I know this is a polarizing discussion point and was thus
hesitant to share unless I could keep it objective, helpful, and concise
I have no intention to be inflammatory, sway anyone’s current
opinion or beliefs
I merely want to share information in two specific areas, my
results of product performance and my experience with the manufacturer
Background and reference point
I replaced a pair of Revel F36. The F36 is the upper end of Revel’s lowest
tier floorstanding speakers and retails for $2,000 MSRP per pair
Took approx. 45 mins to unbox, level and connect
Like for like drop-in replacement, same location on the
floor as the F36s, the listening position did not change, identical electronics
and cables
We’ve all got our preferences, biases, different levels of
experience, etc; but share the common limitation that we just don’t know what
we don’t know
I’ve not heard a pair of 30K speakers but expect to someday
and envy those that own them
In my VERY limited understanding, it’s near impossible to pinpoint
how any specific system change will behave and perform across the board,
contingent on the variances in electronics, set up and room. These three items alone (electronics, setup
and room) make me think that while similar in nature, but at a critical
listening level, each combination is unique and a different snowflake or
fingerprint
Listening results
Product delivers as advertised
Meets or exceeds every performance expectation I had hoped
for
After approx. 5 hours of listening over 3 days I tried to
characterize the sound. The first
thought was neutral, but that was understating what I was hearing. I eventually landed on natural or real. The voices and the instruments sound VERY
real to me. This is as close as I have come
with my electronics, setup and room to sensing that someone is singing to me or
that someone or an entire band is playing for me
To date, each song that I’ve played, is the best version of
that song that I have heard in a playback, and I’ve listened to all of them
100s and 100s of times
Some of the improvement was by a small margin, but most
songs, 65% conservatively speaking, by a vast margin – night and day, game
changing stuff
Chet Baker didn’t sound like a presentation from 1958, it sounded
as fresh and real as a new recording with the benefits of 60 years of
technology advancements. Exile on Main
Street didn’t sound like a home recording from 1972 it sounded like 2022 with
many layers of percussion, keyboards, horns and background vocals
Is the sound of this $5,000 pair of speakers comparable to
the sound of a $30,000 pair of speakers?
I don’t know, as mentioned I’ve not heard a pair of $30,000 speakers.
What I do know is the $5,000 pair of speakers, simply put is
the best my system has sounded by a wide margin
Again in summary, it sounds real, like someone is singing to
me
Experience with the manufacturer
I had hemmed and hawed for 2 or 3 months before placing my
order. One day the website mentioned a
future price increase but until mmdd you could still order at the current price
I called and spoke with Tammy and told her I wanted to lock
in on the current price point but wasn’t sure what product or configuration I
wanted
She built an open-ended order with current pricing and told
me to contact her when I knew what I wanted
With work travel and other commitments it took me 4 months
to finalize which speaker, Moab, which upgrades, beryllium tweeters and Cardas
connectors, and what color, white
I was never pressured to make up my mind or that my window
for the lower costs was going to expire
Since I was the one dragging my feet, I offered multiple
times to pay for the product
Not once did they hint or take me up on my offer to pay in
advance
They did not bill me until the product shipped
Once I had made all the config decisions, the build and
delivery were again, as advertised
Tammy mentioned a 4–6-week supply chain delay with beryllium,
that arrived within her estimated timeframe
Once the beryllium arrived, she said she was waiting on
cabinets, eta 5-7 days, followed by build and paint, and shipping approx. 10
days after she received the cabinets
Within 2 weeks Tammy emailed my owner’s manual, unpacking
instructions and told me to expect a call from the freight company within the next
week
Freight company contacted me on that Fri and scheduled
delivery for the very next Mon, Aug 30
The boxes arrived scuffed and with multiple impact points
that dented the packing material
There are no blemishes or damage to either speaker cabinet,
the packing and packaging worked as designed
Upon unpacking, I didn’t experience a heavy smell of paint
or wood, if I put my nose to the cabinet, I could smell fresh paint
The cabinet finish or construction does not appear inferior
to anything else in my inventory, KEF, Revel, Klipsch, Paradigm, Polk, and Elac
– permission in advance to laugh
Mozartfan, take some meds man, you've got some serious issues and it's impossible to keep up with your adhd and writing format, good lord.
