“Invest” in Tekton?


I’ve been a member of Audiogon for a while but haven’t really had the need to utilize the forums until now... I’ve perused the forums pretty extensively the past couple of days but haven’t really found my specific question.... First some background: I’ve had my current system for quite some time (PSB image: 5t, 9c, 2b, subsonic 6; Denon AVR3311 as preamp; and a NAD T955 amp) and have been pretty happy with it... yes, I tend to hold on to my stuff for a while.... I recently decided to explore the option of upgrading/updating my speakers and was pretty interested in some midlevel stuff (SVS Prime, Emotiva, PSB X2T, Paradigm 8, 9, or 10 something…) but ultimately decided the $2000-$3000 price tag wasn’t worth the investment as they were all roughly in the same league as my PSBs... Somehow, I stumbled upon the review of the Tekton double impacts... don’t even know how I found it but there I was... I kinda chuckled to myself when the reviewer started comparing them to $20,000 speakers and then started calling them better at some things... I was a little pessimistic about the review because in my aforementioned research every speaker was the greatest thing since sliced bread.. (To be honest, in my eyes, the professional reviewers lost some credibility because every speaker was just great, couldn’t find a bad review no matter how hard I tried...) Anyhow, the comparison to speakers 7-10x in price piqued my curiosity so I started snooping around for any Tekton reviews I could find and lo and behold, everyone loves them and the comparisons to speakers multiple times their price were plentiful. Ok, so the Tektons are good and now I’m more interested than I should be…

So here’s the rub… I’ve never even considered spending $5000-$6000 on a speaker system (5.0-5.1). Never in my wildest dreams… I’ve always had a theoretical limit of $3k and never gave anything above that a thought. Along comes Tekton with speakers that are in the 5-6k price range (5.0-5.1) but are being compared to speakers $20,000+ and the fact people are putting them in the same league as speakers in that price range, and saying they are better in some instances, is intriguing…

So here’s where I am asking for some assistance. It seems the Tekton lineup is a unique opportunity to acquire reportedly superior sonic performance with apparently unparalleled value. However, $5-6k is a TON of money in my world.. It won’t break the bank but admittedly, it bends it pretty significantly and spending this kind of money on speakers definitely wasn’t a consideration even a week ago… Personally, I am seeing this as a once in a lifetime purchase (am 43 and would expect these to be the last major speaker purchase of my life) but I do need to justify to my betrothed. My original sales pitch to her included the analogy “it seems they are selling Lamborghinis for the price of a Mustang…” and “I really don’t think there will be another opportunity like this” (when did I start selling timeshares???!!!) There are other barriers with her as well (e.g., “They’re how big?!”) but she does have somewhat of an understanding of how much I like music and stereo stuff.. somewhat…

So my actual questions:

  1. To those that have actually heard the speakers, (transducers?)… do you really feel they are leaps and bounds better than typical speakers in the 3-6k range (generally speaking…)? For comparison, I liked the SVS Ultras but due to price and size (yeah, I know how big the Tektons are..) I put them in the “maybe someday” category. To be clear, I’m not asking is “x better than y?” but rather “Do these $3000 speakers really belong in the same class as $20,000 speakers????

  2. In your humble opinions, is this really a rare/unique opportunity with unparalleled value that is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” or are situations like this (incredible value for the money) more common?

  3. I can’t even claim to have a basic understanding of electronics, I’ve read up on ohms and what not and my eyes glaze over.. I spoke with Eric and he, without hesitation, stated my NAD T955 would be plenty sufficient to run whatever options I went with. Thoughts? I intend on using the NAD until it dies (hopefully no time soon) and will deal with next steps when the time is right…

  4. I am super nervous about ordering something so expensive unheard, If anyone is interested, I would like to have a discussion relating to my type of music and listening environment/levels.. (not including in this post to keep size down..)

  5. Any other relavant information I haven't considered, particularly in the area of justifying a purchase such as this?

There are probably 100 other little tidbits I could include in this but I am trying to be as brief as possible and I still wrote a novel… Anyhow, any productive assistance would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

la10slgr

Showing 12 responses by kdude66

Hello All,
Now I completely agree that you always need the best upstream components that fit your budget and system synergy also always comes into play as well.I was looking to upgrade from my Zu Def's and I also had a pair of Janzen hybrid Valentina's that I recently sold.
About a month ago me and my wife took a trip too visit a magico dealer and demoed a pair of the Q5's that were a demo pair but at the top of my budget.After a 1 hr or so listening session my wife asked me what I thought about them and I told her I liked them but I think I will think about it.

Then I started reading all the reviews about the Di's and thought I will buy a pair and see.This is my first day with them and only a few hrs on them.But I can already tell these are keepers and these are the best sounding speakers I have ever owned in my 30 yrs in this hobby.

I will write up a full review in about a week or so on the other thread.
If you have any specific questions about them feel free to ask.

I'm usually not impressed with most gear especially speakers but these Di's are truly special all hype aside.

Kenny.
The di's are a speaker that could be put into any modest system and still sound fantastic.They have good enough bass that I don't have my subs even on.
I moved back too 2 channel from full blown home theater about 9 yrs ago,we don't miss it a bit.

This a speaker that a person could easily build any kind of system around, It's that good.This is the first and only tekton speaker that I have heard,some of the smaller ones do look interesting though.

