Post by jetok on Nov 12, 2005 11:22:35 GMT 7
KOYA eto ba yung speaker mo? GROUP TEST WINNER pala itoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!
Floor Fillers Wednesday, 9 July 2003
If you want your speakers to dig deeper into the bass and pile on the `power, floorstanders are the best way forward. We examine six .
The six towers in this test represent a significant stage in anyone's hi-fi system building. To sound their best, these proud- looking boxes demand quality source components, which means a minimum system cost of $1695, so it's natural to expect impressive performance from each of these big floorstanders.First impressions count, and when you cast your eyes on our six contenders you're likely to think 'big bass'. True, but what concerns us most is not the depth but the quality of bass on offer here.
Woolly low frequencies rob tunes of their 'drive' and songs wander along aimlessly. We want tight punch, plenty of kick and articulation and transparency. Are we asking too much? At this price bracket we don't think so - after all it's your hard-earned cash at stake here.
And like any purchase, there's also clear water between products that deliver and those that don't.
AAD E48 | $1695 |
For: Controlled presentation; tonal balance; build quality and slender design
Against: Sounds rather clinical; midrange lacks a little warmth
Verdict: Slick-looking and wellconstructed floorstanders that offer decent value for money, but struggle to keep up with standards set by newest rivals
These speakers are very skinny, and look as if they may topple over. But don't be fooled - with the aluminium feet attached and spikes screwed in, the 20kg E48s feel rock solid. This slender appearance is made possible by a side-firing bass driver, which leaves the midrange to a pair of 11.5cm units flanking a 'D'Appolito-style' silk-dome tweeter. Named after its developer, Joe D'Appolito, this configuration aims to tightly focus the tweeter's sonic output by reducing reflections from the floor and ceiling.
For best results we'd recommend biwiring the E48s and then toeing them in slightly.
Both stereo and multichannel aficionados will be impressed with the E48s' ability to maintain control at high volumes. The tonal balance is even and these sturdily built floorstanders keep a tight grip as the volume dial twists clockwise.
The overall presentation sounds slightly clinical. Vocals deserve more caring treatment and higher frequencies are on the bright side, and this causes problems during the orchestral crescendos of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. The biggest difficulty the E48s face is the quality of the competition. The class leaders offer a level of performance that these tall speakers can't match.
Distributor: Digital Audio Group (02) 9907 4684.
KEF Q5 | $1999 |
For: Crisp and articulate midrange; pleasing detail resolution; curved cabinet well made
Against: Bass doesn't match the precision higher up the frequency range
Verdict: The Q5s are good in parts, but are more suited to a home cinema role
These KEFs have the most interesting specification of this group. Although they're two-and-a-halfway designs, just like most of the competition, their curved-cabinet blue-print is shared only by the Wharfedales, and the Uni-Q driver is just what the name implies, unique.
KEF has worked for years developing the Uni-Q, which places a dome tweeter right in the middle of the mid/bass driver. The main advantage of this configuration is said to be improved dispersion characteristics, resulting in a wider stereo sweet spot than conventional driver arrangements usually manage.
The Q5s exhibit all the articulation and detail resolution that previous generations of Q models displayed, but add an extra dose of refinement at higher frequencies. These speakers are adept at capturing subtle inflection in the voice, and so deliver a full dose of emotion.
There's plenty of low-end power and authority, but the bass is a touch heavy handed. This is not enough to make the Q5s uncompetitive, but it does mean these speakers aren't the talented all-rounders that the spec sheet promises. We feel that they would serve better as part of a home cinema package rather than as a pair of dedicated stereo music speakers.
Distributor: Audio Works (02) 9930 3900.