Picked up a used pair of Tekton DI's today and listening to them now. First time ever hearing them, just had to do it with all the insanity here. I'll write up something in the next day or two, need some time with them but quite impressed so far.
Worked as a hifi designer for 5 years, put together some incredible systems for people over the years. These are very interesting, more to come.
I'll write up something in the next day or two, need some time with them but quite impressed so far.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hey audiogon is well know as the best audio disc board. So free speech reigns. Glad you posted as you did. But as you have shared your honesty, so allow me to share mine, with all due respect. Sorry I ain't buying into your **need a few days...so far so good,,,IMPRESSED...* It only takes me less than 1 hour, IF THAT, to figure a speaker. Let me give you a few tips on how to judge a speaker in less than 1 hour IF THAT. 1st bring your fav test cds. I have about 4 or 5 that i know very well how they sound on my reference speakers. 2nd Block out lowest bass and all highs. You only want to know whats going on in the critical midrange, say 300hz-3khz. Here is where the music exists. A few days,,, quite impressed so far..... Free speech, but sorry I don't buy into snakeoil.
Some of us here do not hate the Tektons. What we want to do is tone down the hype. With all those Woofers, sure you are going to get slam bass Chech winner. All those tweeters, again winner. Its the other mid fq's that we all have doubts about and this is why we throw a ice bucket on the hype.
" Its the other mid fq’s that we all have doubts about and this is why we throw a ice bucket on the hype. "
I haven’t heard any Tekton speaker, likely never will so it’s hard for me to either buy into over the top hype or, overly harsh criticism of the product itself. It would seem that if you have doubts , and I mean you vs "all of us have doubts " the best way to resolve them is to actually have a firsthand listening experience with them and then opine one way or the other. In the meantime all the commentary is purely conjecture. Any plans on your part to seek out a pair to listen to?
Don't need your input in any possible way on how to judge a speaker. I'll take my time.
You forgot one point on how to judge a speaker.
"Judge, judge, judge because of hype and I've never heard the speaker before. Waste everyone's time pontificating on how a speaker must sound because of how it looks"
That's the only one we've seen on a regular basis being followed here on teH GReEEAAATTessst audiophile community EVAR!!!!
"Block out lowest bass and all highs. You only want to know whats going on in the critical midrange, say 300hz-3khz."
Seriously?
Not saying the midrange isn't incredibly important (when judging a pair of speakers), but it isn't everything either...
Yeah…
Well there are people that like 78s in mono through a wideband. However I am not one of them, and I sort of “believe in” the 20-20k Hz range as being valid.
However I am not one of them, and I sort of “believe in” the 20-20k Hz range as being valid.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just listening to Mahvishnu Orchestra Live Central part 1973 Well sure, that legendary recording needs, demands 20hz (Billy Cobham drum sets) through the 20k hz, Jan Hammer's keys. Agree, on some music 20hz-40hz and 12khz-20khz would make fora very nice LIVE presentation soundstage, We agree. But in my Classical music, there ain't much below 60hz and in fact most classical instruments fall in the 60hz-say,,,4khz.
The dual WBers have delivered the Concert with stunning success, all due to the rich, detailed dual WBers.
It is almost like being there in Central park. I'll upload this track maybe later tonight so you can hear it. A tweeter midbass ain't going to deliver what the dual WBers are bringing to the room. You guys just refuse to hear what i am saying, defending tweeters with your life. 20hz? what as in sub woofer. Never in my life would I ever sticka sub in my system. boomboomboom yuck.
Boom boom is better than the rattle rattle of loose driver baskets mozartfan. How can you know the quality of sound in any driver when the enclosure is complete garbage, and the driver isn't even properly affixed to the baffle?
You guys just refuse to hear what i am saying, defending tweeters with your life.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
mozartfan, Wbers, got it.. 2 is better, dual Wbers, ok, Ok OK!!
