Teton monitors from Wavetouch Audio - A Must Hear


In the market for a pair of monitors recently, to gain more living spaces that being taken over by the growing LPs collection and the Wilson Sophia that I have put up for sale, I start doing some audition, googleing and look around. I know it's going to be a tough task finding any speakers that could produce the sound I have used to for many years from the Sophia.

To make sure I don't make a mistake and miss out on the big names, the likes of Harbert, Tannoy, B&W, psb, sonus....I start hitting the showrooms of LA. All of them are good, decent speakers but they don't strike me as possible replacements for the giant Wilson, three times their sizes. Then I found an unknown brand advertised, kevlar, horn tweeter and exotic rosewood in all. The rosewood always got me, I contacted the owner for a listen. A copy cat of B&W it turn-out and the speakers were bought in lots for testing and experiments by Alex Yoon of Wavetouch Audio in LA. Alex then let me take a peak listen to something he was 'putting together' as he said, and fine-tuning for review at StereoTimes. I hastily agreed. We headed for the studio where he does his work, the size of a four-car garage.

There I was introduced to a pair of tiny monitors, the 'Grand Teton', I later learned, in rich, exotic Russian birchwood that one can tell of top-notch quality, carefully and meticulously put together. We spent the next two hours listen to tracks after tracks of acoustic, instrumentals and vocals music. The monitors fill the huge studio with music as if a pair of 5-foot tall floor standing were in used. Soundstage were ceiling high and 6-foot deep. Vocals were in-your-face with each instrument precisely positioned as if we had attented a jazz rehearsal in a garage. I immidiately inquired about a pair for home audition. This could be the Wilson replacement, I said to myself with reservation. May be Alex had the room treated or using special equipments. But his gear is very mediocre.

Two week past and Alex deliver the monitors for audition. The same pair but has now been finely tuned. Personally position the monitors in my living room, Alex going over some adjustments tips, give me a week to test the monitors and head back to LA. Two day of comparison between the Grand Teton and the Sophia side-by-side, guitar, piano, vocals and everything in between. I contacted Alex and convinced him to leave the sample, don't come back for it and it was purchased with proceed from the Sophia sale. The Grand Teton is now in my living room replacing the giant Wilson for 1/10 the cost, 1/10 the size and not a note missing.

Quite a task for its size. Highly recommended and a must to audiition if you can arrange for one. It will be time well spent just to listen to it.

Music Fanatic,
Irvine, CA
connect400

Showing 4 responses by sutpen

I wish this thread would stick to comments from people who have actually heard these speakers. I have been listening to them in my EL34 system for a little over two months. They delight me every day.

I have found they are very musical playing small group Jazz or Classical. I don't enough experience to venture into audiophile vocabulary: I've only been at this a few years, have yet to listen to any top-end speakers. Playing Jim Hall/Paul Desmond the sounds seem to come from actual instruments; each with its own space. The vocals from Anonymous 4 are lovely. So too any violin or cello.

I would like to see posts from other owners as to what amps they are using to drive their Grand Tetons. Is more power better?

I do not care if these speakers are the product of brilliant design, pseudo-science, or pure chance. I do not care if they are marketed by kind gentlemen or shills. I want to advance in this hobby. Can someone suggest how to make these sound even better than they do now? Can someone suggest what speakers might be a good step up for me once I've saved up some money?
I said it...wrote it actually.

I am Sutpen, a fifty-eight year old High School math teacher living on the central coast of California. If you are near I invite you over for a listen and some beers. PM me any time.

I happily accept "weird" and "strange." I don't think you have any cause to call me a liar.
Wolf_Garcia:
Perhaps you should start a thread with "resentment" as the topic; this one has a different title.
I teach math. I do not write sales copy. My students are hard-working kids trying to better themselves, not drunks.
If you point out where I used "broken English" I'd be obliged. Put it in a PM please as public shaming might make me blush.

Audioman58:
Can you post what amp(s) you use with these speakers? I use a el34 PP integrated--about 25 watts each channel. I tried a recapped VOM 6aq5--maybe 5 watts each channel--but I though the music sounded less "alive." Thanks.
Randyhat:
I agree with you. I cringed reading through those posts. I felt they were disrespectful. I want to improve the sounds playing in my house; I value posts that offer informed opinions and comparisons--positive or negative.

Audioman58:
Thanks for the response. I don't have any amp in 50-100 watt range, but I will keep your suggestions in mind as I crawl up the audio ladder.