what do we think of Westlake Audio speakers? (specifically the SM1)

infinitely baffled

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Jul 2, 2015
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Hi Guys
i don't ever hear much talk about Westlake Audio.
is that because they aren't any good?

i have never heard any of their offerings, but a dealer i have a good relationship with has a pair in and says they are worth making the effort to hear.
since that effort will likely involve me getting on a plane i thought i would ask if any of you have any experience with them, especially the SM1 loudspeaker?
all opinions welcome! :)
many thanks
gav

http://www.westlakeaudio.com/Speakers/Hi_Fi_Series/tower_sm-1.html
 

GaryProtein

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Jul 25, 2012
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WHOA!

If you are traveling by plane DO NOT audition any equipment on the day you fly, and no, ear protection on the plane won't help with this.

You need at least overnight for your ears to calm down after a flight.
 

infinitely baffled

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good advice Gary.

i find a long car journey has a similar effect
 

amirm

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Apr 2, 2010
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I have only heard them at a show. They were playing at very high SPLs which I know you like :). Other than that, I was not a fan of the sound in the demo. They do have a pretty good reputation in professional, high-end audio mixing world (movie soundtracks and such). So don't put too much weight on my ad-hoc impression :).
 

infinitely baffled

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Jul 2, 2015
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thanks for that :)
are you especially familiar with my current speakers Amir, the Focal stella utopia?
if so, how would you contrast the sound with the big Westlakes?

btw it's the tower sm-1 my dealer has
 

amirm

Banned
Apr 2, 2010
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I say you have the most stark version of the difference in the sound of pro loudspeakers versus audiophiles :). Don't look for euphonic presentation in the Westlake. They had a flat which to me in that demo, sounded boring. Whether that was more correct/neutral, I don't know. But I think you will find them very different sounding than the Focal and perhaps not in a good way.

Again, take this with a grain of salt. It was a 15 minute demo and all I could think about was them trying to show how it can play very loud without distortion which they accomplished. I think they misunderstood their audience there (this was CES show).
 

infinitely baffled

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cheers squire, that's very helpful.
i think if i were truly in the market for a speaker at this price point it would be the Nola Concert Grand Reference Gold. i only considered the Westlakes because my dealer suggested them, obviously because he has them in stock. they would need to be pretty spectacular at the price

but if anyone else has any experience with them, i'm all ears :)
 

ddk

Well-Known Member
May 18, 2013
6,261
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Utah
Hi Guys
i don't ever hear much talk about Westlake Audio.
is that because they aren't any good?

i have never heard any of their offerings, but a dealer i have a good relationship with has a pair in and says they are worth making the effort to hear.
since that effort will likely involve me getting on a plane i thought i would ask if any of you have any experience with them, especially the SM1 loudspeaker?
all opinions welcome! :)
many thanks
gav

http://www.westlakeaudio.com/Speakers/Hi_Fi_Series/tower_sm-1.html

Don't know the SM-1 but I had a couple of their 80's speakers and they were awesome, better than competing JBL and TAD models. Take the flight, hearing the SM-1 is a rare opportunity whatever the outcome.

david
 

es347

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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Midwest fly over state..
..we're talking $200K + correct? Oh my..
 

infinitely baffled

VIP/Donor
Jul 2, 2015
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did i mention they are second hand?

150,000 yo-yos :)

or £107,000, before discount, part ex, etc

either way it would require a few years' saving
 
Last edited:

infinitely baffled

VIP/Donor
Jul 2, 2015
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Scotland
Don't know the SM-1 but I had a couple of their 80's speakers and they were awesome, better than competing JBL and TAD models. Take the flight, hearing the SM-1 is a rare opportunity whatever the outcome.

david

very interesting David. will give it serious consideration, thank you
 

Verdier

Well-Known Member
Oct 7, 2018
126
133
128
Hi Guys
i don't ever hear much talk about Westlake Audio.
is that because they aren't any good?

i have never heard any of their offerings, but a dealer i have a good relationship with has a pair in and says they are worth making the effort to hear.
since that effort will likely involve me getting on a plane i thought i would ask if any of you have any experience with them, especially the SM1 loudspeaker?
all opinions welcome! :)
many thanks
gav

http://www.westlakeaudio.com/Speakers/Hi_Fi_Series/tower_sm-1.html
Hi!

I know it's an very old thread... But since I'm thinking about Westlake Speakers again: How did it turn out back then? Did you listen to Westlakes? With what result?

Thanks
Verdier
 

infinitely baffled

VIP/Donor
Jul 2, 2015
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No, I never did Verdier.
My apologies.

Which model interests you?
 

Verdier

Well-Known Member
Oct 7, 2018
126
133
128
You don't need to apologise. ;) I just assumed that you had heard it by now and was curious about your impressions, that's all.

I'm interested in the larger monitors (BBSM-15, TM-3, HR-1). But I can't say anything about them - I'm interested in impressions of guys who have listened to such Westlakes.
 

infinitely baffled

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Jul 2, 2015
1,259
387
340
Scotland
I think ddk is your man to ask?
 

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