Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Floorstanding Monitors Speakers by tangojim

Model:	Linbrook Floorstanding Monitors
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2600
Description:	Reference Floorstanding Monitor speakers
Manufacturer URL:	Tyler Acoustics

Review by tangojim on August 05, 2007 at 12:55:06
IP Address: 75.84.103.219 Add Your Review
for the Linbrook Floorstanding Monitors

I've been enjoying the 2 channel stereo hobby for about 10 yrs and currently have a modest system comprising Sim Audio I-5 integrated amp, Sony ES CD changer, Channel Island DAC, MIT 750 CVT spkr cables, Audioquest Jaquar ICs, and Tyler Linbrook Floorstanding Monitors. To provide a sense of reference for this review, I will mention other speakers I've either spent extensive time listening to or actually owned. They are (in no particular order) Totem Forrest, Totem Hawk, Totem Model 1, Totem Arro, Paradigm Reference 100 v2, Von Schweikert VR4 SR, JM Lab Electra 3 way, JM Lab Micro Utopia, NHT 3.3, B&W CDMNT 3 way, Acoustic Zen Adagio, Magnepan 1.6 and 3.6, Krell Resolution monitor, Energy Veritas 4 way, ALR Jordan 4 way. The source equipment which drove these speakers were mostly reference grade stuff (YBA passion, Sim W5/P5, Manley SETs, Macintosh separates, Conrad Johnson separates, Krell separates). Of the speakers above, I really liked the VR4 Sr, Magnepan 3.6, JM Lab Electra, Totem Hawk and ALR Jordan. I didn't care for the Acoustic Zen, Paradigm, and Energy speakers for one reason or another. Now for the Tyler Linbrook Floorstanding Monitors. Overall, the Linbrook floorstander monitors are extremely refined and balanced. This refined presentation does make me crank the music up considerably louder than I normally would with other speakers. It also makes me sit and listen much longer at a time than I normally do with other speakers (except the Maggies and VR4 SR which I can listen to all day). The Linbrook Midrange is outstanding and as good as it comes for any speakers I've listened to. Female vocal sibilance is wonderfully managed, and vocals in general come across lifelike and natural. These spkrs are not bright in any sense of the word, but acoustic guitars and pianos come across with very impressive resonances and air. Bass on these 2 way floorstanders is good down to about 45 hz with typical room placement but could go a few hz lower if they were placed closer to walls (the spkrs are front ported). As many reviewers have described, the Seas Millenium tweeter is an interesting tweeter. It may not have world class details or resolution but it does yield a very refined presentation of the high freqs. Fans of details and ultra resolutions will probably listen and walk away with a confusing impression of the Millenium. They will think it sounds less capable than other tweeters they've heard but they probably won't be able to say it sounds bad. I read somewhere in AA that Ty Lashbrook (owner of Tyler) said that the Millenium doesn't have all the details of some other high end tweeters but it does sound closest to live instruments. I believe his assessment is fairly accurate and well stated. The Millenium is perhaps a purist's tweeter. If I may offer an analogy, it's like a choice between enjoying a hearty portion of tri-tip beef boldly seasoned and barbecued by a southern BBQ chef or a petite portion of aged filet mignon pan fried and seared on a hot iron skillet with a slight marinate of butter, garlic, salt and olive oil. If you are one who prefers the filet mignon, you will probably like the Millenium and probably the Linbrook Floorstanding Monitors. I think these Tyler Linbrook are great speakers and offer quite a bit of value for the money. They are magnificently well built, they use very high end drivers and, in my opinion, pretty well tuned and designed. I think the fact the Tyler speakers haven't changed in their design for many years say something about the pedigree of the design and the folks who make them. As far as whether these floorstanding monitor model should be recommended, my opinion is that if you like powerful authoritative bass coming from your speakers, these guys are not for you. However, if you appreciate the capability of monitors along with the monetary value they offer, these speakers are probably for you. You will get all the refinement and accuracy you would normally do from a good set of monitors plus an additional 5 to 10 hz of very natural and unexaggerated bass.

Product Weakness:	No true weakness outside of some bass limitation due to the 2-way design and size of mid/bass drivers.<br>
Product Strengths:	Good value considering exceptional built quality, high end components and a relatively time tested design.<br>

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: sim I-5
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): sony ES changer
Speakers: tyler Linbrook Floorstanding monitors
Cables/Interconnects: MIT 750 CVT and AQ Jaguar IC
Music Used (Genre/Selections): pop, jazz, classical, film scores
Room Size (LxWxH): 12 x 18 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments: none other than curtains and carpet
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	sim I-5
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	sony ES changer
Speakers:	tyler Linbrook Floorstanding monitors
Cables/Interconnects:	MIT 750 CVT and AQ Jaguar IC
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	pop, jazz, classical, film scores
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 18 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	none other than curtains and carpet
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner