Arya Audio AirBlades

[spiritofmusic]

Thanks for the feedback Howie. Your data-point was very valuable to me, since it absolutely backed up my impressions from the trial.

 

[howiebrou]

Thanks for the feedback Howie. Your data-point was very valuable to me, since it absolutely backed up my impressions from the trial.

Glad it helped. To be honest they are not cheap, but they certainly a cheaper upgrade than changing lots of cables, amps, or even speakers.

 

[bonzo75]

I am very impressed by what even the standard version of airblades did at home. The effect, to me, was not dramatic until you disconnect them and the music seems to lose a bit of life and become thin. With them on the sound fills the room. It's hard to describe but the effect was significant and importantly to me it didn't really alter the sound signature of the speakers i was trying them with (Westminsters). Marc has gone straight to the top of the tree. I might be on the look out for a used standard pair to see how well they pair up with the AN/E speakers.

Interesting. You might tempt me to finally listen to Marc's system

 

[howiebrou]

Interesting. You might tempt me to finally listen to Marc's system

I think it would be worth it simply to assess the benefit of the airblades, if nothing else!

 

[spiritofmusic]

Hmm, temptation comes before a fall (into our creek).
Just sayin'.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I think it would be worth it simply to assess the benefit of the airblades, if nothing else!

Not necessary. I've already assessed and come to my very happy conclusion.

 

[PeterA]

Interesting. You might tempt me to finally listen to Marc's system

Great. Go with your phone and make a video for the rest of us. A with and without comparison would be fantastic.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Maybe when Ked releases his Saskia v NVS v CS Port video compares?

 

[bonzo75]

Great. Go with your phone and make a video for the rest of us. A with and without comparison would be fantastic.

i don’t think I will do it with Marc in the room, so will only be without

 

[spiritofmusic]

No Ked, my presence deals with a particularly nasty bass node and standing wave. Whether you'll ruin the perfect acoustics, that's another matter.

 

[tima]

I'll try again as arya audio didn't answer my questions...

Is the Airblade reproducing something on the recording that the Zu is not? ... or, is it a pleasant additive effect? Can anyone say how it sounds on its own?

 

[spiritofmusic]

Tim, I believe it can be used on its own as a driver over that whole 1k to 20k range.
It's very hard for me to say what exactly it's doing despite me listening to it for hours solid now into my second week.
From my discussions w Arthur, the USP is the 180° dispersion, and as Brad has pointed out, ribbon-like uber transparency.
That wider dispersion seems to be working to both beef up imaging and staging, and the transparency and Mercury-like agility seems to be revealing greater detail, air and shimmer.
Yet *not in any way* feel like an add-on or Elastoplast, or feel clunky or obviously present.
Seamless, invisible and the very definition of holistic.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I'm minded to think there are some acoustics tricks going on, in the interaction of the whole package w my room. How can a tweeter add-on have led to me altering my subs settings significantly? My bass is now deeper, but also faster and more start/stop.
This, plus the more obvious benefits higher up the frequency range, is absolutely nailing more realism here.

 

[Ron Resnick]

How can a tweeter add-on have led to me altering my subs settings significantly? My bass is now deeper, but also faster and more start/stop.

Yeahhh, that does not make any sense to me. But if you are happy, then I am happy for you!

 

[spiritofmusic]

Ron, if you think higher frequency reproduction/interaction with room has no bearing on lower frequencies, I think you may be wrong. I'm not saying that's precisely happening here, but it could be.

 

[tima]

Presumably you adjusted the subs with the Zus. Add another speaker/tweeter and the tonal/frequency balance changes. Adjust the subs again. It would be surprising if you did not have to adjust.

It would be an interesting experiment to play them by themselves to learn what you hear.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Ron, if you think higher frequency reproduction/interaction with room has no bearing on lower frequencies, I think you may be wrong. I'm not saying that's precisely happening here, but it could be.

I totally understand the tonal balance could change. Sorry; I should have been more specific -- I was puzzled about "also faster and more start/stop."

 

[cjfrbw]

higher frequency reproduction/interaction with room has no bearing on lower frequencies,

There is a mysterious psychoacoustic relationship between high and low frequencies in terms of enhancing each other. It has been commented on for many years on many forums that exquisite tweeters will also enhance the perception of bass and subjective sense of 'speed'. I have never heard any good theories as to why except for the subjective impression itself.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I totally understand the tonal balance could change. Sorry; I should have been more specific -- I was puzzled about "also faster and more start/stop."

Faster and start/stop are kinda interchangeable, or certainly you can't have one without the other. So yes, my phraseology somewhat confusing.

 

[spiritofmusic]

There is a mysterious psychoacoustic relationship between high and low frequencies in terms of enhancing each other. It has been commented on for many years on many forums that exquisite tweeters will also enhance the perception of bass and subjective sense of 'speed'. I have never heard any good theories as to why except for the subjective impression itself.

Carl, there's no doubt my default subs settings needed to be altered with the introduction of the Airblades, and the bass performance of my system is suitably improved, as is everything above. Whether this is psycho acoustic, or just pure spkrs/room acoustics, I really can't say. But the end result of greater immersion and pure drama is undeniable.
I did once read that "superior" high frequency extension "lubricated" lower harmonics to make bass more intelligible and vibrant. But I believe that was in the realm of supertweeters, not "regular" tweeters like the Airblades.
Maybe the Airblades effect is all contingent on their unusual 180° dispersion.