What's best in highly sensitive/efficient speakers.

[the sound of Tao]

There are a couple of different crossover options available Mark. My plan is to finalise the configuration of the speakers and the best crossover parts then do a final point to point hard-wired crossover. It may be 2 way, 2.5 way or I may end up biamping with an isobaric sub. I am in no rush. I’ve drawn up a design for a clamshell isobaric and may likely give it a go but to be honest I’ve got fairly much to bass happiness with it as it is. Certainly only dance and trance is MIA but the Harbeths do that easy. For anything else the Pap horns are doing it completely.

 

[Exlibris]

There are a couple of different crossover options available Mark. My plan is to finalise the configuration of the speakers and the best crossover parts then do a final point to point hard-wired crossover. It may be 2 way, 2.5 way or I may end up biamping with an isobaric sub. I am in no rush. I’ve drawn up a design for a clamshell isobaric and may likely give it a go but to be honest I’ve got fairly much to bass happiness with it as it is. Certainly only dance and trance is MIA but the Harbeths do that easy. For anything else the Pap horns are doing it completely.

One of the benefits of this speaker is the wide array of choices one has regarding drivers and crossovers. This has the potential, however, to be one of the drawbacks of ownership. I worry that I might fall into a spiral of endless upgrade and tinkering if I had these.

 

[Exlibris]

I demoed the Cube Audio Nenuphar again today. They are pretty incredible. Great detail, spacious, transcendent.
Then I heard the Odeon 28/3. It was incredible; the emotional impact, the soul, the harmonic richness, the power. The system used what I think was a 20 watt EL 34 amp. I'll try it again with my 45 amp but it was so good that I would consider changing amps to have an Odeon speaker.
I know that some folks here think the no. 33 is the sweet spot in the line-up but I'd be ordering without hearing it. I'd like to know what exactly the differences are between it and the 28.
/3.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Exlibris, how large is yr room, and what amps/wattage did you use to power the Nenuphars?

 

[Exlibris]

The dealer used a 20 watt amp to power both the Cube and the Odeon in his space. My room is open concept: 5m x 9m but part of that is a kitchen area.

 

[morricab]

I demoed the Cube Audio Nenuphar again today. They are pretty incredible. Great detail, spacious, transcendent.
Then I heard the Odeon 28/3. It was incredible; the emotional impact, the soul, the harmonic richness, the power. The system used what I think was a 20 watt EL 34 amp. I'll try it again with my 45 amp but it was so good that I would consider changing amps to have an Odeon speaker.
I know that some folks here think the no. 33 is the sweet spot in the line-up but I'd be ordering without hearing it. I'd like to know what exactly the differences are between it and the 28.
/3.

Bigger mid horn, bigger bass driver, overall dimension bigger and about 1db more sensitive. I believe the mid driver and compression tweeter are the same but the mid could be a slightly smaller diameter of the same type (aerogel ).

 

[morricab]

I demoed the Cube Audio Nenuphar again today. They are pretty incredible. Great detail, spacious, transcendent.
Then I heard the Odeon 28/3. It was incredible; the emotional impact, the soul, the harmonic richness, the power. The system used what I think was a 20 watt EL 34 amp. I'll try it again with my 45 amp but it was so good that I would consider changing amps to have an Odeon speaker.
I know that some folks here think the no. 33 is the sweet spot in the line-up but I'd be ordering without hearing it. I'd like to know what exactly the differences are between it and the 28.
/3.

Where are you based? Dynamikks speakers are a good alternative to the two you auditioned.

 

[Exlibris]

Bigger mid horn, bigger bass driver, overall dimension bigger and about 1db more sensitive. I believe the mid driver and compression tweeter are the same but the mid could be a slightly smaller diameter of the same type (aerogel ).

The 33 is almost twice as expensive as the 28. I'm wondering if it's worth it.

 

[KeithR]

I demoed the Cube Audio Nenuphar again today. They are pretty incredible. Great detail, spacious, transcendent.
Then I heard the Odeon 28/3. It was incredible; the emotional impact, the soul, the harmonic richness, the power. The system used what I think was a 20 watt EL 34 amp. I'll try it again with my 45 amp but it was so good that I would consider changing amps to have an Odeon speaker.
I know that some folks here think the no. 33 is the sweet spot in the line-up but I'd be ordering without hearing it. I'd like to know what exactly the differences are between it and the 28.
/3.

I wish Odeon was sold in the States. How was the horn / woofer integration?

