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Is the Accuton driver that good?

It seems a lot of new speakers are using the Accuton or similar ceramic drivers (and I notice the diamond variant for tweeters). I've heard them (mainly in Kharmas), but not others. Evolution, Salk, Avalon, and like I said Kharma use them.
Do they have any particular coloration or quality that is making them gain popularity? In the Kharmas, it was pace and timing and a natural sound without overhang, but it was different than regular (non-metallic) cones & domes, which, fwiw, are less detailed but maybe more relaxing.
It's like for me with the Kharmas "this sounds great and real and not bright or hard either" but somehow it is not as relaxing as the Aerials or Von Schweikerts or Quad dynamics(or even Apogees) I have lived with). I can't put my finger on it.

I'm not sure if it was just the Kharmas or the ceramics in general, but I wanted to raise the question.
rgs92

Showing 7 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Hi Montejay,
I `d love to directly compare an Accuton driver speaker and a PHY-HP 12" driver(considered supremely natural and organic with paper cone) with your Frankenstein amp. That would very interesting.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Devilboy.
The Coincident Pure Reference/Extreme use this driver and work very well with low powered SET amplifiers.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Fiddler, not doubting your happiness with your current speakers, but if you have`nt tried the PHY-HP drivers yet how can you reach a conclusion? Do you have the 8' or 12' PHY drivers?

If your ceramics are indeed more natural than a well implemented PHY setup, that`s quite impressive.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Shadorne,
I don`t think you read Allchemie`s post carefully. He stipulated a"good" driver(not any driver) and he`s right, a good speaker is the result of the total package, cabinet,crossover design, wire etc. A talented designer given the same parts will produce a better speaker than the less talented designer. Driver choice is important but surely is`nt the whole story by any means.

there are quite varied results with Accuton drivers depending on which designer is doing the speaker building.

Best Regards,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
JohnK,
I`ve been very interested in a speaker than uses the PHY-HP 12", do you agree with Fiddler`s opinion that the Accuton is the superior driver(more honest and neutral). My highest priority is natural tone and timbre of acoustic instruments.I`d appreciate your perspective as a speaker builder.
Best Regards,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Johnk and Psag,
Thanks for your personal impressions, In theory I`m drawn to simple(but well executed audio components). I love SET and other high quality low power amps(purity and natural sound). The PHY-HP with a super tweeter and minimal crossover really appeals to me. However my current Coincident speakers may ultimately be the better choice. Despite their multi driver design they``re very easy to drive and sound brilliant with my SET 300b amplifier, Although a slightly more complex speaker than a PHY based two way, it may be the better overall solution(less compromised? they play "all" music genre well) At this point I don`t want to return to larger and high power amps(been there and done that). The well built-low power pathway seems to master natural musicality and realism(generalizing I admit).)
Thanks Very Much,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
JohnK,
What wideband/fullrange drivers do you find equal to or better than PHY?
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