Stereophile review of the $30,000 tekton speakers


We have had many discussions/arguments over tekton speakers in the past, mainly involving a couple posters who thought their $4000 tektons sounded better than the highest price Wilson’s and other high budget speakers.

In the latest Stereophile magazine, they did a review of the $30,000 tekton’s. In this Steteophile issue, they rate these $30,000 tekton’s as class B. When you look at the other speakers that are in the class B section, you will notice most of these speakers range in price from $5000-$8000. So it looks like you have to spend $30,000 on a pair of tekton’s to equal a pair of $5000 Klipsch Forte IV’s sound quality. 
If I compare these $30,000 class B tekton’s, to some of the class A speakers, there are some class A speakers for 1/2 the price (Dutch & Dutch 8C, Goldenear triton reference), or other class A speakers that are cheaper (Magico A5, Kef blade 2).

 

 

p05129

Showing 2 responses by larryi

So, you heard the speakers and agree with Stereophile? I've only heard the Moab and the Double Impacts and thought they were pretty good for the money.  They may be outside their wheelhouse making a much more expensive speaker, but, I don't know because I haven't heard it.

There are plenty of stinker components, by my taste, that get favorable review from Stereophile, and it is really hard to see any kind of consistency--a wide range of sounds get good reviews.  In one sense that is good because they are not catering to one kind of sound, but, in another sense it is not so good because one cannot predict if they will like something based on a review.  It still comes down t hearing for oneself, and PLEASE, don't consider watching youtube videos as "hearing for onself."

audioman58,

I heard those giant ESP speakers back around 2000-01, and I liked them a lot.  But, I knew it would be hard for them to succeed.  The sound was beautifully balanced and natural, but it lacked the kind of WOW factor that is often needed to grab some listeners attention.  It is very unfortunate that really good products cannot thrive just by being really good products--one has to please important reviewers, it has to have the right look, it has to be cleverly marketed, etc.

Crossovers, because they are hidden and utilize very old technology, don't have the appeal of fancy drivers where one can tout beryllium or other exotic materials, and all kinds of technological improvement.  Capacitors, inductors and resistors, very boring stuff.