Wolf von Langa (WVL) Chicago Speakers - Dream Speakers
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No, only with the legs. I like tall loudspeakers.
DavidAVDavid, who has Sons and loves them, has confirmed that he prefers them with some sort of riser.
I did not see threaded inserts. Actually I did not care at all for how they were attached. Each leg is attached with three small screws. The attachment method looked appropriate for a lightweight coffee table, not for a heavy loudspeaker. I would've preferred a much more robust attachment method, and much heavier, sturdier legs.
PS: I like the Sons a lot. I have liked every field coil implementation I've heard (WvL, Classic, Songer, Treehaus) except the small Audio Note.
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I haven't tried the stands but am interested in them so I simulated the concept by raising them roughly the same height. Used a Christmas tree stand and a few small pieces of plywood, plus sorbothane feet, under each speaker. I can send a pic if you wanr a good laugh. Probably not as quiet or isolated as the real thing but a pretty good test for the main differences.
Soundstage - definitely grew in height. So in addition to raising the SS, there was expansion below the speakers. In terms of width and depth, possibly a little but not a blatant change.
Accuracy- the replication of the recording's environment is more precisely demonstrated. All details improved in accuracy of location but didn't lose musicality. Instrument and voice position became more specific in all three dimensions. This isn't a change that you have to convince yourself it exists. It's easily heard in any track.
Air - I know there's a more specific term but instruments are noticeably more airy and resonant tones fade off into darkness more. This change isn't subtle and in some recordings really gives a sense of being there for the recording.
Weight - lost a little "weight" in this setup. Primarily in upper bass through middle midrange. When on the floor, my soeakers sit on the isolating sorbothane feet that the SONs come with. Regardless, I think my test further isolates the SONs from the floor. I assume this "weight" comes from the floor picking up vibration and/or some interactions with the room more prevalent when the speakers are lower. FYI, my floors are carpet. Important to note that a lot of that weight can be returned with speaker placement. Also, adjustment of the field coil voltage is useful in tweaking "weight".
Hope this info helps.
Soundstage - definitely grew in height. So in addition to raising the SS, there was expansion below the speakers. In terms of width and depth, possibly a little but not a blatant change.
Accuracy- the replication of the recording's environment is more precisely demonstrated. All details improved in accuracy of location but didn't lose musicality. Instrument and voice position became more specific in all three dimensions. This isn't a change that you have to convince yourself it exists. It's easily heard in any track.
Air - I know there's a more specific term but instruments are noticeably more airy and resonant tones fade off into darkness more. This change isn't subtle and in some recordings really gives a sense of being there for the recording.
Weight - lost a little "weight" in this setup. Primarily in upper bass through middle midrange. When on the floor, my soeakers sit on the isolating sorbothane feet that the SONs come with. Regardless, I think my test further isolates the SONs from the floor. I assume this "weight" comes from the floor picking up vibration and/or some interactions with the room more prevalent when the speakers are lower. FYI, my floors are carpet. Important to note that a lot of that weight can be returned with speaker placement. Also, adjustment of the field coil voltage is useful in tweaking "weight".
Hope this info helps.
Hi Ron, heads up that the set of CONICA (official name) stands you saw was a preproduction prototype built for a show and not representative. I think you'd be pleased with the fit/finish and heft of the actual product. Ask David for his thoughts when he returns home.
IMO, everything Wolf von Langa releases is absolute top quality.
Excellent! I am delighted to learn this!
Thank you for weighing in here, Colin!
Yes, everything I have ever seen from WvL is indeed absolute top quality, which is why I was puzzled about those legs.
Hi Ron
Seasons greetings ☺
May i ask,
were you not tempted by a pair of Chicago as your main speakers?
Hi!
Happy holidays!
Only because I'm not tempted by any loudspeaker that is not a planar dipole. Every single speaker I have owned since I got into this hobby has been a planar dipole. I like -- especially on vocals -- what I perceive from planar dipoles to be an open and realistic and natural presentation.
I think it's also worth pointing out that I don't think the legs/stand are optimal or preferred in all circumstances. Many people, including the AS reviewer that gave it speaker of the year, loved it before the legs were available.
Low slung seats put the tweeters at ear height and they have sounded great when I temporarily put a seat of that height in place. My post above include characteristics that will likely be impacted by isolation footers regardless of the height change provided by the legs.
in the end the best set up will depend on your specific environment.
