Devore 0/96's

**Paul** · November 9, 2014, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by Jerome W

Oh I get it now !

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Jerome. I absolutely love the O/96 though and they are beautiful to look at too.

**NOLG4EVR** · November 9, 2014, 02:38 AM

Paul, just curious. What cd player did you wind up with?

**RichardAusten** · November 9, 2014, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by NOLG4EVR

This is a Devore thread. If you want to preach the virtues of Audio Note, should there be any, start an Audio Note thread.

IMO, the AN E at entry level is not bad but the whole Silver upgrade marketing deal is snake oil at best. The upgrades are large in dollars, not sound quality.

You are correct that unlike the AN E's the Devores do not rely on corner placement as was stated previously in another post.

There has been so much misinformation recently in this thread it is getting hard to keep track of.

I think there are general camps of loudspeakers of which the DeVore and AN E are cut from a very similar cloth with a similar target audience which is Single Ended Triode owners. There are not a lot of high end speakers on the market that are suitable to such amps (in the non horn and non single driver types).

As for the cables well AN usually changes the crossovers and the actual drivers so the difference in sound isn't as attributable to just the cable. The AN E/AlniCo Spx HE is only available in HK so far and is a rather staggering improvement over other AN E models. I auditioned this version with the Shindo Petrus preamp into Audio Note Kegon's at the owner's home who is a retired pianist for the Chinese Orchestra who previously owned far more ridiculously expensive speakers from Wilson Audio and the like. The Chinese drum direct to disc masters was astounding - even I as someone with a lot of AN exposure have not heard them do that before.

This thread has suggested other speakers and my view of these things is to audition similar products. A note for example was made about the the fact that the Orangutan was 1/3 more expensive than something else he was considering. Well the AN E/Lexus is $5,000 less than the O/96 and is quite easy to drive. 7 watts is enough. But it does have the upgrade option. There are pros and cons to these models but there are people who prefer the E to the DeVore and an E did just win product of the year and it has a longer track record. So when these SET friendly speaker ideas come up it's not a terrible idea to include several options as well as the likes of the Teresonic Ingenium or ZU Audio line.

I like the DeVore a lot based on my one audition and probably would be just as happy with them. Still I would want to cover as much of the Higher efficiency field as possible to audition.

**Petro85** · November 9, 2014, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by RichardAusten

I think there are general camps of loudspeakers of which the DeVore and AN E are cut from a very similar cloth with a similar target audience which is Single Ended Triode owners. There are not a lot of high end speakers on the market that are suitable to such amps (in the non horn and non single driver types).

As for the cables well AN usually changes the crossovers and the actual drivers so the difference in sound isn't as attributable to just the cable. The AN E/AlniCo Spx HE is only available in HK so far and is a rather staggering improvement over other AN E models. I auditioned this version with the Shindo Petrus preamp into Audio Note Kegon's at the owner's home who is a retired pianist for the Chinese Orchestra who previously owned far more ridiculously expensive speakers from Wilson Audio and the like. The Chinese drum direct to disc masters was astounding - even I as someone with a lot of AN exposure have not heard them do that before.

This thread has suggested other speakers and my view of these things is to audition similar products. A note for example was made about the the fact that the Orangutan was 1/3 more expensive than something else he was considering. Well the AN E/Lexus is $5,000 less than the O/96 and is quite easy to drive. 7 watts is enough. But it does have the upgrade option. There are pros and cons to these models but there are people who prefer the E to the DeVore and an E did just win product of the year and it has a longer track record. So when these SET friendly speaker ideas come up it's not a terrible idea to include several options as well as the likes of the Teresonic Ingenium or ZU Audio line.

I like the DeVore a lot based on my one audition and probably would be just as happy with them. Still I would want to cover as much of the Higher efficiency field as possible to audition.

thank you Richard i agree with alot of what you wrote here. ive never heard AN speakers but find myself in the situation that i run 12.5w and now its a 15w rating for using xls 300b tubes but have limited choice of speakers, the 096 is one of them, zu is also still on my list as well as well as volti, vapor, and a few others. im going to hear the 096 next week and i hope for the best. in an earlier post in this thread i mentioned it seems the 096 is love or hate among people i know. im not going to spend a fortune on speakers and i love my amp and the only way its going anywhere is if i change to the 25w allnic a5000's which would open up my choices alot more. alot of people love the look of the the 096 ,but i never really have. but to me looks are secondary to getting the sound i want and run the amps i want, the 096 is right in my budget and i hope to love it. unfortunately alot of the speakers on my list are internet ddirect and i cant really listen to them. the internet and threads like this one are very helpful to me, and speaking of a wide range of speakers in them is a great help. thanks again.

**kev313** · November 9, 2014, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by NOLG4EVR

Listening to the 0/96's right now.

Have Miles on the table, wait something's missing.

OMG, the trumpet, it's gone.....

Hahahahahaha.....THAT is an easy flaw to articulate. In all seriousness, Mike's description of the mismatch between the tweeter and woofer was an accurate description of what I heard in the earlier models. Not "mismatch"...those had more drivers and I'm not sure that is a sufficiently technical to be fair to the efforts of the designer. But the sound description was accurate. Again, I do not know the cause of the leanness that I was hearing and whether it was, as Mike was suggesting he hears in the 96, an overemphasized tweeter.

The missing information, though, that is a head scratcher. I'm totally ignorant when it comes to these types of technical questions, but I'd guess this phenomenon is easy to hear. I've never come across something like this in any of the dozen speakers that I've owned, and that includes the Devores and aforementioned Audio Notes (I had AN E-LX Signatures) all the way down the my lowly Klipsch years ago. But what could account for some information in complex not getting through? I take it we aren't talking a crossover issue - how high are the highs and how low are the lows.

