I had the good fortune to be good friends with Don Barringer who worked with Siegfried Linkwitz on the Linkwitz "Orion" speaker design. Don and I were both professional musicians. Don worked for a number of years as the recording engineer for the U.S. Marine Band in Washington, D.C. Don was constantly experimenting with all things audio and even when Siegfried decided that the Orions had reached peak development, Don continued to tweak and improve them for another 20 years ! A great deal of his concentration went into modifications of the X-Over network and I spent many sessions with him as he brought my X-Over "up to snuff" ! I mention all this to establish his credentials as both a performer and an engineer.
One of the most amazing changes to his reference system was when he decided that the Orions needed a rear-facing tweeter. To my recollection, Siegfried agreed with the change and resultant improvement. It was really then that the Orions truly required that they be spaced well away from the back wall. The incredible imaging that these speakers provide should satisfy anyone to whom this facet of performance is important. I've always thought that the bass of the Orions was tuneful and accurate as well as plentiful. The Orions incorporate four 12" woofers facing front and rear.
With the advent of amplified musical instruments [of all kinds], bass has become something that it is NOT in the natural world. Most bass instruments do not play very loud and do not produce ripples in your Martini glass ! Tympani, bass drum and organ are exceptions and can be very powerful in their "natural" state. The common belief that a low thud is authentic bass instrument information is incorrect. Of course, the over-amplified electric bass has become ubiquitous but would be useless without the help of a hefty amplifier. Should we call it man-made bass ? In any case, evaluating loudspeakers using recordings of other than natural instruments is very misleading. I enjoy punchy, artificial bass and screaming highs as much as anyone but have never heard the equivalent in the world of natural sound. Open baffle speakers are great if you have a room in which they can do their best. Highly recommended !
