Tekton Design's new THE PERFECT SET equals "goosebumps time"

People who loved their Thiel speakers often discovered over time that the front baffles, on certain models, would crack and pull away from the side of the cabinets.

Comparing Tekton to Thiel is silly.  Thiel were extremely high quality loudspeakers with gorgeous woodwork/veneer.  They also designed and built their own drivers.  To compare the two companies is crazy.  I think the models you're talking about above are probably the ones with the concrete front baffle.  That was highly unusual construction done for ultimate performance.  I think anyone should know how to glue MDF together and make it last at this point.

Teajay,
I asked you an honest question in response to your comment that Tekton have high build quality, but you didn't answer.  What exactly is high quality about these speakers?  It can't be the drivers, as they are not made by Tekton.  So, I ask again, what is it about Tekton that is high quality?  I am honestly not seeing it.

did you even read my post? I came to the same conclusion as you: it’s not fair to tarnish a brand due to a few speakers that fall through the QA cracks.


for the record, I have never spoke with kosst, I do not know this gentleman at all. He is not my friend or “comrade in arms” (hey! Brothers in arms is a great record)

also please refrain from calling me by my first name in public.

Dear kosst_amojan,

You surly are a persistent propagandist, again giving misinformation and over generalizing about matters that can happen in all speaker brands.  I owned a pair back in the day of 802 B&W's, when they were still completely built in England, that the veneer was peeling off on both speakers.  I have known individuals that own Wilson speakers and the paint started to bubble up and peel. People who loved their Thiel speakers often discovered over time that the front baffles, on certain models, would crack and pull away from the side of the cabinets.

So, I'm sure occasionally, in all brands, unfortunate stuff happens.  Your illogical and distorted conclusion that Tekton speakers cannot be at a high quality is part of your irrational/illogical narrative.

Please, even though you won't, just get off my thread so we can go back to the real propose of this thread to share information about a great new speaker that I know you have not even heard.  

Teajay: 
You recently gave a glowing review of the NSMT model 50 “Jamaica”. They are similar in size and cost, and both have dual front ports.  Which has better timbral accuracy and balance? Is there one that is less forward sounding? Would you pick both over the Tekton impact Monitor for a small 12x14x8 ft room being driven by an 8 wpc SEP (Coincident Dynamo)? 

My understanding is the return shipping. I could be persuaded after I read a positive review. When is this coming? I don't like returning. I'm lazy and busy.

I keep hearing about the high build quality of Tekton, but what exactly is built to a high level of quality?  They look less than average.  I'm no troll, just curious.

Roadwarrior75

I have the LTA MZ2-S and tried running the Double Impacts at high volume...let's just say I had to replace an output tube. You may want to talk with Mark Schneider at LTA for his recommendation. Now that I am running the LTA Ultralinear amplifier with the system there is plenty of solid bass with a gorgeous soundstage. Also, I took advantage of having my power supply upgraded through LTA - it was a noteworthy improvement.

@teajay 

was looking on the Tekton website and speaker is rated @96dB  and with a 12" bass driver. will my LTA MZ2  have enough, to get good solid bass or should i stick with more power for better bass  impact and soundstage?

@dgny I did read your post on your impressions,thank you!

Guys this is getting ridiculous with the trolling.I'm a moderater on a different forum and IME if we try not to hit back and just keep reporting the posts(click the little flag at the bottom right of the post) they get bored and go away.

@jetter it's not a "trial fee" but you are responsible for return shipping which can be pricey for a heavy speaker.
@lula it's actually easier to manipulate a floorstander around on furniture gliders  than to move the monitors around on stands.Low side tables would be easier.I've got mobility issues too🙂Getting the larger beasts in the house can be done by sliding them around carefully in their boxes.A tarp or even a dollar store shower curtain underneath helps.

Here's some answers to these questions.

1) Snapsc, the Perfect SET does well at all volume levels and also gives you the virtue of being played at low volumes without losing dynamics/punch or soundstaging.

