Calling all Fleetwood Sound Owners; Introduce Yourself

[Clint]

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

Update on the sub integration. Before I made my purchase, I called Fleetwood Audio with a few questions. I remember Jonathan saying I would not need a sub, and no sub is fast enough to keep up with the DeVille speakers. I thought to myself, no, my expensive RELs will keep up. It turns out Jonathan may be right. I recently powered off the Rel subs and preferred the sound with them off. These speakers produce clean tight bass! Musical. But I will continue experimenting as I am determined to try and blend the subs with the DeVille speakers, only because I spent so much on them LOL. To be continued.

 

[jamesdowningelliott]

Update on the sub integration. Before I made my purchase, I called Fleetwood Audio with a few questions. I remember Jonathan saying I would not need a sub, and no sub is fast enough to keep up with the DeVille speakers. I thought to myself, no, my expensive RELs will keep up. It turns out Jonathan may be right. I recently powered off the Rel subs and preferred the sound with them off. These speakers produce clean tight bass! Musical. But I will continue experimenting as I am determined to try and blend the subs with the DeVille speakers, only because I spent so much on them LOL. To be continued.

Hi Clint,
I am a bit of a bass head and thought I wanted subwoofers, despite Jonathan’s advice that subs wouldn’t integrate because they aren’t fast enough. I tried a Rel S812, a pair of S510s, and finally a carbon special. Jonathan is right - the subs will not integrate properly and just muddy up the sound. The bass on the devilles is exceptionally good, extremely tight and very layered. If you need more convincing, try the Beyoncé track Partition super loud and tell me these things don’t have insane output.

 

[Low325]

Beautiful finish/color combo on that set Clint!!

 

[Verdier]

Update on the sub integration. Before I made my purchase, I called Fleetwood Audio with a few questions. I remember Jonathan saying I would not need a sub, and no sub is fast enough to keep up with the DeVille speakers. I thought to myself, no, my expensive RELs will keep up. It turns out Jonathan may be right. I recently powered off the Rel subs and preferred the sound with them off. These speakers produce clean tight bass! Musical. But I will continue experimenting as I am determined to try and blend the subs with the DeVille speakers, only because I spent so much on them LOL. To be continued.

If you think about the speaker without the stand: there is a lot of space under the speaker. And apparently there are quite a few people, or rather Fleetwood users, who are positively disposed towards a subwoofer. Maybe Fleetwood Audio will find its own subwoofer solution?

 

[beaur]

If you think about the speaker without the stand: there is a lot of space under the speaker. And apparently there are quite a few people, or rather Fleetwood users, who are positively disposed towards a subwoofer. Maybe Fleetwood Audio will find its own subwoofer solution?

The speakers have two downward-firing ports, so placing a subwoofer under the speakers isn't ideal. I don't know about other owners, but just changing whether the speakers are on the carpet or my concrete floors makes a huge difference in the sound.

Beau

 

[Verdier]

The speakers have two downward-firing ports, so placing a subwoofer under the speakers isn't ideal. I don't know about other owners, but just changing whether the speakers are on the carpet or my concrete floors makes a huge difference in the sound.

Beau

Oh, stupid me, sorry! But then it's even easier because you can position the sub somewhere else in the room. I have seen that oma has quite know-how when it comes to subs.

 

[Low325]

Regarding bass/subs…i have dual carbon specials, and agree mainly on the integration of the general capabilities of the deville of what is already been said. If you do want to integrate subs, with the devilles, or any ported speaker for that matter, you‘d likely need to place in some dsp to mesh that lower octave, and/or you would need to plug that port to get better integration with subs ;-). Plug the port? Yes, I know…blasphemy!! But it is an entire system in the end, including your room. But when its done correctly, regardless of what party claims what (and it can be - a lot of misconception on this subject), it is a very harmonious, a very enriching experience. To each their own.

Back to my original mention of dual carbon specials….they haven’t been turned on since acquiring the SQs. I dont miss them, and as a matter of fact I may just depart with them, (they do serve their purpose for HT) But for two channel listening, the SQs do provide a very pleasant, swift arrival and decay of 80hz (with all sorts of fast paced music) with a nice natural rolloff into the lower freqs. I wouldn’t mind a 10” mid, Jonathan!