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**Mike** · November 9, 2014, 11:22 AM

I was simply responding to Steve (Petro85's question) regarding other opinions of the O/96's.

As far as missing info, you need to listen to recordings you know well. Of course, listening to Shelby Lynn sing Just A Little Lovin' isn't going to give the O/96's troubles. But give them big band, large symphonic or even moderately complex music and I FEEL they leave out a lot of details, not even micro dynamics, but a large part of the music. I'm listening to big band and saying, "but wait, there should be X, Y and X here playing now" and it either sounds very faint or can't be picked up at all.

This has nothing to do with audiophile sound vs musical speakers. Look, if the point is to just hear some sounds that are pleasing, fine. But if you want to get as close to live or as close to the recording, it's not.

You will get no disagreement from me regarding long time listening. From a fatigue standpoint, I could listen to the O/96's all day long. But when I listen, I want to be transformed to the event. And yes, there are speakers for $12,000 or less than can get you a lot closer IMO.

Neither way of listening is right or wrong - but that's just me. For me, when I listen to the O/96's, I don't feel like I've been transformed to the event - live or otherwise. I feel like I've been transformed to Walt Disney World's It's A Small World.

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**kev313** · November 9, 2014, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

I was simply responding to Steve (Petro85's question) regarding other opinions of the O/96's.

As far as missing info, you need to listen to recordings you know well. Of course, listening to Shelby Lynn sing Just A Little Lovin' isn't going to give the O/96's troubles. But give them big band, large symphonic or even moderately complex music and I FEEL they leave out a lot of details, not even micro dynamics, but a large part of the music. I'm listening to big band and saying, "but wait, there should be X, Y and X here playing now" and it either sounds very faint or can't be picked up at all.

This has nothing to do with audiophile sound vs musical speakers. Look, if the point is to just hear some sounds that are pleasing, fine. But if you want to get as close to live or as close to the recording, it's not.

You will get no disagreement from me regarding long time listening. From a fatigue standpoint, I could listen to the O/96's all day long. But when I listen, I want to be transformed to the event. And yes, there are speakers for $12,000 or less than can get you a lot closer IMO.

Neither way of listening is right or wrong - but that's just me. For me, when I listen to the O/96's, I don't feel like I've been transformed to the event - live or otherwise. I feel like I've been transformed to Walt Disney World's It's A Small World.

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Hi Mike - I appreciate your observations and find the comments interesting. I'm on the same page as you...people can have whatever tastes they want in this hobby. There is no one way to do it. I appreciate a many different approaches. BUT I think you are selling yourself short here. You cannot "feel" information is missing. You can feel if you like a speaker or not. That is subjective. Missing information from your reference recordings is objective. Your comments make it clear that this is something that is beyond emphasizing one element of the sound spectrum to highlight another. Or to put it another way, it isn't employing something akin to the well known British monitor bass bump. That is a sound shaping technique. You are referring to missing notes. That would be a massive design flaw, probably by anyone's measure are irrespective of whether they have a "musical" or "accuracy" approach.

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**kev313** · November 9, 2014, 11:48 AM

To be fair, I also want to point out that I find this deficiency so unusual, that I think it warrants further investigation of the system or speaker in question to determine whether something is wrong or whether there is an equipment mismatch. Again, I've been pretty clear that Devores haven't been for my taste, but I've never heard - or not heard - this issue. In any speaker that I can recall.

I'm trying to think back to my worst system.... Cain and Cain Abbys with a set amp (2a3...Wrights and Welbornes). Could it play all music? No way! I vividly remember trying to play some newer (at the time) Tom Waits. Hilariously bad. But it played all the notes. Everything was there. It was just bad.

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**Mike** · November 9, 2014, 12:01 PM

Kev - when I was listening to tracks I knew, I was listening for specific notes, specific nuances, specific instruments that augment the piece and they were absent. I can't explain it. I'm just reporting what I heard (or didn't hear). In some cases, yes, the trombone was barely noticeable, in other cases, the pluck of the bass was absent.

Look, as I understand it, building speakers is all about making certain trade offs. As I understand it, a designer has to chose between two of the three (but never all three): 1. super efficiency/benign load, 2. small size/footprint and 3. dynamics. It's rare to find a speaker that has all three, although some speakers like the Spatial Hologram M1's are giving this age old engineering limitation a run for its money.

If I wanted a super efficient speaker (although the O/96's efficiency ratings appear to be quite overly inflated - 91db measured instead of the 96db rated - that is a big difference in the "marketing" scheme of things (Source: DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96 loudspeaker Measurements | Stereophile.com), a small footprint that is drop-dead gorgeous, yes, I would be willing to give up all the resolution, detail and dynamics of a lesser efficient or monolithic sized speaker and the O/96 would be in consideration.

But for me, I'm just not willing to give up the "I am there" or "they are here" objective.

YMMV

**kev313** · November 9, 2014, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Kev - when I was listening to tracks I knew, I was listening for specific notes, specific nuances, specific instruments that augment the piece and they were absent. I can't explain it. I'm just reporting what I heard (or didn't hear). In some cases, yes, the trombone was barely noticeable, in other cases, the pluck of the bass was absent.

Look, as I understand it, building speakers is all about making certain trade offs. As I understand it, a designer has to chose between two of the three (but never all three): 1. super efficiency/benign load, 2. small size/footprint and 3. dynamics. It's rare to find a speaker that has all three, although some speakers like the Spatial Hologram M1's are giving this age old engineering limitation a run for its money.

If I wanted a super efficient speaker (although the O/96's efficiency ratings appear to be quite overly inflated - 91db measured instead of the 96db rated (Source: DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96 loudspeaker Measurements | Stereophile.com), a small footprint that is drop-dead gorgeous, yes, I would be willing to give up all the resolution, detail and dynamics of a lesser efficient or monolithic sized speaker and the O/96 would be in consideration.

