Fleetwood Sound Company

Update to my setup.  

I now use a Bakoon AMP-51R and with this amp in the chain brought the synergy.  At this point, with horns or even to venture to other high efficiency/types of speakers, I have no desire to run any other high power SS, tube or other new-kid-on-the-block amp.  

Enleum is the new company now so I am excited to see what else is coming from them.  In no way affiliated with these any of the brands mentioned in this entire thread.  Just found something I like.  And to reiterate, these Fleetwood Deville have been delightful to play with in this journey.   

Sure is…!!  Pretty sure we listen to different types of music too…all good in the neighbhorhood!

So I had my Devilles for maybe two weeks…and so far they have been:

• Refreshing to unpack, standup and position to place due its lack of mega weight.
  
• Slowly but have organically blended into my homes decor
  
• Overall, a listening pleasure - they are a solid speaker with great SQ imo.
  

What sets these apart from the ‘others?’ Well…not a whole lot really! (Sorry to upset the passionates!!)

But they are great at what they do…but thats not a surprise…

‘Small horns’ are a tragedy right? Well not so fast…the Devilles exude better than your normal hifi speaker sound quality in the price range. What do I mean by saying this? Compression drivers rely heavily on the flange or horn section to project sound more directional than your typical non-loaded driver ala tweeter/midrange. To some capacity concentric drivers or waveguides can mimic a similar dispersion of what would be instrumental in a compression driver’s delivery, the flange/mouth. That said, The Devilles deliver a ‘pro’ sound. Imo, and depending on application, professional drivers/speakers serve better overall performance than Hifi speakers because they need to project sound across the listening space. This can be at a bar, hotel, small venue, hall, or out in an open field/stadium. These profession speakers need to project sound across the crowds, through heavy furniture items, like a sea of chairs and clothed tables (ever been to a wedding or small jazzy venue?) or even a big non-reflective room. This is what the Deville does, but does it in a more subtle way targeted for smaller rooms. However, you’ll get strong vocals, to the point of really envisioning the performers lips. Turn it up a little more, you’ll actually feel or sense the sound energy floating in space, but its not overbearing….its quite an experience to witness this in the comforts of your own home rather than a high SPL environment like a closed space or a pro SQ sound car, for example.

They are not shouty and are not fatiguing. You may have heard many reviewers and forum people refer to them as ‘musical’ — Oh no there’s that word again, “musical”. I sometimes laugh at hearing musical used to describe something cause my inner joke is ‘uh oh, there goes the roll off at 16k….!’ (Harbeth *cough*) And imo and experience with these Devilles, yes there is somewhat of a roll-off on the topend. But thats not a bad thing is it?—not so much. From what I can hear, have done in my past experience (tuning/measuring), and comparing them against really nice measuring speakers (TAD ME1) these are just as good, but also different. But they play louder and continue to play cleaner at much higher volumes. One should ask themselves…if a (or your) speaker can perform passed the sonic threshold scale in your listening space, do you need it (or the next speaker) to surpass it even more than that?? Be realistic here…!

There is nothing of magic or sorcery happening here (sorry passionates!), this is just the product of a well designed compression driver (everything from the phase plug, the incredibly dense wooden horn [conical]-had to say it!)) to the creative albeit simplistic design of the cabinet and port) with woofer to deliver what they were intended to do, and that is play sound waves (music reproduction in my case) from a source. This is a quality product at doing so.

Let me digress here a little. Companies in a position like OMA have this ability to put out a “specialty” product like the Deville not only because they’re passionate at what they do, but also because they posses (from their success of the parent company) the ability to pass on creativity in and on to a smaller scale or more price attractive segment. Can you imagine the other companies’ R&D trying to come up with a left field product for the ‘masses’ or even for limited run? It’s just food for thought…:)

Back to my experience….

But what about that roll-off you say? Yeah, well to be frank thats probably where the Deville may not excel or surpass other speakers for musical tastes that are centric around genres such as pop, electronica (EDM), or even some music like rap/R&B, punk, new wave, house, Euro, international, etc. But wait, those aren’t audiophile genres, you say? I know many folks (and probably a great population) whom are actually just as much a hifi nut or music lover of all sorts that would put up a nice finger gestures in the faces of those that are in that camp of audiophillia pompous-try.