I’m assuming the 33 has a lower horn xover point which is advantageous.

 

[Exlibris]

Where are you based? Dynamikks speakers are a good alternative to the two you auditioned.

I live in Toronto, Canada.

 

[Exlibris]

I wish Odeon was sold in the States. How was the horn / woofer integration?

There is a distributor here in Canada now and he may have the rights to the US as well.

 

[Exlibris]

I wish Odeon was sold in the States. How was the horn / woofer integration?

I’m assuming the 33 has a lower horn xover point which is advantageous.

I listened to them immediately after hearing a speaker with a single full-range driver and I didn't notice any disconnect between the drivers in the Odeon.

 

[morricab]

The 33 is almost twice as expensive as the 28. I'm wondering if it's worth it.

Oh, didn't realize the gap was so large in price. I have heard the 32 at length (predecessor of the 33) the 38 extensively and my own La Bohemes. I can say they are all really good and even 38s work in smallish rooms.
picture of Dynamikks Athos 10


Odeon La Boheme

 

[Duke LeJeune]

Pay a deposit, get the spkrs delivered in three boxes, put it together. PAP arrange for collection after 15/30 days, if not keeping, deposit returned minus charge for handling.

Very creative. That may be high end audio's future, or a least a big part of it.

Kudos to Pure Audio for combining an innovative approach to loudspeaker design with an innovative approach to auditioning.

 

[Exlibris]

Oh, didn't realize the gap was so large in price. I have heard the 32 at length (predecessor of the 33) the 38 extensively and my own La Bohemes. I can say they are all really good and even 38s work in smallish rooms.View attachment 50437
picture of Dynamikks Athos 10

View attachment 50438
Odeon La Boheme

Have you heard the 28/3?

 

[morricab]

Have you heard the 28/3?

No, I missed that model.

 

[bonzo75]

I have heard the 28, 32, and 38. The 28 at Berlin hifi. The other two at Christoph and his friend. They all sound similar. The 32 had probably the most ideal room. The 28 one was a bit small and the 38 one too big

 

[christoph]

I demoed the Cube Audio Nenuphar again today. They are pretty incredible. Great detail, spacious, transcendent.
Then I heard the Odeon 28/3. It was incredible; the emotional impact, the soul, the harmonic richness, the power. The system used what I think was a 20 watt EL 34 amp. I'll try it again with my 45 amp but it was so good that I would consider changing amps to have an Odeon speaker.
I know that some folks here think the no. 33 is the sweet spot in the line-up but I'd be ordering without hearing it. I'd like to know what exactly the differences are between it and the 28.
/3.

If you can swing the 33, go for that one, if not, go for the 28/3.
They definitely have a family Sound

 

[Exlibris]

If you can swing the 33, go for that one, if not, go for the 28/3.
They definitely have a family Sound

Thank you. I'm glad to hear they have a family sound because I loved the sound. Can you say a little about the sonic differences between the 28 and 33? I don't imagine that I can swing the 38 but I could push it for the 33 but only if it's really that much better than the 28 and doesn't have any downsides in comparison with the 28. I know that the bigger models have bigger mid-range horns and while I can imagine the benefits of that, I do worry that I will start to hear the horn. The 28 is the only horn speaker that I've heard where I didn't notice any horn artifacts. Perhaps this is why Bonzo75 said "To me, Odeon 28, 32, and 38 are like efficient cones."

 

[christoph]

Thank you. I'm glad to hear they have a family sound because I loved the sound. Can you say a little about the sonic differences between the 28 and 33? I don't imagine that I can swing the 38 but I could push it for the 33 but only if it's really that much better than the 28 and doesn't have any downsides in comparison with the 28. I know that the bigger models have bigger mid-range horns and while I can imagine the benefits of that, I do worry that I will start to hear the horn. The 28 is the only horn speaker that I've heard where I didn't notice any horn artifacts. Perhaps this is why Bonzo75 said "To me, Odeon 28, 32, and 38 are like efficient cones."

If you can swing the 33, go for it.
The mid horn in the 33 does play a lot deeper than the one in the 28/3 what makes the 33 more coherent.
The 33 also goes deeper in the bass region what makes them sound more grown up.
In Addition, they are 1 dB more efficient that the 28/3.
The only "downside" is that the 33 are a little bigger and heavier than the 28/3. But that is not really a problem because the eclosures are modular. I moved the 32 and the 38 several times in regular smallish station wagons (Volvo V60 and BMW 3)