But for me, I'm just not willing to give up the "I am there" or "they are here" objective.

YMMV

This speaker has garnered some praise. Sure, some don't like it and that's only natural. You've levied a fairly serious accusation that merits further investigation. Speaker design is about trade offs, of course. Any of us who've managed to find our way to this forum understand that. I'm not talking about that. You are not talking about that. This isn't a question of taste. No one designs an instrument out of an orchestra. Low bass is one thing, but your posts describe a speaker that cannot be working as intended or that was not designed properly in the first place.

Again, a serious charge and one that warrants further investigation to be fair to the brand, I would think. Are we talking the infamous sounds of the subway next to the CSO or is this "Holy crap! The violas are missing!!" My opinion, I suppose...am I making too much of this? Honestly asking. Are there other speakers that omit parts of recordings that can be easily observed on other speakers. I honestly do not have a handy comparable reference in my own experience and it is a problem I would find troubling on $1000 speakers. To see this allegation with far more expensive speakers is troubling.

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**Mike** · November 9, 2014, 12:18 PM

Then you need to do your own listening with recordings you know inside and out. I'm simply stating my view.

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**kev313** · November 9, 2014, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Then you need to do your own listening with recordings you know inside and out. I'm simply stating my view.

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I appreciate that. I apologize. I don't really come around here enough to know who is who and who likes what. I thought you were also a reviewer of sorts. Your opinion in that context is light enough on facts and serious enough in scope to be rather inflammatory as I think we could (maybe?) agree that a speaker that doesn't play all of the instruments has a problem. Again, sorry for making too much of this and attaching a significance to your view that may not have been warranted or intended.

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**Mike** · November 9, 2014, 12:44 PM

Kev - I would need to have the devore's in my home to do a proper review and comparison. That being said, I was responding to Steve's question about who else has heard the O/96's. I've heard them at shows and kept thinking "this has to be the room or something weird", but then I got a chance on Friday to bring my music to listen in a proper home setting.

$12,000 is a LOT of money to most people - including Steve. He will obviously hear them and draw his own conclusions.

If John would like to send me a pair, I would be happy to review them with a variety of amps and sources.

Speakers like the O/96's are polarizing (just read the comments in the comments section in the Stereophile review). People who love the story of stereo shop salesman turned speaker designer, their drop-dead gorgeous looks, small WAF footprint, tube friendly design and a tweeter you can listen to all day, won't be likely looking for ultimate dynamics and resolution as their number one objective. If you attend live music (and I do) and you are a musician (I am) - you will know the O/96's aren't going to be the last word in absolute sound. You sometimes have to give up something to get something.

In a similar price and (albeit bigger) footprint is the Harbeth 40.1's or SHL5+. Yes, not the most SET friendly speakers, but definitely tube friendly, produce good dynamics (especially the 40.1's). Those are speakers I would more gravitate towards in terms of easy load/size.

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**kev313** · November 9, 2014, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Kev - I would need to have the devore's in my home to do a proper review and comparison. That being said, I was responding to Steve's question about who else has heard the O/96's. I've heard them at shows and kept thinking "this has to be the room or something weird", but then I got a chance on Friday to bring my music to listen in a proper home setting.

$12,000 is a LOT of money to most people - including Steve. He will obviously hear them and draw his own conclusions.

If John would like to send me a pair, I would be happy to review them with a variety of amps and sources.

Speakers like the O/96's are polarizing (just read the comments in the comments section in the Stereophile review). People who love the story of stereo shop salesman turned speaker designer, their drop-dead gorgeous looks, small WAF footprint, tube friendly design and a tweeter you can listen to all day, won't be likely looking for ultimate dynamics and resolution as their number one objective. If you attend live music (and I do) and you are a musician (I am) - you will know the O/96's aren't going to be the last word in absolute sound. You sometimes have to give up something to get something.

In a similar price and (albeit bigger) footprint is the Harbeth 40.1's or SHL5+. Yes, not the most SET friendly speakers, but definitely tube friendly, produce good dynamics (especially the 40.1's). Those are speakers I would more gravitate towards in terms of easy load/size.

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Interesting stuff. Thanks for the clarification. Having never heard these, but being somewhat familiar with the brand, I found the nature of your observation to be unusual. I'm just trying to get a sense of the relative severity of the perceived issue. Also, you are a reviewer?

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**Mike** · November 9, 2014, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by kev313

Interesting stuff. Thanks for the clarification. Having never heard these, but being somewhat familiar with the brand, I found the nature of your observation to be unusual. I'm just trying to get a sense of the relative severity of the perceived issue. Also, you are a reviewer?

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I do reviews for Audioshark (but I never attended Audio Reviewer University.

). I've been an audiophile for over 35 years dating back to the quadrophonic R2R days. I've attended dozens and dozens of shows, owned more gear than I can remember and been heavily involved in music my whole life. My Father was an audiophile as well....so it's in my blood.

But if you want to experience what I said, you need to hear them. With a more dynamic, higher resolution amp, you may not hear that anything is missing, but only "faintly there." But I stand by what I didn't hear. Could it have been the amp? Cables? Source? Sure. Like I said, I would love to review them.

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**kev313** · November 9, 2014, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I do reviews for Audioshark (but I never attended Audio Reviewer University.

). I've been an audiophile for over 35 years dating back to the quadrophonic R2R days. I've attended dozens and dozens of shows, owned more gear than I can remember and been heavily involved in music my whole life. My Father was an audiophile as well....so it's in my blood.

But if you want to experience what I said, you need to hear them. With a more dynamic, higher resolution amp, you may not hear that anything is missing, but only "faintly there." But I stand by what I didn't hear. Could it have been the amp? Cables? Source? Sure. Like I said, I would love to review them.

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Oh. Thanks.