For comparison to a past owned speaker, I do think my previous ME-1s delivered better those little subtle but necessary atmospherics that for example, spookily appeared behind the listening position. Were they natural or real sounds…I dont know? But the sound engineer wanted me to hear it that way…and I really appreciated that sense of being in that space, sort like being sucked into the performance, even for a very brief moment. Granted the sound they produced was a more modern HiFi sound, but it was equally quite like-able, imo and in some ways better. Those ME-1s are pretty special too.

As briefly mention, the Deville is a breath of fresh air to easily position and move around to your rooms sonic shortcomings. Though, one caveat here is that they kind of rock back and forth where the stand and speaker marry. I’m not losing sleep over it though.

I like this speaker more so , for its unorthodox design. It makes you want to look at it, but also invites you to touch it. Made out of real wood, yada yada…no high gloss protective paint… I think they will eventually fade and discolor over time if placed in a room where direct sunlight shines on them. If thats so, then the heirloom conversation does’t apply to me. ‘Here you go son, my speakers I leave to you…’. ‘But dad, why are they so…’ hush — just listen :P

So am I keeping these speakers…? yah, i think so, at least for now. They seem to be a solid speaker to build around (Well my window to return has sailed ha!). It reproduces musical instruments and sound performance with dense sonic presence yet can exhibit the subtleties that kinda make you smile. I think they deliver a pro sound. To that note - Thats probably my recommendation here and for those interested or curious, you’d have to demo it in person(oh really?)…over the course of my years, I think ‘regular’ hifi speaker are more than good enough and still perform and even excel in our sonic deficiently treated rooms. As many would argue, and chances are, and I would whole heartedly agree, your [insert best speakers you’ve heard or even yours] are probably better and you dont need these!

As I say this humorously, one can describe this speaker with all superlatives that our (jaded) egos need to fulfill and justify what a great experience these deliver.

Current gear (very attainable and someone Everyman gear):

Diablo 120

Dual Rel carbon specials

Lumin X1

Some fancy but not over the top cabling - not an anti-cabler.

Thought I’d share some details on this thread…though maybe I should’ve created a new one…?? Anyhoot, I took a leap and went and grabbed the SQ version. Sharing my experience for those who are interested.

Deville SQ

There have been a couple of reviews done with the SQs already, both on YouTube and Stereophile, but I wanted to share a normal ole bloke’s experience with them.

Right off the back this speaker walks the listener down the path of it being closer to a truth speaker. But I wouldn’t call it a truth or neutral speaker. It definitely lends to itself more ‘hifi’ sounding than the standard versions.

Whats different now?

Check the site or the videos, all I can say, if you really thought these were conversation starters, then the SQ just steps it up in color tones…so it becomes visually striking and adept. I chose the dyed color and not the roasted option. None of the natural wood finish is exposed where as the standard, you have more of the natural wood options lest the body is black (not worth mentioning the other color options since I owned the standard black). You can argue and say my colorway takes away from the reason to adore the look of natural woods in your home…but it matches my decor more…to each their own, its all personal anyway.

Sonics: (the good parts, eh? ….where everyone gets bent out of shape? :))

Topend

The Standard Deville had this noticeable slight rolloff at 16k or a steeper one at 18k - give or take. God bless you if you can hear this, some people think I’m crazy lol! The SQ has more of a flatter response from 16k and beyond. There is information up here folks, and in some ways, can give the illusion to an extended ‘open-ness’ with the sparkle or the airiness of an instrument(s). In music, your brain will process together the topend with the frequencies just below it and you achieve this sense of top end extension and naturalness. I cant get over the fact when folks say they they dont want a detailed speaker - that it translates to a brighter sounding speaker. Well not if those freqs are flat and well controlled. What you’re hearing on brighter sounding speakers are a boost or untamed FR. *face palm* Dont be afraid of the details :)

The upper range sounds more open and airy. It’s difficult to EQ for this characteristic, I speculate (will be doing this a lot) that this translates to the silver wire they are using…I also notice a greater sense of holographic-ness in the sound stage - again, silver wire influencing it…? Maybe not the only factor….

