Were they both bookshelf speakers, one larger than the other, or was one a
floorstander? And was it the magnesium coned, white coloured driver they
were using, or the coaxial one as used in the I-91s?
Cheers,
Mal
"Jaye" <jkc...@chariot.net.au> wrote in message
news:3d6d69bd$1...@news.chariot.net.au...
"Jaye" <jkc...@chariot.net.au> wrote in message
news:3d6d69bd$1...@news.chariot.net.au...
As HT speakers I thought the smaller ones (it was the small ones
wasn't it?)filled VAF's larger demo room with good quality sound. And
the smaller ones seem to be an absolute bargain. I wasn't listening
closely to any speakers that night nor do I remember the exact prices.
They're (near) cubes in off-white and dark grey (both colours at once
on the one speaker).
If VAF will be offering different finishes I think they'd visually
disappear juat as well as Bose (pardon my language) cubes in any
decor.
Gallos look 'funkier' but don't sound as good. Ditto KEF 205 'eggs'
which are much more expensive.
Jeremy
"AB" <a_k...@bigpond.com.au> wrote in message
news:knzb9.18423$g9.5...@newsfeeds.bigpond.com...
I found they lacked "sparkle"
Rod
I don't think they're meant to be hung on a Christmas tree... well, maybe
just once :)
A lot of thinking has gone into our new Icon range. There are 2 models; the
ICON 195 and ICON 100. Both are identically proportioned however different
sizes. The ICON v100 is a 100mm cube, the ICON 195 is a 195mm cube. Both can
work in wall, on wall, in ceiling, on ceiling, on shelf or on stand. The
idea is to allow ideal results in many applications from sub/sat high
quality systems to distributed domestic or commercial sound. Unlike some
other tiny speakers the ICON 100 can be used without subs so bedroom/dining
room etc sound can be easily achieved without the addition/cost of hidden
subs. Another important opportunity is for acoustic consultants. Both ICONs
can be arrayed very easily giving consultants the ability to design arrays
that are tailored to the acoustic spaces they are designing. My guess is
that most people here in this group will find the ICON 195 very appealing
given it's high-end heritage and find the ICON 100s a more tolerable
alternative to existing choices for low cost near invisible lifestyle
systems. ICON 100 $199ea. ICON 195 $599ea.
Standard colours are Aluminium, Black, Broken Stone (Off White). Custom
colours on request.
Full info will be available on their formal release in October.
Kind regards
Philip Vafiadis
VAF Research Pty Ltd
www.vaf.com.au
The smaller/cheaper cubes use a full range driver without a crossover.
The small ones gave an excellent & loud sound without breakup when combined
with a small sub(listenned to Eagles DVD last weekend) - quite a spectacular
result for such a tiny speaker.(evidently go much louder than Bose).
"Philip Vafiadis" <phi...@vaf.com.au> wrote in message
news:aknbcp$ors$1...@pinah.connect.com.au...
Thanks Dennis but just one correction, the smaller ICON 100 still use a
filter to equalise it's response. We actually get +/-2dB out of these tiny
little babies right up to 17KHz...and the response to 20KHz is still smooth.
We have not officially launched them yet but we expect them to be VERY
popular as we have already sold over 100 of them before release! We will
sell them in the same one-to-one way we sell all our services and products
and will offer money back guarantees like we do with our DC & LFE-Series'.
We are working on Shows/venues at the moment and will be sure to post any
dates here.
On a standardised product it is easy, on specialised gear most are unique as
we make the Signatures for each customer and a fair bit of customisation is
usually involved. We have made Stainless steel, almost any colour you can
imagine, fur, leather etc. Even though a good number of customers still buy
black, Jarrah or Cherry we treat all signature speakers the same way, if you
order we make your speaker for you.
> ICON 100 $199ea. ICON 195 $599ea.
> Full info will be available on their formal release in October.
Are the above prices for fully assembled speakers? Or kit?
Late October or early October?
--
----------------------------------------------------
Chris McMahon Email:chr...@bigpond.net.au
Surfers Paradise, GMT :+10:00
Queensland, AUSTRALIA She's no lady, she's my wife
----------------------------------------------------
No kits with ICON, they are fully assembled only.
> Late October or early October?
Hopefully early for the ICON 195. Production of the first batch of drivers
for the ICON 100 is held up due to a factory holiday. We are airfreighting
around 700 to get us out of trouble...we are still crossing our fingers on
the final ETA. If you are interested in placing an order ETA should be more
definate in a week or two.