2) Tsar7 and Lula, thanks for your kind words regarding my reviewing/posting.  Remember, this speaker was built to mate beautifully with SET amplifiers and avoid any of the shortcomings of single driver or horn designs.  Based on my experience so far is that it gives what the Tekton designs all offer a sense of aliveness, great transparency/micro-details, and wonderful soundstaging.  What I'm finding amazing is the quality and extension of the bass even when driven with 3 watts.  When you figure in the cost of stands for Impact Monitors and their size, I could see someone using the Perfect SET, even if they don't drive it with a SET, because it gives you much more bass then the stand mount.

Right now I'm using a Threshold S/350e amplifier, instead of a SET 2A3 amplifier, and the Perfect SET's sound superlative.  So, even though Eric designed these for us SET lovers they mate extremely well with high power SS amps.   Lula,I get your concern regarding moving around this heavy speaker, however, just be careful because it might be surly worth your effort.  I find it amazing that Eric is able to sell this speaker for $1,800.00 a pair based on performance, build quality, and how much materials have to be used based on size/weight of this floorstanding design.

I think that means return freight?

I don't understand the $300 "trial fee" mentioned above and a $400 fee mentioned in other post about the DI.  Do you actually pay Tekton for the trial or is that just the returned speakers shipping cost you pay Fedex or UPS?

I have purchased Aric Audio electronics, Jay's transport (that shockingly easily beats my Levinson 31.5), and a DAC all given rave reviews by Terry. I am virtually in complete agreement with his assessments. I have been considering the Impact Monitors for some time now, as well as Buchardts....I'm wondering how the Perfect SET compares to the Monitors, particularly since the latter apparently also works with SET amps. I am reluctant to consider a 70 pound speaker due to my back and knee issues.

Dgny that’s my impression on the set too... Agree Tonykay too many Tekton thread...

I recently took the plunge on a pair of impact monitors. I read a number of reviews, forums and took all the information (both over the top positive and absurdly nitpicky) with a grain of salt. I figured the $300 "trial fee" was worth it to hear how these would sound in my house with my equipment. After a little more than a week (and a couple days listening only to one speaker since FedEx somehow split the shipment), I have to say these are magnificent. Vocals (especially female) are incredibly lifelike. My wife even took over the ipad and started adding songs to listening que. She never does this. Of course there is no such thing as a perfect speaker - it all depends on what types of music you listen to. For string quartets, jazz trios, singer/songwriters and alternative bands that don’t blow the doors down (e.g. death cab, trampled by turtles), these speakers are my end game. They don’t do orchestral music as well and struggle a little with big musicals (La La Land, Phantom of Opera). I can now see why the Tekton line up carries as many speakers as they do - except for maybe the encore/ulfbehrt, each speaker has a particular listener in mind.


Anyway, that was a long winded way to ask Terry where he sees the perfect SET fitting into all this. And thank you for all that you do. Without you I would not have the LTA microzotl! I haven’t stop smiling since I got it last November!

OH NO, not another Tekton thread (complete with fanboy testimonials)! Please Tekton, just pay for an ad here.  I’m no hater, just trying to understand why there are suddenly so many threads, complete with gushy testimonials about Tekton products. It hasn’t escaped my notice that many of these testimonials come from posters with very few past postings. 

  jtcf & loayo,
I tried to steer this thread back to the speaker, with a general impression.(see post above/earlier.)
2nd Attempt. This Speaker excels with horn sections, very real, detailed, alive. Low Volume is another major strength. Bass is very present at the lowest whisper of volume setting. It plays loud, distortion free,as well.

LOL, good one nonoise. 

Isn't this how Lilliput and Blefuscu went to war?

" Did I miss any of the key features???"
Yep, they sound better than Maggies (any of them)

@Teajay

When I threw out the idea of a truce...It was NOT to say you should not defend yourself....you should & did....as did others who would prefer that these threads remain as positive as possible.


The truce suggestin was to say that all the detractors had pretty much said all they can say...as had all of the defenders...so  it seemed that nothing worthwhile was going to happen...until you/we got back to actually talking about the performance of the Perfect Set.