Anyway, you dont have a point a gun to my head, I would still advocate for subs in two channel, any day of the week, and twice on Sundays. For me personally, sometimes simplicity wins it out. But you dont really need to have fast subs as the marketing would want you to believe, but most modern subs and subwoofer drivers are very capable and can perform the musical range from ~30hz - 63hz quite well... if you have it, the built-in low pass xo, variable or not, are not enough, more is needed for the work you would have to manage in that 80hz and below with dsp and your room acoustics.

 

[acidetch]

Hi, new to the forum. Just picked up my Devilles a few weeks ago. Like many other owners I am completely taken by the way they render a musical event. I also have a pair of REL 812's which I have owned for three years and have used with a variety of loud speakers. Any speaker that I have matched up with the RELs end up sounding better, the Devilles do as well. It is important that you set the levels correctly.
It is super important that the REL levels be set low enough that at no point do they make their presence known. In my system for the Devilles, the volume knob is set to 25% and the crossover about 33%. It needs to be heard as the RELs are simply an extension of the main speakers. When I have experienced muddiness it is because the RELs are set too high.
I hope this helps some of the REL owners out there. Driving the Devilles is Naim 552DR/300 DR.
Kurt

 

[beaur]

Kurt, welcome to the forum. Glad you are enjoying your experience with the Devilles. Good information on the RELs as I know there are a few people using them.

Also, nice to hear the Devilles sound good with Naim gear. I haven't had any recently, but I used to be a Flat Earther and still have fond memories of my system in those days.

Beau

 

[acidetch]

Thank you Beau.
Naim gear always attracted me to its sense of musicality. I notice with the Devilles that the soundstage on some recordings is unbelievable and the rendering of a musical event is more palpable than any speaker I have ever heard.

I can see myself trying out some tube amplifiers in conjunction with my 552 pre. I am researching some of the newer offerings from ARC and possibly a Doshi. My listening room is about 450 sf and we like to listen at reasonable volumes so a 50-75 watt/channel amp would be more than adequate.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Kurt

 

[badgerdms]

I know Jonathan has used the Technics SU-G700M2 with the Deville's and says that is an excellent combination. Curious if anyone had tried the SU-R1000 and if the jump in price is worth it compared to the G700M2?

 

[Low325]

Are you able to demo at home with the speakers?
Fwiw, I’ve listened to the SU-R1000 locally and was able to flip back and forth between it and the old M900u, and not devilles. It wasn’t a critical listening session by any means. But I did go in planning on replacing my current amp at the time and I felt, subjectively, very little connection to it. Of course YMMV…..!

Nice and luxurious looking though.

 

[badgerdms]

I've heard the G700M2 with both the Deville's and another speaker and liked it. Very different than what I have now. Just curious what the R1000 brings to the table that the G700M2 doesn't.

 

[zjjz]

Hello Everyone! I started a thread today on AudiogoN to see what DeVille owners have in their chain and the first reply led me here. Looking forward to digging in! I started my audio journey a few years ago. Since then I have owned two speakers and two integrates before my DeVilles and have yet to hear something more pleasing, more engaging and emotional. I LOVE them! Early on in my journey I was fortunate to fall into a local audiophile circle as well as a circle that spans the US. The early advice I received was instrumental, but more-so have been the opportunities I've had to spend time with countless systems, and equipment auditions. I treated my room first and built from there, selling my first pieces and adding based on experience. It was the selling of my first "audiophile" speakers (Focal Sopra N2) that presented an opportunity to drop into a hifi store where I was able to experience a number of well known, high end offerings. The last room I entered had the DeVilles along with a rack of nice looking tube gear. I was struck by the beauty and uniqueness of the DeVilles and couldn't wait to kick the tires. I will never forget the first track, which was Diana Krall live in Paris, A Case of You. I was gobsmacked. The crispness of the piano and emotion in her voice...so real, so engaging. It was both love at first sight and love at first listen. I couldn't believe I had just sold my Focals with the unbelievable fortune to stumble upon speakers I will never sell. The journey for new speakers I had planned on taking after my Sopras ended before it began.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Welcome to WBF, zjjz!

It is wonderful that you found a speaker you love!

PS: How do you like the REL 212s?

