Ultimate subwoofer?

August 31, 2009

Editor,

I happened to be visiting the JL Audio website today and read your April 1, 2008 article on the Gotham. I could not agree more with your review. I first heard the Gotham at the 2005 CES and ordered it. After a two-year wait, serial number 20 was delivered and it truly is the finest subwoofer. I have owned several subs from other companies, which I managed to destroy the drivers in, but not the Gotham. I found a setting of 40Hz and using the phase control really helped fine-tune the time-alignment aspects with my B&W Nautilus 800s.

Here are some other recordings I found to be very impressive on the Gotham:

  • Pete Belasco, Deeper on CD (Compendia Records), title track (spectrum analyzer shows signals down to 18Hz)
  • Boston Symphony/Munch, Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3 on CD (Living Stereo LSC-2341 Red Seal), pipe organ is wonderful
  • Transformers movie, the scene with the robot flying over the woman in a blue dress (unbelievable low end, the ultimate test for subwoofers)

Now that I found you on the internet, I’ll have to read more of your reviews!

Sincerely,

Andy Rogulich
High Fidelity Mastering
Albuquerque, NM
www.highfidelitymastering.com

The Gotham is truly an amazing subwoofer. But there is another amazing subwoofer now. I’ll unveil it as part of my The Great North American Loudspeaker Tour. Be sure to start checking the "TWBAS" section of this website on Monday. . . . Jeff Fritz


The Great North American Loudspeaker Tour

August 20, 2009

Editor,

I wish to commend you on your adventures on The Great North American Loudspeaker Tour. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that I wish I could come with you! It will be a unique experience and you should gain some singular insight into how some of the most coveted loudspeakers in the world sound in some very specialized settings. I would have liked to have seen several other speaker types added to your list: a large line array like those from Scaena and a full-range electrostat like the Sound Lab. I think these would give you a more complete perspective on what people find to be the best. But I’m nitpicking, and your schedule appears full already. I look forward to reading your reports.

Sincerely,

Frank Dugan


ARC CD5 or Reference CD7?

August 14, 2009

Editor,

I’m a reader of Ultra Audio and now I need an expert opinion about my decision to upgrade my CD player.

I’m the owner of an Audio Research CD3 Mk II. Right know I have the opportunity to upgrade this CD player to its newer version, the CD5. I think I will obtain overall better performance with this new player, but . . . A good friend of mine is replacing his Reference CD7 for the newer Reference CD8, and he offered me his CD7 (the price he set is a little lower than the new CD5). So now I have a very difficult decision: which is better? I’ve read a lot of reviews of the CD7 and all of them said that this player is very special. The reviews of the CD5 said that this new player is an enormous step up from the CD3.

So, a new CD5 or an old Reference CD7?

I know, I know, I need to audition both and decide but what do you think about this? If you were in my shoes, what would be your decision?

Thank you,
Luis Cantu

If I were not able to listen to the players side by side, I think what I would do is ask the folks at Audio Research for their opinions on the differences. They are a straightforward group who give frank advice about their products, so I would give their opinions some considerable weight in your decision. In fact, I’ll ask them on your behalf -- because I’m curious too -- and will be happy to forward their response to you privately by e-mail. Either way I think you’ll end up with a marked improvement in sound quality because, over the years, the ARC components that I’ve heard have improved with each new generation. I know nothing that would make me think otherwise now. . . . Jeff Fritz


Paradigm Reference Signature S6 versus S8

August 5, 2009

Editor,

I enjoyed your November 2007 review of the Paradigm Reference Signature S6. I am considering buying a pair. As seems to be a recurring theme in audiophile circles, the wife likes the size better than the S8. Do you have any update on their performance or possibly a comparison with the S8? Looks to me like the drivers are identical -- save the two extra bass drivers in the S8. The crossovers are configured a bit different, but I might be able to catch that extra low with a Servo sub. I think the wife can buy off on the "necessity" of a sub for theater.

Thank you for any input you might have.

Jim Ledbetter

I think you’ve got a great handle on the main differences and the pros and cons of each model. The only additional comment I could make is that the tweeter height is different on each model, and therefore there could be some slight high-frequency differences between the two. But the models are far more similar than dissimilar.

If it were me, I'd consider pairing a Paradigm subwoofer with the S6 and call it a day. That configuration will allow you to run the LFE channel of a movie soundtrack into the sub, which is the best equipped to handle super-low frequencies at high output levels. In the HT scenario the S6/Servo combo would actually be preferable. And keeping the wife happy is a definite plus! . . . Jeff Fritz

 

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