I just talked to Eric this morning and ordered a set of Double Impacts/w upgrades. I currently have Ascend Raal Towers ...I really like the Ascends, just thought I would buy myself a Christmas present ...
Tekton Double Impacts
Anybody out there heard these??
I have dedicated audio room 14.5x20.5x9 ft. Currently have Marantz Reference CD/Intergrated paired to Magnepan 1.7's with REL T-7 subs. For the vast majority of music I love this system. The only nit pick is that it is lacking/limited in covering say below 35 hz or so. For the first time actually buzzed the panel with an organ sacd. Bummer. Thought of upgrading subs to rythmicks but then I will need to high pass the 1.7's. Really don't want to deal with that approach.
Enter the Double Impacts. Many interesting things here. Would certainly have a different set of strengths here. Dynamics, claimed bottom octave coverage in one package, suspect a good match to current electronics.
I've read all the threads here so we do not need to rehash that. Just wondering if others out there have FIRST HAND experience with these or other Tekton speakers
Thanks.
I have dedicated audio room 14.5x20.5x9 ft. Currently have Marantz Reference CD/Intergrated paired to Magnepan 1.7's with REL T-7 subs. For the vast majority of music I love this system. The only nit pick is that it is lacking/limited in covering say below 35 hz or so. For the first time actually buzzed the panel with an organ sacd. Bummer. Thought of upgrading subs to rythmicks but then I will need to high pass the 1.7's. Really don't want to deal with that approach.
Enter the Double Impacts. Many interesting things here. Would certainly have a different set of strengths here. Dynamics, claimed bottom octave coverage in one package, suspect a good match to current electronics.
I've read all the threads here so we do not need to rehash that. Just wondering if others out there have FIRST HAND experience with these or other Tekton speakers
Thanks.
Showing 16 responses by nitrobob
mofojo ... Thanks . I also have 2 PSA 1801 18 inch 750 watt subs that I'm not real sure how their going to fit into this picture . Might use one and cross the DI over at 60, use the PSA's(s) below that... I doubt I'll need both . But these DI will see plenty of 112 -113 db levels with concerts. I like it punchy ...Just have to see |
David Ten I know, I hear that... ( or maybe I won’t LOL ) . But I’m getting up in years , and have been around loud all my life . 43 years in a food manufacturing plant, 20 plus years of racing cars .. If that hasn’t deafened me by now, it better hurry up ..Actually, I just retired, but the plant tested our hearing every year... And I always passed with flying colors, unlike a lot of my younger co-workers...Good genes I guess.. Here’s a video link from inside my race car. If you think this stuff is loud, you should try this.... https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B86pK1I_DIA4MUd5aldja0EzbjA/view?usp=drive_web |
Alright guys,
I sent my Double Impacts, 4 ohm w/ Upgrades back. I ran them continuously
for a couple weeks. Sorry to say, they just ain’t my cup of tea......I'm
attempting to give people seeking opinions an honest evaluation from a previous
demo’er.. I’m not going to claim to be some sort of professional magazine editor
or something, so I will just tell you in laymen's terms my observations.
Ok .....My Equipment . 1) Marantz 8801 Processor.. 2) ATI Signature Series
6005 300 Watt (450 @ 4 ohm) x 5 Channel Amp.. 3) OPPO 205 Player.. 4) Bang and
Olufsen Turntable.. 5) (2) Furman Elite 20 PFI line Conditioners..6) All Blue
Jean Cabling ... 7) I was using my current surrounds and center .. Ascend
Acoustics Raal Ribbon Horizon Center and Raal Ribbon Sierra 2’s...8) I also
have 2 PSA 18 inch ported 750 watt subs. Room is a 16 x 24 with 8 1/2 foot
ceiling with a listening position of 9.5 feet.. Like a stated, I’m retired now
so I was able to continuously play with the system for a solid two weeks.. The
last 2 of those days at high SPL’s ...One day by myself, as my wife was out of
town, and the second day with her helping me. She had the final “they gotta go”,
but I was thinking the same thing and was in total agreement . I was comparing
them to my Ascend Acoustics Raal Sierra Towers.. We made the following
conclusions .. If I was looking for something for home theater only,....The
Tektons are a clear winner.. bingo, jackpot, YIPPIE !... Much fuller than my
Ascends, and the soundstage was the entire front wall. Imaging was better than
the Ascends. While I was breaking them in, I had the center channel shut off and
was just running the cable TV, which is Spectrum, in Stereo mode ... you
honestly could not tell the center speaker was not on. My wife thought it was .