Mission m53 | $1999 |
For: Lively and exciting performer with the right music; striking appearance
Against: Subtlety isn't high on the m53s' agenda; bass lacks agility
Verdict: Big and bold, but we wouldn't choose them for longterm listening
The heavily-contoured front baffle of these Missions makes a strong design statement, as does the drive unit array. Mission hasn't taken any shortcuts with build quality, and the finish is excellent, too. The drive unit array consists of twin 15cm mid/bass drivers flanking a 25mm soft-dome tweeter. The large units use an Aramid fibre cone, a material from the same family as Kevlar, and it's used in a sandwich configuration for extra rigidity in these speakers.
The m53s' deliver a dynamic performance, charging at the music full throttle, punching out bass with venom. High volumes are no problem either: everything is kept under control even when it gets too loud for comfort.
The speakers were best when they were positioned in free space, with a little toe-in and biwired. So far so good, but turn the volume down and spin Tori Amos's set and things aren't so good. The bass lacks agility and sounds cumbersome when asked to play anything that requires finesse. The other end of the frequency spectrum isn't served much better, as high frequencies sound powerful but fail to deliver the level of insight we'd expect.
The m53s are bit of a disappointment. The company can do so much better. So how about it, Mission?
Distributor: Crestmore (02) 9482 3422.
Monitor Audio S6 | $3000 |
For: Excellent build and finish; fine clarity in the midrange and treble
Against: Heavy-handed bass can dominate the highly articulate treble
Verdict: The S6s have many strengths, but they're not balanced enough
Monitor Audio products are known for the high quality of their finish, and the S6s are no exception.
The quality is more than skin deep, as there's plenty of solid engineering here, too. That lovely cabinet is impressively rigid thanks to thick 19mm MDF panels and extensive internal bracing.
The result is reduced cabinet coloration, and so a cleaner and crisper sound. Such a strong enclosure also provides a good foundation for the S6s' three drive units.
All three drive units use ceramiccoated metal diaphragms to improve rigidity without adding weight: the aim is to boost detail resolution and dynamics. There's little doubt that the S6s succeed in these areas.
Add speed and attack to the S6s' strengths and they start to look like strong contenders for top spot. They would be, if it weren't for their bass performance. Sure, there's no problem with low-end weight or power. Our criticism is that the bass can be too heavy-handed to match the articulation and insight available at higher frequencies. We suspect the S6s are balanced with more than an eye on AV, where their bass performance would impress with action films. But for music there are better options.
Distributor: M&G Hoskins (02) 9597 3683.
Rega Ela | $2850 |
For: Fast and clear presentation; integration; manageable size
Against: Lacking in scale, authority and punch; unsuitable for dance and rock music
Verdict: The lightweight and expensive Elas lack the slam and power to fight off their rivals in this test
Initially everything about these floorstanders implies subtlety - and the manufacturer is refreshingly honest and admits the Elas are designed for fans of acoustic, classical, folk and vocal-based music.
Unlike other Regas, the Elas aren't hugely sensitive to positioning: levels of performance are similar with the speakers close to a wall, in corners or in free space.
Spin Tori Amos's vocally indulgent Strange Little Girls set and the Elas deliver a crisp and clear rendition that gets straight to the heart of the music. Voices are coherent and piano keystrokes are accurately placed, while timing is a strong point and will get your feet tapping even to slow, deliberate tunes. The tweeter and fairly small mid/bass driver integrate superbly and the presentation is well balanced.
However, a test is a test. We give it a spin and the Elas aren't happy with the swift, deep bass and sound a touch stressed. The same problem rears its head with acoustic and classical music, the sound lacking weight and instruments such as piano or timpani being short of authority. For certain types of music these floorstanders can sound enjoyable, but they lack the scale, power and authority to qualify as true all-rounders. That price tag also counts against them.
Distributor: Synergy Audio Visual (03) 9427 8384.