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**Dgolh** · November 9, 2014, 03:12 PM

Sorry for highjacking this thread but well, I currently own a pair of Gibbon 88 and I was planning to buy some 093 or 096 in a more or less next future. Something old and odd popped up on some kind of French Craig's list named "Le Bon coin" and I took the plunge on Saturday.

This a pair of old Auditorium 23 speakers based on a Roeine DX200 coaxial. I paid a mere 1200 $ which by French standards is low and in any case less than a tenth of Devore 096 current price. And now I'm done !!

A pic:

[IMG][/IMG]

Sorry no pic, I need a few additional posts

**Katoomer** · November 9, 2014, 10:21 PM

Hilarious, this thread has gone from the original topic to another debate between "Audiophiles".
Sometimes I wonder whether you guys really enjoy music or just listen to "sound".
I love listening to music on my O/96's.

**Cucumber_jones** · November 9, 2014, 10:50 PM

I have only heard these speakers twice, both times in katoomers awesome shindo system. Bothe times I heard things I have never heard before in very familiar recordings. Not treble revealing things. Mid range and bass info I had never realized was there. I was very impressed with these speakers.

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**Paul** · November 9, 2014, 11:40 PM

I love my O96 as well however that doesn't mean everyone have to love my O/96 and my associate gears. I respect all opinions and thats what forum is here for. There are no perfect speakers. same goes to gears for that matter. As long as we respect each others own taste of listening and gears. Feel free to speak up but please this is Devore O/96 speakers thread don't compare or come up with other brand speakers in this thread. Thank you.

**NOLG4EVR** · November 10, 2014, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by Katoomer

Hilarious, this thread has gone from the original topic to another debate between "Audiophiles".
Sometimes I wonder whether you guys really enjoy music or just listen to "sound".
I love listening to music on my O/96's.

Dale, I completely agree.

When I started this thread I didn't realize it would turn into Comedy Central.

I guess the Devore 0/96's are now the Rodney Dangerfield of the speaker world.

'No respect, can't get any respect. Bought a pair of speakers, 0/96's. Hooked em up to my stereo and guess what, THE MUSICIANS DIDN'T SHOW UP!!!

No respect, can't get any respect.

Hilarious is correct.

I love my 0/96's as well.

**Mike** · November 10, 2014, 12:46 AM

Glad you guys are all happy with your O/96's. That's all that matters at the end of the day.

I'm sorry I offered my opinion to Steve.

**sharkmouth** · November 10, 2014, 01:36 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Glad you guys are all happy with your O/96's. That's all that matters at the end of the day.

I'm sorry I offered my opinion to Steve.

...so there! It's Steve's fault!!

**Paul** · November 10, 2014, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by sharkmouth

...so there! It's Steve's fault!!

Agree. Steve is trouble maker !!!! Lmao

**Petro85** · November 10, 2014, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by sharkmouth

...so there! It's Steve's fault!!

hahaha!!!! ill take the blame kev

**KeithR** · November 10, 2014, 12:16 PM

I think speakers are very personal, gentlemen. And none that I know of are perfect. You have to find the 2-3 things that you desire most and go for those factors. With the O96s, I imagine tone is one of the big ones that satisfies their owners. The entire concept of the Orangutan is built on it (wide baffle, large woofer, paper drivers, resonant cabinet, high efficiency). Regarding imaging, wide baffle speakers in general don't image as well- but many consider imaging to be a false audiophile concept. There is no "right" answer, just a different set of priorities.

I have had a well-regarded ceramic driver speaker for the past two weeks in my system- and it has a totally different set of priorities than my Zus. Which is right? That really depends on the listener.

I'm actually looking forward to hearing the new Devore Gibbon X- it reminds me of a modern AP Virgo, one of my favorite speakers. Time will tell.

**Mike** · November 10, 2014, 01:11 PM

Good post Keith.

You still planning to audition the Scala V2's?

If there is a Dali dealer near you, give the Epicon 8's a listen too.

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**KeithR** · November 10, 2014, 01:29 PM

Yes, it's been scheduled- I didn't want to bother any more folks with my ordeal (although ironically a forum member gave me the dealers cell phone). I will hear them on Dagostino electronics, although they are so deep at 26" I'm wondering if they could even work in my room.

Dalis, like Dyns, are just too inefficient for my preferences. Any other recommendations?

**Mike** · November 10, 2014, 01:33 PM

I would check out the Daedalus speakers.

DaedalusAudio (and they have other models too).

User comments: AudiogoN Forums: DAEDALUS AUDIO ATHENAS VS DEVORE FIDELITY O/96

**Kt77** · November 10, 2014, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by NOLG4EVR

Dale, I completely agree.

When I started this thread I didn't realize it would turn into Comedy Central.

I guess the Devore 0/96's are now the Rodney Dangerfield of the speaker world.

'No respect, can't get any respect. Bought a pair of speakers, 0/96's. Hooked em up to my stereo and guess what, THE MUSICIANS DIDN'T SHOW UP!!!

No respect, can't get any respect.

Hilarious is correct.

I love my 0/96's as well.

All I can say is............., that Devore Fidelity Gibbon 3XLs would in fact be the little ones I'd happily live with in tandem with something like say an Audio Note Kondo Overture or even an Acoustic Plan Sitar for my remaining days on the planet.

So, to my ears there's something to their sound that draws me into the music.........., but it's all subjective as always, but in my world.... I'm convinced.

**KeithR** · November 17, 2014, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Good post Keith.

You still planning to audition the Scala V2's?