When I told her is wasn’t, she didn't believe me, so I had her get up and come
over to the center speaker and check that it was indeed dead . The Tektons were
so “solid sounding”. They ARE big, they sound big,... and they sound solid . One
thing I noticed and so did she,was the nasally sound the voices have. I don’t
know if that’s what you call coloring..? Like Tom Petty was doing all the
talking. Very noticeable at first, and irritating ... but by the end of the
second week I was getting used to it, and it was not as big a deal. Movies in
5.2 with Audessey in command, sounded really,really, nice. Better than the
theaters. Dynamic is not a big enough word for the wall of sound these speakers
put out .. BTW,the Tektons blended with the Ascends fine, at least we thought so
.. Eric told me they would, and he was right ..
By now your thinking, what's the catch, what's the rub, why send them back
? The answer,,,,music . First let me tell you why I tried
Tektons in the first place. Movies are not my bag. Their alright, but I’m a
music lover first and foremost. And one of my favorite things to do, is sit down
in front of the system, put in a CD, crank it up, and listen to, and watch video
concerts. Maybe invite another couple over, or maybe with my wife, or sometimes
just me and a good stout drink .. I grew up in the Bars of Ohio. Back then just
about every bar had live rock bands every Friday and Saturday nights.. Went to
many, many concerts when I was younger also. Still do, we are heading to “ Get
The Led Out”, A Led Zeppelin copy band, in a few weeks ...
My Ascend Towers (along with those subs and surrounds), do this chore
extremely well. Extremely . Like being in a live recording studio. The problem
was SPL’s. I like about 110 –112 dB at that 9.5 LP. I like to feel it, as well
as hear it.. Problem is, those volumes are wide open for the Ascends. In talking
to Dave at Ascend, he told me NOT to exceed 110 dBs.. He figured my listening
position,amplifier and so forth and gave me these boundaries, which I must live
by, if I want no damage... BUT, I don’t like the idea of running ANYTHING, right
on the edge of clipping. Just puts my speakers on the edge of damage the entire
time we are enjoying them... So I was looking for a speaker that would sound
like the Ascends,maybe even better, but be idling at those volumes .... The
Tektons have quite a bit better sensitivity for higher volumes than the
Ascends,,So enter the Tektons ....
Bottom line, they are no ways near as clear as the Ascends. But the
Tektons have there high points. The drums sound like you are on the seat,
hitting the drum yourself. I credit that to the twin 10 inch woofers, and in my
next speaker choice I will certainly look for that.... But the mid ranges
are,,,as my wife stated “compressed, cramped up, like their all mixed up”.
