What is your opinion of Line Source speakers?

thomask

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Line source speakers had been here for a while,
McIntosh, Genesis, and the Bob Carver Corporation
Read more at https://www.soundandvision.com/content/what-are-benefits-line-source-speakers#qVjekwZsPrR4Id2E.99


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I try to audition Arion Audio Apollo System whose advantage is high efficiency of 105db/w of main tower, possibly on next January in NC, US.

Custom neodymium magnets weighing just under one pound are used for each driver of main tower which cover over 120hz .

Mike of Arion Audio claim to drive his tower with 3 Watts tube amplifiers enough volume in his showroom.

I consider using Silbatone 300B 8 Watt SET amp with original WE 300b made in 1930's for the main tower if I buy this speaker.



What is your experience or opinion about line source speakers.
 
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Gregadd

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I love them. Espedialy if they are boxless.
 

thomask

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I love them. Espedialy if they are boxless.
Most people does not like boxy coloration but there are also few speakers like Tannoy using boxy resonation on purpose.

Modern speakers like Wilson, Magico, AG tend to have very stiff enclosure.

Also there are open baffle designs coming.
 

thomask

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I am more intrigued by this speaker.

It is too bad that music playing is just plain.

I will audition it Mid January next year.
 
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thomask

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It is not cold around Seattle during winter time.

But it rains too often.

I will visit Disney World in Florida with my family next Monday.

Then I will drive to Charlotte, NC to audition speakers on 18th, Friday.

I consider driving this high efficiency speaker (105db/W) with my Silbatone 300B SET amp.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0502/silbatoneji300b.htm



I had landed around 30 states of United States.

North Carolina and South Carolina are among the states that I had not visited yet.

But this time I will go through it.

I will have fun in Disney World and do audition this speakers seriously.

It will be difficult to drop in the forum next week.

Thomas
 
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Ron Resnick

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Those Arion Audio dipole speakers look very interesting!

But I watched the video and the designer says he runs the full-range signal through a DSP/DAC/crossover which splits the signal between the woofer module and the panels. :eek:

Me no likey digitzing full-range analog signal! :confused:
 

thomask

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Those Arion Audio dipole speakers look very interesting!

But I watched the video and the designer says he runs the full-range signal through a DSP/DAC/crossover which splits the signal between the woofer module and the panels. :eek:

Me no likey digitzing full-range analog signal! :confused:

I play only digital media not vinyl.

Thus that is not an issue.

I will report my impression after serious audition at his showroom with 300B SET monoblocks.
 

Ron Resnick

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Then this could be a totally amazing (and very reasonably priced for what is appears to offer) system for you!

I look forward to your after-action report!
 
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thomask

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I auditioned Arion Audio Apollo System at showroom on Charlotte, NC for 3 hours on 18th of January.

Showroom is 20ft (W) x 30 ft(D)x 12 ft(H).

I brought 7 CDs that I am familiar with.

Mike of Arion is using CEC TL0X transport to drive EmmLab DA 20 and use his own preamplifier.

TJ full music 300b monoblocks are used to drive main unit above 120hz.

Then the bass unit (two 10 inch drivers) was driven by Arion amplifier( 500W for 4 ohm)

He also play VPI turntable.

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The first CD is Trio by Schubert played by three maestros.

It has a stable image and musicality.

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The second CD is "Songbird" by Eva Cassidy.

It sounds pleasant but fall short of details that I had heard at my system.

I thought it was because of higher details offered by Silbatone 300B amplifier and plasma tweeter of Lansche 4.1 speakers.

But Mike also got disappointed with the sound and played same album on Vinyl with his VPI turntable.

Then it sounded much better with clean details but still slightly fall short of my system.

His CEC TL0x may need service.

Mike also mentioned that music server his friend brought sounded better than CEC TL0x.


Nevertheless I kept going with other 5 CDs that I brought.

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I played this CD to test layering of chorus and dynamics.

Soundstage is deep and wide matching my current system.

Also I did not notice any reduction of dynamics.

Thus it passed test with good results.

41BPZ2240ZL.jpg

I played track 7 of "Sister Drum" by Dadawa at ear aching volume.

I played this to test ultimate dynamics , low bass and efficiency of speakers (105db/W).

Even with full volume at moderately large room, 8W amplifiers did not show no sign of strain or clipping.