The decay….Ohhhh the decay! - I absolutely adore this sonic characteristic…!

One thing that is so memorable are the edges of instruments sound more delicate and softer. They remind me of very good Be drivers but without the distortion at high levels. Without knowing all the change in parts, this also might attribute to the upgraded crossover delivering the upgraded sound quality in this department. I also suspect an adjustment in the crossover points - see speculation below.

The mids and the midrange: (this might get a little technical)

Compared to the Standard, I sense a ‘clean up’ in the region from 500hz to 1.6k. My ears are sensitive to the nastiness that can happen around 1k. When this is troubled, then 500hz-800hz can also sound cloudy almost muddy in my opinion. Vocals start to sound too forward and shouty. Second order harmonics can become a tad overwhelming.

If I were to describe the sonic differences through a tangible example, I would explain it as if I were using a PEQ…I’d visualize that the XO points are tuned differently (from the Standard Deville). The difference could be in the HP of the horn and the LP of the woofer. They either adjusted this by using a shallower slope, for example -6db to -12db at both f(0)’s. Or…they adjusted the f(0)’s to play a lesser range…? Lets say for example, the horn would play 2k-20k on the Standard Devilles with a -6db slope on the HP, now the SQ would be at 3.2K-20k. So essentially you have the drivers playing less of the spectrum but at the same time, finding a better coherent balance between the two drivers. The same adjustment would apply to the woofer - affecting its performance cause it does have to not work as hard, so energy is ‘better’ spent on the lower mids from 63hz to 125hz. When this region plays cleaner, your male voices from 400hz-800hz sound GREAT and realistic! (250hz is tamed, no muddiness here). And then your vocals start to open up and sound more isolated, clear and prominent, hearing more lips smack and the tiny breaths in between. But also with the mids playing less of the spectrum, the bass sounds more articulate, denser and are now floating in space between those speakers, more so than ever before…you get to hear the depth and placement of the instruments playing in this region. Hearing a more profound initial bass attack up to 4K and resonating at 100hz is an eye racing experience!

That said, another speculative point, the woofer now plays more in-tune with the solid wood enclosure which is why its noted to have a certain tonal quality? I can attest to the bass notes really sounding lit up in space and not trapped in a box.

I also think there is a pull or cut at around 1k, cause now you have voices and instruments sounding like they extend further back into the stage adding to that creepy but crazy cool holographic-ness. A vocalist still is up close but there is this depth to how far the illusion appears. One would have to be careful cutting too much in this region with a wide Q or else it’ll sound like a huge hole in the reproduction. The SQs do this really beautifully without sacrificing much…

This step up in speaker seems to be playing at ‘friendlier’ frequencies so now you get this (more) obvious sense of ease as you listen to music. And this is what translates into a (more) calming experience but can easily excite you without the annoying eye blink during powerful and dynamic material. Bring it all together and you’re connecting to the music; this takes me beyond foot tapping…I’m air drumming or playing an invisible guitar/violin/piano, to body swaying with performers whom magically appear in the room with an intimate performance. (Dare I say tearing up, goosebumping and singing/acting along? Hey I listen to musicals! Okay I’ll dial the BS meter down a notch - NOT!)

This isnt something new or magical thats happening here. The DIY crowd, folks have been doing this for ages…the quality of the XO makes that much of a difference…subtle enough but so much there to appreciate! And thats where I could say the SQs has that extra pep in its step, notch up the “je ne sais quoi” touch from the standard ones. There is a YT channel that takes in speakers and upgrades the xo and internal treatments. This is exactly what is happening here (with the exception of the solid wood body)…the DIY crowd has been sourcing top parts since the beginning. Those amp and sound guys have been doing speaker builds for quite some time. Ojas also has some kit speakers that are probably worth opening up and playing with the XO. Hmm don’t give me ideas I just bought the SQs!!

So is there anything you dont want in the SQs? Well, thats tricky, I referenced at the beginning, it lends itself to sounding more hifi. It means, more detail, and it might, just might mean more annoying frequencies that bother some folks. Also, when its hifi sounding, maybe your preferred music/genres (say like symphonic) may not sound so immediate. I’ve played my usual genres (just about everything under the sun) through the SQs and to me, it all sounds gorgeous. I did get a little tickle on the higher frequencies I’ll be honest there….! So ymmv.