Really forward, and in your face. It’s a WHOLE LOT ...of nothing.... Just too
much mid range and not enough clarity. And yes, we tried to EQ it out.We always
use EQ on music anyway. Don’t like the bland feeling Auddessy provides in
music. Problem is, it strips everything else in that band while your doing so
...EQ’in just won’t work.. A couple of hours of Tektons and my left ear actually
hurt. At the same identical SPLs I had listened to the Ascends many times over
.. BTW.We were using a Triplett Sonicheck MC meter ..We listened to many of our
favorite concerts we knew quite well. Eagles, Floyd. Jeff Beck ..etc . Well
recorded disc. Didn’t listen to poorly recorded ones, as I very seldom ever
listen to them.. For instance, the Pretenders have a concert recorded in LA
called “Pretenders...Loose in LA.”.. It’s mixed quite well and I recommend it
for you rockers.. Crissey Hynde’s vocals, when coming thru the Ascends, are
breathtaking, give ya chills..On some songs you can kind of hear her breath
between notes...Keep in mind this is a live recording of a rock and roll band,
and a lot of other “stuff” is happening at the same time she is singing, killer
lead guitar riffs, impacting drums, a heavy bass guitar... But even with all
that going on, utter clarity where it’s needed. Not so with the Tektons, you
can’t pick any of that out... Its gone, and you have to “hunt” for those things
we took for granted ..I guess I shouldn't say its gone, more like its “masked”
.. I’m assuming these issues are that tweeter array, and the way they cross
over... I don’t know all the technical reasons.. but we were not liking it
.
You know, everybody says the Tektons sound like live music. Maybe their
right. But most concert's I been to are distorted as heck . I try to sit as
close to the mixing board as I can, whenever I go to live performances. That’s
where I have found it sounds best. But live performances usually suck as far a
clarity. But then again I’m attending Rock venues. I want the clarity of a
studio, with the impact and dynamics of a concert. I was not looking for a
speaker that resembles a PA system ...When I talked to Eric, he informed me I
must be one of the “Warm Freaks” or something ... LOL . I guess I am.
I have learned I really like a good ribbon tweeter. They are so crisp, and
non fatiguing even when turned up loud. ....
So, I'm looking for a good, dynamic, warm, speaker that has a real crisp
tweeter and big inch woofers, and can play loud... Know of any ? !!!... I hope
this review didn’t rub anybody the wrong way. Everybody likes different stuff.
And in Talking to Eric, I was told his returns are about 1 in 30 .... That’s
tells me I’m in the rarity, so take this review for what its worth....whatever
that may be .. ... |
Hi guys I really do appreciate the feedback . I’ve gotten a couple e-mails also . As far as the dB’s . 108 is probably a more realistic #. With 110 peaks. I’m auditioning a set of Focal 948’s next week. And I took one of your suggestions and contacted Legacy. The Signature SA’s would wound my wallet, but I’ll drive the 4 hours needed to listen to them and then make a decision ... I did not mention in my post I’m pretty locked into speaker positioning. Toe in is no problem, but 1 foot out is going to be the max from against the wall. Also , Auddessy says the speakers are 9.8 feet from MLP ..Thanks again ..And the process continues ...... |
Thank you all . Some,well most of you, have eons of past experience in speaker design, and capabilities .Let me answer some of these questions and make a couple points 1) David, yes, We listened to the DI’s at Mortal (LOL) sound levels. They sound ok, and I certainly would have not refused to keep them if this was all I was asking of them . But their task, to sound as good as my Ascends at those same volumes, was not achievable. The differences were night and day. 2) Several of you have brought up hearing loss at high volumes. We all know this. It’s been taught to us since we were kids. I’m 62 years old and have normal hearing. At least my last annual hearing test at the plant says so . Many of my younger co workers had issues, but I never have . I also posted in my earlier post an in car video of me driving my race car. I’m around loudness on a regular basis. I’m old now, but I still enjoy a young lifestyle. Some of you have forgot what concerts,or even your local live performance at a nightclub sound like? There loud. The last one I went to was several months back. I took my meter with me ..115 dB from 20-25 rows back. If all those thousands of concert go’ers can take it, why can’t I ? Why can’t normal people have set -ups in their homes to duplicate that.? Maybe not quite that loud, but a similar experience.. Actually, I think some of you are just showing your age. No disrespect, but some of us do not grow up so quickly. The Tektons are advertised to "Sound Like Live Music". Sorry,but all the live music I have EVER heard, is really loud...I find it odd, that excuses are being made for a speaker that is advertised as such, to not be played loud. Charles, I’m pretty good at car analogy’s.That would be like me buying a race car, and then finding out it sounds really mean at idle, but its not so great at wide open throttle.. 