Tekton, is the subject, they use dome speakers and pro bass drivers. They put them in a box, with the color of your choice. They use plenty of screws to hold their speakers in place. It takes a couple of days to settle the box to the floor. It takes 100 hours or so to loosen up the drivers a bit.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It only takes me less than 1 hour, IF THAT, to figure a speaker.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Your good.
All new speakers are the same..
Even the rabbit and the dog got their head cocked sideways.
A wonderful old saying from Latino community, "Talk, Talk, Talk, say nothing"
Maybe a little shock therapy through the ol, key board will do the trick.. I think I have the code already.
Let me just modify the 100 mA to 100 Amps in line 30 and compile it.. and all you need to do is wait for the upload.. :-)
Make sure the video camera is pointed at your face when you hit the "ENTER" key..
Thanks for the entertainment in advance, let me get some pop corn.
Boom boom is better than the rattle rattle of loose driver baskets mozartfan. How can you know the quality of sound in any driver when the enclosure is complete garbage, and the driver isn't even properly affixed to the baffle?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I've been a cursory ( sloppy, no attention to details, haphazard, lucky-as-i-go, almost ) type fellow all my life. why change now, 1 cabinet is 28.5 inches H the other 30 inches H Gaps all over, Yes all drivers have either 1 or 2 screws only The W6 will get plug into the W8 cabinet, a bit tight ,, but hey as long as there are no R& R drun solos, it should be OK. To compensate for the jam, I;'ll cut another port at top. Double ported cabinet. Why not? Is there any law against double ports?
And remember WBers do not have much bass punch, as they say *WBers are weak in low bass...** blah. If my hunch is right, the lil W6 is going to out-bass the W8. I always thought , bigger the cone, more the bass. Fact is, bigger/type (Neo #1) the magnet MOTOR, the more bass. From my 2 hour+ long study of the pics, seems to me the W6 has only a slightly smaller magnet vs the W8 + listing says *Neo* which I doubt, as it looks same as the W8 magnet, which l looks to be Ferrite. I will try right now to get the truth about each magnet. He takes 3 days to respond to emails. If the bass is overload and the cabinet starts to fall apart, I know gotta build a separate cabinet. Thsi ain't rocket science ya know The W8 would sound just as good in a cardboard box, provided no fq;'s below say 300hz. I can't stand OB, what a waste of musical energy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Not true. Sonus Faber boasts a new Scanspeak Neo Dymium Midwoofer, but has a carbon fiber cone. Love Neo in magnet designs. And only like the sound of a magnesium cone. Carbon Fiber = more deeper bass kick, Magnesium = more dampened upper bass/low mids. Take your pick. Tektons look like some sort of paper treated. I grew up with paper I want to be as far away from paper sound as I can get.
@roxy54 when one realises that all those elements in the lanthanides and actinides rows of the periodic table, come from neutron star mergers… it is pretty impressive stuff.
My tech geek claims a good heavy ferrite = same magnet power as a NeoDymium. That is to say, Neodymium vs ferrite 1 to 1 ratio, can not tell the difference in sound quality. hummm, not so sure, Nd's are much more powerful, a 2x's heavy ferrite = same power as Nd magnet motor. Yet given a choice I'd pay more for a equal power Nd magnet motor. I think a Nd makes for a cleaner ,, tighter more linear, controled, better behaved speaker. And yes I;d be willing to do a blind test. I wouldn't tell him my opinion as he is adamant in this *doctrine* he holds. Nd magnets are very expensive now is why you see so few being used in a design.
@nonoise You're correct this is a confessional psychiatrist couch, this thread became a global chat of sorts from speakers to cars and punctuation grammar, and direct attacks and multi driver discussion, I'm lost already. The OP stated in the 1st line this is polarizing, that was profetic. @charles1dad and @three_easy_payments agreed that Devore was onto something when he turned that corner at the end of the 90s, yes what Ralph have been saying and don't forget Duke LeJeune which also designs impedance friendly high efficient speakers. I personally found out impedance to be more critical to the sound than sensitivity assuming you have plenty of watts to throw at it. Did I miss something? Where's the manufacturer (Eric?), I would be pretty involved.