There is something to say here about what this company is doing and why they are so proud. They have a focus and are on a mission to share a formula on what it takes to reproduce good sound but also deliver in a non-me-too (whimsical) design. They take pride in the materials they use, are passionate in the manufacturing process, and stand tall in the labor and abilities to making a domestic product. The design….? Well thats very subjective, but I like it…its not even just the design but the overall function of the speaker/stand combination. The lack of it being a 100lb + monster makes it so practical to move them into a session for critical listening, and then just as easily tucked away so the missus won’t have a cow. The price? All subjective and relative right? :). The standard version is still crazy good. If I were to speak more nonsense and in fictitious percentages, I would say the SQs are that last 11%-17.5%, (until you get to the next class performer) depending on how resolving your system might be. I’ll say this, maybe I spent ‘enough’ for me to realize I reached my end speaker…a fool and his money? But this is a damn good one for me.

One thing to note - Synergy. I have to mention my 51R is a wonderful match for the Devilles. It never gets in the way of the music no matter how loud I turn it up. It has a fluid, lit up, see-through-the-window characteristic, along with what was mentioned in another (23R) review…when music elements come at the listener and then recoil back into the stage in a very controlled fashion. This creates such an engaging experience. Keeping my Deville SQs, if my 51R ever takes a dump, I would grab the 23R in a heartbeat.

Current system details:

Deville SQ

Bakoon AMP 51R (can’t stress enough how good these amps are…!! YMMV)

Dual REL Carbon Special (no longer in use…could be on the chopping block!)

Lumin X1

(Nothing too special on cabling at the time of this writing)

Thanks @joeinid !

Definitely something to keep in the back of your mind to grab a quick listen. The Standard has so much of the DNA already, its such a touch, albeit a sweet one in sonic ‘differences’. I say differences because it approaches that ‘P’ word again —  Preference.  I can see, actually, from experience - “know”, where the sonic signature of the standards actually could apply to a very good number of music genres and/or music types and even be preferred.

I’ll continue to share progress reports.….

Have been following the Fleetwood Deville speakers with interest but have not encountered anyone comparing them to the Cube Audio Nenuphar.  Totally different technologies, yes, but many people respond similarly to the two speakers. Anyone have experience comparing the two--or even auditioned both?

@stephendunn 

I may be able to demo the Cube Audio soon.  Maybe not in their own native enclosure but in one that used to house a fostex driver.  Totally different room and gear, and wont be back to back since i have to travel over an ocean to hear it. I’m only ever interested in hearing the Nenuphar/Cube driver is because of the folks who give praise with it paired with a Bakoon.  

Bakoon with Deville SQ = 😍

Given that I really dig my amp…the Nenuphar might be the only other speaker right now that would sway me from my Deville SQ.  Perhaps this would be a great option to swap in and out.  I always liked wide band single drivers - let the cabinets do their job when done correctly.

The story behind a product -- what’s the design idea, who built it and where, etc. -- is part of why many people buy a product. Along with the aesthetics. Fleetwood certainly has a compelling story behind it. It certainly has an aesthetic that some people like.

I’ve heard the speakers on a few occasions, with electronics both familiar and unfamiliar. I’ll just emphasize that these are definitely speakers to listen to, very carefully, before buying. My impressions did not line up at all with what the reviews say.

@metaldetektor very good advice about listening. Dont buy based on hype and carefully understand what your dealer is presenting or where ever you’re auditioning the devilles, or any speaker for that matter. As I mentioned in my impressions in the thread, these speakers give you throw. That said, its so easy to turn up the volume and notice how well and clean they play at high volume at the dealer showroom - surely that’ll bring you a smile but go beyond that and kick the tires more than usual. They are polarizing speakers for every element of our hobby.

@riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook wow, i almost decided on blue too…oh i i just re-read, you got it on the Nenuphar. Thats gotta be neat too…!

That Nenuphar in that wood finish is making me drool.

@m-db i think the speakers that were in the apartment were the OMA Minis, not devilles - which to me, is more of an eye-catcher between the two.