Tekton Double Impacts

• @tjraubacher  The DI's perform very well at lower volumes.  A number of owners used SET amps and were very happy.  I prefer higher powered SS but that is personal preference.  The volume level will not impact detail, imaging or sound stage.  What will be a consideration is your room size.  You can look at my systems page to see how I managed placement.  Imaging in this configuration is superb.  Some owners have managed to put this speaker into a smaller room and very much enjoyed them.  Just not sure you will max out that sound stage.  But the same will hold true of many large speakers--not just the DI's

To all the DI owners and listeners.  These sound like wonderful speakers.  My question is about room size.  Would they work in a dedicated stereo room that was like 13 x 12 feet?  Also, how good are these speakers at low to moderate volumes?  Are they able to keep their detail, imaging and sound stage?

Thanks in advance

Tom

@2psyop 

Tekton haters, as a last resort, point out how ugly they are.  I love the fact I didn't blow thousands on a wood veneer (and I am a woodworker that loves the fine woodworking).  I listen in a darkened room.  Would never see see that rainforest veneer.  All part of the huge value the Di's represent.

That!

The DI SE has been a great addition to my stereo. I certainly understand if some don’t like them or even have an issue with Eric. I have not and have had a good experience with the performance of the speakers and the customer service. I hear the complaints but don’t understand because most have not heard the brand or they say they are ugly when, as I have stated before, most speakers have grills. In the end, they are just speakers and I don’t get worked up about stereo equipment…so just enjoy listening to the music. 

Not that I can actually see sound 🤣

I’m right there with ya, Mr Corelli!

 

I got the SE version of the DIs (right before the price adjustment!)   Haven’t heard or seen any sound that I like better than these!!!

Still have my DI’s and love them more than ever. No desire to "upgrade". I would say the true value point of Tekton is between $3-10k. Voiced beautifully. Seamless integration of so many drivers. Great imaging. Dynamic.  Easy to drive. Love the fact that 50% of the budget did not go to a paper thin veneer. The Tekton detractors are a poor source of info on these great speakers.

I ended up getting the Arendal 1723 Tower S.  They just arrived today and man they are great.  Really good build quality on the cabinets.  THX Ultra is no joke.

Remember when the Tekton Double Impacts were the new "flavour of the month" and (some) reviewers and audiophiles were "dumping their Wilsons" and other more expensive speakers for the DIs?

Seems the heat of all that has worn off.

Still, it's good if there are satisfied DI owners.   !

The DIs will be much less demanding of amplification. Which is the best I can’t say other than the Revels I’ve heard are “dry”. 

I know this is an old thread but I'm wondering if y'all are still liking your Tektons?  If you moved on, what did you move on to, and how do they compare?  I'm having trouble deciding between DI's, Revel F208, Wharfedale EVO4.4, or Dynaudio Evoke 50.

I emailed Eric several years ago about a design just like the Nebo.  At the time he thought it redundant with some of his other designs.

One thing for sure.  This guy is obsessed with creating new speakers.

I am sure the Nebo sounds great.  Most all of his speakers do IMO.  Is it more dynamic than the DI?  Not so sure of that.  But it may excel in other areas.

Anyone have a chance to hear the Tekton Nebo yet? Looks like a cross between the Moab and the DI. Very intriguing.  The review that I could find called it a "super charged" DI, but the DI was already the most dynamic speaker I've ever heard! You think if I love the DI it would absolutely be a given I would love the Nebo more?

As I recall I believe that is the case.  Curious why you ask.

Does Eric use fiberglass stuffing in his speakers?

I had DIs a few years ago and miss a lot of the things they did very well and they didn’t really do anything objectionable. Looking at maybe getting into some DIs again or even some Moabs in 2023. 

Nothing has changed. In a call to Eric years ago, he told me the speakers were tuned to around 32hz or so. That’s what I hear. Strong output to 30hz.

Still loving these speakers. Have tried OB, single full range driver/SE triode amps, and the DI's still rule as the reference.

Anyone notice on the Tekton website that they changed the frequency response from starting at 20Hz to starting at only 30 Hz? I wonder if Eric changed something on the speaker recently or if he's only adjusted the specs on paper...weird.

Hello Tekton owners/aficionados, I’m getting ready to take the leap into the Ulfberht club and am looking for anyone within a few hours drive from Northern Virginia who would allow me to hear their speakers.  I heard the Moabs briefly a few years ago at a show and liked them, but really need to hear the Ulfs or the Moab’s again.  I’ve got a pretty decent wine cellar and would love to bring something nice with me to either share or leave for my host.  I’d also be happy to have folks come listen to the Dynaudio Consequence Ultimates I have now as a comparison.

