Wow! It's incredible how so many audiophiles know there can't possibly be any innovation or improvement without ever even hearing the system. I'm so impressed!
Tekton Design - New IRL Technology - Lifelike, Real, Immersive
Consider the last time you were in an airport, or walking down a busy street, and heard the sound of a real live instrument. Did you know the instrument was real before you saw it? If you are like me, you may have had many experiences walking in a crowded and noisy environment, but were still able to pick out the sound of a violin, or guitar, recognizing immediately that it was a real instrument. Now for a moment of honesty – how many times have you confused your stereo for the sound of a real instrument?
A couple of weeks ago I was invited by Tekton Design’s Eric Alexander to listen to his new patented recording and playback system, that he has dubbed “IRL” (In Real Life). Eric was excited and described an audio technology that seemed a little too good to be true. I tend to be a skeptic, and the more excited someone is about an idea, the more skeptical I become. That said, I obliged and visited Eric’s shop, and was completely blown away by what I heard.
IRL is a technology that could be the end of two-channel audio as we know it. In short, IRL produced the most lifelike, real, and immersive hifi experience I have ever had. Period. The music coming from an IRL playback system just sounds real. Eric played a demo reel of various sounds, like birds chirping, a train passing, and F-35 jets taking off from Hill Airforce Base. The sounds were absolutely lifelike, and sounded like they were coming from every angle! In the portion of the reel where birds were chirping, there is a Cessna flying overhead, and I looked up above me to see the Cessna. The F-35’s sound just like they are going overhead then into the distance, and the passing train sounded as if a locomotive was actually passing through the room! Incredible.
Music was even more impressive. Audiophiles always like to talk about separation between instruments, timbre, and imaging. IRL destroyed every concept I have about what “stereo imaging” could be. Musical instruments sound real, as if the player is really in the room. I know the hyperbole of many reviewers often claim that stereos can image like the musician is in the room, but this was next level. Close mike’d Piano’s sounded like they were right in front of me, and the timbre of different pianos was immediately distinguishable. Eric also recorded a jazz session with artists including Billy Drummond and John Hébert, and the experience was as close as I have heard to hearing the same thing in person.
From a technical standpoint, IRL records music using an array of four microphones, and plays back using four speakers (a 5.1 audio format can be used by omitting the center channel). The speakers are arrayed with two being to the front in normal stereo positioning, and two flanking to the left and right facing inwards at 90 degrees, and just slightly behind the listening position. From what I could tell, the system didn’t quite project a full 360-degree sound field (I don’t think I heard sounds directly behind me), but it was pretty close. I also don’t know if it could reproduce sounds directly behind the listener, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it could. The sounds that were both slightly behind and overhead were uncanny in their realism.
Maybe one of the most remarkable things about the demo was the equipment Eric was playing it on. It wasn’t special. We are talking Crown amplifiers, a 5.1 audio receiver, and an iMac. Not the equipment that audiophile dreams are made of. But despite all of that, this lowly equipment produced an audio experience I haven’t had with any stereo system, regardless of price.
I hope to write more about this in the upcoming months in Stereo Times after I get a couple more listening sessions in. For the time being, it suffices to say that I think this technology could be game changing. I know Eric has been running all kinds of people through his demo system: musicians, engineers, audiophiles. The feedback has been very consistent, from what he tells me – extremely positive. But, if you are curious and want to hear what is possible with IRL technology, give Eric a call. I am sure he’d invite and welcome you for a listen.
Be warned. You’ll may never be satisfied by your stereo rig again.