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Mike- thoughts on the Scalas demo in a very nice room in SoCal. I heard them on Dagostino gear, which to be honest, I found a poor match. The dealer offered to have them on Mac if I care for a second audition (he doesn't sell tubes). The Be tweet is still extended, but not quite the bite it had a few years ago (Alto Be is the last one I heard, so years back). the top piano register was very exciting, but more natural than I remember on the Altos. I also found the speaker to be pretty well integrated, like Gregory's review states. I was impressed with dynamics and transients especially on some Chopin thunder (it was only hitting 20-30 watts on the meters), although that might be the extended treble playing some tricks on me. Bass wasn't as defined as I'd like to hear, but output was good- although I've had sealed bass speakers, so ports always are different. Detail retrieval seemed excellent- it highlighted some differences in my own speakers when I got home (my speakers resolved some hard picking despite my feeling in the audition i had not heard it before-- turned out it was just softer than on the Focals). Soundstage was just ok- I think Alexias are better at the disappearing trick. I'd say the bigger negative is tonality- this speaker just lacks natural tone imo. it didn't seem to do jazz or rock as well, although classical and edm was pretty good. Kind of hifi-ish to me. Back a few years ago, it seemed you were a Focal or Dyn guy- I was always the latter. I'd say likely still am, though haven't heard the v2 Confidence (C2 would fit too, but just too inefficient for me).

I think tubes would be more fitting on this speaker and I know are commonly used. Something on the warm of neutral side, preferably- perhaps BT KT88s.

KeithR

**Mike** · November 17, 2014, 07:29 PM

Thanks Keith and I agree on the use of tubes for them.

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**annapolis Raider** · November 17, 2014, 09:20 PM

I used CJ on my Focal's for nearly a year, Very Very successful combination.....

**KeithR** · November 18, 2014, 01:33 AM

Mike- what do you think of the focal be tweet as compared with the magicos you owned?

Annapolis- I get to hear Albert Porters grande EMs over the holidays on VTL I believe- very excited.

**Paul** · November 18, 2014, 01:40 AM

Hmmm I respect all your comments but time to get back to original topic

any more Devore O96 owners in here ?

I would like to know any good match gears other than Shindo and LM.

**CPP** · November 18, 2014, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Paul

Hmmm I respect all your comments but time to get back to original topic

any more Devore O96 owners in here ?

I would like to know any good match gears other than Shindo and LM.

Would like to hear the Devore speaker line but the closet dealer is in Falls Church, Virginia 13 hours away.

**Jack** · November 18, 2014, 09:33 AM

Paul

Have you tried the two Coincident SE amps?

**annapolis Raider** · November 18, 2014, 11:18 AM

The CJ was excellent on the Devore O/96s too ...

**Paul** · November 18, 2014, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by CPP

Would like to hear the Devore speaker line but the closet dealer is in Falls Church, Virginia 13 hours away.

That's too bad Chris...Any owner around your area ?

Originally Posted by Jack

Paul

Have you tried the two Coincident SE amps?

No I haven't Jack. Want to try them one day.

Originally Posted by annapolis Raider

The CJ was excellent on the Devore O/96s too ...

I love CJ gears. Which model did you try ?

**annapolis Raider** · November 18, 2014, 11:53 AM

Classic 60 SE

**CPP** · November 18, 2014, 03:27 PM

[QUOTE=Paul;102551]That's too bad Chris...Any owner around your area ?

I've asked around the "audio " community here and in Orlando and Jacksonville Fl, but so far no feedback on whom has a pair.

**voxshall** · November 19, 2014, 06:43 PM

I have had the O96's for around 10 months, in two different homes and they are far and away my favorite speakers in this price range.

My impression probably relates just as much to my Shindo amps or cables or any other part of my system as I am trying to get more of the things I love. With different amp preferences things may be different.

The runner up speakers out of the ones I auditioned were the T&F Pharaoh's and the Brodmann Vienna Classic VC7. The next group down from that were the Sonus Faber Stradivari, Proac D40's and Big Quad ESL's (I also owned). The Harbeth's (using LFD amps) didn't really do anything for me, I thought they were boring but similar designed modified Spender SP 1's (using Leak 20 amp) sounded quite good, so go figure. Listening in unfamiliar rooms with associated gear I am also unfamiliar with, isn't ideal. I only had five different pairs of speakers for home audition but usually took my Shindo preamp with me on auditions to swap in and out. I really didn't like any of the usual Hifi speakers like Focal, B&W 800's, Usher, Dyn's etc Even though I had K2P and 13" sub Focal's in my car for the last 7 years and will continue too, as I can't be bothered changing them.

The first thing I liked about the O96's was the tweeter and 10 inch driver being coherent enough for me, which I never thought possible. The sound feels together, which I noticed in the Gibbon 88's as well. Coming from Quad esl's many of the speakers I auditioned weren't coherent enough for me, which spoilt the listening event. I'm not saying the O96's are as coherent as some others, but it is coherent enough that I never have to worry about it.

The second thing I loved is it changes the way I listen to music. Auditioning SRV's Tin Pin Alley on other speakers had me analyzing the sound, for example thinking about the Bass and marveling at how I could tell it was a Fender precision, for example. I was stuck in my head making judgements on the details of sounds. With the O96's I would listen to Tin Pin Alley and marvel at how the three musicians were in the groove with each other. I would feel the synergy of the band and get lost in the performance. I would be listening with my heart, having an emotional response rather than comparing which albums were recorded better or how each aspect of the sound compared to other systems. There was less comparing and more enjoying. I was listening to music on my O96's like I listen to music at a concert, rather than in a recording studio pulling it apart and analyzing it. This allows me to go back to listening to music I want to hear rather than chase quality recordings. Even bad recordings that I could never stand listening on my hifi super detailed system, now sounded great as it was about the flow and timing of the music more than the sounds. Another example is Hotel California acoustic version, I can't stand listening to this song as I have heard it to many times and analyzed it to death on different systems. I have a million things running through my head during the track - is the bass bloated is the sound stage wide and deep etc I was listening to this by accident through the Devore O96's when I first got my Shindo Haut Brion and at the start of the performance when the audience starts to clap, as it realizes for the first time the song is a rearranged classic (Hotel California), I get this huge emotional reaction like I am in the audience witnessing history, like I am about to hear something really big and momentous. The feelings of the audience, in the occasion, where flowing through me. This is a song I can't stand ha ha. I was lost in the musical event during the previous song and wasn't able to judge the song analytically as it came on. I was listening to some old audiophile reference track CD I had recently found (not knowing what songs were on it) and stayed lost listening to it. Listening with my heart rather than with my head is the best way to put it.