@jcs01     Have no fear, you will enjoy your new DI SE's very much indeed.  I have had my DI's for years now and you should know I am intolerant of bright or edgy speakers.  They obviously are anything but that.  

As stated many times, they are revealing speakers but in a good way.  So changes in upstream gear is quite easily discerned.  My Marantz Ruby gear is known to be smooth yet detailed and that is what I hear with my DI's. Of course, some CD's sound spectacular and others not as much, but I have never had issues with a segment of my CD's being unlistenable.  

jcs01,

Now that this thread has come back to life a bit maybe other Tekton owners who have had more time with the speakers can chime in and share their own experiences and also talk about that concern. I just use digital sources (streamer and DAC or CD player and DAC) and some digital material sounds better than others. I listen to some older stuff sometimes, like Sinatra, and older Jazz Sax players and that material was not always recorded well, sometimes even mono.

If you want forgiving, look at Vandersteen or Harbeth.

 

 

2psyop,

Thanks for the info on your DIs.  Unfortunately that is not what I wanted to hear as I am looking for more forgiving speakers.  Others on this thread have said they think the DIs are forgiving, so I hope that is the case once they are broken in.

Jcs01,

Mine are not broken in yet but they sound better every week. One thing I did notice with them was that they tend to reveal more of what is good or bad in my recordings. If I have a terrible recording they sound awful, but when I put on a good recording they sound sublime. So really take your time when they arrive.... and you will see where the name comes from ....double impact. They make a strong impression! I am sure your Hegel will make them sing.

Tekton speakers with onboard amps... now that's the shite me boys

Congrats! You made a wise choice. Let us know your impressions once you get 'em in. 

So I pulled the trigger on a pair of Double Impact SEs today (Charcoal).  I have been looking for a speaker upgrade for many months and have thoroughly enjoyed the process, but it was time to make a decision.  I think I listened to over 20 pairs of speakers and, of course, I have not heard the DIs, but all the enthusiasm here and on You Tube pushed me over the edge (plus I can always return them).  

The conversation about Tekton in Agon reminds me of Tesla.  Both Tesla and Tekton don't fit the conventional model and many doubt their technology and reliability - how can $3k speakers be so good?  How can an electric car take me on a road trip across the country?.  The converts (fanboys) defend the products and often get indignant when challenged.  The trolls pop up with naive, unsupported and (often) stupid comments.  Of course with Tesla I was able to drive it (many times) to confirm the superiority of the technology, but I am not able to return it (although they are currently worth more than I paid for them) - we have two.  

I will be pairing the DIs with my Hegel H160 and replacing a pair of Linn Majik 140 speakers.  I really like the Linns and think Linn speakers (all of them) don't get enough attention and respect from the audiophile community.  I hope the DIs are an upgrade for me - the Teslas certainly are.

Let's keep this thread going!

 

Nice!  Hope they work out well for you (and your wife).

Aleutian SW 6241 (Sherwin Williams)

It is a subdued light grey blue

I think that was a wise move.  The SB drivers are really high quality drivers that are an excellent value.  The Electron SE's reach every bit as deep in the bass as my DI's.  If my room did not allow for a larger speaker like the DI, in no way would I feel like I was missing out with the Electron SE's.  

What color did you opt for?

I ordered the SE model and also ordered a color that has an easier WAF. If I can't get them into my living room because my wife doesn't like them, they will go into the audio room (she calls it my man cave).

I have not heard any of the Be versions.  I do know that the silk domes blend beautifully with the paper cone drivers and create a seamless sound top to bottom.

Eric has never tried to upsell anything in my discussions with him.  Always found him to be very open and honest.

Regarding the question of listening at low volumes--I have never felt the speakers need to be pushed to sound full and balanced.  But when pushed, they easily maintain their composure.

Did you gentleman order the standard Electron or the SE version?

kitsap2

Thanks for the info. I ended up ordering a pair without the BB tweeter.

I was able to email Eric and he answered some questions I had. That's great that he took the time to do that. But I have two questions for owners. One, for BE tweeter owners. Does adding a single BE tweeter add to the high end sound or would you have preferred the stock domes? Two, how do the DI SE sound at low volumes? Does it still retain a good balance of high, low and midrange at lower volumes?

I spoke with Eric (by accident, he just happened to answer the phone) about the Be tweeter (single) I ordered for my Electrons.  He described the sound they emphasized and also added that none of his speakers which have won awards were outfitted with Be tweeters.  That was an honest pointer.