Wharfedale Pacific Evo 30 | $2120 |
For: Punchy bass; dynamic scale; build quality; curvy looks
Against: They need to be housed in a medium-to-large room to work at their best
Verdict: Combine floorstander bass depth with standmounter control and you've got a marriage made in heaven
The changes in Wharfedale's new range are radical, with the most obvious transformation being the removal of the original's tweeter module. The tweeter housing is now sunk into the Evo 30 cabinet, the intention being to improve dispersion and benefit from the improved rigidity of the strongest point of the cabinet. Below the tweeter there are two 17cm Kevlar drivers to deal with midrange/bass and bass respectively. The company admits that the use of Kevlar is hardly groundbreaking, but insists the cleverness is in the weave: the cones are bi-directionally woven in an effort to help absorb standing waves formed within the cabinet.
Listen to the Evo 30s and the sonic changes leap out at you. Sitting on their chunky spikes and situated in free space, the speakers sound wonderful: low frequencies delve deep and delivery is punchy and fast.
Vivaldi's energetic Four Seasons perfectly illustrates the 30s' excellent dynamic contrast: the score rapidly switches between loud and quiet passages and the speakers respond with impressive agility. Integration is exceptional, and the presentation is beautifully balanced. Evo 30s are are great all-rounders.
International Audio Group: (02) 9521 4844.
And the winner is.....
Wharfedale Pacific Evo 30 | $2120 |
The Evo 30s are the only speakers we've awarded five stars to in this test, so it doesn't take a genius to work out they're the champions.
But remember, our four-star rating means 'very good' and there are loads of positive features in the runners-up. The curvy KEFs and the beautifully built Monitor Audios both offer fine midrange, but their extravagant bass suggests a bias towards use in home cinema systems.
The gutsy Missions draw us in with their striking looks and initially exciting sound, but in the long term we would tire of their lack of subtlety. Even though the AADs are the cheapest in this group and handle loud music well, their occasionally clinical presentation leaves us feeling just a little unmoved.
That leaves the Wharfedale Evo 30s, with their knockout bass, breathtaking dynamic scale and awesome detail. The design team behind the Quad 11Ls, is also responsible for the Evo 30s, and they contain many of the 11Ls' finest ingredients. Wharfedale has thrown down the gauntlet and it will need brilliant floorstanders to take it up.
Just a further note on pricing: the Evo 30's are $2210 for the standard finish and $2499 for the piano finish.
Floor Fillers Wednesday, 9 July 2003
If you want your speakers to dig deeper into the bass and pile on the `power, floorstanders are the best way forward. We examine six .
The six towers in this test represent a significant stage in anyone's hi-fi system building. To sound their best, these proud- looking boxes demand quality source components, which means a minimum system cost of $1695, so it's natural to expect impressive performance from each of these big floorstanders.First impressions count, and when you cast your eyes on our six contenders you're likely to think 'big bass'. True, but what concerns us most is not the depth but the quality of bass on offer here.
Woolly low frequencies rob tunes of their 'drive' and songs wander along aimlessly. We want tight punch, plenty of kick and articulation and transparency. Are we asking too much? At this price bracket we don't think so - after all it's your hard-earned cash at stake here.
And like any purchase, there's also clear water between products that deliver and those that don't.
AAD E48 | $1695 |
For: Controlled presentation; tonal balance; build quality and slender design
Against: Sounds rather clinical; midrange lacks a little warmth
Verdict: Slick-looking and wellconstructed floorstanders that offer decent value for money, but struggle to keep up with standards set by newest rivals
These speakers are very skinny, and look as if they may topple over. But don't be fooled - with the aluminium feet attached and spikes screwed in, the 20kg E48s feel rock solid. This slender appearance is made possible by a side-firing bass driver, which leaves the midrange to a pair of 11.5cm units flanking a 'D'Appolito-style' silk-dome tweeter. Named after its developer, Joe D'Appolito, this configuration aims to tightly focus the tweeter's sonic output by reducing reflections from the floor and ceiling.
For best results we'd recommend biwiring the E48s and then toeing them in slightly.
Both stereo and multichannel aficionados will be impressed with the E48s' ability to maintain control at high volumes. The tonal balance is even and these sturdily built floorstanders keep a tight grip as the volume dial twists clockwise.