> Hopefully early for the ICON 195. Production of the first batch of drivers
> for the ICON 100 is held up due to a factory holiday. We are airfreighting
> around 700 to get us out of trouble...we are still crossing our fingers on
> the final ETA. If you are interested in placing an order ETA should be more
> definate in a week or two.
I'm definitely interested in a set of 5 or 6 of the 100s. I was looking
at getting something like the Energy Take 5.2 sets but will wait a
little longer for some more info on the Icon range.
Will you be offering package deals with the Icons like you do with your
other speakers?
At only $199 each, don't hold your breath on special ICON prices :-)
We will be doing 5/6 speaker and sub packages that will offer a slight price
advantage over the total of the individual prices though.
"Philip Vafiadis" <phi...@vaf.com.au> wrote in message
news:akv2ek$pgp$1...@pinah.connect.com.au...
"Philip Vafiadis" <phi...@vaf.com.au> wrote in message
news:aknbcp$ors$1...@pinah.connect.com.au...
Yes, Yes and Yes.
I have forwarded your post to the sales team who will send the details to
you.
Kind regards
Philip Vafiadis
VAF research Pty Ltd
www.vaf.com.au
> > Will you be offering package deals with the Icons like you do with your
> > other speakers?
>
> At only $199 each, don't hold your breath on special ICON prices :-)
Never hunts to ask for a discount. :)
> We will be doing 5/6 speaker and sub packages that will offer a slight price
> advantage over the total of the individual prices though.
Could you give me a general idea of the specs? ie power handling &
sensitivity and ohm ratings. I'm also looking around for a receiver and
the above would help in my selection.
Preliminary Specs:
ICON 100
Dimensions: 100 x 100 x 100mm
Power: Use with amps up to 50W without sub and up to 80W with sub.
Impedance: 8 ohms Nominal
Frequency response 100-20,000 Hz. of note is the very flat area +/-2dB from
140Hz to 17KHz.
With regard to the receivers, there are a lot to choose from and the deals
from the wholesalers change regularly. It is best to call to discuss these,
contact Peter, Grant or Chris on freecall 1800 818882.
Kind regards
Philip Vafiadis
VAF research Pty Ltd
www.vaf.com.au
"Philip Vafiadis" <phi...@vaf.com.au> wrote in message
news:aknbcp$ors$1...@pinah.connect.com.au...
>
I can't see the ICON's being used without a sub...
Whether they compete directly depends on what criteria you are comparing.
The DC-1s play louder and do some things better however the ICON 100 are
better on voices, guitars etc. They are also *MUCH* smaller and despite the
DC-1 being very compact, they are still not small enough for some
people/locations. The ICONs are a concept geared to integrating quality
sound through an entire home of provide the most compact quality sound
possible. They work inwall, on wall, in ceiling, on ceiling, on shelf or on
stand.
Kind regards
for home you're probably right
but for background music in commercial applications, a sub would not be
needed
--
Marty H
We looked at the Gallo when designing the ICON 100. The Gallo uses a
Peerless of India driver and performs reasonably well. We use an Audax
driver that has a smoother native response and then we use an electrical
filter to smooth the response even further, hence the +/- 2 dB envelope.
Only problem is we need to buy a minimum of around 1400 of this particular
driver per shipment. Looking at the pre-orders though, I think we will need
to order regularly :-)
> I can't see the ICON's being used without a sub...
If you get to Adelaide have a listen. Get one of the guys to set up a pair
all by themselves on some decent gear. Voices are excellent, as is mid bass
and midrange detail. Obviously no deep bass but for a dinner party or
distributed sound they are fine without the addition of a sub. Add the sub
and low cost minimum visibility theatre sound is the result.
Volume ability is also a nice surprise, while not realy loud, we have around
6dB over Bose, 3dB over Gallo and 10dB over Linn (Sweetspots)....and
remember that every 3db equates to double the power, 10dB equates to 10
times the power....this is no small feat. Everyone should remember though
that the ICON 100 are what they are and no more. The ICON 195 on the other
hand would be considered by most listeners as a high end speaker in a
lifestyle package which is a *VERY* rare combination.
Kind regards
i take it you are talking efficiency here, not maximum SPL?
blob
Nope, I'm talking maximum SPL before obvious compression/distortion....and
with tiny speakers, the bigger the room the bigger the dynamic range
problem.
