Another Rockport in my future?

Although I don't always (more like rarely) agree with Jeff, this is one of his better reviews. He seems to have a passion for engineering rather than SQ IMO, but he has written one hell of a review here and although I just don't get the fascination with Rockport speakers (I have auditioned many models), I admire what Andy has accomplished in the face of adversity and can clearly appreciate those who love and admire his speakers.


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I have to admit, I have a soft spot for Rockport speakers. Maybe it's Andy's engineering of his speakers, or maybe it's his personal touch and boutique'ish business model, but I do like them.
 
Mike said:
Although I don't always (more like rarely) agree with Jeff, this is one of his better reviews. He seems to have a passion for engineering rather than SQ IMO, but he has written one hell of a review here and although I just don't get the fascination with Rockport speakers (I have auditioned many models), I admire what Andy has accomplished in the face of adversity and can clearly appreciate those who love and admire his speakers.


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Hi Mike,
Do you agree with his comparison of the Atria to the Raidho speakers?
Thanks,
Anshul
 
H Anshul - I never heard the c2.1's long enough to comment. Compared to the D2.1's (which I have heard more than once, but cost a lot more), they are completely different speakers. The Raidho has a much better tweeter. The Rockport has better bass and plays louder. Both image well, but I would have to give the edge to the Raidho's.

Frankly, at that price point, I wouldn't choose either. For me, I would wait a month or two and hear the new Magico S3 or better yet, try to save a bit more and listen to the new Sasha 2 which has the Alexia tweeter.

You have Mc gear right? Man, I have to tell you, the synergy between Wilson and Mc is superb. When I put my Dad's Mc6700 integrated on my Alexia's, it was an eye opener. It wasn't as dynamic and punchy as the D'Agostino amps, but none the less, very enjoyable and you could hear right away the synergy.

Email or PM me if you want to chat more.
 
At the risk of opening a real can of worms, I'd love to know the ratio of time reviewers spend listening to real live music vs time spent listening to their rig at home. Not picking on Jeff Fritz specifically, but IMHO a lot of the reviewers spend a great deal of time/energy comparing high fi to high fi. I just don't think many of them know what the real thing sounds like. Its a real shame, especially considering the state of the dealer network and how difficult it is to actually get demos of gear you may be interested in.
 
annapolis Raider said:
At the risk of opening a real can of worms, I'd love to know the ratio of time reviewers spend listening to real live music vs time spent listening to their rig at home. Not picking on Jeff Fritz specifically, but IMHO a lot of the reviewers spend a great deal of time/energy comparing high fi to high fi. I just don't think many of them know what the real thing sounds like. Its a real shame, especially considering the state of the dealer network and how difficult it is to actually get demos of gear you may be interested in.
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Just curious, what was it in the review that prompted your comment? As a generic comment on audio reviewers, your question/observation may or may not have merit (with many reviewers I am familiar with it does not but that is another issue), but I am curious if there was something specific in this review that prompted you to ask the question. (by the way, I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other, I am genuinely curious as to what prompted your rection and that's all, so no hidden agendas in my question back at you :-))
 
In Retrospect, probably shouldn't have posted that. No way to really continue the discussion without getting into specifics and stepping on toes. I have no agenda here either. Let me just say I would find it useful if reviewers disclosed if they attended live music events, how often? what type? Does the reviewer play and instrument? etc.
 
annapolis Raider said:
In Retrospect, probably shouldn't have posted that. No way to really continue the discussion without getting into specifics and stepping on toes. I have no agenda here either. Let me just say I would find it useful if reviewers disclosed if they attended live music events, how often? what type? Does the reviewer play and instrument? etc.
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I thought it was an interesting question. I know one reviewer (forget his name) who I heard refuses to go to live events. Not sure why.

Best concert I ever went to was James Taylor at Massey Hall. I love attending live music - especially local unknown bands. But more, I love playing in the band!
 
annapolis Raider said:
In Retrospect, probably shouldn't have posted that. No way to really continue the discussion without getting into specifics and stepping on toes. I have no agenda here either. Let me just say I would find it useful if reviewers disclosed if they attended live music events, how often? what type? Does the reviewer play and instrument? etc.
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I don't think you'd be stepping on any toes. I just didn't see what was written that led you to conclude that Jeff Fritz does not go to Live music events. Again, I don't have any axe to grind...pure curiousity to see what prompted your question. But up to you if you want to divulge or not. I know a lot of reviewers that are habitual consumers of live concerts (usually classical in concert halls). The two obvious ones because they cite examples all the time are Michael Fremer of Stereophile and Jonathan Valin of TAS. Harry Pearson, of TAS originally and now his own website, of course, is the one who coined The Absolute Sound concept of using live, unamplified music as the standard by which to compare hifi to that standard. There are many others as well. In any case, I just was curious.
 
I'm from the Washington DC area, there was a reviewer named Lewis Lipnick (Sp) wrote for a few different mags at the time. I believe he was a former member of the NSO. Played a woodwind of some type??? Anyway he had a listening room the size of a closet. Was always jamming huge speakers into it. Wasn't a particularly good reviewer. So knowing live sound doesn't ensure anything, but IMHO beats the alternative.
 
annapolis Raider said:
In Retrospect, probably shouldn't have posted that. No way to really continue the discussion without getting into specifics and stepping on toes. I have no agenda here either. Let me just say I would find it useful if reviewers disclosed if they attended live music events, how often? what type? Does the reviewer play any instrument? etc.
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I can ask Jeff, would you like me to? :)
 
annapolis Raider said:
I'm from the Washington DC area, there was a reviewer named Lewis Lipnick (Sp) wrote for a few different mags at the time. I believe he was a former member of the NSO. Played a woodwind of some type??? Anyway he had a listening room the size of a closet. Was always jamming huge speakers into it. Wasn't a particularly good reviewer. So knowing live sound doesn't ensure anything, but IMHO beats the alternative.
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You bring up an interesting point about room size that I have often wondered about. I think more than the brand of interconnects or power cords, I would love to know the dimensions of the reviewer's listening room (also whether treated with acoustic treatments or raw). This is an important consideration as the room can make or break the sound of the reviewed component especially speakers. I tend to put more stock in a review if it is coming from someone with a well designed listening room like Jeff Fritz's Music Vault.
 
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