I use a pair of bel canto ref600m amps with a bel canto pre3,with a ps audio direct stream dac and a Wilson Bensch circle turntable with a zyx cartridge.But if I still had only My Simaudio Intergrated I'm sure I would still be happy.I owned and used the sim for 18yrs and just recently sold it.I have a smaller 2nd system where my older gear usually ends up.

Ive been blessed with lots of very good gear over the years and wish the Di's would have around 25 yrs ago.

It's all about the music for me,and I hope I helped you make your important decision.

Kenny.
I don't think that I would call the DI's a 20 to 25 k speaker beater in general.

But me and my wife did take a small trip to a out of state dealer to listen too a pair of magico Q5's that were a demo pair.We listened too them for about 1 hr or so and we brought with us 6 records that they let us use.They do have a excellent build quality,but I decided to think about them and look at other speakers.Then I started reading about the DI's and thought,sure a lot of hype about these but I would like a pair anyhow.Even though I have only had them for 2 days I truly love them better than any speaker I have ever owned in the 30 yrs that I have been in this hobby.My first big speakers were a set of Khorns with mac amps.

With all that said I guess,in my situation they did beat 24k speakers,even though I would have payed cash on the spot for the magico's,I strongly felt that the overall Sonics were only 3 to 5% better than anything I've owned or heard.You have to ask serself is it worth it.I'm just a working guy too and the diff. in money is going to be better used going into my retirement account.

The playback of music is and always will be highly subjective.

I have taken many chances in gear purchases over the years,mostly for the good and I really don't stress about it.I took loses recently on a pass xa30.8 and a first watt j2.Even though these are really good they did'nt better my ref600m.It's just part of the chances in life that we take sometimes.If I don't buy and try I might not have the opportunity to ever try diff. gear and then I would always wander.We have no dealers in my state they are average home theater.

In the meantime I'm going too enjoy my new Di's,They are simply that good.

Kenny.




Granny,

I understand your position,but if you know your not going to buy them for various reasons why even bother too participate in a thread that you have no real interest in.

I know you have had lots of gear over the yrs,I see your adds all the time.I've enjoyed several of your insights for yrs but not this one.

Just my opinion,

Kenny.
Granny,

I can respect that,I know a little about your current system and previous gear.If you are interested in my thoughts if I think the DI's would be a good fit for you,I would need to know more.

1.Music presentation preferences.
2. Music choices.
3. Room size.

I haven't heard the cresendo speaker but I think I have a pretty good grasp on how they might sound.

I think we may desire some of the same things.

Even though I got a upgraded pair of di's I think they will be even better with wire and cap changes similar to what both of us have experienced with other speakers.

I don't know if you or others are aware but Eric is coming out with the SE version of the DI's that will be dealer only.

Wish you all the best,
Kenny.
Granny,
I see that we prefer mostly the same,including music.

I truly believe that you would find the DI's to your liking and meeting all of your preferences.

Even out of the box,the DI's were at ease,nothing forced in your face,and they just disappear.I only have 25 hrs on mine and hav'nt played every type of music I generally listen to.I still need to experiment a little with placement in my room but I think I'm pretty close.I envy you with your big room,it's the size of our old house.We moved 3 yrs ago to smaller and room is 20x25 which opens to the kitchen.

I think you may be familiar with Eva Cassidy's music,The di's really bring out a sense of delicacy and more emotion in her strong voice,then any other speaker that I have owned.

The di's have great low level resolution meaning early risers,and hold up at higher levels.I hav'nt pushed mine extremely hard or had a chance to listen to a full orchestra recording at high level.
I have a very good feeling that they will hold up just fine.

You mentioned that you thought they might be bombastic in the bass and be possibly overpowering.I found the bass to be just right for me in all aspects and haven't had the need to fire up my subs at all, but some may want more.

We would probably differ in component matching but that is a whole diff. story.If you lived closed to me I would have you over to listen but I know we don't.

Basically I think I will be happy with the DI's for quite awhile,I would'nt consider any speaker a forever speaker for me.

Just my 2 cents,I hope it helps your decision,
Kenny.
Phaun,
I've only seen one dealer for the SE and he posts regularly on this site.Without reading through a bunch of pages,I can't recall his name.I should have saved it for future reference.

I have always got Eric by phone or email but this was before the axpona show last weekend.I would imagine he is very busy.

You may want too start a diff. thread for your SE question.
Kenny.
Jetter,

I know that,I was just messing with you.
Thank's for clarification though.

Kenny.
One speaker was put on the meter and graphed out, forgetting which model and it basically performed average at best.The posters even went further stating the reason we as consumers havent seen anything on the Double Impact is it would most likely fall on its face.

Can you provide any links to this website.

I personally have measured my pair of DI's in my own listening room and was quite pleased with the results proved to me the why's and how's of the sound I'm hearing.

You can label me a "Fanboy" if you desire but they are the best measuring and best sounding speaker that I have owned in my 35yrs in this hobby.

Kenny.
Bill,

I wasn't doubting anybody's credibility I have googled around the web and couldn't find any measurements on any of Tekton speakers and I'm just primarily curious which model is being talked about.

As you probably know the DI's is the only Tekton speaker that I have heard and unfortunately there is a lot of hype involved but I can easily look past that.

I really only care about great sound that gets me closer to the music I love and my current setup gives me the best sound I've ever had.😃

Kenny.