I was able to email Eric and he answered some questions I had. That's great that he took the time to do that. But I have two questions for owners. One, for BE tweeter owners. Does adding a single BE tweeter add to the high end sound or would you have preferred the stock domes? Two, how do the DI SE sound at low volumes? Does it still retain a good balance of high, low and midrange at lower volumes?

I actually have a pair(Double Impact) & wide  center (Double Impact center)  for sale here  on Audiogon

thanks 114 pages is a bit to sift through to find everything, but I'm getting through them.  You are correct upgraded doesn't necessarily mean better, just was curious what comes with the upgrade, especially considering the SE's are on sale right now.

@gwng8 As noted on the website, all the drivers are "upgraded".  The woofers go from Eminence A's to the B's.  And so on with the other drivers.  Larger magnets on the on all the paper cone drivers.  The upgraded crossover is standard on the SE's. That's about it.

But what does it really matter.  The question is how do they sound?  Buried in this thread is commentary by owners who lived with both models.  Don't assume the SE will clearly outperform the base DI in all situations. 

Eric rarely responds to emails.  It's a miracle he can even take any calls. No doubt he will be multi-tasking if you get a hold of him. Try a Saturday am.  Research things on the web. 

I own the base DI's and have never felt the need to upgrade--a great speaker.  I also have the Electron SE's in another system.  Amazing full range speaker in a smaller format. I suspect the jump from the Electron to the SE is a larger measure of improvement compared to the DI to the SE.  Both of my speakers share many commonalities--full range performance, wonderful smooth and detailed voicing, and the ability to create a large soundstage in three dimensions.  Hard to go wrong with the majority of Eric's speakers.

i have reached out, waiting for a response....i imagine he is very busy.  But yes some more details on the website would certainly go a long way with respect to the decision making process.

gwng8

60 posts

02-22-2022 10:20am

perhaps i missed it but what is the difference between the regular and SE versions?

@gwng8 Eric is famous for his lack of detail on the website, upgraded drivers.  That's about it!  Reach out to him, give him a call, it's the only way to get answers.  Never understood that, he wouldn't be so overloaded with emails and phone calls if he just explained himself a bit on the website.

I have regular ole DI's, I posted my review of them on here a few months back.  They are great speakers.

perhaps i missed it but what is the difference between the regular and SE versions?

We are not trying to control each other's buying behavior.

I'm clearly now on Team Moab. Super percussive speaker, but not bloaty. Rarified midrange and layers.  

 Sometimes you get something that is truly breathtaking, and why not "give it away"?

Right. I live for the comments from people who are genuinely enthusiastic and excited. Only thing better is when they are emotionally captivated. Who wants the component that makes people go, "Meh"?

@corelli, thank you for offering that info, glad to know all the earlier talk of tubes was just the direction of convo rather than necessary for some type of influence the speakers needed.

There's some utility in that statement. I've found this phenomenon, even in the political.

If it makes you feel good or powerful, OR others made to seem weak, dangerous or pathetic, you will stick with it.
what if you determine it hurts others - the feel good for you is a feel bad for someone else. Do you ever try to determine this? Have far do you let that go? For some, this is a simple contest of ignorance.

Seriously - people focus on their limited sphere of success and pump it up like a 50-mile high bounce house while ignoring the people they crush or celebrating as if victorious over them.

I've listened to quite a number of speakers over the decades and I mostly choose entirely new products and product lines, brands, etc.

We are not trying to control each other's buying behavior.

I'm clearly now on Team Moab. Super percussive speaker, but not bloaty. Rarified midrange and layers.  

 Sometimes you get something that is truly breathtaking, and why not "give it away"?

Im really bored at the great positivity from those that own the brands they favor.   "mine's the best man"

5,600 posts about this junk...

@morg111    I have always felt that the DI's, to my ear, were fundamentally neutral.  You are right, this speaker is so capable in allowing you to hear what is ahead of it.  As noted above, I do not feel that it is an issue of tubes vs. solid state.  I have just the right blend of detail and a hint of warmth with my Marantz Ruby gear.  There is no right or wrong here.  Trust your ears.  The cool thing is you are afforded so many choices with this speaker.  Take your time--you will know when you have arrived at your destination.

@Oz-im interested to hear more about your potential Bryston critique??

I don’t know anything about their BR20 as it is brand new and there is very little out there reviewing it. But their 4b3 amp is highly acclaimed, even said to be a bit warmer, which I thought could be a great as the DIs seem to need some warming and/or richer middle. 
Alas, what I’m hearing from you first couple responders isn’t supporting any particular direction.