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.
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.
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.
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
“ 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 ?
@randym860That 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
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.
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...
I see some misinformation about tekton speakers. All those drivers are not acting as weeters. My moabs have only 1 tweeter each the rest are used as midrange drivers. As was said earlier you have to hear them to understand.
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.
I have heard better sources that make things sound better. Gary at Genesis did this with vinyl recordings a few years back. Easy to hear the differences in the materials used to make the vinyl discs. Better yes, earth shattering no.
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
I wonder if this is similar to what David Chesky is doing with his new project regarding 3d sound (he's using lots of DSP). You can get samples of his work at theaudiophilesocietydotcom (replace the dot with .) Fyi, Sounds pretty darn good! Lots of good stuff happening in audio right now.
an someone remind me of the last time there was a significant breakthrough in audio? If anyone could mention just one occurrence I’d appreciate it.
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.
How is it any different than a Quad set up....that did not take off very well..although you can still buy Quad records as well as used precessors...I'll just stick to the lowly 2 channel set up.
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!
I don’t think @tektondesign realizes the depth and breath of irrational hatred for Tekton on this specific forum by people who have never heard the speakers.
A professional audio reviewer clearly posted and stated he was "completely blown away by what I heard." Respectfully, it's looking like most of you skipped right over his review to go on the attack.
As a lifelong musician, audiophile, audio designer, and the designer of the technology in question here my advice is to believe his words - ALL OF THEM.
My promise is this technology will confound all preconceived notions, astound, and amaze.
very intriguing! Is Eric planning to demo this at an upcoming audio show or some such event?
I believe so; not sure when though. Describing it is one thing – actually hearing it is another. Quite frankly, describing the system is challenging because we already have things like 5.1 surround, binaural recordings, and Dolby Atmos, and people (rightly so) think to themselves "how’s this different" or "why does it matter"? What I can tell you is that when I first listened I was expecting to hear a sound that was "gimmicky," but was quickly shaking my head in disbelief with how realistic IRL sounded. A lot of people just won’t "get it" until they hear it, and at least until there’s some version of IRL that is commercially available, an audio show may be the best way to get people to experience it.
Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved localization of recorded and played back sound are provided by improved microphone arrays for recording sound and by improved systems for playback of sound. Microphone arrays include four microphones with sound transducers located and aimed to mimic capture of sound by human ears. Sound captured by two side-viewing microphones is attenuated, at the time of sound capture and/or recording, at a later processing stage, or at the time of sound playback, by low-pass filtering. The recording maintains four separate channels of sound. Playback occurs through four speakers arranged to reproduce sound in the way human ears hear sound, with appropriate attenuation for side speakers. Playback can also occur through four-channel headphones. Improved playback of two-channel stereo sound can also occur through low-pass filtering of each track and playing the filtered sound through side/rear speakers on the opposite sides.
Interesting thread! Although we hear in binaural fashion, hearing impediments aside, the world comes at us from all directions. I think part of the reason why "stereo" is the dominant playback method was the technology for both recording and playback that was available at the time. Quad was an attempt at presenting a more realistic aural presentation. I did not say "sound stage" as that would imply that the performance was coming exclusively from in front via a "stage". Now that HT is here with it's digital technology, there are more possibilities on how to present a "soundstage" of course.
Part of the trouble for us as music aficionados is however that in HT recordings, the sound is manipulated artificially with regards to placement in the soundstage. That CGI spacefighter, that doesn't really exist in the first place but sounds like it's coming from over your left shoulder, was put there by a sound engineer. What ostensibly we are listening for as music fans is an accurate representation of a musical performance. Not many of those are done "in the round" with the audience at the center. The french horns don't usually fly around the room! 😀
Please understand: I'm not deriding Mr. Alexander's work, nor even the OP's post. I'm simply curious as to how IRL will work with existing stereo recordings.
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