Sugden LS21

[Joseph R.]

For some reason I thought you had bookshelfs, unless you meant the brand.

My history with Shahinian started out with Shahinian Obelisks. They were ugraded thoughout many years. After about 15 years, I purchased Hawk bottons (bass modules) and lived with the Obelisks and the Hawk bottoms together. Three years later I sold the Obelisk and purchased Hawk tops. I lived with the complete Hawk ensemble for another 15 years or so. There came a time when I had my fill of omni/poly directional speakers. After all I stared this journey with Bose 901 series II’s.

I asked Dick Shahinian to fabricate a front directional speaker system. He came up with Eagle bass modules he originally manufactured to complement BBC LS3/5A’s. They were a 30 year old design. He upgraded them with new drivers, new passive radiators, new silver wire and updated crossovers. For all intense and purpose they were a new version of an old design. I was then on my own to purchase a pair of LS3/5A’s to complete the pairing. In the meantime Dick Shahinian gave me a pair of Braun mini’s he modified years before. Of course finding tops was easier said then done. Dick Shahinian had a single pair of his Elf models he purposely built as a special order. These speakers were never purchased by the requester, for one reason or another. I snapped them up as quickly as possible. After much tweaking and help from Dick, they made a good match. Later, I purchased the Townshend Maximus supertweeters. That is my current ensemble.

So yes, I do own Shahinian Elf bookshelves. They are used as a module in a four way system. Routinely Dick Shahinian loaned me other mid/tweeter modules for my evaluation. All were good in their own way, but none bested the Elf bookshelves.

From reading my previous posts, looks like I must look deeper into my pocket book to replace these without downgrading. Something (downgrading) I am not willing to do. On the other hand, they have yet to hit the 15 year marker.

Since Dick wanted me to have great speakers, he asked my help in creating prototypes for two new designs. Unfortunately, his health matters stymied this undertaking.

 

[AJ Soundfield]

My history with Shahinian started out with Shahinian Obelisks.

Those are my only exposure to Shahinian, many moons ago.

So yes, I do own Shahinian Elf bookshelves. They are used as a module in a four way system. Routinely Dick Shahinian loaned me other mid/tweeter modules for my evaluation. All were good in their own way, but none bested the Elf bookshelves.
Since Dick wanted me to have great speakers, he asked my help in creating prototypes for two new designs. Unfortunately, his health matters stymied this undertaking.

Ah, so not my imagination, you do have bookshelves. Are the Elfs "voiced" similarly to the Obelisks despite their different configuration? I've seen spectral measurements of the Obelisks, but not the Elfs.
If you were ever curious, next time you're coming this way, bring an Elf with you.
It would be a learning experience for me also.

cheers,

AJ

 

[hifinutt]

ashamed to say i live in uk and didn`t even know sugden made loudspeakers !!!

 

[Joseph R.]

Dear Hifinutt: They make one. Hard to find here in the USA, but available nontheless. For a $5,000 speaker they are respectable. In UK, should be a downright bargain. You would be doing me a big favor, if you seeked them out for a listen. I would like to see if your reaction is similar to mine. I admit I never heard Sugden gear, and my dealer demo’d them with all top of the line Sugden electronics. Maybe my reaction was simply a case of culture shock. Or maybe the Sugden preamp and power amp were not sufficiently broken in, or warmed up. I will entertain any possibility at this point. It is hard for me to believe that a boutique company with such a long standing reputation is hanging their hat on this model. I expected more. I have always been in awe of England’s ability to create great speakers. At best this is a really good midfi loudspeaker. Maybe the USA duty and import charges put this speaker at a price point where it cannot compete. With Brixit going on there, why are’nt prices of British goods tumbling down ?