Low slung seats put the tweeters at ear height and they have sounded great when I temporarily put a seat of that height in place. My post above include characteristics that will likely be impacted by isolation footers regardless of the height change provided by the legs.
in the end the best set up will depend on your specific environment.
On instagram WVL posted four months ago:
"During the latter 1930s Jim Lansing developed the Iconic system, a two-way system using a 15-inch low frequency driver and a 1" high frequency compression driver, that fed a small multicellular horn. The Iconic system attained wide popularity throughout the industry as a monitor. The high frequency driver was the prototype of the A801, which for the first time I used for the Wolf von Langa 606i in 2010. With certain refinements the actual model is named WVL AD-2544. With these you'll achieve more than excellent sound quality and emotional impact."
www.picuki.com
It is a pity that WVL doesn't offer such a speaker with a WVL 15-inch low frequency driver and his 1" HF AD-2544.
That would be my WVL Dream Speaker
"During the latter 1930s Jim Lansing developed the Iconic system, a two-way system using a 15-inch low frequency driver and a 1" high frequency compression driver, that fed a small multicellular horn. The Iconic system attained wide popularity throughout the industry as a monitor. The high frequency driver was the prototype of the A801, which for the first time I used for the Wolf von Langa 606i in 2010. With certain refinements the actual model is named WVL AD-2544. With these you'll achieve more than excellent sound quality and emotional impact."
Just a moment
It is a pity that WVL doesn't offer such a speaker with a WVL 15-inch low frequency driver and his 1" HF AD-2544.
That would be my WVL Dream Speaker
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The Wolfie Chicagos continue to impress. It's been a rewarding journey, with placement, pairing of upstream equipment (ALL is revealed by the Chicago, and I do mean ALL), installation of the footers, and finally careful adjustment of the FC controls. Every step has raised the (already amazing at first installation) performance of the speaker. Each time I think I've reached a performance ceiling, I learn otherwise. Stay tuned, next comes the installation of the LAMM preamp, SW1X monos and possibly the WVL horn-loaded sub! BH @gestalt
How are you finding their bass performance, 40Hz and lower? Do you consider them full-range speakers?
Thank you. I’m using the Tekton internal crossovers at 40 hz The subs are also set VERY low in terms of volume. For me, they are there to help recreate the “space” of the venue
I’m still working to coax the best from the bass using the field coil current adjustment but as specified they seem to do nicely standing alone into the mid-30’s with amazing speed, clarity, and articulation in the bass registers.
This past weekend my good friend, who is 79 years young and a life-long audiophile came over to have a listen. After about 30 mins he proclaimed, "These are pretty much the best dynamic speakers I've ever heard".
Colin and I have been working diligently to coax the best from them, and the ceiling has not yet been found. However the recent addition of the New Audio Frontiers Stradivari preamp and Stradivari 211 Stereo amp were definitely moves in the right direction.
Stay tuned my audiophile friends, there is more to come.........
Colin and I have been working diligently to coax the best from them, and the ceiling has not yet been found. However the recent addition of the New Audio Frontiers Stradivari preamp and Stradivari 211 Stereo amp were definitely moves in the right direction.
Stay tuned my audiophile friends, there is more to come.........
I see a pair of tube amps and a stereo amp - are you driving the WvL in biamping?
I've tried multiple permutations and possibilities with the Chicagos and the process is ongoing. I've tried my beloved VTL Deluxe 140's (in Class A triode mode) biwired to the WVL's as well as a pair of PS Audio M1200's. I've biamped with the VTL/M1200 combination as well, and most recently installed a New Audio Frontiers Stradivari preamp and Stradivari 211 SE stereo amp. The NAF combination may be the "best" if by "best" one means most musically engaging.
The other issue is adjusting the field coil energy, which has dramatic effects on the sound.Colin and I have also been experimenting with the woofers in and out of the system as well, "tuning" the bass response under both conditions, adjusting the field coil energy, etc. Even the placement of the woofers themselves seems critical: when they are further from the WVL the soundscape opens up dramatically and the "3D-solidity of imaging" is greatly enhanced!
I also have FieldCoil (SupraVox). What exactly is regulated with the WvL power supply units (current or voltage or both) and in what range?
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