It inspires incredulity. What's the point of 17 drivers per side, even in a smart-on-paper quasi-D'Appolito array? Won't that result in severe comb filter effects? What about phase-accuracy problems? Also, was the Tekton teamtryingto trigger my trypophobia?
In any case the 98 dB/2.83v specification looks impressive.
Hello Tekton owners/aficionados, I’m getting ready to take the leap into the Ulfberht club and am looking for anyone within a few hours drive from Northern Virginia who would allow me to hear their speakers. I heard the Moabs briefly a few years ago at a show and liked them, but really need to hear the Ulfs or the Moab’s again. I’ve got a pretty decent wine cellar and would love to bring something nice with me to either share or leave for my host. I’d also be happy to have folks come listen to the Dynaudio Consequence Ultimates I have now as a comparison.
OK, the perfect set 15 is $2190 a pair that is included shipping in the US. I know, I know, those HF/Mid Audax drivers are only $35 a pop but add up 14 of them is whopping $490 that is at least 20% of the speakers’ asking price. I Google around the web, people seem to endorse the cheap Audax’s sound quality, for $35, what else can you get really, that is proven, has good heritage, and is not made in China (OK that was a joke)? I think Eric does his design and research work very carefully.
The pricing of Tekton is very generous. By contrast, look at those greedy big distributors, name one: Tone Imports, they mark up minimal 200% to US consumers on the stuffs they represent. Line Magnetic for example, they sell for less than half the price in the domestic market, and because of the trade agreement, the factory refuses to sell 110V version outside of their distribution chains, is it smart of the manufacture? I don’t think so as they don’t pocket the markup profits.
Maybe Eric should hire a good carpenter to make the speaker cabinets pretty, and looks like 10K, some of you may think they sound good by the look alone in the first place.
People do all that trash talk without hearing the brand or did not know how to use them (similar to hand tools, how many of you know adjustable wrench and saw are one way tools?) People should keep an open mind and give some respect to others’ work and efforts.
I have no opinion to share or offer on Tekton. They fill a need and many who have them are happy. That's terrific. Your comments about Tone Imports, however, are unfortunate.
They have brought to our shores a great many products which have moved the hifi hobby forward. They don't just "carry" a product, they set up a proper presence, with a factory warranty service center, they spend resources to stand by the product for the long haul and not just for a quick opportunity to move a few boxes and then move on to the next box manufacturer. You mention Line Magnetic and you also mention that "they won't sell to you directly". The Line Magnetic gear that reaches the USA has gone through a double vetting process for quality control. That's the reason Shindo, Leben, Line Magnetic etc have such an exemplary reputation in the US, because Tone Imports backs and nurtures the product and the ownership experience.
IF you had been able to purchase a Line Magnetic device direct from the manufacturer and IF you experienced a problem...you seem like just the kind of guy who would reach out to Tone Imports to seek service or a resolution to your problem. Even though I would let you figure it out on your own if I were Tone Imports, they would still likely try to assist you...even though you didn't pay for the privilege.
I have no affiliations in the industry other than being a happy customer of some of the many products imported by Tone Imports.
I have Line Magnetic gear purchased through a dealer and backed by Tone Imports. After more than a few years the transformer failed and my dealer and Tone Imports took care of it. That’s a big bonus buying form a reputable authorized dealer. But I also have Tekton speakers bought from Tekton and I like them very much. Not sure what seamaster300m is talking about with regard to Tone Imports.
I guess I agree with him about Tekton but agree with ghasley about Tone Imports.
I would also like to mention this. I had a bad experience with an unnamed audio company many years back. The owner was really arrogant and I dislike him because he lied about the quality of his components. Many years later he came clean about the bad parts and supposedly is making quality gear now. The point is this, just as consumers get smarter, manufacturers also get smarter and can build better gear. My two cents. I took a bath once and lost some cash. but I think he did as well with the complaints and started making better audio components.
