Cube Audio Nenuphar Single Driver Speaker (10 inch) TQWT Enclosure
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Parameters (from Cube Audio):
Power: 40 W
Efficiency: 92 dB
Frequency response: 30Hz - 18kHz ( 6db)*
Dimensions: 30 x 50 x 105 cm
Weight: 40 Kg
@wig I did not compare the SP to the MP, so I cannot address directly (in terms of experience within my system). There are other members who know much more about this than I do. @charles1dad is one of those members. I’d reach out to him as he has compared both directly. My understanding is that: - the SP has a much longer lifespan. - the MP needs proper care in matching / compatibility (electronic reasons) with one’s amp. - there are more reported "reliability" issues with the MP, however this is mostly due to improper matching. - the MPs have been described to me as being more "ethereal" "extended" "airy" and generally more "glorious" and "magical" in the mid-range over the SP. - the SP has been described as more "linear" more "neutral" more "robust/dynamic" more "authoritative" and stronger in low frequency performance (versus the MP). Both are very good options and one’s system’s needs and preferences should, as always, serve to guide a choice between the two. I was advised to get both. I haven't procured the Mesh Plate version, as of yet. [Note: the descriptors used are relative and for purposes of "highlighting" differences] |
David, Your description of the essential differences between the two EML tubes is on the mark and I’d have little further to add. Both are excellent sounding but the mesh plate tube has to be placed in an amplifiers with friendly /gentle operating points. It’s a more delicate tube. The solid plate version is a very rugged heavy duty workhorse (particularly the XLS version). Charles |
I have owned and used both meshplate and solid plate 2a3s from EML. I like both types. I ran a pair per channel in parallel single-ended configuration (Audio Note Kageki amps). Both pairs lasted a decent amount of time, although the meshplate went out of balance earlier (parallel single ended seems to cause tubes to become unmatched earlier than other types of operation). The solid plate is more like a conventional 2a3--slightly lean sounding, open on top, tight bass and crystal clear and detailed. The meshplate bring something else into that same general description--the soundstage seems more expansive (the sound envelops the listener more) and there is a more dramatic presentation of the music--a heightened sense of presence and dynamics. Whether it is realistic or not, I liked the presentation of the meshplate tube, but, I will also say that this presentation is a bit "phasey" sounding and I can see someone not liking it. |
Hi fellas, I woukd like to reintroduce myself into this very interesting thread( i posted here before,but forgot about the thread). I ve been thru this thread fully,and there are very interesting findings for me like ,upgrading spikes and isolation platforms. I have the nenuphars since almost a year ,and i can say they are fully break in . I ve tested and heard meticulously the nenuphars with different amplifiers and i will share my thoughts here. My thoughts and findings are the results of listening in my system and my couple friends systems owning the nenuphars. ( one more friend is going to order soon nenuphar). These 3 friend ; ( one of them is in this thread ,and added the cube audio subs recently),all of them bought the nenuphars after hearing them in my system. So let me go straight to the point about my findings: these speakers are the most transparent speakers ive heard so far,ive heard quite many. Thru nenuphar i heard the most natural vocal and timbres as well. Very dynamic speakers and they can deliver real freaking bass but but.. with the right amp....more at the end. Details often jumps at you more than you jump on them. Imaging,soundstage,all there ..pinpoint. If there is a negative aspect,and to be picky,i woukd say bass.but let me be clear,i m talking about bass quantity and not quality. Bass is really precise,clear,feels real ,airy but i feel i lack some oumph,or some chest pressure sometimes......( more below for this negative point wich appeared to be not the nenuphar fault) I like and share the same what david -ten i think said,you stop caring about speakers and you start working on your upfront,and every small change you do, either cable,fuse,server is easily distinguishable. I heard them be driven by,mbl c51;gryphon 300,lm845 premium( upraded with elrog845 ,elrog 300b) silver ombilical cable upgrade ,aries cerat genus 845 ( elrog 845).