Calling all Fleetwood Sound Owners; Introduce Yourself

[beaur]

Welcome to the Fleetwood Sound Forum. This will hopefully be where we can all discuss our experiences with Fleetwood Sound (and OMA) components that we own and help others to become familiar with this new and growing brand. I will be somewhat of a moderator, but I plan to be primarily hands-off and let the conversations and threads grow organically.

Please be welcome and let us know about you and your system with Fleetwood Sound equipment and the story of your ownership journey.

 

[jamesdowningelliott]

I am a very proud Fleetwood owner - after going through Harbeth 40.2 Anniversaries, Piega Coax 711, Harbeth 30.2 Anniversaries, various Wilsons, Klipsch, Magnepans, Goldenears and more, I can confidently say that nothing I have owned or heard near this price point can compete on sound or build quality. I hope more people give Fleetwood a listen - happy to show you my system if you’re in NYC.

 

[TnT]

I am enjoying the SQs, they had me @Hello! I would be curious to learn what Deville owners are using for amplification?

 

[Low325]

I am enjoying the SQs, they had me @Hello! I would be curious to learn what Deville owners are using for amplification? View attachment 97287

LoveLy setup. I am using a Bakoon AMP 51R and I am extremely pleased with it paired with my SQ.

 

[JoshinCO]

Greetings! Josh Raderman here in Denver. I have been a audiophile since the age of 13. Since then I have worked for many prestigious audio companies, and eventually started my own Crescendo Fine Audio. I am now a full time inventor and do the audio for fun now. I have been fixing, buying, selling, tweaking, and loving audio for 30 years. I am also a multi instrumentalist that dabbles in the professional realm from time to time. I have about 7 working systems and a few are quite good. How good??? Having audio reviewers and industry experts from various outlets coming by to get a reference. I have a 12 channel active EAW with dual 18” subs in 200l cabinets in my garage that is difficult to beat. I also get to play with a lot of review gear, usually having something new to play with every 2 weeks or so.
I am so glad I have had the pleasure of meeting such a passionate and creative person such as Jonathan. Having owned hundreds of speakers in just about every price point I am amazed on a daily basis by the Fleetwoods. I use a Quadric 35wpc 845 amp on them with great results. I also use a Boulder 866 as a solid state option. Very different sound but both excellent. Honored to be part of this community! I have a huge collection of gear and have tried a lot of combos on the Fleetwood. Let me know if I can answer any questions. Josh

 

[beaur]

Josh,

Welcome to the forum. Will have to touch base next time I am in Denver.

I'm intrigued by the Quadric 845. I am contemplating whether I am going to need more power with the Fleetwwods than my current 1.5W SET has. I've been looking around and various 845/211 solutions but haven't heard of the Quadrics.

Thanks again for joining and looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Beau

 

[beaur]

I am enjoying the SQs, they had me @Hello! I would be curious to learn what Deville owners are using for amplification? View attachment 97287

It's a question I am sure many are asking. I am in the process of deciding whether to change from my 1.5W SET amps to something with a bit more oomph! Lot's of options on the table.

Believe it or not, I have heard the new Technics GaN amps and they make a great match for the Devilles.

BTW I love your speakers, great color!

Beau

 

[JoshinCO]

Josh,

Welcome to the forum. Will have to touch base next time I am in Denver.

I'm intrigued by the Quadric 845. I am contemplating whether I am going to need more power with the Fleetwwods than my current 1.5W SET has. I've been looking around and various 845/211 solutions but haven't heard of the Quadrics.

Thanks again for joining and looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Beau

I have tried 2 different 10ish watt Tube amps (audio note, Radio Craftsman)on them and a few low power solid state amps. These are not ultra efficient speakers and they do require more power than you would think to get them to 100%. My buddy Dick is using a pair in a near field configuration with a vintage Quad 10w and claims it’s fantastic. I haven’t hear that setup. I like some weight and beef with lots of detail and texture. The beef kicks in at about 18w (canary 300b 18w) and the meat continues all the way to 35 of tube (Quadric) Here you are getting better damping more aggressive presentation. I purchased the Technics Integrated on Jonathans recommendation and it is very very good but a tad clinical. Think a chunkier Spectral sound but with less texture but a lot of great detail. The new Topping 80w power amp that is bridgable to 200w sounds AMAZING on the Fleetwood when using 2 in mono mode. There $850 each and would find it hard to get a better overall sound under 10K. The 140db s/n is shocking and the depth of image is the best I have heard under 50k. The Boulder 866 is very neutral, in control and complaint free but lacks the (soul) of the 845 amps. The Olasonic 18w Cap amp actually works great with them and is a sort of mid point between Tube/Solid state in the sound and performance. I would look for one of them used. It’s was secretly made by Air Tight designer. I also had good results with a Allen Organ 60wpc Stereo amp I pulled out of a 150k church organ. Give them power and you will be rewarded. They can sound amazing at low volume with a lets say 8w amp but below that you are short changing yourself. I think you will like the Olasonic Cap amp the best if your going from 1.5 SET. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Jonathan Weiss]

Josh, it might be a good idea to share your room dimensions and listening distance with the DeVille's in regards to the amp/power recommendations. In fact it's a good idea for everyone to do that, it tells a lot!