The price they charge, the service they provide, and the products you get do not match. You just answered your own question, the equipment they import went through extra QA QC, really? Are you sure? Or just the sales person said so? Did you go to their factory and check? Even under the contract the manufacture suppose to do extra quality screening on products that ship to Tone Import; but unfortunately they don’t, how do I know this? My friend is a (oversea) Melody and Tannoy dealer, and he almost became a LM dealer. How many time do you see a properly designed and manufactured tube amp have transformer brunt down? Come on, I have two pair of McIntosh MC30 and a Scott 222D, they work just fine. When I bought my preamp from Kara of DeHavilland, I let amp ran continually for 395 hours without any problem. The LM amps sell for half of the price in China, and the factory and network STILL provide repair services!!! When I said those greedy importers, I really mean it!!!
Please read how Grant Fidelity Canada and Psvane divorced, it is a similar story, an industry wide decease. Psvane makes great sounding tubes, I have their KT88 TII, and WE845 that bought from GF. I can't speak for the KT88 because I sold them after I sold my McIntosh MC75 anniversary, abut 200 hours on them. I only used my WE845 matched pair for about 300 hours and one was dead. I had to buy another single tube from GF for around $500, sorry I don't remember the exact price. That one tube show up, marked 90% value of the "strong export" tube I had. It is not I can hear the unmatched tubes because the amp I have has auto bias, it bothers me that a $400~500 tube only last for 300 hours or less.
I’ve had a Line Magnetic 518IA since 2015 , zero issues and sounds really good. Purchased it via Tone Imports dealer GoldprintAudio. Both were great to interact with.
No idea if the 1/2 price vendors that you refer to in China are authorized dealers , but if you google LM it’s website for Europe comes up and it specifically states that warranty is only covered on purchases from authorized dealers in Europe, and it also states not to buy counterfeit LM amps as the parts aren’t the same. I maybe wrong, but I’d guess that the same holds true for the USA market. Link below refers to what I just stated
The Line Magnetic that Tone imports, in most cases, are specc’d with different transformers. Your Melody/Tannoy dealer friend, unless he was dealing with Tone (which he admittedly isn’t) wouldn’t have any idea what Tone requires of Line Magnetic for the pieces they import. It is irresponsible of you to disparage the value added by responsible importers bring to the table. You also ignore the true cost of importing, shipping container prices, proper tariff payments, living wages paid, appropriate taxes, etc.
Your PSVane/Grant Fidelity example is unrelated to Tone and has no bearing on Line Magnetic. Those who have purchased properly imported Line Magnetic gear report high reliability and in the rare occasion where there is a problem, they report exceptional service from Tone Imports. The PSVane/Grant split was triggered around the same time that a number of PSVane’s key team left to form a new entity (Linlai IIRC). QC fell off considerably. Additionally the principal of Grant I believe faced considerable health issues leading to his unfortunate passing. PSVane tubes are nothing special, they have proven unreliable and yes, they appear to be overpriced as well. What was your point? The qc reject rates experienced by reputable dealers is astronomical.
Its cool if you don’t want to buy a product to which a responsible importer has added value and invested considerable sums to support. It is clear, however, that the buying public believes there is something to the business model because the resale value of LM Audio gear imported by Tone is consistently higher than rest of the world. You are not speaking from a position of knowledge, you are speculating and guessing, overlaying your opinion and presenting it as fact which is unfair and disingenuous.
LM do have authorized dealers in each major cities in China, mostly are local HI Fi shops of different sizes, the factory covers the most major repairs but the shipping price in domestic China cost really low. I understand the warranty cost money, should it be covered by better QA QC instead pass down to consumers? What about the brands that are known for excellent quality and reliability, does it mean they pass the savings to consumers like you and me? Let’s not to point fingers at LM only, how about Accuphase? How much do they charge?
"The Line Magnetic that Tone imports, in most cases, are specc’d with different transformers. "
Really? China is a world factory, LM never though about voltage differences when they design amps and source parts......
"It is irresponsible of you to disparage the value added by responsible importers bring to the table. You also ignore the true cost of importing, shipping container prices, proper tariff payments, living wages paid, appropriate taxes, etc."
Were you ever in trading business and know the cost break down when you deal with this type high value goods?
"PSVane tubes are nothing special, they have proven unreliable and yes, they appear to be overpriced as well. What was your point? The qc reject rates experienced by reputable dealers is astronomical."