( currently since yesterday elekit 300b with stock tubes of my friend lm845 premium). During the last year or so,i stopped caring about speakers and focused on server/streamer choice and this gave me the opportunity to listen to my friends nenuphar driven by amps above, the mbl c51 being mine. To summarize,the lm845 premium is wonderful driving them but the magic came out of the AC genus 845: set design ,25 watt class A. All the other amps drove well the nenuphars and are really listenable choices, but the 2 on top are la creme de la creme,with the genus being mr i do it all with finesse and a smile. The nenuphar are masters in a disappearing act,with genus driving them it s like you are really in front artists playing for you,instruments standing in front of you,crazy depth,crazy sounstage,and bass........amazing. Yes the nenuphar lack some oumph when placed into the room,but give you very good bass response when placed close to front wall,but i thought loosing depth on the latter,and sticked with them placed into the room. Before hearing the genus i was thinking augmenting my system with 2 rel subs,but not anymore now after hearing genus. I ordered the genus845,wich will land beginning may. My current system: Modem ( ifi 12v ps)—generic copper eth -ubiquiti wifi less router(ifi 12v ps)-copper eth-optimodule( sgp ps)-optical cable—————etherregen switch (keces p8 lps)- vodka AQ————server-(2* keces p8 lps)=======sablon usb—— AC kassandra ref2 dac——- silteck classic 110 mk2 rca ic—mbl c51— audience 24 se sc———nenuphars. I ll share more thought when i receive my genus. Thks |
Sakso136, I've been very curious about Aries Cerat for several years as I'm very intrigued by their design approach and philosophy. I thought the Genus amp used the 813 DHT as output tube driven by the Siemens so called "super tube". Regardless I imagine this amp paired with the Nenuphar sounds outstanding. I have no doubt. In a perfect world I'd love to hear your amp compared to David's superb Found Music 2A3 mono blocks. Two very different amplifiers for certain but the Nenuphar bringing out the best of both of them. Charles |
Hi sakso136, Thanks for the update information regarding the Genus amplifier. The 845 is a wonderful tube in my opinion. I've heard the Elrog 845 in a friend's amplifier and it was heavenly. A few years ago I had the Elrog 300b in my amplifier and it was beautiful sounding but unreliable (I had the very early production tubes). I understand that the latest generation Elrogs have solved the reliability issues. Given the Aries Cerat approach your amplifier will have a fabulous over built power supply. Charles |
Indeed. The 2 friends i was referring to,are a close friends,and i m familiar with their systems,tastes( specially the lm 845 one). All our audiophile group where thrilled when hearing the combo nenuphar+genus. Honestly,no idea how much is the damping factor and negative feedback on the genus,but,when in action,you feel that those 22 watt act like 300 w. The transients,the dynamics,the bass,seperation, i can go on,... all there with ease. Those 22 w are specials,and many people said,it has no problem driving even mid efficiency speakers. Another friend,owning sb amati,ordered genus at the same time as me,afterhearing it,let see how it goes.... The lm845 friend went and bought elrog845 and elrog300b,replacing his psvane acme 845 and 300b,and he concluded that elrog is the winner. Sami |
sakso, Your comparison of the 9 watt 300b amp and the MBL 300 watt amp is consistent with findings from other posters earlier in this thread. It drives home the unique design/intention of the very special driver used. An ultra controlled driver cone doesn’t need additional damping (DF) control from the driving amplifier. As you and others have demonstrated excess amplifier DF will deteriorate the sound quality of the Nenuphar. Your powerful MBL amp very likely has a relatively high DF (and low output impedance). These traits are no doubt desirable for some (perhaps many) speakers. The Nenuphar is an entirely different approach. Given the superb results of the AC Genus/Nenuphar pairing one could assume the Genus amp has very little (or maybe zero) NFB and thus a low DF and moderately high output impedance. Ideal for the Nenuphar.. Charles |
