Hopkins' System
- Thread starter hopkins
- Start date
On the topic of 78s..here's a random track I came across today:
Recorded in NYC on December 10, 1938
Bobby Hackett - cornet
Slats Long, Chester Hazlett - clarinet, alto saxophone
Bud Freeman - tenor saxophone
Milton Rettenberg - piano
Ken Binford - guitar
Ed Brader - bass
Ed Rubsam - drums
Maxine Sullivan - vocals
Here's a needle drop available on the Internet Archive:
Recorded in NYC on December 10, 1938
Bobby Hackett - cornet
Slats Long, Chester Hazlett - clarinet, alto saxophone
Bud Freeman - tenor saxophone
Milton Rettenberg - piano
Ken Binford - guitar
Ed Brader - bass
Ed Rubsam - drums
Maxine Sullivan - vocals
Here's a needle drop available on the Internet Archive:
Say It With A Kiss : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Artist: Maxine Sullivan And Her Orchestra Title: Say It With A Kiss Year: 1938 Date: NY, Dec 10, 1938 Performers: Maxine Sullivan (vcl) acc by Bobby Hackett...
archive.org
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I mentioned this video in another thread:
I found the sound to be quite pleasant. I was curious to listen to that same track on my speakers. I tried it first on my open baffle speakers, which I no longer use (but I have kept one handy):
I then played the track on my Teufel speakers:
I must admit, I am still under the spell of these ultra-cheap speakers in my living room.
I found the sound to be quite pleasant. I was curious to listen to that same track on my speakers. I tried it first on my open baffle speakers, which I no longer use (but I have kept one handy):
I then played the track on my Teufel speakers:
I must admit, I am still under the spell of these ultra-cheap speakers in my living room.
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The Teufel speakers are fairly light. I tried adding weights at the bottom or top several times, but it didn’t not seem to have much effect.
I had another go at it, as I found cheap (20€) steel plates on Amazon that could fit into the speakers.
They weigh 4.5 kg (10 lb) each. I placed two per speaker, for an added 9 kg (20 lb).
I then added four sylomer pucks beneath the speakers.
These pucks are available in a variety of densities to suit different weights. They are super cheap.
My first impressions are really positive. The added 9 kg and pucks resulted in tighter, deeper bass, and generally better, cleaner, sound. I have to say that I am quite surprised by the results
I had another go at it, as I found cheap (20€) steel plates on Amazon that could fit into the speakers.
They weigh 4.5 kg (10 lb) each. I placed two per speaker, for an added 9 kg (20 lb).
I then added four sylomer pucks beneath the speakers.
These pucks are available in a variety of densities to suit different weights. They are super cheap.
My first impressions are really positive. The added 9 kg and pucks resulted in tighter, deeper bass, and generally better, cleaner, sound. I have to say that I am quite surprised by the results
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I pulled the plug on a new recorder (Zoom H5 Studio):
I am impressed with the results:
Recording of this LP played on my speakers: https://www.discogs.com/release/16015715-Janaki-String-Trio-Young-Beethoven-
open.qobuz.com
It is very quiet and captures a good level of detail. Frequency response is probably pretty good as well.
I am impressed with the results:
Recording of this LP played on my speakers: https://www.discogs.com/release/16015715-Janaki-String-Trio-Young-Beethoven-
Open Qobuz
It is very quiet and captures a good level of detail. Frequency response is probably pretty good as well.
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Here's a comparison of two recordings I uploaded to YouTube (this track avoids copyright issues):
- iPhone recording
- Zoom H5 studio recording
Both were recorded from roughly the same (listening) position.
The track is "If I Should Lose You" from this album:
en.wikipedia.org
The album is not on Qobuz, but you can find it on CD. There are a few tracks on YouTube. Good stuff!
The speakers are cheap (even after replacing the crossover parts) and a little rough around the edges - but still sound pretty good, IMO.
- iPhone recording
- Zoom H5 studio recording
Both were recorded from roughly the same (listening) position.
The track is "If I Should Lose You" from this album:
Flight Path (album) - Wikipedia
- Charlie Rouse – tenor saxophone
- Kenny Barron – piano
- Buster Williams – bass
- Ben Riley – drums
The album is not on Qobuz, but you can find it on CD. There are a few tracks on YouTube. Good stuff!
The speakers are cheap (even after replacing the crossover parts) and a little rough around the edges - but still sound pretty good, IMO.
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I really enjoy your postings, both the music choices and quality of the recordings! To my ears the Zoom H5 reveals more detail & texture and allows the soulfulness of the performance to come through. Given how good your system sounds in these videos you must have a hard time getting out of your listening position to attend to the comparitively mundane matters of lifeHere's a comparison of two recordings I uploaded to YouTube (this track avoids copyright issues):
- iPhone recording
- Zoom H5 studio recording
Both were recorded from roughly the same (listening) position.
