I have been a Dunlavy fan for a very long time. I have owned most of the line (2 pair of SC-VI's, 2 Pair of SC-V's, SC-IVA's, SC-IV's; SC-III, SC-1A's' SC-I's). That I was a dealer for 5 years certainly played a role.
Like many of us, I was on the speaker hunt for a very long time. I had been through the larger Theils, Apogee's, B&W's and Wilsons and was never completely satisfied.
I then heard a pair of SC-V's at a friend who was also working with me at SigTech and was BLOWN away, went home and ordered a pair of SC-VI's. I was so enthusiastic for this product that I "sold" more than the local dealer and was given the dealership. I've been a Dunlavy user every since. The only thing that would get me to shift is moving to a more current speaker that has available replacement parts.
There are a LOT of great things about these speakers. Technically, they are spot on. Measurements (impulse, step, phase, frequency) are the best I have ever seen. Sonically, I LOVE the sound. They have been criticized for being to lean on the top, but I did not find them that way.
They have been also criticized for using inexpensive drivers. I had that discussion with John while I was in Colorado Springs and he showed me the measurements of the drivers he was using versus MANY that were being used in much more expensive speakers as well as drivers that some of the manufacturers wanted him to use. In every case, you could clearly see why John used what he did. Most of the other drivers had ringing (particularly some of the exotic material drivers), high levels distortion, etc. He claimed that if he were to find a better drive, he would use it.
The downside of his speakers were/are: (1) Not particularly attractive (2) BIG (3) hard to tame the bass in most rooms. This, I believe, was due to the woofer placement with one near the ceiling and one near the floor. But if you could deal with that (by room placement and/or digital room correction), you had, in my opinion, all you would ever need in a high end speaker. (4) Some of the drivers that might be needed for replacement are no longer available
I can honestly say that (with the possibility of a couple of notable exceptions) I have yet to hear any speaker at any price that does as many things as well: The big Wilson have better mid-bass slam; the midrange of a Maggie is better; the imaging of the Avalons is better; etc. A possible notable exception that I have heard were the large Rockports at a CES.
Any other current or previous Dunlavy owners out there?
Like many of us, I was on the speaker hunt for a very long time. I had been through the larger Theils, Apogee's, B&W's and Wilsons and was never completely satisfied.
I then heard a pair of SC-V's at a friend who was also working with me at SigTech and was BLOWN away, went home and ordered a pair of SC-VI's. I was so enthusiastic for this product that I "sold" more than the local dealer and was given the dealership. I've been a Dunlavy user every since. The only thing that would get me to shift is moving to a more current speaker that has available replacement parts.
There are a LOT of great things about these speakers. Technically, they are spot on. Measurements (impulse, step, phase, frequency) are the best I have ever seen. Sonically, I LOVE the sound. They have been criticized for being to lean on the top, but I did not find them that way.
They have been also criticized for using inexpensive drivers. I had that discussion with John while I was in Colorado Springs and he showed me the measurements of the drivers he was using versus MANY that were being used in much more expensive speakers as well as drivers that some of the manufacturers wanted him to use. In every case, you could clearly see why John used what he did. Most of the other drivers had ringing (particularly some of the exotic material drivers), high levels distortion, etc. He claimed that if he were to find a better drive, he would use it.
The downside of his speakers were/are: (1) Not particularly attractive (2) BIG (3) hard to tame the bass in most rooms. This, I believe, was due to the woofer placement with one near the ceiling and one near the floor. But if you could deal with that (by room placement and/or digital room correction), you had, in my opinion, all you would ever need in a high end speaker. (4) Some of the drivers that might be needed for replacement are no longer available
I can honestly say that (with the possibility of a couple of notable exceptions) I have yet to hear any speaker at any price that does as many things as well: The big Wilson have better mid-bass slam; the midrange of a Maggie is better; the imaging of the Avalons is better; etc. A possible notable exception that I have heard were the large Rockports at a CES.
Any other current or previous Dunlavy owners out there?