Interesting recent posts by all addressing synergy of Nenuphars with various amps. Good to hear reinforcement of the AC Genus magic--it received a rave from AVShowrooms. The LM 845 Premium is also a pairing I would love to hear--although I believe it uses some negative feedback in its circuit, but don't quote me. I recently got to try a Tektron 2A3 which impressed me with it's purity. But I preferred both the SIT-3 and the LTA Ultralinear--more grip and meat on the bone. In fact, not to drive everyone crazy (anymore than it's driving me crazy) but I've taken another turn with my amp preference. David_ten was right on (no surprise) about speaker break in. Somewhere between 125 hours and 200 hours the SIT-3 began sounding a little thick and slow--I kept thinking it was cables and began swapping things out. Then I put the LTA back in and voila, the veil disappeared and we had dynamics galore plus stronger base (the LTA remember has a much lower damping factor). Obviously the speakers are continuing to open up and reveal everything in their path. Don't get me wrong, the SIT-3 makes great music with these speakers but as you get to know them better--i.e. as they break in--you (or at least I) tend to want more of what they do best which can be so life-like and unrestrained. But of course nothing's absolute. There are those flavors ranging from the 2A3 type low wattage SET's to the relatively burly 845 and SIT-3 type amps with perhaps the classic 300b SET somewhere in the middle. Wish I could try them all! , |
Hi Steve, Your comments and listening observations are always insightful and interesting. Some people mock the idea of audio component burn-in and say it's merely psychological or just getting use to components/speakers sound character. I believe that burn-in is real. I don't claim that differences are night and day in degree but certainly quite noticeable. Charles |
Really interesting stuff. My omega 4.5” single drivers - cones w/surrounds weigh in at 1.5 grams. Not sure how that compares to the Nenuphars, but I imagine they are also extremely light. Whenever I audition an amp with a higher dampening, it seems to restrain the lightweight driver. I just purchased a dht 45 set, which I am super excited to hear with my speakers. would love to hear the Nenuphars one day. When I listen to quality speakers with crossovers, I can’t get back to those full range efficient speaks quick enough 😉 |
Another full range speaker company getting ravs is the Lii Audio. The 15 and the best 10 inch drivers are 97-99db sensitive....made quite well. People on the Decware forum are going crazy over them. Just talked to a friend who likes his Lii F-15s better than his quad amped crazy system. You can get a pair of the F-15s for $400 plus shipping. The best 10 incher is $1000 a pair plus shipping and you can get the 10 inchers delivered to your home for $3K in serious speaker cabinets that let them play down to 30Hz. Are these as good as the Cubes? I hope not considering the price difference.....but, what if they are 90% as good? No Lowther shout....no peakiness has been reported. Of course, they need the usual several hundred hours of break in. According to those that have heard the 10 and the 15....the 10 is more articulate but the 15 is more fun to listen to (more balls). You could mount a 15 and a 10 on an open baffle and put a coil on the 15 and a cap on the 10 so they are crossed over around 3-4 hundred cycles and you would get the balls of the big one and the more articulation of the smaller one and still the whole shebang is 97+db efficient. A single stack of great caps in series with the 10 would not limit their sound (you know Clarity cap CMRs bypassed by copper foils or better). Another way to run these two would be to use a tube amp on the 10 that has a very small coupling cap in it......That way you have a natural roll off of bass.....and you have a less expensive super sounding cap in the amp. This way you have zero xover again on the 10 incher. Then run another amp on the woofs. Pretty cool stuff. |
Considering the acknowledged superb sound quality of the Nenuphar, if Lii Audio drivers approach 90% of their performance that would be some feat given the cost differential. I hav6no idea if this is a possibility. Obviously someone who has access to both would have to compare them and submit a listening impression. In the big picture the more of these types of high quality higher sensitivity drivers that are easy to drive the better. Match them with excellent quality low power amplifiers and you'll have the recipe for really natural and emotionally involving/organic sound. This is a good path to travel. Charles |
If budget is a concern there is the excellent Cube Magus, available fully built at £6,900.00 a pair or the Cube Magus Drivers at £2,570.00 a pair. I’ll make this a separate thread in due course since this thread should remain about the Cube Nenuphar’s. There are a few makes of full range drivers on the market but can I suggest that we keep this thread to the Cube Nenuphar’s and that any other makes of full range speakers have there own thread unless somebody actually has direct experience of both. |
