KeithR's "Dream Speaker" Search

Ron Resnick

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Thank you, Keith, for that extremely thoughtful, interesting and clear report! I think you have summarized accurately and understandably the Rockport sound in general (I think the “house” sound is fairly consistent across the different sizes of Andy’s speakers).

I cannot speak to your microdynamics observation, but I agree with you on every single one of your other observations, including that I find the Rockports in general a shade warmer (which I personally like) than your Devores.

As I mentioned privately if I owned Altair IIs or Lyras I would do what Andy Payor does and what Karim of Absolare does and drive those speakers with about 350 watts and greater.
 
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spiritofmusic

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Keith, are you really considering $100k spkrs plus the very particular SS, surely v pricey as well, that these spkrs demand?

I contend you're still missing a major trick by not considering the AG Duos XD/Mezzo.
 

Ron Resnick

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Marc, Rockport speakers do not “demand” solid-state. If I had Altair IIs or Lyras I would drive them with high power push-pull tubes or with Absolare or Aesthetix or Lamm hybrid amplifiers. Many Rockport owners use high power all-tube or hybrid amplifiers.

The Aesthetix Atlas Eclipse (600 wpc into the Altair II’s 4 ohms) is a relatively inexpensive way to get the job done very well.
 
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spiritofmusic

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Sure.
But they're still the price they are
And I still think the Duos deserve consideration.
 

Ron Resnick

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I hear ‘ya. I personally have not been enamored of any of the smaller, more
modest, horn-based speaker efforts.

I find that the bigger, more ambitious horn systems (Cessaro Beta II and up, Tune Audio Avaton, Viva Audio Credenza and up) sound disproportionately better than the more modest products by the same companies.
 

spiritofmusic

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But Ron, not all of us have the wherewithall to go this far.

I've experienced Blue58's Duos over a 4 year system evolution, and they are truly satisfying and surprising. And this is a decade plus old spec. The new XDs according to Marslo really push things on.
 
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brencho

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Great write up Keith! I was the lucky pal who went along for the ride. My experience mirrors Keith's very closely. I hadn't heard Rockport before and it's definitely on my radar now for future demos and shows. For me, the missing microdynamics, air, and a certain muted sound (eg, on drum solo on take 5) or slight lack of liveliness if you prefer, are borderline/potential deal breakers (maybe they just need moar power). Tonality, texture, staging, weight/solidity were all *really really* nice. Maybe a hair dark for me but really good stuff, could def live with that. All of the nitpicks became more noticeable when I listened at home after the audition. But my bird 2 with accuton drivers are a bit different in overall tonality with more air, microdynamics and liveliness, but also risking brightness (esp on non synergistic systems and certainly for ppl who like warmer/darker tonal balance) which is a line that the Rockport never got close to crossing. Rockport also may have had a bit of hardness (think pots and pans but that is hyperbole/charicature) in the treble here and there but perhaps that is confirmation bias about Be tweeters. In terms of big 3 way dynamic speakers, Rockport are definitely on my list of "to demo again whenever opportunity arises" kind of speaker along with a few others.

I would also have loved to hear the smaller Rockport (atria, avior) since the spaces we deal with here in California tend not to be yuge. And, relatedly, I felt that bass became a bit much at times, or as Keith put it, you can sometimes hear the woofers kick in and not disappear as much as I'd hope. Also worth noting that although Keith and I have ovelapping musical tastes, he listens to more electronic and I listen to more jazz, which may slightly shift priorities in speakers. Thanks for inviting me to tag along!
 
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Al M.

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Rockport also may have had a bit of hardness (think pots and pans but that is hyperbole/charicature) in the treble here and there but perhaps that is confirmation bias about Be tweeters.

More likely a problem of amplification.
 
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Ron Resnick

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But Ron, not all of us have the wherewithall to go this far.

I've experienced Blue58's Duos over a 4 year system evolution, and they are truly satisfying and surprising. And this is a decade plus old spec. The new XDs according to Marslo really push things on.

Why aren’t the AG Mezzo XDs the right speakers for you?
 
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spiritofmusic

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Ron, take it up w me on my Zu thread.

I only mention the AGs, since Keith is auditioning Cessaros.
 
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Folsom

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I liked reading about Keith’s review on Rockports. But I don’t think Rockports are the final word because they’re exerting features that can be had from better parts up until the speaker (better as in sound, not price). And yet you can get better microdynamics from the Rockports, as that mostly is electronic based.

My biggest selfish goal is for him to try what I’ve recommended and then later a bit else. I just don’t in the least actually think that the Gibbons can’t be more than thought, or going with Rockports or such is necessary to get there. In my view Rockports and some other speakers are trying to squeeze whiskey from river rocks. They get some sorta results, but there are inevitbale limits. That’s why you get some generous tipping on tweeters, for example.
 
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Ron Resnick

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I have read this literally three times, and I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about.

Did you translate this from a foreign language using Google Translate?
 
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bonzo75

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I have read this literally three times, and I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about.

Did you translate this from a foreign language using Google Translate?

I think he is typing without autocorrect in bed with the wrong hand
 

Ron Resnick

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Yes! Post 511. o_O
 

Folsom

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I have checked it judiciously, and there is nothing wrong with what is written. But I am accepting questions for any curious minds :)
 

morricab

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I have checked it judiciously, and there is nothing wrong with what is written. But I am accepting questions for any curious minds :)
sorry Folsom, have to agree it reads a bit like you had a whole bottle of whiskey then tried to type while being attacked by a wildcat!
 

the sound of Tao

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Perhaps fighting off multiple wildcats after multiple bottles of whiskey and typing furiously all the time without any regard to auto type or any interventions or conventions of Siri or Cordana et al. and all the while swiping away at all manner of imagined banshee and banging away feverishly at the keyboard... all too valiant but also in vane. Actually it’s infectious.
 

spiritofmusic

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We're gonna need a whole updated and weaponised version of Ron's Hyperbole Police for all this.
 

bonzo75

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I liked reading about Keith’s review on Rockports. But I don’t think Rockports are the final word because they’re exerting features that can be had from better parts up until the speaker (better as in sound, not price). And yet you can get better microdynamics from the Rockports, as that mostly is electronic based.

My biggest selfish goal is for him to try what I’ve recommended and then later a bit else. I just don’t in the least actually think that the Gibbons can’t be more than thought, or going with Rockports or such is necessary to get there. In my view Rockports and some other speakers are trying to squeeze whiskey from river rocks. They get some sorta results, but there are inevitbale limits. That’s why you get some generous tipping on tweeters, for example.

Please can you tell me, without tipping, why you think the Gibbons cannot be thought?
 
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