Thus I am inclined to believe high claim of efficiency.




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Then I played this CD to test bass and overall atmosphere.

It sounded wonderful with well integrated bass.

When you have line array tweeter and bass unit, bass may get behind.

But his open panel bass unit give quick and controlled sound with no problem of integration with main tower.

I played one more CD to test soundstage and it passed.


Thus this system is worth considering for those who have small power SET amplifier.



After I am back to my home on 19th, I had listened to Lansche 4.1 driven by 8W Silbatone SET amplifier with original WE 300 tube made in 1930's.

I could not play loud as Arion Audio Apollo System that I had heard at Mike's showroom.

But I got more transparency and details through my system.

I also could play loud enough for most of music in my listening room.



If I use Silbatone SET amplifier on Arion Audio Apollo System, then I may also get nice transparency and details .

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0502/silbatoneji300b.htm


My listening space on third floor attic is moderate size (20ft x 20ft x 15ft[H])

Thus I do not have enough to place Lansche and Arion Apollos side by side.

If I go for Arion, then I shall set up separate listening space at living room on second floor ( 20ft[[w] x 30 ft[D} x 20 ft[H]).

It is a lot of work with acoustic treatment.


Although I like Arion Apollo system, I have not made up decision to buy it yet.

Some horn based system also have high efficiency but they tend to have some coloration out of horn.

But Arion Apollo system sound very clean without any notable coloration having lot of potential for low power SET amp.
 

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Bodhi

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I've always liked line source speakers ever since I heard the Infinity IRS-V's back in 1991. I guess for that reason I like the GT Audio GTA3r planar magnetic/ribbon speakers & SI600 open baffle servo subs which play in the same league, albeit with a better midrange and bigger soundstage (see video below). If all my ducks line up, my next pair of speakers will be the new 7.5ft GT Audio Reference full range panels Greg is developing.

 
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thomask

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I've always like line source speakers every since I heard the Infinity IRS-V's back in 1991. I guess for that reason I like the GT Audio GTA3r planar magnetic/ribbon speakers & SI600 open baffle servo subs which play in the same league, albeit with a better midrange and bigger soundstage (see video below). If all my ducks line up, my next pair of speakers will be the new 7.5ft GT Audio Reference full range panels Greg is developing.


I agree on your opinion about line source speakers.

The nice thing of Arion Apollo is high efficiency of 105db suitable for low power SET with excellent soundstage.

If you are serious, it will be nice for you to audition the speaker yourself. by contacting Mike.
 
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Bodhi

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I agree on your opinion about line source speakers.

The nice thing of Arion Apollo is high efficiency of 105db suitable for low power SET with excellent soundstage.

If you are serious, it will be nice for you to audition the speaker yourself. by contacting Mike.
Thanks, but Greg's new Reference speakers will also be highly efficent @ around 96db into 6 ohms which is fine for my requirements. As a general comment, I agree high efficiency is beneficial to the sound.
 

MRJAZZ

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I've always liked line source speakers ever since I heard the Infinity IRS-V's back in 1991. I guess for that reason I like the GT Audio GTA3r planar magnetic/ribbon speakers & SI600 open baffle servo subs which play in the same league, albeit with a better midrange and bigger soundstage (see video below). If all my ducks line up, my next pair of speakers will be the new 7.5ft GT Audio Reference full range panels Greg is developing.

 
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MRJAZZ

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These aren’t to bad......ANALYSIS AUDIO AMPHITRYON..........
 

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c1ferrari

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My first experience with line source loudspeakers was in my teens...mid/late 70's with Beveridge Model IISW-2 at Audio Directions in San Diego. Amazed! I now have a pair of unrestored Beveridge Model II and a pair of restored Model III loudspeakers. My primary listening setup includes DALI MegaLine III loudspeakers - obviously, I enjoy line sources !

While no speakers/systems (including room) I have heard are flawless -- a full-range plasma transducer, notwithstanding ;-) -- line sources offer a solution to launching a coherent wave front that sustains a consistent spectral content, at least vertically, that renders listening location along the y-axis less of less import, while maintaining timbre (if properly designed and executed).

Information relative to line-source loudspeaker advantages can be located at the Genesis, Gary Koh, website as well as other sites, of course!
 

bonzo75

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MRJAZZ

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These also aren’t to bad......QUINTESSENCE ACOUSTICS QLS........
 

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