Reaching out to the Cube Audio Cognoscenti for your advice on Nenuphar placement / positioning and to get a feel for what's been working for each of you? Mine are pulled out in the room, from both the front and side walls. Listening position is 'fairly' near-field. I'll be testing other positions and your feedback will help guide me. Thank you! |
It is hard if not impossible to find silver linings to these times, but if there was one it might be my local First Watt dealer's change of heart to let go of his precious pair of SIT-1 demos, prompted by both a need to whip up some business and cull his equipment closet. He was gracious enough to let me first audition them, providing white-gloved delivery to my doorstep, then giving the boxes an alcohol wipe down before waving goodbye from a more than acceptable social distance. Into my listening cave I carried these surprisingly heavy and legendary monos. I gave them an hour to warm up and then sat down and by a gradual accumulation of degrees proceeded to be overwhelmed. I had expected from Srajan's Nenuphar review that the SIT-1 would come out swinging with more speed and light than the SIT-3, but what I hadn't expected was how completely different the 1's presentation was. It was a different sound altogether, larger, wider, deeper, more detailed, more intense tonal colors, livelier tempo and beyond everything, more engrossing. In fact, as I listened through my Roon album file named Sound Check, I was emotionally pulled into music I had simply put there as a test of say instrument separation and had played hundreds of times. This amp performs that rare magic trick of illuminating every nuance of recording space and technique, while at the same time bringing music to life in a way you can resist. Don't even think about having these play some harmless tune in the background while you do your taxes: you'd have to turn it way down so as not to be sucked in completely. (I know you're thinking this smacks of euphonics, that I must have had the bias set to pull in second harmonic distortion. But not so, I preferred the needle straight up in neutral.) I think Srajan downplayed the SIT-1's superiority over every other amp he tried with the Nenuphars because he felt it unfair to tease with the unobtainable. My hunch is the same synergy is attainable with the best of the no feedback, low damping factor, low powered SET's that several people here drive their lotuses with. A/B ing the 1's against my LTA Ultralinear showed how close Berning's ZOTL design comes to Nirvana, but the SIT-1 poked through the clouds to a performance peak I have not experienced with the Nenuphars--or any other speaker for that matter. Long live Nelson Pass. |
Hi Steve, I am also not surprised that the S.I.T.-1 is even better with the Nenuphar than the excellent S.I.T.-3. It is a closer match to the type of amplifier the Nenuphar was designed for. More in line with (as you identify) a high quality zero NFB high output impedance tube SET. Yet one can still achieve stellar results with other types of amplifiers. I did also feel/sense that Srajan tempered the differences between the two First Watt amps when I read the initial Nenuphar review. Steve if sounds as if you have stepped deep into the realm of music lover’s heaven with the addition of the S.I.T.-1 mono blocks. I suspect you are hearing (certainly very similar) what David is hearing with his system.. Charles |
Hi Charles, It feels more like I've fallen rather than stepped--not really knowing what I was getting into. As you know, when you replace a critical piece of gear, like a loudspeaker, one thing leads to optimizing another and before you know it, you've replaced almost everything in your system! I'm not there yet, but I have auditioned some cables (I was using vintage wire), so probably my next update, if I can keep myself from crowing more about the SIT-1's, will be that. The Nenuphars make quick work of comparing cables. Thanks for following along on this much needed, alternate world trek. |
Congrats Stephen. That's great to hear. And I know it's not a diy-heavy crowd, but if people find a SIT-2 and want to convert it into a SIT-1, I believe there are only two core differences... separate power supplies for the monos, and the adjustable aspect of the 2nd harmonic on the SIT-1s. In the end, a SIT2 with one channel broken out into its own chassis and with its own power supply will probably get you most of the way there. Anyone who's built a DIY first watt amp could easily make the conversion. I've found a huge impact of adding a separate power supply for each channel. I'll never go back to a stereo amp again. Please keep us updated on the journey Stephen. |
Steve, It has been fun following your listening impressions and reporting as your system has evolved. After all isn't this the entire point ? Discovering ways to improve our music listening experiences. and engagement. It really makes me happy when someone gets ever closer in connecting with their music be it streaming or a collection of recordings. Charles |