3) On Amplifiers, the sole reason I picked up the SS high powered amp, was the headroom. The entire system has been built for a warm, lively, thumping system. Marantz is known for warmth, and the PSA’s ore overkill, but they were purchased for impact. I also want accurate, and that is turning out to be a little harder to achieve I’m sure I will find something . Klipsch are not going to be it. I say that as someone mentioned them. Even to me, bright, harsh, and loud. equal pain... |
Al Everybody that has ever been to a 3 hour rock concert, or a drag, circle, or road course race ( Like Nascar) ...just flunked. I'm assuming you do none of these . We are not all built alike.. Cigarettes,lack of seat belts and helmets, obesity . There are a lot of things that are a no no . Do you wanna die from it, or go to your grave craving it ... |
Thanks Agronatz I’ve certainly changed the conversation over here a little . I didn’t mean too. SPL’s, hearing loss, drag racing, even car audio’s .. Sorry guys .. I appreciate the lack of condescending comebacks .. After my review, I expected at least a few. Notta one. I’m impressed. This is a Tekton thread. With 95 % of participants absolutely in love with their product. You mentioned imaging being important. You have to give Tekton credit there, they image stellar. Speaking of B&W . I have a appointment next week to listen to a set of 702 and 3’s along side a pair of Focal 936 .. They don’t stock 948’s . I’m not really expecting to like them, but I’m going in open minded and ears open....Time to start lookin around BTW .. Mom smoked 2 packs a day .. She would have been 90 if she lived another month. I loved the looks on those doctors faces when they would find out her smoking habits .. |
Bullit I’m hoping the Focals suit our fancy, just because the sensitivity is better. I also would like to run up north and listen to a set of Legacy Signatures, but the reviews are not good. Sue is really adamant that we are done buying unheard speakers. That limits my choices considerably . When UPS said ( and they weren’t bashful !) the shipping was 300 dollars to send the DI’s back, she was not impressed. But being a racer, traveling is not a big deal. We will think nothing of jumping in the Hauler and driving 8 hours to our next race . You know how it is .. I race Superstock. Mid 9’s in class trim. Wheelstands are the norm. If it will open, I’ll post another in car camera run. This one is a local race just for fun. Friends of ours put on a Stock/Superstock combo a few times a year. The little guys have the big guys chase them down. No heads-up runs, but its a good time .. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B86pK1I_DIA4SHF3SjRRdi11cmM/view?usp=drive_web |
David Ten ..and everybody else Merry Christmas ! Great time of year ain't it ? We're getting some snow today. Can't beat Christmas time and snow . David, I have thought of something. Remember the 110 dB's video concerts ? Those dB's are with the ENTIRE system up and running. Two powerful subs, a Center, and 2 Surrounds 4.5 feet from MLP. I have never taken readings in Stereo . Kind of changes things ... But I don't know how much .. |
Pro -Audio I just went through a journey like yours . I tried a set of DI's, and could not get to "where I was going" with them. A couple pages back, I wrote up a review and posted my likes and dislikes. I seriously looked at GE. But being a Union president for a large corporation for the last decade before my retirement, the fact that they were Chinese's made me look elsewhere. I'll buy American if at all possible. I know this an international forum, but just telling you my buying tendency's .That being said, I ended up with Legacys..yea I paid more money that the Tektons. but their twice the speaker. Last night we did a Eagles farewell tour concert . Unbelievable. Killer impact, crystal clear sizzling highs, breathtaking vocals. dynamic...and LOUD. I was in the middle of a true, clear concert ,with a heartbeat...In all honesty, the DI's were so similar on movies that it is hard for me to really say there was that much difference, but music wise,,,, no comparison |