Review of Tekton Pendragon-Se Loudspeaker


Hello to all I finally have over 150 hours logged on these new Tekton Pendragon-SE about the 120 hr mark with low SPL we decided to open up the volume These -SEs are now starting to open up.
I listened for detecting the crossover points hearing port noise, as we'll aberrations in the voicing-None
Sonicly these loudspeakers are a Revelation - Exceptionally well deigned and voiced. Eric hit this one out of the park my compliments. My brother and 2 friends who are casual listeners were totally draw in .
From Oldies Xmas soungs to Many rock and roll cuts all flac files on my HD. I also need to mention
The speakers are a Fantastic combination of real Earthy natural presentation
Warm in a Very natural perspective .listening to Ottmar Liebert on guitar you can here the reverb from the body if the guitar and feel the fingers sliding off the guitar strings. My brother mentioned listening to ELP
Lucky man album take pebble which was in a cave the drops of water you can clearly hear, with the echo
From the splash as the drop hits the water is better then we have heard Ever.and the drivers still have several days more to runin, the capacitors still have a solid week to fully runin.
A match made in Heaven. How could I not help to promote thesewith this much coherent in music and dynamics , Excellent front to back layering and a Huge cavernous soundstage .what started as a 6 song audition turned into a 4 hour music request.
I will say without reservation my brothers Big Pass Labs amplifier was an incredible match with
The Pendragon -SE ,one More thing the Bass at 120 hours is taught fast and and as tight as a new pair of jeans ! I have had many loudspeakers much more expensive .I can say without reservation the musicality and cohesiveness
Have no competition even at 2 times he money's. take a Maggie 3.7 give it more dynamics, and solid Bass
And it Would be close. The Tekton Pendragon SE is a rare breed and from mine and several observers
An exceptional value even against loudspeakers costing more the double there're price..
Tektons owner and designer Eric Alexander has hit this Pendragon -SE out of the park HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !! P.s if any one is in or coming to the Massachustts area message me for a listen.
128x128audioman58
Hi Shakey,

Thanks for the info. $350!!! That is very reasonable. The Pendragon SE is at the top of my 'lust' list:)
I think the three tweeter array is great. The speakers sound nothing like they look.

And Dalecrommie, you can get the automotive finish from Tekton for 350.00.

Shakey
On other forums, audiocircle, posters have called into question the 3 tweeter array. Scot Hull, PTA, posted after all of this sort of talk and said he thought that Mr. Alexandar was onto something. I read Scot's 'stuff' and I find him to be a very 'knowledgeable' audiophile, who may suffer from audionervosa like the rest of us, but he does separate the wheat from the chaff.
Audioman, thanks for the review. I have mentioned that I just purchased a pair of Zu Essence, which I am enjoying very much. I have been waiting for reviews to start coming in on the Pendragon SE.

I do not recall from the other threads if you have heard any Zu Audio speakers, but they do a very nice job of putting the 'artist in the room'. If you have heard the Zu 'sound', how far back from the Zu presentation would you say the Pen SE are?

I also love that I could get any automotive color for only $600.

I am very intrigued by the Pendragon SE to say the least.
Check out this review. He tried a 3.5 watt amp and liked it.

http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2012/01/25/part-ii-digging-in-to-the-tekton-pendragon/
Any idea how the Pendragons would fare with a 3.5 watts? I've been intrigued by them for a while but I was thinking of using a 2A3 amp. Nominally, their 98 db efficiency should work. But they might present a "hard" 98 db, with wide impedance swings and a challenging cross-over that would disagree with such low power. I don't see a minimum power recommendation on the Tekton website. I'm guessing, since you guys are using relatively big power, that a 2A3 amp wouldn't be enough to hear them at their best. Thoughts?
Yes Shake you are right the Extra power is just a reserve for dynamics , and your speakers are even more amp freindly
and a dynamic crecendo can be 10 x the average power for that instant.too bad the Plinius 301 is so much $$.
Hey madbe somewill will put it Under the tree for Xmas ?
Not very likely !
I am using a VTL ST-150 paired with a Sonic Euphoria PLC. I know the speakers will work with far less power, but there is something about that effortless sound with big power. I agree about the Plinius, I bet that would rock the house. I had an SA-102 a few years ago and it is an outstanding SS amp.

Shakey
I have a Parasound A-21 Halo amplifier,which is very respectable sounding
My brother brought his Pass labs 350.5 over and it is just so much better
The speakers are very balanced even a power cord change was clearly apparent, and with digital the Bryston bdp player to the Nad-M-51 dac
presents what was recorded running Hirez down loads or flac files
The warmer presentation of the Pass gives it a you are there presentation
Not in your face but like in a club and you are sitting near the performance.
I am looking to buy either the Pass labs or Plinius 301 amplifier which is a
Great amplifier.the speakers are in noway outclassed by these great amplifiers it just allows the loudspeakers to portray better what is on the recordings. The extra refinement that the Pendragon -SE gives just
Makes everything more refined downstream especially in inner detail
And resolution.the regular Pendragons will play louder.if I am hitting peaks
Approaching 100 db with no strain short term get. SPL meter that is LOUD,you truly will do deaf
With consistent output levels over 90 db this is something all
audiophiles should consider p.s the speakers will continue to refine for
Another week or so .
Well I would say "apples to oranges", but that wouldn't be quite correct. However, they do differ in their presentation.

The C3s are more of a conventional "hi-fi" sounding speaker. Very refined, coherent and just all around good.

The Pendragons are more vivid, dynamic and just as coherent. Their midrange has more texture and detail. Microdynamics are slightly better in the C3, but the macrodynamics are greatly improved upon in the Pendragons.

Bottom line is the C3s are gone. And as much as I enjoyed them during their stay, I ain't missing them.

Shakey
Shakey, can you compare these to your much more expensive Green Mountain speakers? Do the Dragons do anything better? And where to the C3's out perform the Dragons? Just curious to hear your comparisons.
Keep playing your Pendragons they will get even better over the next 200 hours, Eric is not sitting idle the worlds best Duelund resistors,
And Jupiters new Flat stack capacitors,as well as the Mundorf Silver oil
Are being tested for possible future implementation. Tektons performance
Price ratio is on another level.i owned the Zu Druids and they are not even
In the same playing field with these new Pendragon -SE, or any Pendragon
For that matter. My offer for anyone to come over for a listens stands to anyone within driving distance of Massachusetts.less than 30 minutes to the Ct. Boarder 3 hrs from NY city ,just drop me an email ,PJ.
Thanks for the review. I can say that my standard Pendragons are excellent and I couldn't be happier with the purchase.

Shakey