Mr Tibbs re. Nightfly. You certainly make a valid point in that the bass is there and tuneful, but it by no means drives the music along. Polite and musical on the 14 and so I can concede that something with more ' deft heft ' might be required to fully appreciate the recording. Saying that Ruby Ruby is sounding wonderful as I type and is 'plummier' than the S600 I last played this on.
Are you listening to cd or vinyl? G
The two best speakers I have owned are Spendor S100 and the IMFs and perhaps it is unfair to compare them because either would have cost at least 5 times as much as the Es14. But in my system and to my ears either comprehensively wallop them. Es14 are good for what they are. they are by no means the ultimate speaker, they do somethings very well, but are too limited in my experience.
Ben
A comparison between speakers at such different price points is neither fair nor meaningful. Nobody, surely, would ever suggest that the ES14 is the ultimate speaker. Its one of the better mid-price products from the 80s and nothing more. A meaningful comparison would be between the ES14 and the equivalently priced Kef or B&W products of the period.
Ive said before in this forum, when the ES14 has been compared with more expensive products, that my wifes Mazda MX5 is nothing like as good as a Porsche Boxster. Id need to make the comparison between the MX5 and an Aston-Martin to give the equivalence of pitching an ES14 against an IMF RSPM.
I completely agree with you! But there are quite a few people who seem to be saying that they can't find better than the es14, even with a large budget, say £2000. I find the RSPM mk vi to be several leagues ahead of the es14, but for £2000 and a bit of patience you could get some IMF SACM which would be like comparing an MX5 to a Ferrari Enzo!
It isn't that hard to better the es14 for relatively normal money.
Ben
Hello Mr Tibbs,I'd narrow my list of possibles by looking at those designs that prioritise the importance of the midrange. My own 401s cross at 475Hz and 5000Hz so all of the critical midband is handled by one driver and I feel this is hugely important in making them sound cohesive - an area where three way designs can be found wanting.
Fully agree. The OP has a very expensive system and should therefore start looking at some expensive speakers. I'm sure it wouldn't be long before he found one that wiped the floor with his 14s in all departments.
Mr Tibbs
I have heard lots of speakers in lots of systems and to date none have made me want to change the ES14s. I do hanker after some SBLs though. I think they might tick all the boxes for me!
NB. Not saying ES14s are the best speaker in the world just the best I have heard.
James at Tom Tom has some nice SBLs!
graeme h;1551896 No one has suggested anything yet for circa £2k new. A few £4k recommendations and £5k comparisons. I should also say DIY is not my thing...! G[/QUOTE said:Hmmm thought I had, try the new PMC 20 series, spin off from the FACT8 which has one of the best mid range and vocal quality I've heard.... Hence I bought them Transmision line design will also give good bass.
Hmmm thought I had, try the new PMC 20 series, spin off from the FACT8 which has one of the best mid range and vocal quality I've heard.... Hence I bought them Transmision line design will also give good bass.
Hello Mr Tibbs,
The midband, known as the second decade, spans 200Hz to 2kHz. The human voice covers 80Hz fundamental to around 3.5kHz with harmonics. This is why a good two-way system, where the midwoofer reaches up to 2 or 3kHz, can offer better coherence than a good three-way. Of course, such two-ways systems cannot hope to carry off the bass stunts of a large three-way.
My E-X has an active LF/MF cross at 150Hz. I guess I could easily shift the cross to 80Hz and see what effect that achieves at some stage when I feel an urge to experiment.
Have you implemented the E-IIIR mods yet? If you think the standard version is good, you'll be gob-smacked with the "R".
Merry Christmas to you and all in funkytown.
James