...the SIT-1 poked through the clouds to a performance peak I have not experienced with the Nenuphars--or any other speaker for that matter. Stephen, first let me say how much I love your writing style and reading your prose. It flows so easily and expresses so much. Second, congratulations on acquiring the First Watt SIT-1 monos and their contribution to your system and the resulting peak connection to it via the Nenuphars. |
Thanks, David. The information that you and others have provided in your thread has gone a long way to helping me better understand and optimize these wonderful speakers. Of late, I've been auditioning cables. I've been comparing Synergistic Foundation cables against their higher-priced stable mates Atmosphere X and against the hodge podge of my existing cables (Teresonic, Dueland and Teo Audio GC). I started with the Foundation replacing my Dueland speaker cables and was startled by how much better they were. In fact, it prompted one of those classic moments where my wife came in and said, "You just changed something." The Dueland cables sounded vintage, rolling off highs and smoothing transients, very pleasant, but the Nenuphars don't need that tonic. The Foundation cables brought out their best, even to a higher degree I thought than the Atmosphere X Excite speaker cables at more than four times the price. Interestingly the X Excite cables exhibited some of the Dueland characteristics, being smoother and mellower. (An added plus to the Foundation speaker cables, for those with white Nenuphars like myself, is they come in white!) The Foundation speaker cables made the most impactful difference, but the interconnects reinforced their benefits in audible ways. I'm now auditioning the Atmosphere X USB cable against the Atmosphere X Reference USB. The homebound joys of landscaping and falling into the Nenuphar's musical spell are helping to keep me sane in these harrowing times. |
I have a tweak for those of you who have your Nenuphars sitting on Townshend Seismic Platforms. This was inspired by an email I recently received from an audiophile friend who was considering the Siesmic Platforms and ended up speaking with Max Townshend himself. Max strongly encouraged him to get as much of the speaker’s bottom surface touching the Platform’s plate. And mentioned spikes accomplished the opposite. I pondered this for a while and remembered I had some 1" x 2" maple trim in the garage. I cut the trim into two pieces the width of the speakers. I tilted the speakers back and placed the wood strips underneath the very front spanning the width of the speaker--the height of the trim (which is really 1 and 3/4") was just slightly higher than the spikes. Voila, after just a few minutes of listening I had audible proof that Max might know what he’s talking about. Better focus, separation and very noticeably better depth. I haven’t tried a thinner strip of wood to support the speaker’s rear but I think I will. (I’ve got a little time on my hands.) If you spend $20 on this tweak only to end up thinking I’m crazy, well, blame Mr. Townshend. |
Hi David, Yes, I was using original spikes but I think Townshend's point would over-rule different spikes mattering altogether--at least when the speakers are on the Seismic Platforms. My updates relate to refining components upwind of my Nenuphar/SIT-1 combination that still sounds like a marriage made in heaven. My focus has been on my pre, which took an unexpected detour when the dealer who sold me my SIT-1's brought over a Pass Labs SP-10 to try. To my surprise (I thought I was doing HIM the favor) I quickly acquiesced to it's obvious benefits over the tube pre I'd been using (all the tube pre's for that matter I'd been using): truer pitch and tonal definition, much tighter and engaging bass, a more open soundstage with much better focus, and deeper, darker space. My tube prejudice was soundly put in it's place. After extended listening my only qualm with the SP-10 was that it could sound--with some recordings, not all--a little mechanical and dry. With Ella's Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie for instance. (But I'm pretty sure the CD of that recording has been digitally enhanced.) Realizing the SP-10 was on the lower tier of the PL line of pre amps, I did some research and found what I thought was the sweet spot of the line, the SP-22. I soon purchased a used one from Mark at Reno Hifi. Not surprisingly the SP-22 was even better in all areas than the SP-10 without a whiff of the latter's short comings. After 10 days with the SP-22 in the system, I am still listening with new born amazement. I think it corroborates that the Nenuphar speaker cries out for a kind of organic neutrality up front, white on white if you will that leaves the purest palette for it to paint its true colors. But then again if you do prefer the color of a certain component--let's say the sunshine of a Shindo pre--it will give you just that it all it's saturated glory. I just find any global tint grows tiresome over time--at least with this speaker. |