The overall presentation sounds slightly clinical. Vocals deserve more caring treatment and higher frequencies are on the bright side, and this causes problems during the orchestral crescendos of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. The biggest difficulty the E48s face is the quality of the competition. The class leaders offer a level of performance that these tall speakers can't match.
Distributor: Digital Audio Group (02) 9907 4684.
KEF Q5 | $1999 |
For: Crisp and articulate midrange; pleasing detail resolution; curved cabinet well made
Against: Bass doesn't match the precision higher up the frequency range
Verdict: The Q5s are good in parts, but are more suited to a home cinema role
These KEFs have the most interesting specification of this group. Although they're two-and-a-halfway designs, just like most of the competition, their curved-cabinet blue-print is shared only by the Wharfedales, and the Uni-Q driver is just what the name implies, unique.
KEF has worked for years developing the Uni-Q, which places a dome tweeter right in the middle of the mid/bass driver. The main advantage of this configuration is said to be improved dispersion characteristics, resulting in a wider stereo sweet spot than conventional driver arrangements usually manage.
The Q5s exhibit all the articulation and detail resolution that previous generations of Q models displayed, but add an extra dose of refinement at higher frequencies. These speakers are adept at capturing subtle inflection in the voice, and so deliver a full dose of emotion.
There's plenty of low-end power and authority, but the bass is a touch heavy handed. This is not enough to make the Q5s uncompetitive, but it does mean these speakers aren't the talented all-rounders that the spec sheet promises. We feel that they would serve better as part of a home cinema package rather than as a pair of dedicated stereo music speakers.
Distributor: Audio Works (02) 9930 3900.
Mission m53 | $1999 |
For: Lively and exciting performer with the right music; striking appearance
Against: Subtlety isn't high on the m53s' agenda; bass lacks agility
Verdict: Big and bold, but we wouldn't choose them for longterm listening
The heavily-contoured front baffle of these Missions makes a strong design statement, as does the drive unit array. Mission hasn't taken any shortcuts with build quality, and the finish is excellent, too. The drive unit array consists of twin 15cm mid/bass drivers flanking a 25mm soft-dome tweeter. The large units use an Aramid fibre cone, a material from the same family as Kevlar, and it's used in a sandwich configuration for extra rigidity in these speakers.
The m53s' deliver a dynamic performance, charging at the music full throttle, punching out bass with venom. High volumes are no problem either: everything is kept under control even when it gets too loud for comfort.
The speakers were best when they were positioned in free space, with a little toe-in and biwired. So far so good, but turn the volume down and spin Tori Amos's set and things aren't so good. The bass lacks agility and sounds cumbersome when asked to play anything that requires finesse. The other end of the frequency spectrum isn't served much better, as high frequencies sound powerful but fail to deliver the level of insight we'd expect.
The m53s are bit of a disappointment. The company can do so much better. So how about it, Mission?
Distributor: Crestmore (02) 9482 3422.
Monitor Audio S6 | $3000 |
For: Excellent build and finish; fine clarity in the midrange and treble
Against: Heavy-handed bass can dominate the highly articulate treble
Verdict: The S6s have many strengths, but they're not balanced enough
Monitor Audio products are known for the high quality of their finish, and the S6s are no exception.
The quality is more than skin deep, as there's plenty of solid engineering here, too. That lovely cabinet is impressively rigid thanks to thick 19mm MDF panels and extensive internal bracing.
The result is reduced cabinet coloration, and so a cleaner and crisper sound. Such a strong enclosure also provides a good foundation for the S6s' three drive units.
All three drive units use ceramiccoated metal diaphragms to improve rigidity without adding weight: the aim is to boost detail resolution and dynamics. There's little doubt that the S6s succeed in these areas.
Add speed and attack to the S6s' strengths and they start to look like strong contenders for top spot. They would be, if it weren't for their bass performance. Sure, there's no problem with low-end weight or power. Our criticism is that the bass can be too heavy-handed to match the articulation and insight available at higher frequencies. We suspect the S6s are balanced with more than an eye on AV, where their bass performance would impress with action films. But for music there are better options.
