Altair2
- Thread starter wizard
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Great stuff, wizard. Looks like a pair ordered for Tony Stark... (Iron Man for those don't follow Marvel Comics)
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I don't know , never heard rockport , but since you asked , ....woofer height does matter image wise imo , besides off course membrane surface
Thanks...makes sense. I just don't know what the specific implications of the height are or of the membrane...in terms of being able to guesstimate whether the Arrakis extra membrane or height would be too much for the Altair to match.
So I have some interesting experiences here. Being a former Wilson Maxx 3 owner (that did raise the woofers up and midrange/tweeter/midrange also higher up). Plus I have been able to hear the Arrakis several times at Arnie's house.
So with that context...The Altair 2 does image height better than the Maxx 3. That was my sole reservation when I was swapping speakers if I'd miss that driver arrangement. I do not...the Altair's being better integrated also.
The Arrakis defineately has better bass control at Arnie's home...could also be his 4 vtl amps vs my 2 ayres. And Arnie has subs. But I can't say his does image height better. I do think Arnies does images better to the outsides of each speaker. Again...is this the speaker or something upstream? Or the speaker controlling the room better? Now I really have great images outside of my speakers...just Arnies is a bit better.
I guess on membrane you're talking woofer cone material? The Altairs go deeper than the Maxx 3's, better articulation...The Maxx 3 has a punch and drive to the bass...where as the Rockports it's just naturally part of the music. I could see some liking the Wilson bass...I listen to a lot of jazz (think bill evans) and small ensembles on classical...like a piano/cello duet. Music choices and your room could make it interesting...to me I like the Rockports...
So with that context...The Altair 2 does image height better than the Maxx 3. That was my sole reservation when I was swapping speakers if I'd miss that driver arrangement. I do not...the Altair's being better integrated also.
The Arrakis defineately has better bass control at Arnie's home...could also be his 4 vtl amps vs my 2 ayres. And Arnie has subs. But I can't say his does image height better. I do think Arnies does images better to the outsides of each speaker. Again...is this the speaker or something upstream? Or the speaker controlling the room better? Now I really have great images outside of my speakers...just Arnies is a bit better.
I guess on membrane you're talking woofer cone material? The Altairs go deeper than the Maxx 3's, better articulation...The Maxx 3 has a punch and drive to the bass...where as the Rockports it's just naturally part of the music. I could see some liking the Wilson bass...I listen to a lot of jazz (think bill evans) and small ensembles on classical...like a piano/cello duet. Music choices and your room could make it interesting...to me I like the Rockports...
Great stuff...in a room 18x33, I am hoping the Altair would match the Arrakis in scale...particular if, being a bass freak (think deep house), I had dual subs...much friendlier than gi-normous (though stunning) 6'9" towers each weighing 1,000 pounds...sounds like they might just do it.
My room is about 18x26..but has some alcoves and area behind that add to the room volume ... plus vaulted ceilings at about 18 high...
Fantastic...I forgot that you'd used Rives. I wonder if much of height is the speaker being in a room that ALLOWS it to portray height and generally scale. 18' feet is very different than 8'. And both the genesis 1.1 room and Arrakis room had at least 10-12 foot ceilings...
Good point...I sure the room height has something to do with it...and how the ceiling is treated...just thinking...i might be wrong here..but a large speaker with a 8 ft ceiling maybe worse...unless you treat it right...Steve's room, I've seen his pics...and heard from friends that have visiting...his speakers are close to the walls...but expert treatment (and I am sure the adjustability of the Wilson's is a winner.
This is a key advantage of Wilson speakers...the adjustability...if your room needs it...
Yes I admire Wilson for this a lot. I also am waiting on any major speaker changes til we know long term if we are staying or moving. That ceiling height sounds like it will be important.
Great photo, Wizard. Thanks! I see Esoteric Digital, Vitus amps, Burmester, Goldmund?, Gryphon Trident 1s, Wilson X2s, as well. Any comments that went with this photo as to how they sounded? or how they compared with the 2 other speakers in this photo?
wow...Eggleston's too! These guys have all the toys there! YES!...finding out how it sounded...particularly since they're all in one room...how the various speakers might have compared would be great. Thanks for trying, Wizard!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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