Yours,

Jonathan

 

[Clint]

Hello everyone. I want to first thank Jonathan and Paul for providing some of the best customer service one could ask for. My Fleetwood DeVille SQs arrived over the weekend. My first impression was, "wow, these are much larger than expected." Dimensions do not tell the whole story here. This was a welcome surprise as they perfectly fit my 21 x 15 room.

I am familiar with the typical break-in period and how speakers can sound better as they break in. I can't imagine the sound improving over what I am hearing straight out of the box. In a word; balanced. A Classe Delta Stereo amplifier is driving them. The first 12.5W of power output is pure Class A.

I truly am enjoying the SQs and look forward to discovering new music and listening to the old.

Cheers!

 

[TnT]

Looks awesome Clint! What is the finish? So exotic!

 

[Clint]

Looks awesome Clint! What is the finish? So exotic!

Thank you. The speakers are wrapped in the optional Japanese Washi Paper. The stands, horn, top, and bottom are Dark Torrefied. I went back and forth on what finish to go with and am very happy with my decision. I put Paul at Fleetwood Sound through a lot; just trying to decide on the grills.

The cherry on the cake is my wife also loves how they look!

 

[TnT]

Thank you. The speakers are wrapped in the optional Japanese Washi Paper. The stands, horn, top, and bottom are Dark Torrefied. I went back and forth on what finish to go with and am very happy with my decision. I put Paul at Fleetwood Sound through a lot; just trying to decide on the grills.

The cherry on the cake is my wife also loves how they look!

I like that it’s very different.

 

[beaur]

Clint, welcome to the club. That combination looks awesome. Nice room, I wish mine looked as clean as that one. Are the subs in the system? I'm running my Devilles with an Ayre V1 during the break-in period. Looking for a long-term solution as my other amps don't make it over 2W and the Devilles need a little kick in the pants to show what they can do.

Beau

 

[Clint]

Thank you glad to be here. The subs are actively in the system. I have them crossed over at about 50 Hz, and the volume is currently at 11:00. I plan to power off the subs as I get to know my new speakers.

I have noticed that the DeVille speakers like a little power. I still have not come close to maxing out the first 12.5 watts from my Classe Delta stereo. I can't imagine them ever needing more than that.

How does the Ayre V-1 sound compare to your Tube amp selection?

 

[beaur]

How does the Ayre V-1 sound compare to your Tube amp selection?

Clint,

Keep us updated on the subs/integration with the Devilles. I've always had bad luck integrating subs with any of my speakers but that's probably on me.

The V-1 is an interesting amp in my system. It's 20 years old but still manages to hold its own with newer SS amps I have heard in other systems. It does a great job of taking hold of the Devilles and letting them know who the boss is. Very happy with the bass performance, considering the size of my room. What it doesn't give me is that SET tone that I love. To me, the V-1 is missing that magic I hear with a SET amp. I've heard the Technics G700 with the Devilles and was impressed but I have a few candidates that I want to audition that have impressed me at shows. It's going to take some time to hear them but the V-1 and soon my tube amps will gladly fill in until I find something better???

Beau

 

[TnT]

So…I have changed my Jadis Orchestra with the Luxman 509X. While I sometimes miss the midrange lush of the Jadis, the Luxman is a better device for its dynamic level and overall ability to represent complex tonality of instruments.

It's a question I am sure many are asking. I am in the process of deciding whether to change from my 1.5W SET amps to something with a bit more oomph! Lot's of options on the table.

Believe it or not, I have heard the new Technics GaN amps and they make a great match for the Devilles.

BTW I love your speakers, great color!

Beau

 

[beaur]

So…I have changed my Jadis Orchestra with the Luxman 509X. While I sometimes miss the midrange lush of the Jadis, the Luxman is a better device for its dynamic level and overall ability to represent complex tonality of instruments.

Nice to hear about another good match for the DeVilles.

Based on previous listening at shows/events/home systems I am interested in these amps as potential mates for the DeVilles.

Trilogy
Thomas Mayer 211/845
Technics GaN
Miyajima OTL
Komuro 845

The amp I have heard the DeVilles on the most the OMA Hollander. it makes the speakers sing so am also looking for a GM-70 amp (Lampizator??) to see if that’s a good match.

Beau

 

[TnT]

Nice to hear about another good match for the DeVilles.

Based on previous listening at shows/events/home systems I am interested in these amps as potential mates for the DeVilles.

Trilogy
Thomas Mayer 211/845
Technics GaN
Miyajima OTL
Komuro 845

The amp I have heard the DeVilles on the most the OMA Hollander. it makes the speakers sing so am also looking for a GM-70 amp (Lampizator??) to see if that’s a good match.

Beau

Of the amps listed, I have only heard the Techics GaN SU G700 with the Deville SQ side by side with the Luxman 509X. Both sounded very similar, but the Luxman had more authority in the lower octaves. Maybe a more fair comparison should have been with the SU R1000 or this may have been a result of my room, but there was a clear difference.

 

[Clint]

I am genuinely enjoying my DeVille speakers. The Fleetwood DeVille speakers image like Electrostatic speakers without the Electrostatic limitations. All songs played so far have been outstanding. But some are simply out of this world. I thought I would share three in particular.