Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Cary Audio Design Silver Oak Speakers by Bill Galbraith

Model:	Silver Oak
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$6000
Description:	Prototype 2 way transmission line
Manufacturer URL:	Cary Audio Design
Manufacturer URL:	Cary Audio Design

Review by Bill Galbraith ( A ) on October 17, 2002 at 17:40:35
IP Address: 216.107.60.252

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for the Silver Oak

Dennis Hadd of Cary treated myself and members of the NJ Audio Society to a demo of these soon to be released tube friendly speakers. Demo included an assortment of Cary push pull and hybrid tube input s.s. output amps driving the speakers. The speakers were finished in a lovely "figured" Australian lace wood. These prototypes featured 2 clear coats but the finished speaker will have 7. The drivers are Seas Excel 6" woofer with copper phase plug and a Seas excell tweeter. The cabinet is a transmision line with acoustic foam lining the whole line. The sensitivity is aprox 88 dbs with a relatively benign impedence curve. The - 3db is aprox 38 hz.
I thought the speakers featured a very tuneful non-boomy bass. The Seas tweeter is exceptional in my opinion. I feel these speakers would be an excellent choice in small to medium size rooms as they disapeared in a relatively nearfield listening position and featured roomfilling sound 10 feet away in an aprox. 15" x 25" room.
Dennis had a drawing for a small A.E. pre amp which was given to a lucky member. He is a very friendly music lover whom obviously loves tube audio.
I would recomend these speakers for those with a love of tube amps and also they sang with a 40 watt s.s. amp ! Dennis mentioned they worked well with s.e.t. amps, but we did not get to hear them with his favorite amp.
They did sing with his low priced Super amp combo with a modest 20 watts.

Product Weakness:
Product Strengths: Musical, non fatiguing sound. Lovely finish.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Assorted Cary products
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Asorted Carys
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Cary Tube CD
Speakers:	Cary Silver Oak
Cables/Interconnects:	N/A
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Assorted audiophile recordings
Room Size (LxWxH):	15 x 25 x 15
Time Period/Length of Audition:	5 hours
Type of Audition/Review:	Dealer Demo

Product Weakness:
Product Strengths:	Musical, non fatiguing sound. Lovely finish.