Stephen, Thanks for your latest listening impression of your evolving audio system, your posts/comments are always interesting and fun to read. I would not be surprised if our listening preferences overlapped in the range of 80 % or so. . The other 20 % we 'd make different choices (variety is the spice of life). In my experience solid state (SS) preamps 'generally' sound drier, less tactile and 2 dimensional compared to the very good category/level of tube preamps (For certain not every tube preamp is a good one). I am fully aware that there are exceptions to my generalizatons. For example I have always been intrigued by the SS Robert Koda preamp. I strongly suspect that I'd find it truly excellent. Your Pass SP 22 and S.I.T.-3 pairing could easily be another exception. I have no doubt that your current audio system sounds fantastic! I'm glad it is providing you such music listening joy. Charles |
Thanks Charles, much appreciated. And you’re right that my preference, like yours apparently, is for tubes: I’ve been enthralled for the last ten years with a Shindo Giscours. But played through the Nenuphars, the Giscours imprinted the music too much for me. I believe a DHT pre, as Srajan claimed in his review of the SIT-1, is probably the way to go, although a reader posted on 6 Moons that he ordered a DHT from Thomas Mayer but was unhappy with its pairing with the SIT-1. I’m drawn to Vinnie Rossi’s latest DHT, but Srajan didn’t rave about it the way he did with the Trafomatic 10Y, which apparently was a one-off prototype. There are affordable DHT pre’s from Supratek and private builders like Radu Tarta, but scarce reviews make them seem like a shot in the dark. I believe you owned--and maybe still do--the Coincident DHT pre--forget the name. Any impressions or feelings about compatibility you might relay? |
Steve, Your comments concerning the Shindo is in a sense surprising in regard to the level of perceived coloration/editorializing it imparted to your system. I do believe the Nenuphars unapologetically reveal all the is placed before them in the signal chain. So I feel that you heard the innate character of the Shindo Giscours as combined with your components and speakers. I believe you would like the Coincident Statement Linestage (CSL) very much. It utilizes a pair of the 101d DHT tubes and has transformer volume controls rather than one that is resistor based. Of its many attributes what stands out most IMO is the purity and transparency of its presentation. The natural tone/timbre/harmonics are rendered without gratuitous warmth or tint. Yet it’s the antithesis of clinical/threadbare/dry/analytical. The sense of flesh on the bone and living breathing performers is present.It has excellent dynamic capability and is very adept in revealing the nuances and subtleties of music reproduction. You are very pleased with your Pass SP-22 and I can understand why. There’s no way I could say you’d be even happier with the CSL but I genuinely feel that you’d be pleased with it as well given your desire/preference of purity versus imposed sonic colorations. I suspect that the Vinnie Rossi DHT and the Trafomatic 10y DHT preamplifiers are excellent. Charles |
Charles, Thanks for the insight into the CSL. I do think it might be a great match for my system but I have one reservation: I have been spoiled by using a remote volume control. I understand there was a version of the CSL made with a remote but that they had trouble with it. Also, I've heard the MkII version has significant improvements over it's predecessor--I assume it was the MKII that came out briefly with a volume remote. Any insights would be helpful. |
Steve, There was a remote version of the CSL a few years ago. Israel Blume did subsequently discontinued this version. The latest MK II CSL is further evolution and refinement of my original model and I'm sure even better. Given the level of satisfaction you have with the Pass SP 22 I'd imagine that you have very little incentive to replace it. It seems an ideal match with your S.I.T.-1. Charles |