You misunderstood my point, yes, the QC reject rate is very high and it was very hard for GF to enforce the QC on the ground in the first line.
"Tone is consistently higher than rest of the world"
I already stated "high price" it is like an industry wide decease. How many domestic small brands/shops offer great products at great prices when they sale direct? Look at small brand like deHavilland, Kara just run the shop by herself. She priced the UV3 with remote for $2495 in 2004 when Enjoy the Music reviewed it with a Blue Note Award, and I bought mine from her for $2500 in 2014, a whopping $5 price hack in 10 years!!! The best part? I have used the preamp almost daily have not yet need warranty repair.
"You are not speaking from a position of knowledge, you are speculating and guessing, overlaying your opinion and presenting it as fact which is unfair and disingenuous."
Are you speaking from a position of an insider or just assume and believe what they tell you with a good heart?
I am a working class in the USA, it is very hard for me to throw my money around just because......
seamaster300m - Feel free to buy from whichever vendor you choose from in China or anywhere else no one is stopping you. US distributor/dealer system doesn't work for you, no problem you're entitled to spend your money as you see fit. Likewise, there are those of us that prefer purchasing through them knowing full well that there are costs associated with doing so.
I’ve own Tekton maybe four years now, ps 12 and the impact monitors, Iam very happy with this Speakers, Couple a weeks ago Jeffrey sold me Nordost TYr 1 Speakers cable, and connect them to my impact monitors Tekton, using art audio concierto tube amp, to my surprise the impact monitors performs beyond what I expected , what I think they are capable of ,vocal , transient , layering and bass to die for.
My take if you don’t like the Tekton buy the speakers you like. Don’t waste your time hating the company, it does not help others who are interested to buy them. My o2 cents.
Really? China is a world factory, LM never though about voltage differences when they design amps and source parts......
Right. Some manufacturers sepc their gear to be good enough, some responsible professional audio importers know from experience that upsizing transformers and other parts enhancements increases performance while enhancing reliability.
Were you ever in trading business and know the cost break down when you deal with this type high value goods?
I am well aware that the cost of a container increased by ten fold to ~$25,000 each and more over the past 2.5 years. Its easing somewhat but it remains historically high.
Look at small brand like deHavilland, Kara just run the shop by herself. She priced the UV3 with remote for $2495 in 2004 when Enjoy the Music reviewed it with a Blue Note Award, and I bought mine from her for $2500 in 2014, a whopping $5 price hack in 10 years!!!
That’s terrific but I don’t consider a one person operation a sustainable business model, especially if they don’t have pricing power. I don’t know anything about the brand you mention nor the specific product but this example actually proves my point. Sometimes a product is so simple that anyone can follow a schematic and repair/recap it or DIY. Me? I prefer to purchase from a going concern.
Are you speaking from a position of an insider or just assume and believe what they tell you with a good heart?
I’m not an insider, I just understand business, commerce and value added representation.
I am a working class in the USA, it is very hard for me to throw my money around just because......
If you don’t see the value in a product don’t buy it. When you say “working class”, if that means working for a living then most on Audiogon meet that criteria. Broadly speaking, what type of work do you do? The reason I ask is many, whether they realize it or not, are engaged in a value added profession. There are tariffs on imported goods to varying degrees unless the buyer/seller are willing to circumvent those. I won’t do business with those who do business with that as part of their “pricing advantage”.
I am a retired Army mechanic (91X), and currently running a small trading company, thanks.
"That’s terrific but I don’t consider a one person operation a sustainable business model, especially if they don’t have pricing power. I don’t know anything about the brand you mention nor the specific product but this example actually proves my point. Sometimes a product is so simple that anyone can follow a schematic and repair/recap it or DIY. Me? I prefer to purchase from a going concern."
This went full circle back to Tekton, each person have right to express his/her own opinions. I am tired to argue, convince, or explain here, if you think you are right, that is perfectly fine. BUT certain consumer behaviors are the driving force of this greedy Hi Fi industry, that is my last word on this topic. Have a nice weekend guys!
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