Author Topic: Could you imagine if they made bass cabs? (Read 1154 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** July 13, 2012, 11:03:41 AM »

I was sent a link to this company to check out their hi fi speakers and stereo systems.

http://www.avantgarde-acoustic.de/horn-loudspeaker-en.html

Price list: http://www.avantgarde-acoustic.de/trio-prices-en.html
Jazzyvee

tubeperson · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2012, 11:23:21 AM »

Yo Jazzy, look at the Basshorn at their web site. What a rotund beefy bass unit!

poor_nigel · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2012, 02:42:15 AM »

I'm an old speaker freak, and I have some Altec multi-cell 5000B's and JBL 2495 plate horns, and 35 pound Altec drivers and JBL neodymium 2455 drivers for the plate horns. I have old horned cabinets for dual 15's with Gausss 15 drivers in them (The old original Hollywood shop line. I will admit the horns and drivers go for some inflated prices on eBay these days, but not into the five digit range, and certainly not close to $84,000 Euros or whatever the price list stated, and I am probably sure my speakers will reproduce whatever theirs will within 5% tolerance of their specs, especially if I toss in a couple pairs of D-120F 12 JBL's for midranges, or 10's, even. I love JBL mid-sized cones for midrange at short throw-ranges, and in horn loaded boxes for long-range apps. I do not like horns squaking out the midranges much. I often think speakers were perfected in the 50's/60's and went down hill after that. Ignorant? Me? Maybe, and maybe I am getting deaf, as I still think my old stuff sounds GREAT. Note that I do use new high tech preamps, crossovers, and power amps, as improvements to those (Electronics) did happen at significant levels over the years. Lighter, better, cleaner. I may not think someone a fool to pay 84,000 whatevers for a pair of horns, but I won't envy them either. Stupid is as stupid does, Ms. Bubba.

dnburgess · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2012, 06:20:01 PM »

To be fair this is the statement end of the hifi market, where performance is not necessarily the most important part of the total product experience. Similar observations might be made about high end basses.

I also have a soft spot for old speakers - some of the best speakers I've ever heard in a domestic setting were huge old Tannoys.

In my bedroom I have a pair of Infintys from the 70s. Still sound great, although I have had the woofers reconed.

terryc · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2012, 03:36:00 AM »

And of course they are only as good as the gear they are connected to...would be a waste if it was rigged up to a very cheap system.
If I win the lottery I would buy them just for the hell of it!

tubeperson · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2012, 06:59:50 AM »

With respect to dnburgess' comment that the performance Statement audiophile products are not necessarily the most important part of the total product experience, I think a true audiophile would take you to task on that with good reason. The whole purpose of the extremely expensive (in most cases) products is to produce the same experience one would have at a live acoustic concert hall, preferably unamplified. Many good lookers in that product range fail because while they may be attractive, they are not alive (Freddy Gruber quote). If an audiophile type product does not reproduce music accurately, and this is the major performance issue, then they do not tend to last. If you take a look at the post concerning instrument cords in another thread, you see some members expressed a dislike for Monster Cable, perceived as a high end product, as too expensive and not as effective in performance as other products mentioned. Since I am an audiophile, I think you should better understand what we are trying to achieve and not be so judgmental that in the high end, performance is not the primary concern. To the contrary it is the very reason for the existence of the high end. In my own experience I have found many reasonable priced components that sound better and more effective than some of the expensive ones. Just think, there are many Fender players that think the same way about our Alembics, and think we are nuts to pay for perhaps some increase in performance. In the case of Alembic instruments, we owners experience the differences. Someone with a different hearing point of reference may not hear such difference or cannot justify the price differential (value) when comparing price. At least I am consistent in that I am an audiophile for both home reproduction as well as choice of instrument Alembic, Ritter, etc.). I love Filet Mignon and Rib Eye, but a great burger is nice once in a while too! Just don't tell my cardiologist. I own Fender and Alembics, and prefer my Alembics. That does not negate my purchasing Fender basses. It's all about the ears and the aural experience, not the flash and price point. If you are ever visiting the Northeast, I can demonstrate this. here's to pursuing exceptional playing and sharing!

