CDLehner
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So...as some have been aware; my Ref 1s were in for pick-up...and I was going to take the opportunity to listen to Theta Prometheus' when I picked them up. Originally...the client, who's house we gathered at; had Joseph Perspectives. But...he traded them out for KEF Blade IIs, and I had the pleasure of listening to that set-up instead (driven by a Mojo Mac running Amarra, fed into an Aesthetix Pandora Sig)
I can go into more detail, for anyone who has specific questions (and about the Prometheus in its thread, as well); but all I can say is WoW :amazing:
Granted...I don't go to shows; and have never auditioned a speaker, costing its $26,000 list. But I can tell you this: I've owned my fair share, of ~$10,000; and have always been of the mind, law of diminishing returns starts to kick in...not soon there after. Don't get me wrong; I'm not naive. I know there are better speakers, beyond that price point...of course; I just never would have thought, you could appreciate a "3-fold" difference (you guys know what I'm saying, having a fine understanding of LODR yourself).
However...after the "audition" I had yesterday (about 2 hours...with some of my music; but mostly just listening, bullsh*tting, and talking shop with the dealer and owner); if I had the money...I would have ordered a pair of these! The amount of bass, was astounding; yet...it was super-tight and fast, and therefore never over-hung the Uni-Q to create a smeared presentation. 4 force-cancelling drivers per side; will some bass-heavy demo tracks, played LOUD. Yet the cabinet, never quivered at all; I lay my hand on it, and couldn't feel a thing (I've heard, they stand a nickel on edge...at shows).
It is really almost a visual miracle, and engineering wonder; that the 5" Uni-Q can stand up to that kind of bass output. Yet...mids were prominent, rich (if not quite luscious, like say a Harbeth), and perfectly in balance; and highs were extended, yet never etched or fatiguing. There were a few tracks...where female vocals were perhaps a touch honky still; but I have no doubt, that will subside with break-in.
When I told some, I was going to hear Blade IIs...I got some feedback that they've heard Blades (I) at shows, and were less-than-impressed; especially at the $32,000 price tag. I have to say...anybody who might have written the model off, based on the Blades; owes themselves another listen, to the IIs. Keep in mind; the IIs have (4) 6.5" bass-drivers per side...against the Blades (4) 9". That's a pretty big difference...and one of the things we discussed yesterday, based on what we heard in this client's room; is just how big a room you'd need...for the Blades (I), to not sound ridiculously over-loaded and out-of-balance. The consensus? REALLY big, lol. Maybe that's what was going, at some of the places where they've showed.
Anyway; it was a real eye-opener for me...and a helluva lot of fun! :audiophile:
I can go into more detail, for anyone who has specific questions (and about the Prometheus in its thread, as well); but all I can say is WoW :amazing:
Granted...I don't go to shows; and have never auditioned a speaker, costing its $26,000 list. But I can tell you this: I've owned my fair share, of ~$10,000; and have always been of the mind, law of diminishing returns starts to kick in...not soon there after. Don't get me wrong; I'm not naive. I know there are better speakers, beyond that price point...of course; I just never would have thought, you could appreciate a "3-fold" difference (you guys know what I'm saying, having a fine understanding of LODR yourself).
However...after the "audition" I had yesterday (about 2 hours...with some of my music; but mostly just listening, bullsh*tting, and talking shop with the dealer and owner); if I had the money...I would have ordered a pair of these! The amount of bass, was astounding; yet...it was super-tight and fast, and therefore never over-hung the Uni-Q to create a smeared presentation. 4 force-cancelling drivers per side; will some bass-heavy demo tracks, played LOUD. Yet the cabinet, never quivered at all; I lay my hand on it, and couldn't feel a thing (I've heard, they stand a nickel on edge...at shows).
It is really almost a visual miracle, and engineering wonder; that the 5" Uni-Q can stand up to that kind of bass output. Yet...mids were prominent, rich (if not quite luscious, like say a Harbeth), and perfectly in balance; and highs were extended, yet never etched or fatiguing. There were a few tracks...where female vocals were perhaps a touch honky still; but I have no doubt, that will subside with break-in.
When I told some, I was going to hear Blade IIs...I got some feedback that they've heard Blades (I) at shows, and were less-than-impressed; especially at the $32,000 price tag. I have to say...anybody who might have written the model off, based on the Blades; owes themselves another listen, to the IIs. Keep in mind; the IIs have (4) 6.5" bass-drivers per side...against the Blades (4) 9". That's a pretty big difference...and one of the things we discussed yesterday, based on what we heard in this client's room; is just how big a room you'd need...for the Blades (I), to not sound ridiculously over-loaded and out-of-balance. The consensus? REALLY big, lol. Maybe that's what was going, at some of the places where they've showed.
Anyway; it was a real eye-opener for me...and a helluva lot of fun! :audiophile:
, was how so many guys have called a radically-designed speaker...like the Vivid Giya; the best they've ever heard. I think I'm starting to understand why.