@oddio....its pretty clear that you don't like the looks...again, no big deal...based on looks, you won't be a Tekton customer for the time being....not everyone is.    I made it a point at the Florida Audio Show yesterday to ask people how important looks were to their purchase decision (why, because there were some really beautiful products being shown)...and would looks stop them from buying a speaker that they liked...pretty much what I heard was about 60% said that looks mattered enough to stop them from buying something they didn't like....but then again, you may like the ultra modern Paradigm Persona and hate the beautiful woodwork of the Legacy...as they say..beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

@jtcf  +1  totally agree....from the Tekton website...." * Returned speakers must be in new condition - no signs of damage or abuse, including scratches, fingerprints, dust, etc."  couldn't be more clear...and I also use the gloves and towel method when I'm auditioning things.

@teajay....to follow up on your sweet spot comment...is it that the Perfect Set is at its best at a low listening level....or that its really good all listening levels and just that its a surprise how good it is at low levels?

Teajay
Not saving anyone from any "Evil Forces" Just asking questions and not getting answers

 When a company draws a line in the sand and makes a blanket statement that we all are wrong and hearing things terribly from inferior material that others are praising and low and behold. Its suddenly appears in their Top line speakers at a premium.

 Whats that tell you about the company ? They were not correct with their thinking ! Many of consumers may have bought the other material recommended by the manufacture using it, Now their speakers are upgrade able to a better material that they were told not to buy !  
 Maybe the mods should make a section just for reviews of reviewers. No posting just a review. Then its Caveat Emptor

 It looks a tad sales like in most of your threads in not only mine but others opinions
Im sure this wont last !

 

Speaker looks like the monster from a low budget 50's sci fi movie. 

Anytime I've auditioned a component with a grace period to return one of the rules has always been 'must be in like new condition ' and 99% of the time 'return shipping paid by customer '.Any scratches and scuffs are my responsibility unless the carton has obviously been damaged by the carrier resulting in damage.I'm so paranoid about it I wear gloves and slide things around on plastic or a towel.If the company I'm dealing with needs to resell it,they'd appreciate selling it as a demo rather than a 'scratch and dent ' at a large discount.That's my take on it anyway.

Hey Cap,

Well, we had peace and good cheer for maybe a total of 2 hours.  Nobody is challenging that their are a few dissatisfied Tekton customers.  This is very old news.  Find a company that never makes mistakes and has 100 % satisfied customer base.

As I stated before, I want to go back to having an enjoyable/fun conversation but these killjoys just won't let it go.  Cap you convinced us that Tekton is a rotten lousy company. Don't buy their product and get off this thread so we can go about our business.  You attempted to save us from the "evil forces", we would not listen, so go on with your life.

Well that was a short lived truce :-(
Bummer 

I just read a thread on this very board where a Individual demoed them and was ADAMANT about not getting a dog hair on them as you will get slapped with a sure OVERCHARGE. AND HE DID !

 I will not quote it with out his permission but its in plain site

 I would think if there was any damage Tekton could make a claim from shipping! Why does the customer take the hit !

teajay,

Point taken. It makes me happy to see that you and Kenny have made amends. Seriously. I don't have anything personal against Tekton or you, for that matter. If you and Eric are excited about the speakers, fine. You feel Tekton punches way above it's price point and I understand. But many audio component and loudspeaker manufacturers claim similar about their products. I for one, can't get passed the idea of "better than anything else" attitude. And THAT can apply to any audio company. This is how I feel personally. I don't have anything against Tekton. If the people who have them really love them, then by all means, enjoy. That's what this hobby is about, right?

I believe most of us posting here at Agon, are very nice, You will be surprise how they are when you meet them in person..In disagreement it’s really hard to feel how nice they are, thanks Teajay for moving on , and more info😀

After another extended listening session with Perfect Set using both the Triode Lab 2A3 SET and Threshold S/200 series 2 amplifiers, another very good virtue I am now aware of is that this speaker hits it's "sweet spot" at low volume levels.  So, if you do late night listening or live in an apartment/condo and have to be careful at what dB levels you play your music at this would be a blessing.  You get all the dynamics/aliveness and soundstaging at low volumes.  This does not imply that you can't rock out at high volume levels, the PS can move a lot of air if you want it to.