terryc · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2012, 01:15:27 PM »

And of course german engineering is absolutely spot on. Having ridden the BMW S1000RR, it made my Honda Fireblade feel rather inadequate(even though itself is an excellent motorcycle)
A friend of mine has a early 80's BMW M6, it's a typical 80's car style but it is so well built and the motor is frantically scary when the throttle is floored.
I can only imagine that these horn drivers when connected to some equally high end hi fi(Bose, Bang & Olufsen etc) that the sound will be something that is a totally unique experience.
These people have obviously spent a lot of money in R&D and have to re coup that cost as well as make a profit..so get what you pay for as we all know.
I cannot afford to be an audiophile but as I said in my last thread, if I had the money I would by them as they would definitely be the dogs b*****ks in drivers!

tubeperson · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2012, 01:22:04 PM »

TerryC - the real fun is to find the relative bargains in the high end. I bought 2 of my Alembics used, as many other great axes both 4 and 6 stringed, and have purchased much audio gear used as well. I do not need to buy into the snob factor, I like bargains, especially high performance to price ones. There are many reasonably priced wines and a super Single malt Scotch that do not break the bank. I perceive great value in that. Good luck and play well and hard!

lbpesq · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2012, 05:48:39 PM »

Steve:

Super single malt scotch? Which one?

Bill, tgo

dnburgess · « **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2012, 07:49:36 PM »

Steve - agree audiophile bargains are a buzz.

Note I was talking about the statement end of the market not the audiophile market. There is overlap between the two but they are not one and the same. Just as not everyone who spends over $200k on a car is a car enthusiast, not everyone who spends over say $100k on a hifi is an audiophile.

terryc · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2012, 04:15:28 AM »

Macallan..this is the best without doubt

tubeperson · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2012, 06:46:46 AM »

terryc - 25 year old is awesome!! I have a terrific collection of Duncan Taylor as well. Johnny W. Blue sucks moose eggs!!! Very overpriced and not tasty to me.

dnburgess, excellent clarification!

fmm · « **Reply #12 on:** July 20, 2012, 01:43:55 PM »

tubeperson:

I have to disagree with you on the Johnny Walker Blue. It's God's own blend, and excellent.

I don't often drink blended Scotch, but when I do I prefer Johnny Walker Blue. Even moreso when it's someone else's bottle!

Glenlivet has excellent bang for the buck in an inexpensive single malt.

tubeperson · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2012, 01:51:20 PM »

fmmmmmmmmm - Different strokes for different folks. Keep in mind I gave up blends a long time ago, life is way too short. JW Blue, however, is not a single malt so it is unfair for poor Blue to even try to compete. I will gladly let you compare Glenmorangie 18 yr old Single Malt, properly chilled, both bottle and shot glasses, to Blue under the same condition. I think you would be very surprised! Blue will give you a headache, Glenmorangie will give you sexual ecstasy without having to buy the fur coat! Plus Blue is almost twice the price! Let's get malted (or dram if you prefer) together one day. I like Glenlivet as well, I have 18 yr old and 21 yr old in stock. At any rate, enjoy!! L'Chaim!!!!!

terryc · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2012, 03:46:29 AM »

My girlsfriend has the Chivas Royal Salute, this is upper end whiskey but she will not open it as they are 'collectors' items. hers is in the blue velevet bag BUT her mother has the extremely rare black bag issue plus about 40 bottles of other rarities..needles to say although she lives local she is from Rothes in Morayshire which is right in the heart of Speyside(distillery country) and the Glen Grant, Glenrothes and Macallan distilleries are on the doorstep. her relatives work at one of them so needless to say I get excellent whiskies at a very reasonable price!