@stephendunn Steven, thanks for the response / answer. I’m of two minds on this. First, from your posts regarding what Max shared with your friend...it seems coupling the entire speaker bottom / surface to the Townshend Platforms is recommended. It makes sense (intellectually to me) for a traditional speaker with a fully enclosed bottom. In other words, the greater the coupling, the better. When I connected with Grzegorz about Height and Tilt for the Nenuphar, my takeaway was that both Angle and Height differentials from a solid floor would lead to differences in low frequency performance. And that the ’stock’ setup was what Cube found best based on the configurations they tried out. He also said that playing with both to meet the owner’s specific needs / preferences was fine. Of significant concern to me is that solid wood strips (both front and rear) mean that the Nenuphar would then only port via the gap on the left and right sides of each speaker. Given that (1) the Nenuphar is already raised beyond what Cube "ideally" chose (due to sitting higher on the Townshend platforms) and (2) porting is over an ’uneven’ double surface... I am concerned about further additional deviations and their likely impact on sound quality. Can you comment more on your experimentation in the area as well as the results from your friend (assuming he/she also have the Nenuphars)? I’d also love to hear from others active in the thread regarding your thoughts on the pros and cons of doing this? Thanks! |
David, You make good points regarding the placement of the Nenuphars on the Townshend Seismic Platforms. 1. When I first placed the Nenuphars on the Platforms I noticed a distinct improvement in bass response, as well as other other SQ issues that have been well documented in this thread. The speakers were on their original spikes and rubber feet. I mention this because I too was worried about the Platform negatively impacting bass response because of the having the double surface you mentioned. 2. The strips of wood do not interfere with the port of the Nenuphar. The front 1x2 is underneath the solid portion of the speaker bottom between the spikes and the front plane of the speaker. The rear strip has less bottom surface to work with but rests underneath the maybe 3/8" between the port and the back plane of the speaker. 3. I have been careful to maintain the angle of backward slant that the original spikes and rubber feet created. So even though I have not coupled very much of the speaker's bottom surface area to the platform, it is obviously significantly greater than the surface area touched by the spikes and rubber feet. I have to emphasize that this way of coupling the speaker to the Platform created an immediate change in sound--not subtle as they say. I thought the change improved virtually all aspects of the speakers performance, including bass. It would be great for some Nenuphar/Townshend Platform owner to corroborate this: obviously a change in sound this strong could be interpreted negatively by other people. My friend who passed this info on from Max does not have Nenuphars, so didn't have to deal with the port issue. He had a special bottom plate built for his Spatial Audio Lumina's by Clayton Shaw, the designer, who was also impressed by the benefits. |
Stephen, thanks for the additional details and information. For clarification, I was referring to the area [open and unrestricted on all sides, in stock configuration/setup] for the "air" / "energy" generated by the driver to exit from the bottom ported transmission line. In your setup, the energy would only ’exit’ on the left and right sides of the speaker bottom. From what you have heard and shared, you are clearly very happy with the results. My concerns are around restricting the outflow of air/energy AND limiting it to a left/right dispersion. I know I will not know, one way or another, unless I try it out. With my setup: - the delta in performance upside was far greater with the Eden Sound spikes vs. the stock spikes/rubber bumpers [on my hardwood flooring] over the, - the delta from the speakers with the Eden Sound spikes on the Townshend Platforms Illustrated another way: Stock on floor <<<< Eden Sound on floor < Eden Sound + Townshend This may support Max’s point to couple as much of the speaker contact areas to the platform, OR, it may point to the stock spike/bumper setup being subpar and easily improved upon (in my case with aftermarket spikes, front and rear). I’m open to trying your method, however, it will have to wait until the meniscus tear in my knee is resolved. : ) |
I’ve added two photo closeups on my virtual system page, for visual reference. Hopefully the photos help clarify my prior post (above). https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/6658 I believe the photos (clearly) illustrate the ’open’ area, across the entire speaker bottom. The spikes are from Eden Sound. The platform is the Townshend Audio Seismic Isolation Podium. |