The third thing I liked about the Devores was the tone. My background is a guitarist that is obsessed with tone. I collect vintage amps like vox, marshalls and fenders from the 60's because there is something I hear in them that I can't hear in many modern designs. Its like a brand new pair of stiff jeans vs an old pair than fits like a glove. There is an artificial tightness to the sound of modern amps that is hard to put a finger on and I feel the same about many modern speakers. The character has been smoothed over and the sound is tight and restricted rather than flowing. Most Hifi speakers with modern materials in the cones just don't have the same naturalness about the tone, when I hear an audience clapping it doesn't sound anything like clapping to me, there is a sharpness that is artificial, its missing a warmness, its like the clapping is done with metal hands rather that soft skin and flesh. In the act of cleaning up the sound in the name of hyper detail the texture has been bleached out.

Fourth is the rich Harmonic's. I have an old Lowden guitar that has so much character its woody, harmonic, rich, interesting. It gives me goose bumps playing in alternative tunings. In a similar way I get excited hearing the O96's, they are rich and alive sounding and interesting. To me they have more detail in this way than many of the other speakers I tried.

Fifth I really love the tweeter on the O96. It does treble how I like to hear it. The T&F Pharaoh is more hyper detailed and sharp and ruthless toward bad recordings. The O96's let cymbals disappear slowly into the abyss, in a way that is emotionally exciting, delicate and beautiful. Changing to Shindo cables did help perfect this in my system. It feels tantalizing to hear the cymbals texture but also hear it disappear like the flavor of good champagne slowly disappearing from the mouth. The anticipation of it leaving adds another layer of enjoyment to the event.

Sixth The bass is more like the bass I felt playing in bands...

I don't have time to go on but I will come back with more on why I love these speakers and add the things they don't do so well, when I get time.

**Cucumber_jones** · November 19, 2014, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by voxshall

I have had the O96's for around 10 months, in two different homes and they are far and away my favorite speakers in this price range.

The review probably relates just as much to my Shindo amps or cables or any other part of my system as I am trying to get more of the things I love. With different amp preferences things may be different.

The runner up speakers out of the ones I auditioned were the T&F Pharaoh's and the Brodmann Vienna Classic VC7. The next group down from that were the Sonus Faber Stradivari, Proac D40's and Big Quad ESL's (I also owned). The Harbeth's (using LFD amps) didn't really do anything for me, I thought they were boring but similar designed modified Spender SP 1's (using Leak 20 amp) sounded quite good, so go figure. Listening in unfamiliar rooms with associated gear I am also unfamiliar with, isn't ideal. I only had five different pairs of speakers for home audition but usually took my Shindo preamp with me on auditions to swap in and out. I really didn't like any of the usual Hifi speakers like Focal, B&W 800's, Usher, Dyn's etc Even though I had K2P and 13" sub Focal's in my car for the last 7 years and will continue too, as I can't be bothered changing them.

The first thing I liked about the O96's was the tweeter and 10 inch driver being coherent enough for me, which I never thought possible. The sound feels together, which I noticed in the Gibbon 88's as well. Coming from Quad esl's many of the speakers I auditioned weren't coherent enough for me, which spoilt the listening event. I'm not saying the O96's are as coherent as some others, but it is coherent enough that I never have to worry about it.

The second thing I loved is it changes the way I listen to music. Auditioning SRV's Tin Pin Alley on other speakers had me analyzing the sound, for example thinking about the Bass and marveling at how I could tell in was a Fender precision for example. I was stuck in my head making judgements on the details of sounds. With the O96's I would listen to Tin Pin Alley and marvel at how the three musicians were in the groove with each other. I would feel the synergy of the band and get lost in the performance. I would be listening with my heart having an emotional response rather than comparing which albums were recorded better. There was less comparing and more enjoying. I was listening to music on my O96's like I listen to music at a concert, rather than in a recording studio pulling it apart and analyzing it. This allows me to go back to listening to music I want to hear rather than chase quality recordings. Even bad recordings that I could never stand listening on my hifi super detailed system, now sounded great as it was about the flow and timing of the music more than the sounds. Another example is Hotel California acoustic version, I can't stand listening to this song as I have heard it to many times and analyzed it to death on different systems. I have a million things running through my head during the track - is the bass bloated is the sound stage wide and deep etc I was listening to this by accident through the Devore O96's when I first got my Shindo Haut Brion and and the start of the performance when the audience starts to clap as it realizes for the first time the song is a rearranged Hotel California, I get this huge emotional reaction like I am in the audience witnessing history, like I am about to hear something really big and momentous. The feelings of the audience, in the occasion, where flowing through me. This is a song I can't stand ha ha. I was lost in the musical event during the previous song and wasn't able to judge the song analytically as it came on. I was listening to some old audiophile reference track CD I had recently found (not knowing what songs were on it) and stayed lost listening to it. Listening with my heart rather than with my head is the best way to put it.

The third thing I liked about the Devores was the tone. My background is a guitarist that is obsessed with tone. I collect vintage amps like vox, marshalls and fenders because there is something I hear in them that I can't hear in many modern designs. Its like a brand new pair of stiff jeans vs an old pair than fits like a glove. There is an artificial tightness to the sound that is hard to put a finger on. Most Hifi speakers with modern materials in the cones just don't have the same naturalness about the tone, when I hear an audience clapping it doesn't sound anything like clapping to me, there is a sharpness that is artificial, its missing a warmness its like the clapping is done with metal hands rather that soft skin and flesh. In the act of cleaning up the sound in the name of hyper detail the texture has been bleached out.

