Considering the New Tekton Design Encores? AND Owners Group - Experiences/Questions

I'm looking for some guidance as I'm looking to get back into the hobby after taking a 3 year break. Encores are on my radar now since I really enjoyed the Tekton's DI speakers paired with a Line Magnetic LM508ia.

Knowing multiple subs (DBA) help smooth out room mode issues, and that Tekton offers an Encore monitor, does a monitor/multiple sub system stand a chance of competing with the full range Encore? On a related topic, would a full range Encore in a horizontal bi-amped configuration make sense (tubes on top, SS on bottom using miniDSP SHD digital crossover/Dirac Live)? As MC points out, is the more simple approach, a Raven Osprey with high passed mains in sub out mode that offloads the LF burden, the better KISS strategy? GR research has a high passed RCA connector, so most any lower watt tube amps could be relieved of reproducing the lowest frequencies is my guess. Dirac Live would probably help integrate with subs.

Tektons respond well to Parasound power for R&R, but I don't want to give up the tube driven midrange sound that comes with less power. Bi-amping or monitor encore/subs configs seem like an obvious path to explore. 

Brody

@h4k4lugi 

Thank you for sharing your setup and experiences. The half Ulfberhts are a clever solution.

Fast acoustic bass is definitely a priority. I wonder if room correction would do you any favors blending the subs with monitors. Room correction had a huge positive impact on my sound even after noticeable improvements from room treatments.

Did you notice any loss of planar type sound with fewer tweeters on the half Ulfbehrts?

My guess is the full size encores would be hard to beat. Once again, I'll likely forego the 300B SET for either 805 SET Chifi or tube pre/SS class A. When the will to spend more arrives, then add subs and digital xovers.

GR Research's open baffle subs for faster bass and less room mode challenges might fit the bill. Eric at Tekton is moving that direction as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see an open baffle version of the 1812. No more box sound, fast bass and low mass transducers! A Tekton version of Spatial Audio speakers.

Thanks for all the crossover info on the array. My mistake on missing the extra tweeters as I had encore monitors on my mind, so no loss of tweeters moving to the half Ulfbehrts from DI monitors.

Dirac live has mixed phase filters that really helped lock in imaging and time alignment in my earlier system. Not saying REW can't get you there. My brother had good results with REW on his Parasound JC5/ Martin Logan set up. GIK corner traps and bass traps did knock several dBs off the peak to valley differentials in my room but not a total fix. 

If you've already done the initial sub set up, which includes getting the phase constructive with the mains at the crossover point, then I don't have much else to add.

A digital crossover from MiniDSP would be more precise about matching the Xover frequency as identical on the mains as the sub, and you could try out different rates of high and low pass roll offs. Dirac live could quickly solve a best matched filter for many different Xover configs, treating the combo left sub and left speaker as 1 main speaker. Could better integration be found there? Possibly, but my guess, like yours is that there will always be some tone differential as they are in different boxes using different woofers.

Maybe open baffle speakers and subs don't have as much integration trouble. One thing is true, going with the lower reaching mains and Xover will quickly get you better bass given sufficiently powered mains.