133 responses Add your response
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Liquid metal audio cables. But it might take a combination of good listeners and a physicist (with relevant understanding!) to explain it. The science is clear. It’s the biggest innovation/change in electrical conductor technology in over 150 years. It’s a joke for DC signals. Don’t bother. But... for highly complex AC and associated fields, it’s a true maximal innovation. Joke, you think? overblown? No. Ask a real physicist (not forum pundits) who understands the complexities of conductivity and complex AC ----at the molecular and particle level. Think of it as an overly dense and massive but conductive - gas. So complex they’re still thinking about it’s full definition and total mathematical package. It’s still in discovery.... For a clue to how real it is, that knocks your brain around, recall that it is a fluid at the molecular/atomic level. This means it is a true quantum beast. A quantum fluid. with some very interesting potentials. This is just a hint, it is way way far from the actual ’mind fully blown’ part of the full analysis of what is going on. When you show a REAL physicist, a great one, not a mundane one who met their degree with the heights of their own internal peter principle (meaning don’t ask your buddy who teaches high school physics to ’weigh in on it’).... when you show them the actual patent and they extrapolate that into possibilities...they begin to mutter things like ’jebus fk’..!’ Which, I guess, is why it’s been so hard to get the message through to people. Oh well. I feel like Ford Prefect when he was humming the one note.... FYI, when I complied the patent I was thinking a good 50 years out. |
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I believe the issue was the we’re the best for less campaign. There is a market for that product, perhaps they should’ve targeted that market. I think in this case you do get what you pay for !! This is a great hobby one with which I’ve (as many) been at for a while. Anything new deserves a listen, and that I do. I’m comfortable where I’m at and that’s in a totally different market… cherries and watermelons Lol Cheers |
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I’m always amazed at the responses on audio forums. As a group, you’d think that new technology or enhanced technology would be embraced. Instead, it seems the discussion devolves into a skeptical put-down contest to see who can make the most disparaging remarks without ever hearing the technology being discussed. At the very least, a neutral, "Interesting, but I’ll have to hear it for myself" attitude indicating an open mind, one would think, would be the normal response. I’ve been interested in audio since the mid-1960s, and I’ve seen mono change to stereo, reel-to-reel change to 8-track, and then evolve into cassettes, vinyl recordings to CDs, and then into audio servers as examples. Not every change is great or successful, but people attempting to improve audio playback and presentation is how the medium improves. It’s good to be skeptical but to close your mind because you're looking to demonstrate you're a skeptic by claiming it’s merely the reinvention of Quad or you’re so stuck on hardware that you see music as a method to listen to your equipment is simply to be the audio equivalent of a crotchety misanthrope yelling at people to "get off my lawn." I suggest relaxing and simply being glad someone is attempting to make music presentation even better rather than writing it off like you know exactly how it sounds before listening to it. I’d love to hear the system myself. I like new ideas and technologies that seek to improve upon the existing status quo. Good for Eric Alexander. I hope he continues to work on it and make it available on a large scale so we all can hear it without having to drive to Utah - and THEN can make an informed judgment on its efficacy rather than simply making a knee-jerk reaction. |
Crowd of people attacking sarcastingly anyone, even a bad guy, are always stupid... Acoustic and psycho-acoustic is the key to audio unbeknownst to most ... I know that first hand... Then i trust Mr. Eric Alexander reviewer description... Interesting time.... By the way i already enjoy an immersive sound experience ONLY by usin acoustic devices inspired by Helmholtz method...Sometimes with voices almos behind my back and around me in relation to recording... Then i can imagine what a new recording technique can do... I am not a gear fetichist.... I am an acoustic recording device and room acoustical translating power device student... |
There were two attempts a few years ago to create multi channel music. One was called SACD and one was called DVD-A. I had an Acura with one of them. It was great for imaging. I didn't have a home player so I can't say how they stacked up against high quality audio CDs. I remember the demo disk had a great version of China Grove on it. The disks were expensive, there weren't many of them, and many weren't my taste of music so I ended up with only a couple of disks. The key barricade to bringing forth a new format like this is availability of recordings mixed for the new 4 channel (DVD-A was 6 channel) format. With all the remixing going on today, if you get the backing of a powerful change agent such as Musk, it might be possible. i certainly wouldn't want to invest in it--quite a long shot. A barricade is the strong prejudice against it shown here. However, much of that here may be just Tekton hatred with flourishes mostly on this site, not much elsewhere. Jerry |
@randym860 That is pointed out on this site frequently and ignored just as often. It’s a cult here so they only hear what they want to believe. Best to keep your head down. --JErry |
Are you able to read people mind and then able to judge them ? Or do you think that all audio interests are motivated by money or some other adavantages? I think that the OP is simply interested by Tekton technology why not? Your question is so rude...And biased by other motives ... I read also the mind like you is’n it? 😁😊
This is why i could not refrain from answering it by another question ... I apologize to all....
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“ A barricade is the strong prejudice against it shown here. However, much of that here may be just Tekton hatred with flourishes mostly on this site, not much elsewhere. “
Or perhaps you might consider that a number of members here do not care for the quality of reproduction from this company’s range of transducers ?
