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The look similar to that picture. Sorry, third attempt at a response . . .

71.232.32.91

In Reply to: RE: And you are not even looking at the same speaker! posted by rivervalley817 on October 21, 2020 at 20:30:47

Those look the same. Sorry, I deleted my first two replies because I the link describes them as 7 inches in one area and 6.5 in another, which confused me.
I have no idea what SEAS does to the woofers before sending them to John Devore. I don't know whether they are purpose built with existing components and look like existing models or are existing models with a few upgrades. Maybe they are exactly the speaker pictured with no modifications, and John's been lying to everyone.
I don't know what is going on in the cabinets. Crossover networks? Bracing of some sort? Foam? There is no folded horn or transmission line - I described the basic design in my review.
From what I understand, John voices his speakers by trial and error until he likes the way they sound. He's been designing speakers that way since the late 1990s, first as a hobby while selling audio gear. The cabinets are made by Box Furniture in the same Navy Shipyard building. Box Furniture also makes audio racks (that are also expensive).
One of the criticisms of Devore's speakers is the pricing, and another is that he designs them based on what he thinks sounds good rather than how they measure. For what it's worth, objectivists on internet sites have been pouring heaps of scorn on them for years as being overpriced "artisanal" products. As I noted in my review, you can get a lot of speaker for a lot less money. The Super Nines are clearly sold at a steep mark-ups over COGS.
Nonetheless, I've wanted a pair of DeVore speakers for over 10 years now because they always left me somewhat spell bound when I auditioned them at Goodwin's High End. When I first posted pictures after buying them, I received friendly feedback and was asked to post more in detail when I'd had them for awhile. So that's all I'm trying to do.
___
"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."

Edits: 10/21/20 10/21/20

Follow Ups:

Products of small artisinal manufacturers are always expensive - Brian H P 15:19:42 10/23/20 (1)
Made in the USA, high overhead on the Brooklyn manufacturing facility, each pair probably hand assembled by Mr. DeVore himself, so no economy of scale. He probably pays close to full retail for his cabinets and SEAS drivers, more if they're customized to his spec. Definitely NOT mass produced in a third-world sweatshop. And he has to make enough profit to stay in business and make a living. All of which adds up to high retail prices.
- Absolutely - JoshT 16:17:38 10/23/20 (0)
  Thanks. I love the speakers.
  ___
  "If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
  
  Edits: 10/23/20
Not to worry - airtime 07:17:38 10/22/20 (0)
Hey, don't worry. Seas makes the finest sounding speakers in the business!!!! Put in the hands of a competent designer and you have a world class speaker.
For years I've been using the Zaph Audio SR71. It uses a mere $300 of Seas drivers and I wouldn't trade them out for ANYTHING!!!! And I have the funds to buy a big bucks speaker if I wanted too.
I always felt Seas tried to make sure that SOUND comes first, not "flash and specs". I've seen too many drivers in my DIY days that looked good on paper but sounded like crap!
So don't worry, you'd be lucky if these were Seas drivers.

Edits: 10/22/20
RE: The look similar to that picture. Sorry, third attempt at a response . . . - rivervalley817 21:40:13 10/21/20 (3)
I looked up reviews on them and saw nothing but thumbs up

but nary a description of the build

I'm a big fan of bamboo in general, and they certainly have fine cabinets

that's a beautiful piano finish on the face

I keep seeing references to how sweet that .75 tweet is ...

can you expand on that aspect?

regards,
- RE: The look similar to that picture. Sorry, third attempt at a response . . . - JoshT 21:52:02 10/21/20 (2)
  I'm glad you like how they look.
  
  Regarding the tweeters, I only know they are made by SEAS, supposedly to John's specs, and are the same as what he puts in the larger Gibbon X.
  
  I know nothing more about the build than what's on the interwebs. I've tried to describe their sound in my review.
  ___
  "If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
  - RE: The look similar to that picture. Sorry, third attempt at a response . . . - rivervalley817 22:10:29 10/21/20 (1)
    'I've tried to describe their sound in my review'
    
    I'm afraid that's not good enough Josh
    
    you'll need to ship them to me so I can decide for myself
    
    I'll send a set of my home brews back so you'll have something to play thru
    
    you'll like them, promise!
    
    deal?
    
    best regards,
    - Haha. Deal. Sounds like a fair cop! - JoshT 22:28:23 10/21/20 (0)
      I'll definitely send them to you! After all, trust is important here on AA.
      
      But here's the thing. I'll need some of that home brew in advance. Yeah. Like a few cases, I'm afraid. Trust me, it's a law here in Nigeria. I have to share a few cases with the Minister of Audio Exports and his deputies. But I'll figure out a way to clear customs soon. With enough beer.
      ___
      "If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."

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