 

[beaur]

Hello Everyone! I started a thread today on AudiogoN to see what DeVille owners have in their chain and the first reply led me here. Looking forward to digging in! I started my audio journey a few years ago. Since then I have owned two speakers and two integrates before my DeVilles and have yet to hear something more pleasing, more engaging and emotional. I LOVE them! Early on in my journey I was fortunate to fall into a local audiophile circle as well as a circle that spans the US. The early advice I received was instrumental, but more-so have been the opportunities I've had to spend time with countless systems, and equipment auditions. I treated my room first and built from there, selling my first pieces and adding based on experience. It was the selling of my first "audiophile" speakers (Focal Sopra N2) that presented an opportunity to drop into a hifi store where I was able to experience a number of well known, high end offerings. The last room I entered had the DeVilles along with a rack of nice looking tube gear. I was struck by the beauty and uniqueness of the DeVilles and couldn't wait to kick the tires. I will never forget the first track, which was Diana Krall live in Paris, A Case of You. I was gobsmacked. The crispness of the piano and emotion in her voice...so real, so engaging. It was both love at first sight and love at first listen. I couldn't believe I had just sold my Focals with the unbelievable fortune to stumble upon speakers I will never sell. The journey for new speakers I had planned on taking after my Sopras ended before it began.

Welcome to the forum. Happy to see another satisfied owner.

Beau

 

[Ron Resnick]

There is so much love for the DeVille that I would be curious to hear it myself some day!

 

[beaur]

There is so much love for the DeVille that I would be curious to hear it myself some day!

Well if you come to Munich or are in Brooklyn, come on by.

Beau

 

[zjjz]

Welcome to WBF, zjjz!

It is wonderful that you found a speaker you love!

PS: How do you like the REL 212s?

I struggled with a single REL Carbon Special and ended up returning it. It's true, you need them in pairs or better, and even then it takes careful placement and adjusting to get them just right. The 212 is vastly different. A single 212 was plug and play (no joke), not just for me but for two friend's systems consisting of Focal Utopia Scala Evo, Dynaudio Confidence 60 and Wilson Sasha DAW. Both friends now own pairs of REL 812SX that I helped integrate, but they were not plug and play like the 212. The 212 is magic and I went with a pair so each could be on it's own channel. The result is nothing short of astounding. You do not know that any speaker is in my room, DeVilles or subs, and this is not a slam on the DeVilles, but when you turn off the subs the stage collapses as does the air. It's not a complete collapse, but major reduction to the point I cannot live without the 212s. So far the DeVille and 212SX combo is something that hasn't been bested regardless of price. People see my Bluesound Node and other components and ask why I don't "upgrade". The truth is that my system is not lacking. I cannot imagine it getting better. We did try I a Lumin X1, but preferred my Bluesound \ May KTE combo. People leave my home in awe at what I achieved, people who have been in the game for 20+ years and have high six figure systems. The only credit I can give myself is having listened to people on forums like this, reading between the lines of reviews and people's experience, and having the fortune to be exposed to countless gear in a short span of almost two years.

I have some questions.

There has been talk about wood cabinets and resonance. I know torrification changes the cell structure of the wood. My question is, does this translate to a different sound between SQs with cabinets ranging from raw to dark (max torrified) Ash? I would think the answer would be yes if cabinet resonance is a "thing"? Have there been AB comparisons or measurements done between SQs with different builds?

Besides stepping up to SQs, my only other consideration is getting another amp. My Accuphase A36 at 30wpc is amazing but I am often pushing it too hard. I do not like running amps with the needles hovering "in the red". I am hoping I can home audition other offerings but I would LOVE to hear from this group on what they have for amplification? I was considering the affordable and acclaimed NAD M23, AGD, PASS LABS and LAB 12. People will ask about my budget and I want limit my spend, especially as I save for the SQs.

 

[mtnrunner]

Zjjz - I am an early adopter of the Deville speakers so I have had them for a while. Without question, the best speakers I have owned.

I am using the Van Alstine M225 mono blocks with my speakers and find it’s a great pairing. I will admit my amp trials have been limited due to my specific requirements (mono blocks, balanced, and small form factor). Regardless, the M225s provide a very robust yet nuanced sound and easily fill by 900 sq ft space. Just a note, the Puritan Labs Ultimate power cords make a significant difference in the performance of the amps (and every other component in my system).

One last thing that the mega speaker cable lovers will hate me for — give the Jupiter Condenser twisted pair 16g speaker wire a try (bare wire ends). These cables are super inexpensive and well worth a try for the potential benefits that they may bring to the tone and clarity of your system,. One thing you will learn about the Deville speakers is that they are truth tellers — every change you will make you will be able to hear. This is both a good and a bad thing…

david