Fourth is the rich Harmonic's. I have an old Lowden guitar that has so much character its woody, harmonic, rich, interesting. It gives me goose bumps playing in alternative tunings. In a similar way I get excited hearing the O96's, they are rich and alive sounding and interesting. To me they have more detail in this way than many of the other speakers I tried.

Fifth I really love the tweeter on the O96. It does treble how I like to hear it. The T&F Pharaoh is more hyper detailed and sharp and ruthless toward bad recordings. The O96's let cymbals disappear slowly into the abyss in a way that is emotionally exciting delicate and beautiful. Changing to Shindo cables did help perfect this in my system. It feels tantalizing to hear the cymbals texture but also hear it disappear like the flavor of good champagne slowly disappearing from the mouth. The anticipation of it leaving adds another layer of enjoyment to the event.

Sixth The bass is more like the bass I felt playing in bands...

I don't have time to go on but I will come back with more on why I love these speakers and add the things they don't do so well, when I get time.

Fantastic post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**Kt77** · November 20, 2014, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by voxshall

I have had the O96's for around 10 months, in two different homes and they are far and away my favorite speakers in this price range.

The review probably relates just as much to my Shindo amps or cables or any other part of my system as I am trying to get more of the things I love. With different amp preferences things may be different.

The runner up speakers out of the ones I auditioned were the T&F Pharaoh's and the Brodmann Vienna Classic VC7. The next group down from that were the Sonus Faber Stradivari, Proac D40's and Big Quad ESL's (I also owned). The Harbeth's (using LFD amps) didn't really do anything for me, I thought they were boring but similar designed modified Spender SP 1's (using Leak 20 amp) sounded quite good, so go figure. Listening in unfamiliar rooms with associated gear I am also unfamiliar with, isn't ideal. I only had five different pairs of speakers for home audition but usually took my Shindo preamp with me on auditions to swap in and out. I really didn't like any of the usual Hifi speakers like Focal, B&W 800's, Usher, Dyn's etc Even though I had K2P and 13" sub Focal's in my car for the last 7 years and will continue too, as I can't be bothered changing them.

The first thing I liked about the O96's was the tweeter and 10 inch driver being coherent enough for me, which I never thought possible. The sound feels together, which I noticed in the Gibbon 88's as well. Coming from Quad esl's many of the speakers I auditioned weren't coherent enough for me, which spoilt the listening event. I'm not saying the O96's are as coherent as some others, but it is coherent enough that I never have to worry about it.

The second thing I loved is it changes the way I listen to music. Auditioning SRV's Tin Pin Alley on other speakers had me analyzing the sound, for example thinking about the Bass and marveling at how I could tell in was a Fender precision for example. I was stuck in my head making judgements on the details of sounds. With the O96's I would listen to Tin Pin Alley and marvel at how the three musicians were in the groove with each other. I would feel the synergy of the band and get lost in the performance. I would be listening with my heart having an emotional response rather than comparing which albums were recorded better. There was less comparing and more enjoying. I was listening to music on my O96's like I listen to music at a concert, rather than in a recording studio pulling it apart and analyzing it. This allows me to go back to listening to music I want to hear rather than chase quality recordings. Even bad recordings that I could never stand listening on my hifi super detailed system, now sounded great as it was about the flow and timing of the music more than the sounds. Another example is Hotel California acoustic version, I can't stand listening to this song as I have heard it to many times and analyzed it to death on different systems. I have a million things running through my head during the track - is the bass bloated is the sound stage wide and deep etc I was listening to this by accident through the Devore O96's when I first got my Shindo Haut Brion and and the start of the performance when the audience starts to clap as it realizes for the first time the song is a rearranged Hotel California, I get this huge emotional reaction like I am in the audience witnessing history, like I am about to hear something really big and momentous. The feelings of the audience, in the occasion, where flowing through me. This is a song I can't stand ha ha. I was lost in the musical event during the previous song and wasn't able to judge the song analytically as it came on. I was listening to some old audiophile reference track CD I had recently found (not knowing what songs were on it) and stayed lost listening to it. Listening with my heart rather than with my head is the best way to put it.

The third thing I liked about the Devores was the tone. My background is a guitarist that is obsessed with tone. I collect vintage amps like vox, marshalls and fenders because there is something I hear in them that I can't hear in many modern designs. Its like a brand new pair of stiff jeans vs an old pair than fits like a glove. There is an artificial tightness to the sound that is hard to put a finger on. Most Hifi speakers with modern materials in the cones just don't have the same naturalness about the tone, when I hear an audience clapping it doesn't sound anything like clapping to me, there is a sharpness that is artificial, its missing a warmness its like the clapping is done with metal hands rather that soft skin and flesh. In the act of cleaning up the sound in the name of hyper detail the texture has been bleached out.

Fourth is the rich Harmonic's. I have an old Lowden guitar that has so much character its woody, harmonic, rich, interesting. It gives me goose bumps playing in alternative tunings. In a similar way I get excited hearing the O96's, they are rich and alive sounding and interesting. To me they have more detail in this way than many of the other speakers I tried.

Fifth I really love the tweeter on the O96. It does treble how I like to hear it. The T&F Pharaoh is more hyper detailed and sharp and ruthless toward bad recordings. The O96's let cymbals disappear slowly into the abyss in a way that is emotionally exciting delicate and beautiful. Changing to Shindo cables did help perfect this in my system. It feels tantalizing to hear the cymbals texture but also hear it disappear like the flavor of good champagne slowly disappearing from the mouth. The anticipation of it leaving adds another layer of enjoyment to the event.