Distributor: M&G Hoskins (02) 9597 3683.
Rega Ela | $2850 |
For: Fast and clear presentation; integration; manageable size
Against: Lacking in scale, authority and punch; unsuitable for dance and rock music
Verdict: The lightweight and expensive Elas lack the slam and power to fight off their rivals in this test
Initially everything about these floorstanders implies subtlety - and the manufacturer is refreshingly honest and admits the Elas are designed for fans of acoustic, classical, folk and vocal-based music.
Unlike other Regas, the Elas aren't hugely sensitive to positioning: levels of performance are similar with the speakers close to a wall, in corners or in free space.
Spin Tori Amos's vocally indulgent Strange Little Girls set and the Elas deliver a crisp and clear rendition that gets straight to the heart of the music. Voices are coherent and piano keystrokes are accurately placed, while timing is a strong point and will get your feet tapping even to slow, deliberate tunes. The tweeter and fairly small mid/bass driver integrate superbly and the presentation is well balanced.
However, a test is a test. We give it a spin and the Elas aren't happy with the swift, deep bass and sound a touch stressed. The same problem rears its head with acoustic and classical music, the sound lacking weight and instruments such as piano or timpani being short of authority. For certain types of music these floorstanders can sound enjoyable, but they lack the scale, power and authority to qualify as true all-rounders. That price tag also counts against them.
Distributor: Synergy Audio Visual (03) 9427 8384.
Wharfedale Pacific Evo 30 | $2120 |
For: Punchy bass; dynamic scale; build quality; curvy looks
Against: They need to be housed in a medium-to-large room to work at their best
Verdict: Combine floorstander bass depth with standmounter control and you've got a marriage made in heaven
The changes in Wharfedale's new range are radical, with the most obvious transformation being the removal of the original's tweeter module. The tweeter housing is now sunk into the Evo 30 cabinet, the intention being to improve dispersion and benefit from the improved rigidity of the strongest point of the cabinet. Below the tweeter there are two 17cm Kevlar drivers to deal with midrange/bass and bass respectively. The company admits that the use of Kevlar is hardly groundbreaking, but insists the cleverness is in the weave: the cones are bi-directionally woven in an effort to help absorb standing waves formed within the cabinet.
Listen to the Evo 30s and the sonic changes leap out at you. Sitting on their chunky spikes and situated in free space, the speakers sound wonderful: low frequencies delve deep and delivery is punchy and fast.
Vivaldi's energetic Four Seasons perfectly illustrates the 30s' excellent dynamic contrast: the score rapidly switches between loud and quiet passages and the speakers respond with impressive agility. Integration is exceptional, and the presentation is beautifully balanced. Evo 30s are are great all-rounders.
International Audio Group: (02) 9521 4844.
And the winner is.....
Wharfedale Pacific Evo 30 | $2120 |
The Evo 30s are the only speakers we've awarded five stars to in this test, so it doesn't take a genius to work out they're the champions.
But remember, our four-star rating means 'very good' and there are loads of positive features in the runners-up. The curvy KEFs and the beautifully built Monitor Audios both offer fine midrange, but their extravagant bass suggests a bias towards use in home cinema systems.
The gutsy Missions draw us in with their striking looks and initially exciting sound, but in the long term we would tire of their lack of subtlety. Even though the AADs are the cheapest in this group and handle loud music well, their occasionally clinical presentation leaves us feeling just a little unmoved.
That leaves the Wharfedale Evo 30s, with their knockout bass, breathtaking dynamic scale and awesome detail. The design team behind the Quad 11Ls, is also responsible for the Evo 30s, and they contain many of the 11Ls' finest ingredients. Wharfedale has thrown down the gauntlet and it will need brilliant floorstanders to take it up.
Just a further note on pricing: the Evo 30's are $2210 for the standard finish and $2499 for the piano finish.
