would recommend either one of those (or the V as well) as a planar alternative and a true full range beast. Plus, the V and VI are dipoles.
Of course if you have the space and the right electronics (tubes only on the panels, please!) for the Betas and can find them for a good price, I would say give them a go to experience audio history at its finest.
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Follow Ups
- Well, having owned the mighty Beta... - morricab 09:27:54 04/10/12 (7)
- Here's a voice of experience that I have to respect! - David S. 16:32:17 04/10/12 (1)
- RE: Here's a voice of experience that I have to respect! - morricab 02:13:14 04/11/12 (0)
- Great post. I was delaying my own confession.... - Enophile 09:49:49 04/10/12 (4)
- RE: Great post. I was delaying my own confession.... - morricab 14:01:12 04/10/12 (3)
- Funny you mention that. - Enophile 14:35:44 04/10/12 (2)
- RE: Funny you mention that. - morricab 02:06:59 04/11/12 (1)
- I agree with you about dipoles. - Enophile 09:31:34 04/11/12 (0)
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