Zman -can't wait to hear about your impressions of the Lore. Congrats on your new speakers. |
Mine should be arriving tomorrow.
I'll post my first impressions then. |
I'm highly interested in the Lore. Any more opinions on this speaker from recent buyers? |
i've had the Lore since mid November and have put around 400 hours on them. they are driven by 250 SS watts fed by a ModWright pre and various digital front ends. i considered the Omen but bought the Lore, without hearing them after speaking with Eric, because of the perfectly benign 8 ohm impedance and front port design. my rig is in a 25x16x8 room, long wall setup, Cardas arrangement in a 9 ft equilateral triangle.
this is my first venture into high sensitivity speakers. other current speakers include ProAc and Silverline. i considered my other speakers a bit too 'polite' for much of the rock music i like to listen to at higher volumes. the Lore do not disappoint, they rock. the soundstage is as wide as the recording allows, the imaging and coherence is there, there is plenty of detail without being artificial.
i also have an el34 tube amp and an Peachtree idecco but have not tried either yet because i'm happy with the current setup. i would like to try a SET but am in no hurry.
the Lore certain does R&B, jazz, new age, electronica, ambient with equal ease. my son is a guitarist and music engineer, he says the Lore does guitar better than any of the other speakers i own.
as usual, YMMV depending on your room, system and ears. but for me, the $850 has turned out to be a boon given it is easily the least expensive component i own.
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B rodgers
The SET amps have a lot more trancient attack than the high powered digital amp.
And the mids are smooooth. With plenty of detail. But the fact remains that these 98db speakers are born with an SET in mind.
I think it might be a step in the right direction.
Just sayin. |
Also-if you're considering Lore and Omen don't overlook the older Katz Meow that Eric has had and may still have for $900 or so. I have Omen and this Katz model and really like them both. I've been out of town on a couple of extended trips since I got the Omens right after Christmas so I still need some time with them but I'm sure I'll keep them. The Katz are money. I've had them since last summer.
How either compares with the Lore I don't know. |
B rodgers - think of all the possibilities of low watt tube amp and SET amps you could run now. Forgot the Maggies (subjective), which require big power. Looks like you just took a serious short but in the right direction. I've never owned Maggies, but heard the MMG's and 3.6's. I have owned my share of Logans, a pair Quads, and Carver Amazing Speakers. They are fun but big, power hungry, and may not have the amazing focus of a single driver. Of course it's all about tradeoffs, but the high efficiency thing is an entire different world that begs for exploration. Happy listening! Jeff |
Sounds good. The speaker is not designed to run w/ a grill anyway, although having a 4-5 mth old and a 2.5 year old, it sure would be nice when not in use. Can you send a pic of your finish? Thx |
He refunded the $50 for the grilles. He offered to send them but it would have required me drilling attachement points on the speaker. I didn't want to risk damaging the finish. The speakers are done in maple and look great. |
B rodgers.
You've given me hope in my speaker choise.
It's always good to know that a floor staning speaker can put a smile on the face of a Maggie owners face.
It's always a challange to compete with the soundstage of Maggies, and to know you were happy make me happy.
Eric told me that mine will be shipping on Wed..
I'll keep the post going with my initial impressions.
John |
B rodgers - thanks for your great review!! BTW did you ever get the grills or did you just let that go?? What was he wanting to charge for that option? |
I got a pair of Lore speakers at the end of December. I have been a Magnepan user for the past 12 years. I've had MG1.6's and Magnestand MMGs in my system. Before committing to larger, more expensive models, I wanted to experience a high efficiency type speaker. I took a chance and ordered the Lore (I compared to the Omen but like some of the design decisions of the Lore better).
Waiting on the speakers was frustrating. I ordered mid October and expected them in a couple of weeks. Two months later when they arrived the grilles I had ordered were not included. At this point I was really not wanting to like the speakers.
An hour later I had a smile on my face. I'm really impressed by these speakers. The dynamics and quality of bass are much better than the Magnepans. Midrange and treble quality are about the same. I was worried they might have a "boxy" sound, but they do not. I was worried that the height of the speakers would be a problem but the acoustic center appears to be higher than the MMGs. From the box they sounded slightly "dark", but with break-in and tilting the speakers back slightly this has gone away.
The amp I'm using is a 500W class-D amp (purchased for the power hungry maggies). I would have thought this would be a terrible match for the Lores, but Eric told me that he expected them to be a good match. Based on this, I would expect most amps to sound good with these speakers.
I'm very pleased with my purchase at this point. Thoughts of upgrading to bigger Magnepans are gone. I'm not sure at this point what my next step will be. I had considered the lores to be a low cost test of high efficiency but they are good enough to stay in my system for a while. |
I am not sure exactly, but I have a local friend that has it. I will find out the details and post back. What I do know is the guy that ordered the mods for Hammer has passed on so Eminence is no longer making it to that past spec. Word is that is doesn't sound quite as good as it did before. We are hoping that Eric's Lore will be a step in the right direction. We will know shortly! |
Gpowered.
When you mention the Modified Eminence, what are the mods?
Eric also mentions the Eminence being slightly modified.
Thanks.
