Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Chapman Audio Systems Chapman Q6 Speakers by sheffb

Model:	Chapman Q6
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$4000
Description:	three way dynamic floor standing speaker
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by sheffb ( A ) on November 06, 2003 at 16:15:19
IP Address: 209.7.239.5

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for the Chapman Q6

I am pleased to give a review on the newly designed Chapman Q6 floor standing speakers. I previously owned the Chapman T7 speakers purchased in 1982 and T6 speakers purchased in 1997. Stuart Jones has been designing and refining his speakers for 38 years. His speakers are hand tuned and his objective is not cost cutting. All components are matched to less then 1% variance.
His desire is to make the best sounding speaker at a reasonable price for his customers. All his speakers have a family resemblance, but just keep getting better. Chapman speakers are now just marketed directly to customers. The Chapman Q6 is evolved from the T6 with refinement of the midrange, wires and crossover components. This is a 90 pound speaker and is approximately 40"X10"X13". It is a modified transmission line design more accurately described as a compression line. Each speaker is isolated. The woofer is on the side wall.
Stuart uses a 1" silk soft dome Vifa tweeter, Scanspeak 5 1/2" rather expensive proprietory midrange and Chapman 10" woofer made to exact design standards by Creedence. The crossovers are rather sophisticated with state of the art oil filled capacitors and large air core inductors. The crossovers are at 120 and 4500 hertz. The speakers are 4 ohm and 88db efficency. Fourteen gauge cast crystal copper wire goes to the tweeter and 10 gauge perfect surface copper to the midrange and woofer. The speakers are covered with a black acoustically transparent knit stocking with solid oak top and bottom. I use the Sistrum SP-4 platform which is wonderful for reducing speaker resonance effect. The speakers were well burned in at the factory with hundred additional hours at home.
The sound, in short, wonderful! These speakers sound very natural, balanced and coherent. There is no hint of the analytical, synthetic sound, but a slightly warm, very smooth presentation. The lows go plenty deep, are well defined and tuneful. The midrange is liquid and full. The highs are extended, but not etched nor fatiging. The sound stage is very three dimenshional with good depth. The speakers can be listened to for hours and have the uncanny property of even sounding better the longer you listen, I think, because they are relaxed sounding. There is never a hint of brightness, dryness, or grain. I listen to classical music including symphonies, concertos, operas, also symphonic pop, show tunes, and jazz. I do not listen to rock. The speakers handle crescendos with ease and are very dynamic. These speakers are highly recommended. My GamuT D-100 Mk. III drives them easily.
Chapman Audio Systems is located on Vashon Island, Washington, PO Box 140, 98070. Stuart's tel. # is (206) 463-3008.

Product Weakness: None for me. They lean toward a warmer organic sound which I think is more natural. Some might think the highs are not crisp enough or may want more transparency.
Product Strengths: Very natural, full, nonfatiging sound, often approaching live performances particularly with operas, symphonies and jazz. The sound stage is very three demensional.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	GamuT D-100 Mk. III
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Pass Labs X2.5
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	GamuT CD1R
Speakers:	Chapman Q6
Cables/Interconnects:	All JPS Labs, all balanced
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, Jazz, Show Tunes
Room Size (LxWxH):	25'' x 15 x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	wood floors with carpet, heavy furniture and drapes
Time Period/Length of Audition:	five weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Mini Stealth
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	None for me. They lean toward a warmer organic sound which I think is more natural. Some might think the highs are not crisp enough or may want more transparency.
Product Strengths:	Very natural, full, nonfatiging sound, often approaching live performances particularly with operas, symphonies and jazz. The sound stage is very three demensional.