Cube Audio Nenuphar Single Driver Speaker (10 inch) TQWT Enclosure

@david_ten 


thanks for the update and comments about both speakers and your thoughts!

Cheers...

@roadwarrior75  @steakster   and others.... I've been reluctant to post on your comparative questions due to my discomfort in possibly offending my fellow Tekton brethren. I have also developed a number of wonderful friendships initiated because of the Tekton Design speakers.  However, I need to cover this, so it may as well be now.

I encourage @charles1dad  to offer his take, as he's been with me throughout the move to the new amplification and speakers. He is more diplomatic than I and is better at communicating these matters, especially since he is approaching this from a non-emotional perspective.

First, I've heard the same regarding the presentation / performance at Axpona. 

In summary,  @douglas_schroeder was prescient in this post on the thread exploring my options prior to the Nenuphar purchase:

"When you build the alternative system and get it tuned up you will question everything you think you know about your reference."

There is no better way to elaborate on what I need to share... Douglas Schroeder's post conveys it all.

My reference has moved and changed, and in significant ways.

I have nearly 850 hours on the Nenuphars and am closing in on 250 hours on the Emission Lab 2A3 Solid-Plate tubes. The rest of the system, including cabling, has many, many more hours on it.

For all purposes the system is fully settled, though there are areas I will be addressing in the near future. For example, further positioning efforts, a new IC termination that will eliminate the adaptor, isolation, etc.

Three nights ago I brought the Tekton SEs into my system. This was a short A/B and I will be conducting a more thorough one. My family has been visiting this week and my brother was interested in comparing the two speakers (the rest of the chain was identical). 

He asked that we move the SEs out after a half hour. I pulled them out at the 2 hour mark. The SEs, in comparison [EMPHASIS: In Comparison only], sounded veiled, flat, slower, less engaging and involving than the Nenuphars.  He commented on how incredibly real and natural the music sounded via the Nenuphars and he was astounded at the level of clarity and musical information conveyed. He was especially surprised by the bass performance and insisted that I was 'lying' to him when I told him there were no separate bass woofers or subs in the system.

Nothing about the SEs has changed. They are likely performing at their very best at this point in time based on my current system. What has changed is my reference and preferences.

I have not heard the Tekton PS12 or PS15, so I cannot comment on them. 

@david_ten 


heard the speakers at Axpona. and they sounded nice, but  was not wowed by them,maybe the room/gear?

any updates on your pair and  do the Cube speakers  blow away the Tektons?    was looking for a SET style speaker and the Cube was on the list and also the Tekton SET speaker

What an interesting design!They do look like flowers.Single driver designs intrigue me,but there's none to be found around here to audition.I enjoy hearing about other's experiences though.These are particularly fascinating.

Hi exlibris, 
I get your point and understand the subjectivity we all experience with listening. No doubt that both the Nenuphar and Odeon horns are excellent sounding speakers but presenting their own individual sound/sonic character. 
Charles  

A very key aspect regarding the Nenuphar is it was designed ’specifically ’ to be driven by SET amplifiers with high output impedance/ very low damping factor (DF). I could imagine a perceived "dryness" to the sound of this speaker if the amplifier DF is more than required for this unique speaker. It would effectively damp the life and "soul" of an already very damped/controlled driver with its exceptionally powerful magnet /motor unit. I suspect one wouldn’t want or need a DF > 10 or so.
Charles

Hi Charles,
I don’t think that it’s the architecture of the amplifier that is the cause; I think I’m simply hearing the paper in the driver.
I drove them with three different amps: my 2 watt Thomas Mayer 45 SET, a 150 watt Solution SS amp and, finally, with a 30 watt Unison EL34 PSET integrated amp. In all cases I perceived dryness. I need to stress that what I hear as dryness, others may welcome as neutrality and honesty. Everyone should listen to these amazing speakers and decide for themselves.
In Herb Reichart’s recent blurb he says "... (the Nenuphars) have a direct, fresh, nothing-between-you-and-the-recording presentation." I would agree with him but to me it felt more like "nothing between me and the stylus."