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Just a couple of comments that I hope will make sense to others: As for the Tekton format or method, isn't it a good thing that we continue to see development in sound reproduction? I have said before and I continue to believe that one of the characteristics of a hobby is that you continue to try to improve what you have. It wasn't that long ago that we were relatively unaware of the harmful effects of rfi etc. and we are now more aware of the improvements that we can realize by careful grounding, etc. Once you loose interest in improvement, etc. I think it ceases to be a hobby. Next, as others have questioned, I am wondering if this new technology is or will be somehow connected or promoted as being exclusive to owners of Tekton speakers |
Unfortunately, the OP is largely lacking in demonstrable credibility. He obviously is acquainted with the designer, and we know nothing about the nature of that acquaintanceship. As it is, the OP's post reads more like a puff piece than anything else, equipped with the usual rhetorical professions of skepticism that quickly evaporated after the first few moments of audition. |
I bought the Double Impact Tektons that were at the 2019 Capitol AudioFest and am still happy. Whenever, I make a minor or major change in equipment the speakers reflect, accordingly. As well, Tekton Design was quick to replace a woofer damaged in shipping and provide touch-up paint. Moreover, I enjoy the sound whether driving them with my 50-watt LTA ZOTL 40 Reference+ or 175-watt SMc Audio DNA-1 Upgrade 20+ amplifiers. I understand the love and hatred for the Tekton "disruptive" speaker products. I look forward to hearing the IRL setup at a future Capitol AudioFest show, and kudos to Eric Alexander. Hmmm, maybe this is a good time to fly to Utah and listen to the IRL setup and maybe audition an upgraded Double Impact. Happy Listening! |
gaal, maybe we could talk you into flying out here and reporting back on the thread. Any/all audiophiles are openly invited to arrange a visit for a demo. I disclosed and demonstrated the IRL technology to an acoustical physicist a few days back and his words were "the most remarkable thing I've ever heard." Regarding when we might attend a trade show and do an open demo I've had the Capital Audiofest set as a goal. Eric Alexander - audio designer
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I had the privilege of visiting Eic's shop today. I am a guitar player and recording artist and most of all a lifetime FAN of great sound and music. I can recall special moments in life sitting in front of my first surround sound system in the 90s or standing second row sweat soaked at my favorite big hair band (these are memories stimulated and recalled through an experience of sound). Today I witnessed IRL, something amazing that will reside in my memory forever. It was REAL. I closed my eyes and I was there!! I was in the forest under a canopy of trees as the rain drizzled down around me and the storm hovered overhead. I could pinpoint where sounds were coming from, where musicians stood, sound motion was passing me by, rising and falling as if I was there. I could feel the emotion of the fiddle player and the phosphor bronze strings tensioned to perfect tune. In our plastic world of digital enhancement and FAKE things made to appear and sound better through effects, I prefer the REAL thing.......close your eyes, slow your heart rate, and listen to the world around you. Did I mention it sounds real! IRL is real! -KyLee Watson *Son of a Ghost* |
Why will it be impossible for a new technology to do this? I am alas! not able to afford it and even not able to listen to it... Happily! My acoustically control room and my modest system give me a first taste of that if not for sure the whole thing... Acoustic even if it is the first more important factor in audio does not replace electronic design advance in technology for sure... Welcome to IRL... |
mahgister, Respectfully, "IRL is real" and it will happen. When you hear it, it will be the best thing you've ever heard in your life. Please go back and reread the professional review that started this thread and focus upon what's contained within willrich47's review. In other words... there's nothing "impossible" or dubious about IRL so please refrain from steering the conversation in that direction. At this time the only place you can audion IRL is at my location in Utah and you're welcome to drop by for a demo. Eric Alexander - audio designer |
Respectfully my post goes in your direction and claim if you read it... But most of us will not be able to afford what you have designed, then we can only dream and tune our room... i wish i could accept your invitation for sure and thank you for that.... I dont doubt the value of your IRL... my deepest respect to you...
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Many audiophiles are interested in reproducing that 'live event' feel of a musical performance. In most cases, the experience is not like IMAX where the sound is supposed to be coming from all directions. I have never been impressed with 5-channel SACD recordings, no matter how good. So while I can understand the appeal of an 'immersive' experience if I'm watching movies, but not sure what IRL offers when I'm trying to imagine a live jazz band 20 feet away from me. I've never been to a jazz venue when the sound comes from slightly above my head or behind me. So I must ask: who is the target audience for this technology? Home theater buffs or 2-channel audiophiles? Thanks. |
I heard something similar at Disney World in one of those special ’Bug’s Life’ presentations. When the stink bug was on the screen, there was fog and a fowl smell in the audience in sync with what the bug was doing. I wonder if the presentation at Tekton’s venue will sprinkle water on the listener or shoot water at someone with a water pistol... |
I think what @mahgister is trying to say is that it would mean additional speakers to match your main speakers with matching cables. That cost might be a bit too much for folks. And then you have to match the surround amp to be similar quality as the main amp, etc. So that extra cost might be a bit steep. And that same thought came to my mind. |
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