Hey Guys,

I start a nice post to share information on a new exciting speaker. Then I get personally attacked, always the same very few posters with a hateful agenda on every Tekton thread, and AudioGon allows them to hijack the thread.  

So, I stand up in a respectful way regarding the facts and don't resort to nasty retorts towards these few individuals, and yet you are advising me to call a "Truce" as if I started this conflict to begin with!

I would be thrilled to go back to only having fun talking about the Perfect SET speaker on this thread.  But we all know that the individuals with their agenda towards Eric and I will always act like bullies and not just get off this thread.  If AudioGon will not intervene, and ban them from posting on this thread, I'll still stand up for what's factual and not let these few sally my reputation.

Well mr_m,

It's funny you mention this gentlemen. Many months ago Kenny sought me out and personally apologized to me for accusations toward me. Of course I accepted this and had a friendly/nice conversation with him. Hope he's doing well these days.

The nickname I gave him in our disagreements on that thread revolved around his position that what ever issue of speaker design, parts, build quality, and theory he was a world class authority, always knew more then anyone could, hence the "brightest Bulb" in the room moniker. Labeled is attitude, but did not condemn him. 

If I had never professionally reviewed even one Tekton Design speaker or ever posted here on the GON, the irrational hatred/mudslinging and the spinning of a false narrative towards Eric/Tekton by a small number of individuals who had taken place for reasons that have been discussed (ego, speaker companies threatened by a product that out performs their speakers at much lower prices, jealousy of a breakthrough design) many times before this thread.

 

 

@mr_m
One question many of us probably have is "what is the value of continued hate talk"?  Presumably it is to either chase customers away from Tekton (which obviously isn't happening) or keep this thread going and off the main topic of impressions of the Perfect Set which most of want to hear.


Six years ago, if you bought from Tekton, you had relatively few choices of models, no grills and the color was always black ...kind of like the Model T.

Since then, the market has told Eric that it wants grills...he gave them grills...it wants color options...he gave them color options....it wants smaller speakers...he gave them smaller speakers....it wants bigger/better speakers...he gave them the Double Impact....the market wants even better....he gave them the Ulf (and others)...it wanted Beryllium...gave them Beryllium.  He is clearly a guy that listens to the market...and his customers..all while moving forward with his own designs.

Some of these moves might have been rolled out in a better manner and often times the sheer number of orders seems to overwhelm their system...but just using history as an example of Tekton over the past 6 years, I have no doubt that a number of things are either in the works or being seriously evaluated and will improve their business in the years to come:

1.  How to handle the volume surges and yet not add so much cost that the more normal times has them too overstaffed.  (and we all know this is tough for every company).


2.  Offering high end cabinetry like Jim Salk and others offer...why, because eventually the demand for the plane jane cabinets will be taper...and/or because this is a big untapped and high value market for him.

3.  More innovative models that will challenge conventional thinking and probably move the industry forward...and give us more fun choices to experience.

At this point...those who dislike Tekton are not having much luck persuading the Tekton supporters or vice versa.

I think its time to call a truce. 


At the Florida Audio show yesterday I heard other loudspeakers I think I could own...and I heard some that I couldn't own...no big deal.  But as expected, in every room, every manufacturer put forward his best story as to why his product was the best (at least at a price point) and should be seriously considered...again, no big deal, and exactly what they should be doing.

teajay,

Not in this thread, but awhile ago, you got into it with a fellow named Kenny. If you are the same person I am talking about, you kept calling hm "Mr. Bright bulb." Kenny thru out that thread pretty much maintained his composer and maturity with his conversation expressing his own reasons for no longer owning Tekton speakers. It appeared to me that you were the one whose sense of control was eroding away. Most of the personal attacks were coming from your end.

I have no dog in this fight, (no pun intended) I think, as I have said before, that you and Tekton are the biggest reason for much of the hate talk about Tekton. I couldn't care either way as I think there are a lot of speakers out there that I like better than Tekton. Once again, just say'in....

FWIW 2girl, the Tekton hater with the dog opened that can by having his dog eat (or pee on / I didn't read it to closely because I don't care) the patent info.