A very key aspect regarding the Nenuphar is it was designed 'specifically ' to be driven by SET amplifiers with high output impedance/ very low damping factor (DF). I could imagine a perceived "dryness" to the sound of this speaker if the amplifier DF  is more than required for this unique speaker. It would effectively damp the life and "soul" of an already very damped/controlled driver with its exceptionally powerful magnet /motor unit. I suspect one wouldn't want or need a DF > 10 or so.
Charles 

This thread is about the Nenuphar so I hesitate to talk about other speakers.  I did demo a German horn speaker in the same system that I heard the Nenuphar.  I found it shockingly good. My only decision now will be to purchase it or the model one above it.  My search is over.   I'll post about it over on thread that led to this thread. 
Let me just say again though how much I enjoyed the Nenuphar.  I think the 6moons review pretty much nails it in terms of it being able to almost alter your state of consciousness.   It's a heady experience and a very tactile one.  Even the way it plays ticks and pops is fascinating - they dance around the room and it's like you can actually feel them on your skin.  Prior to hearing the horns I was totally sold on the Cubes.  I just figured I'd need a Koetsu or Benz-Micro and maybe some 300Bs to get rid of some of dryness and slightly 'bleached' quality of the sound and bring a little more warmth, soul, and testicular fortitude to the proceedings.

Exlibris, I really think Zu Druid 6 could be right up yr street. It may be a little fussier than the 5 on amp demands as 213Cobra contends, but Zu is a highly emotional and immersive experience. Try to get a demo.

I demoed the Nenuphar again today.  It's a really incredible speaker.   For my taste, however, it was a little 'dry' and didn't have the emotional impact that I'm used to and looking for.  
With the right associated equipment I suspect (hope) I could dial it in but it would be a work in progress rather than a plug and play purchase.
I would describe it as a 'cerebral' speaker rather than soulful one.
It really can be intoxicating in terms of its spatial presentation, clarity, and the way it energizes the room. It's really special.     

I heard them on April 3 at a dealer.
I was intrigued enough by the sound to get a home audition.  I don't want to say much more because it was a system and room that I wasn't familiar with.  I'm not sure when I'll get the home audition but I'll be sure to give a full report then. 

@exlibris  Do you know when you will be able to home demo the Nenuphars?

I demoed the speakers last night and I'm impressed enough that I will follow that up with a home audition.

@david_ten 

congrats those speakers look interesting and have some nice reviews..

would also be interested in your comparison between the Tekton SE's, in what areas you like and prefer in each brand.   i assume  the SE's  would probably have better dynamics based on two 10" bass drivers?   

Reports from the front line would be great. Surely if you're considering one, you should the other. And vice versa.

@spiritofmusic  The 6Moons review does compare the Nenuphar and the Zu Druid VI  [Note: VI within the body of the review but V listed in the intro section under speakers].

Anyone able to compare these to Zu, esp the Druid 6?

David , single drivers are very addicting to listen, 

@ david_ten

I retrofitted a pair of 4 Inch Audio Nirvana Classic Full range drivers into my Energy Connoisseur C1 Cabinets which specs out around 53Hz-23Khz; 5 Inch Driver/1 Inch Dome tweeter. Not hearing any perceived roll-off in relation to the previous dome tweeter but the AN is just more vibrant and expressive.

No comparison! Right out of the box you will notice more transparency, clarity and a purity that is just phenomenal and talk about a disappearing act...I can hear unbelievable detail 50+ feet away on the other side of the house. The stock drivers were muddy and congested in comparison.

If this is what you get in eliminating crossovers/multi-drivers, I now see a change for me in the full range driver route. These are suppose to get even better with more hours and age.

Wig

@steakster @jayctoy

I’m breaking in a pair of Emission Labs 2A3 Solid Plates. Once I have around 100 hours on them, I’ll report back.

I will bring the SEs back into rotation at that time.

@wig Thank You!

I’d love to hear your take and impressions of your new single full-range driver speakers.

Steakster good question...

@ david_ten

Congratulations on your new Nenuphars!

I recently bought a small pair of full range drivers to hear for myself their attributes and I'm quite impressed with the sound quality and now see the beauty of eliminating crossovers/multi-drivers.

Wig

I'll be auditioning them with my 45 amp in a week or two and will report back.
Art Dudley seems to have liked them at the Montreal show in March.

I took delivery in late February of the Cube Audio Nenuphars in the White Piano Finish.

My system is 100 percent computer audio for source.

Tidal / Qobuz via Roon

Small Green Computer Server > Sonore Signature Rendu SE.

Major components are:

Denafrips Terminator DAC > Grandinote Genesi Preamp > Found-Music 2A3 monoblock Amps > Nenuphar Speakers