Altec ???
Its about myles his Zellatons afaic .
I m not surprised myles mentions the S5 s as being very transparent , i thought so too especially in the bass region with tubes
Zellaton Plural Evo
- Thread starter Ron Resnick
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Its about myles his Zellatons afaic .
I m not surprised myles mentions the S5 s as being very transparent , i thought so too especially in the bass region with tubes
Carlos, I cannot speak for "most high-end systems", but I agree that an emphasis on high frequencies can sound unnatural. That is why, as this works for my own system, I have toed out my speakers, more or less entirely. For my particular system setup and room, this gives a more believable tonal balance to me, more in line with what I typically hear in unamplified live music. There can indeed be more "resolution" in the high frequencies when I toe in my speakers, but the system has now so much resolution in midrange and upper midrange that this hardly matters; it does not need "crutches" in that respect anymore. For example, I can still get tons of resolution of micro-timbral detail on solo violin or string quartet, or massed orchestral strings, even with toed out speakers.
I often hear lots of such detail, even more than at home, in unamplified live music too. In fact, what usually gets me in a live setting is that often (not always) I feel bombarded with detail -- in a good way.
Yet a lack of emphasis on high frequencies is not the same as an unnatural attenuation of high frequencies, as I hear in the Altec video. But again, I cannot speak for the Altec system itself, only for what I hear from the video, which may not be truthful to the tonal balance at all.
I am not making either claim as a matter of objective fact. I am not saying that one shaves off the high frequencies or that the other enhances high frequencies.
I am saying only that people who prefer the sound of the Zellaton system likely would feel that the Atlec system shaves off high frequencies, and that people who prefer the sound of the Altec system likely would feel that the Zellaton system enhances high frequencies.
I listened to all three videos before Myles took his down. I listened through a fairly neutral DAC and headphones which are a bit warm leaning. I mostly agree with Al. Although, I didn't think Myles' system was bright. It just sounded lean. Leanness can give you the illusion that a system is bright. "Tipped up" (by virtue of leanness) is fair to say. And Goldmund is like that IME. But to me, the treble quality itself in Myles system was fine. The Altec system, though, was indeed boring. It's a rock and roll system for people who don't like rock and roll. Flat, dense, and unengaging vintage sound. Girl with guitar might work on it though. It'd probably have a romantic sound and tug at your heartstrings. But treble rolloff is never a virtue, and that kind of color pollutes all music. Myles' system is closer to the sound I like than the Altec system. Neither were close enough.
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Brian, I agree with your further analysis that spells out a few things better than mine.
Altec:
"It's a rock and roll system for people who don't like rock and roll."
Priceless.
***
But again, that's just the video. Would like to know if it sounds boring like that in person, with a similar tonal balance.
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I'm hoping that "it's just a video" goes without saying. I can only comment on what I hear in the video. And Al, I'm sure your system rocks. More crunch and less syrup!
Brian, I hope so
.I like to hear an electric guitar sound aggressive and energetic when it should.
When listening video comparison and write on forum, indicating the face character of each system is fair especially when two videos of the systems sound so drastically different my cleaning lady can hear. Just don't be dum to use playback device A to listen to one video and playback device B to listen the other video. No need to defend which is better cause that only will be debating personal preferences. I agree with Peter that when a person post the video of his it means that he pretty much accept that the sound from video is a 'sketch' of his system. Posting video makes no win for the poster. But if the posted video sounds interesting to some, it can be beneficial to explore further those equipment listed in the system.
I’m curious about this Zeppelin on Mike’s system. Is there a video out there? Which speakers did he use?
All good, I am just wondering why did Steve leave an orange Kettlebell in the plant's flowerpot. An interesting use of it.
Today I had the pleasure of listening to Zellaton Plural Evo at a friend's home, they were connected to Nagra Classic monoblock's amp's and later to Nagra HD monoblock's amp's.
This is definitely one of the best "box" speakers i have ever heard, no "gimmick" speaker, no exotic box, drivers or tweeter, and yet the most refined, detail (layers over layers) and superb bass (first time i hear so many fine details from ported speakers).
the soundstage was large but not an artificial "bigger than needed" stage, and the voicing was so natural and effortless.
I can definitely understand the "fass" regarding those speakers, they are absolutely fabulous.
This is definitely one of the best "box" speakers i have ever heard, no "gimmick" speaker, no exotic box, drivers or tweeter, and yet the most refined, detail (layers over layers) and superb bass (first time i hear so many fine details from ported speakers).
the soundstage was large but not an artificial "bigger than needed" stage, and the voicing was so natural and effortless.
I can definitely understand the "fass" regarding those speakers, they are absolutely fabulous.
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I don't know. I downloaded it here; where-the-light-gets-in-jeremy-olivier
Thanks a lot for the link. It is a shame they only offer a full album. I'd be great if you could purchase individual songs.
Also, they offer FLAC and DSD256. Respect!
Also, they offer FLAC and DSD256. Respect!
Audioarts NYC had the Zellaton Plural Evo at the Pacific Audiofest this year, I think powered by a pair of Burmester 159. The speakers and amps were impressive to behold. They had them cranked up loud the couple times I visited. I was struck by their capability to fill a medium-large sized room at high volume without a hint of strain or distortion. The man running the room used the word 'engaging' to describe them and I'd agree. I loved the tonal balance, with an extremely clear and coherent midrange. The bass was fully adequate to my ears, and I didn't see any subwoofer in play. The imaging was creating some spectacular fireworks for me, with sounds flying around the room and sometimes behind me, or up close to my ears. I think this speaks partially to the speaker's ability to cast a soundstage, but also to some unusual acoustical conditions in the room. They played Kraftwerk's Radioactivity, which I'm slightly familiar with, and I heard sounds shooting across the ceiling, forward and back and left to right. It was spectacular! But I don't recall ever hearing any of those effects before. When I got home I played it on my system, and the sounds that I had heard moving around wildly at the show were staying in their place in the soundstage without the slightest hint of any motion at all! They had curtains around the edge of the room, and the powerful bass would sometimes make things rattle behind the curtain. I took a peek and saw what appeared to be jumbled stacks of boxes and whatever stuff they were hiding from sight going pretty high up the wall. This must have been creating the highly entertaining frequency dependent reflections that were causing the soundstage fireworks I was perceiving.
My Evo’s also easily energize a fairly large room -17x37 - but the Radioactivity track didn’t perform any hallucinatory tricks for me. Maybe some Scherzinger voodoo in play in there.
Voodoo indeed. It was very entertaining, and seemed appropriate for Kraftwerk. Those hissing sounds that are slowly modulated in some way really took off moving in that room. One thing I realized after coming home is just how small my 12' x 20' room is. I'd guess the smallest rooms at the show had twice the cubic footage of my space.
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