Sixth The bass is more like the bass I felt playing in bands...

I don't have time to go on but I will come back with more on why I love these speakers and add the things they don't do so well, when I get time.

voxshall,

Dude.........., this has simply for me, been one of the most insightful write ups I've read to date, and I for one understand how you can actually appreciate the manner in which the musical notes are played in their own separate space if you will........., you seem to more into actually listening to the music, more so then the components on a whole ( which is rare in itself ) as you speak on how the bass feels, as opposed to sounds speaks to my very core, and speaking on tone ( pitch in my world ) hits the point that I've tried for years to share with my closest friends ( whom get it, seeming that we're all musican orientated as well ) I want to write so much more in praise of how you've expressed what you hear/feel......., but there are times where I believe in some cases, I need to hold back, as mi someone over passionate about my beliefs, and allow others to sway my positive vibe.

But Man............., I've to say - you understand, and in the end, that's what seperates music lovers from others drawn to a fake sense of detail, at the expense of Beauty as well as Purity of Notes and Tonalty.

Your vibe is quite strong, on what you actually hear/feel, and I once again can relate.

**voxshall** · November 20, 2014, 05:32 PM

Thank you both for your kind words.

To carry on with the sixth reason the Bass is not the tightest, fastest, punchiest bass, but its got texture and body and it blooms in a way that I prefer. It has more substance to it some how.

Seventh reason I love these speakers is the fact they boogie. They get my feet tapping away. I always feel like dancing when I am listening to them. They connect me to the rhythm of the music. I had the privilege of playing with some extremely gifted drummers in my early days and find that a good drummer is something I am very sensitive to when listening to live music. I seem to have this same appreciation for good drummers when listening to the O96's, which is completely missing when listening to many other speakers. This boogie factor is a big one. I should have put it up the top.

Eighth - I like the way they look. Being low to the ground gives an illusion of massive space above them in the room. The black recessed stand gives the illusion they are floating. I prefer the look of the T&F Pharaohs when they both have the grills on, as the round shape contrasts with the box, but I never have the grills on, so that doesn't matter. The lace walnut veneer polished to glass is incredible. New visitors say "Wow I love your speakers" when they walk into the room for the first time more often than not. Before with previous setups the comment was always "Wow those are some big speakers".

Overall I just find this system so enjoyable. It has completely cured my need to upgrade. Not that I wouldn't upgrade if opportunities came up, an A23 T2 SUT over the standard SUT here or moving up the Shindo preamp line there. But I don't obsess about chasing the next improvement. I can take it or leave it. Because this system has me enjoying the musical event rather than chasing better sound, I don't feel like I'm missing out. Sure comparing a Shindo Petrus to my preamp in an A/B comparison would bring up improvements, but I am emotionally moved by my system already and thats just fine with me.

**KeithR** · November 20, 2014, 05:45 PM

Thanks for your comments, vox. Speaking of your system, I enjoyed the Haut Brion myself when I had it- just wasn't suitable in my large room at the time. I still miss the tone of strings it brought to the table.

**voxshall** · November 20, 2014, 05:46 PM

**voxshall** · November 20, 2014, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

Thanks for your comments, vox. Speaking of your system, I enjoyed the Haut Brion myself when I had it- just wasn't suitable in my large room at the time. I still miss the tone of strings it brought to the table.

Thanks Keith, did you use the HB with the Zu speakers, what was the sensitivity and how big was the room? I'm interested to know the amps limits. I do love the Haut Brion. I've loved all the Shindo amps I have heard, Cortese, Montille and Lagrange wish I could have them all.

**NOLG4EVR** · November 20, 2014, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by voxshall

Thank you both for your kind words.

To carry on with the sixth reason the Bass is not the tightest, fastest, punchiest bass, but its got texture and body and it blooms in a way that I prefer. It has more substance to it some how.

Seventh reason I love these speakers is the fact they boogie. They get my feet tapping away. I always feel like dancing when I am listening to them. They connect me to the rhythm of the music. I had the privilege of playing with some extremely gifted drummers in my early days and find that a good drummer is something I am very sensitive to when listening to live music. I seem to have this some appreciation for good drummers when listening to the O96's, which is completely missing when listening to many other speakers. This boogie factor is a big one. I should have put it up the top.

Eighth - I like the way they look. Being low to the ground gives an illusion of massive space above them in the room. The black recessed stand gives the illusion they are floating. I prefer the look of the T&F Pharaohs when they both have the grills on, as the round shape contrasts with the box, but I never have the grills on, so that doesn't matter. The lace walnut veneer polished to glass is incredible. New visitors say "Wow I love your speakers" when they walk into the room for the first time more often than not.

Overall I just find this system so enjoyable. It has completely cured my need to upgrade. Not that I wouldn't upgrade if opportunities came up, an A23 T2 SUT over the standard SUT here or moving up the Shindo preamp line there. But I don't obsess about chasing the next improvement. I can take it or leave it. Because this system has me enjoying the musical event rather than chasing better sound, I don't feel like I'm missing out. Sure comparing a Shindo Petrus to my preamp in an A/B comparison would bring up improvements, but I am emotionally moved by my system already and thats just fine with me.

I feel exactly the same as you about my speakers and system. Thank you for such a great description. Like you said, could it get better as you move up the Shindo ladder, of course.

But like you I feel no need to make any changes at this time. Just loving the relaxed feeling of sitting back and thoroughly enjoying the music.

Thanks again for a couple of great posts.

**Katoomer** · November 20, 2014, 09:23 PM

Vox, a big thank you from me for your posts as well. The whole point of a great system is to listen to great music. This whole audiophile thing (dynamics, frequency response, blah blah blah) just seems to lead to people being being overly critical of
just about everything involved. You're right, the O's make me tap my toes. Nothing is missing for me!

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