The track is "If I Should Lose You" from this album:
Flight Path (album) - Wikipedia
- Charlie Rouse – tenor saxophone
- Kenny Barron – piano
- Buster Williams – bass
- Ben Riley – drums
The difference with my iPhone recording is indeed very significant. I suspect that if everyone here recorded with a Zoom H5 you would not praise the sound of my system as muchI really enjoy your postings, both the music choices and quality of the recordings! To my ears the Zoom H5 reveals more detail & texture and allows the soulfulness of the performance to come through. Given how good your system sounds in these videos you must have a hard time getting out of your listening position to attend to the comparitively mundane matters of life
but thank you anyways! I do enjoy the system a lot, but the recording presents a slightly different picture. The microphones I believe are less « directional » than my ears so the room is perhaps a little less present? Live sound and recordings are always different.Here's another - volume had to be slightly boosted in Audacity (the track is recorded low):
Gildo Mahones - Estate from this LP: https://www.discogs.com/release/12859657-Gildo-Mahones-Trio-Gildo-Mahones-Trio
Gildo Mahones - Estate from this LP: https://www.discogs.com/release/12859657-Gildo-Mahones-Trio-Gildo-Mahones-Trio
Following my audition of Living Voice speakers (described here: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/thre...ur-speakers-and-headphones.39096/post-1094492) I decided to acquire a pair of DALI 104 speakers - the ancestors of the Living Voice speakers. They are generally sold between 100-300€...
I wanted to be able to compare in my living room the sound of these speakers with my Teufel, and also have fun tweaking them!
I wanted to be able to compare in my living room the sound of these speakers with my Teufel, and also have fun tweaking them!
If you follow that link you will see that I heard two models:
- R25A - around 8000€
- RW4 - around 15000€
I much preferred the RW4, but that is a large investment (for audio). The sound signature of all these models has similarities, and is different than what I am used to. I was intrigued, and wanted to spend more time listening in my living room. A RW4 on loan for a month would have solved that problem, but that was not an option...
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Ok, but A) they can be found used for far less, especially if you go with a somewhat older version and B) The Dali might look superficially similar but is for sure quite different in design.
Yes, those are the retail prices. For the IBX-RW4, there is currently one add in hifishark, in Germany, for 9500€ (add shipment + insurance). I don't want to risk a second hand purchase just to test out a speaker.
There is more in common between LV and the DALI 104 than between LV and my current (or past) speakers.
Living Voice R25A (6246041276) | Ausstellungsstück | Standlautsprecher | Angebot auf audio-markt.de
Angeboten wird „R25A“ von Living Voice als Ausstellungsstück aus der Kategorie „Standlautsprecher“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 6246041276 endet am 31.01.2026 um 17:02 Uhr.
Living Voice Auditorium R3R (675468490) | Gebrauchtgerät | Standlautsprecher | Angebot auf audio-markt.de
Angeboten wird „Auditorium R3R“ von Living Voice als Gebrauchtgerät aus der Kategorie „Standlautsprecher“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 675468490 endet am 02.01.2026 um 13:31 Uhr.
for the lower models, reasonable prices and good sound.
Living Voice OBX - RW II (4768089941) | Gebrauchtgerät | Standlautsprecher | Angebot auf audio-markt.de
Angeboten wird „OBX - RW II“ von Living Voice als Gebrauchtgerät aus der Kategorie „Standlautsprecher“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 4768089941 endet am 04.02.2026 um 17:14 Uhr.
Older generation top model (with external xover). I have heard this version and it is superb. You might have some room to get this guy under 7K.
Ask here for living voice speakers,A friend just swapped his RW 4 for the R 80.
Living Voice Gesamtprogramm in der Demo (9628106464) | Neugerät | Standlautsprecher | Angebot auf audio-markt.de
Angeboten wird „Gesamtprogramm in der Demo“ von Living Voice als Neugerät aus der Kategorie „Standlautsprecher“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 9628106464 endet am 18.01.2026 um 06:18 Uhr.
Lol, every one is trying to get me to purchase one
Thanks for all the links.
As I said, I want to take time and play around with this model (even if it is never going to be the same as the LV...).
I agree that the LV sound is special...
Thanks for all the links.
As I said, I want to take time and play around with this model (even if it is never going to be the same as the LV...).
I agree that the LV sound is special...
if you want to hear something really good from dali then the dali epicon 6. amazing good speaker.Lol, every one is trying to get me to purchase one
Thanks for all the links.
As I said, I want to take time and play around with this model (even if it is never going to be the same as the LV...).
I agree that the LV sound is special...
New a bargain at this price here
Dali Epicon 6 Schwarz HG - Standlautsprecher, Paar | Auspackware, wie, 5.555,00 €
DALI EPICON 6 Die EPICON 6 ist DALIs neuer Referenzlautsprecher Kaum auf dem Markt, äußerte sich die HiFi-Fachpresse rundum begeistert Chefredakteur Wilfrie
Thanks, but sensitivity is too low for my amp.if you want to hear something really good from dali then the dali epicon 6. amazing good speaker.
New a bargain at this price here
Dali Epicon 6 Schwarz HG - Standlautsprecher, Paar | Auspackware, wie, 5.555,00 €
DALI EPICON 6 Die EPICON 6 ist DALIs neuer Referenzlautsprecher Kaum auf dem Markt, äußerte sich die HiFi-Fachpresse rundum begeistert Chefredakteur Wilfriewww.md-sound.de
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