John |
Hi. I have my Lore's on order as well in beautiful white and he said they should ship next week. I have been speaking to a guy that has them and his impressions are favorable with about 120 hours on them. He is driving them with a SE84 Decware amp that puts out max 2 watts per side, with good results. Email me if you want to see his impressions. I wouldn't be too concerned with what the reviews say. I have used many loudspeakers over the past 2+ years, most of which have had excellent reviews, yet most of them left something to be desired. The high efficiency thing is really a benefit. I have owned:
MA 5i
Paradigm Studio 60 v4
Dynaudio Focus 220 II, Confidence C1, Audience 70 and 42
Von Schweikert VR4 Jr II
Quad ESL 989
PSB Synchrony One
PSB Gold Stratus I
Rega RS7
Silverline SR12
Martin Logan Ascent
Looking forward to hearing a single driver speaker and getting into SET and low powered amps! Remember, the reg Lore used an Eminence driver and is much like the well regarded Hammer kit - many people swore by it back when Eminence sold it with the modified driver. I will post a review at some point!! Looking to driver mine with a set of Quicksilver Mini Mites |
I put my Lore order in 1/28 , Eric told me two weeks . The drop in price to 850.00 dollars was the deal clincher , considering I have not seen one reveiw bad or good on them .
Charlie. |
Eric showed me the frequency response and they looked very good. The mini lore also fasinates me. The size seems to be almost perfect for my listening room. I did not get to see the fr on the mini lore, but they sounded nice, and the price seems nice also. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Have you heard any of zu products?? |
I've ordered my Lore's and they should arrive in the next week or so. He says 5 day turnover but I don't think that's going to happen.
My previous speaker was a Monitor Audio RS6. A VERY highly reviewed speaker with just cause. They were fantastic speakers. When the Lore's arrive I will give my initial impressions compaired to the MA RS6's.
And as they break in.
I'm fortunate enough to have a fully treated music room so I can give a rough review to there full potential and there weekness.
Eric assured me that they would out performe the Zu Essence or Soul Superfly.
I know, the guy building and selling the speakers is not the best place to get an un-biased opinion.
But I have never heard anything neg. about the Lore from people who have heard them.
We will see.
On paper they out perform the Omen and the Soul.
For $850. I couldn't pass it up.
I'll keep you posted.
John |
Hi. I'm hoping to get some help. I tried posting on another forum but no response so far. I went and heard both the mini lore and the lore at eric's shop a few weeks ago. It was fun, I had a good time listening to the speakers. There is suppossed to be a review in the works, but nothing has materialized yet. I am a fan of eric's work and am a little biased I think. I really want to hear what a professional reviewer thinks about these 2 new models. I've bugged him a few times myself about getting some reviews sent off. Perhaps if there are any other tekton design fans out there they might send him and email. Perhaps if he gets a few more request we may get a review soon than later. |
Got them up & running for over a week now.
Going through with break-in process. 160 hours out of Zu recommended 400 hours.
Initial impressions are very favorable but there are issues which might be concerning & noteworthy to potential buyer.
All issues, initial impressions, pictures etc. can be found on Audio Circle forum. Check it out if you seek a bit more of an "in depth" look into Omen speakers.
- if anyone has a specific question, please ask.
Cheers
Mariusz |
> Anyone received their Omens yet?????
A friend got her's about a week ago, I helped her unpack them. I was only able to listen briefly, but I was impressed at how they sounded fresh out of the box when driven by an 18 watt Almarro integrated. She thinks they're terrific and and that they have that certain "something." |
Zu Omen shipping was confirmed - should arrive around Nov.19th
Hopefully I'll be able to compare these two side by side in my own listening room.
But regardless of the outcome, Zu Omen and Tekton Lore might be one of the better values in today's hifi. (excluding DIY that is)
BTW
Anyone received their Omens yet?????
P.S
Cool video clip. |
I actually used to work with Eric twelve years ago when he was the lead sound engineer at Kimber Kable. Well many, many, years later I bumped into him again and we started talking. Anyways to make a long story short. I wish my video camera had more details. The paint job is great. I also got to sit down and listen to the Lore. They sound very nice. He didn't scrimp on the tweeter either. If you notice it's an audax for the high freq. I looked at madisound and they are $108 a each.
On a funny side note. I also worked with Sean from Zu 12 years ago. Sean was the sales person for Kimber at the time. Really nice guy.
I've had the luck to hear both companies products.
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Nice video.
What did you think of the Lore? |
Hi. I went to eric's shop and got permission to make a little video where eric talks about the lore. I dressed it up with windows video maker. I Thought it might be of interest. just check out you tube. search under tekton lore. I did not have any real professional equipent just a $70 video camera and windows video maker. |
THX Mr. Sebrof
no doubt about Tekton quality or value
Zu seems to choose more aggressive marketing as well - no dealers, 2 floorstanders under 2K
Both companies seem to attract similar group of audiophiles.
However, I am really interested in these two particular models. Here is why:
1) I pre-ordered Zu Omens
2) opportunity knocked and it might be possible to audition Lore speakers.
3) extended range drivers in both speakers appear to be very similar pro-drivers minus the fancy CNC phase plugs by Zu.
4) cab size, driver/tweeter location - all too similar.
Main differences are in the cab loading, slight difference in cab volume, tweeter implementation (ribbon v.s metal dome)
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I've never heard either (of course, nobody has heard the Omen yet), but I have a pair of the Tekton Katz Meow. I can say that I am impressed with the build quality, and Eric Alexander seemes like one of the good guys in Audio. He states "Benign 8 ohm load" and it seems so because the speakers seem to be a great match with my 2A3 SET. The Katz are a good speaker for my gear, room, listening.
My room is 12' x 13' x 9', and I've tended to have larger speakers than maybe I should have in the room. The Katz are similar in size to the Lore, but 8" driver vs. 10" on the lore. He specs the Lore down to 30HZ (40HZ for the Katz), and I'd believe it. The Katz have plenty of good and tight bass, and sound very good overall.
I guess all that means is that he makes a good product and he doesn't BS on the specs. |