How have you got around the problem of a cone driver beaming at high
frequencies with such a large driver in the 100?
Bose have very poor dispersion with their much smaller cubes.
> How have you got around the problem of a cone driver beaming at high
> frequencies with such a large driver in the 100?
>
> Bose have very poor dispersion with their much smaller cubes.
The ICON 195 ($599ea) uses a coaxial speaker and is a true high end 2 way
design.
All things can not be perfect at $199 (ICON 100) however we have gone to
some trouble to choose a driver with better than usual dispersion. Wide
range drivers are quite a specialist field. Any notions of cones acting as
pistons need to be thrown out the window as the obvious 'beaming' you refer
to is the result. All parts of the driver need to work in harmony at some
frequencies and de-couple at other frequencies. **In simple terms** think of
the roll surround, cone and dust cap as three separate radiating surfaces.
Among other things their damping and compliance needs to be juggled so at
low frequencies they all work together and at higher frequencies the
radiating diameter reduces. The result in the ICON 100 is near perfect off
axis to around 4-5KHz, from 5K-13K a gentle slope and at around 14-15KHz a
heavier off axis roll off. On Axis is remarkably smooth and flat within +/-
2 over almost the entire range of the speaker. This is partly the excellent
little driver and partly an electrical filter feeding it.
Kind regards
Philip Vafiadis
VAF research Pty Ltd
www.vaf.com.au
Apropos of something different, have you ever considered doing a "top-half"
stand mount of your I66? I realise it's not as simple as removing the lower
driver without more, but I reckon something along the lines of a D'Appolito
two-way 3 driver configuration using those Excel drivers, or a simple
two-way along the lines of Jamo Concert 8 would in my view (didn't you used
to do something like that?) give you a slice of another market not met by
the I-91.
Just my thoughts,
Richard
"Philip Vafiadis" <phi...@vaf.com.au> wrote in message
news:al6ghi$n76$1...@pinah.connect.com.au...
This sounds like a terrific idea. I'm sure the WAF would be greatly improved
too :)
, or a simple
> two-way along the lines of Jamo Concert 8 would in my view (didn't you
used
> to do something like that?) give you a slice of another market not met by
> the I-91.
Is the JC 8 a 2 driver? I think 2 mid/bass drivers and a tweeter would be
better.
>
> Just my thoughts,
> Richard
>
>
"Philip Vafiadis" <phi...@vaf.com.au> wrote in message
news:al3rec$lra$1...@pinah.connect.com.au...
>
snip
> Volume ability is also a nice surprise, while not realy loud, we have
around
> 6dB over Bose, 3dB over Gallo and 10dB over Linn (Sweetspots)....and
> remember that every 3db equates to double the power, 10dB equates to 10
> times the power....this is no small feat. Everyone should remember though
> that the ICON 100 are what they are and no more. The ICON 195 on the other
> hand would be considered by most listeners as a high end speaker in a
> lifestyle package which is a *VERY* rare combination.
>
> Kind regards
> Philip Vafiadis
> VAF Research Pty Ltd
> www.vaf.com.au
how does a set of the icon 195 sound compared to the DC-X for
a) HT
b) music ?
both with/without a sub ?
the icon are $599 each , so $1200 a pair ?
this is similar in price to the DC-X's ?
friends on mine do like the sound of the dc-x's (but a couple find the
dc-x's a bit bright)
but they find them a bit large.....
if you can email me some package prices for the two sizes
regards
Larry
>
>
>
>
Yes, there are many product opportunities of which your suggestion is one.
For a small company VAF has been VERY busy developing many new things. As
we are small, we must make 'smarter' products to 'hit' many market
opportunities in a way that meets our emerging company values. More and more
I want our core values to be expressed in our products. In particular
correct solutions, intrinsic value, industry leadership are the key values
that will drive VAF forward. I will flag a few new models here to give you a
better idea of what I mean...
ICON 8 Channel Amplifier. Due Dec/Jan. Under $3K.
-8 inputs, 8 outputs x 80W.
-Inbuilt matrix switching, any input can be switched to any output. Any 2
channels can be bridged to 320W.
-RS232 & RS485 IO ports.
-Touch controls, just touch the glass front to access functions.
Built in IR control & distribution.......
now heres the thinking...8 channels will do 7.1. Bridge to 3x320 + 2 x 80
for big 5.1 system. Use the matrix switching for distributed sound around
the house, stack a pile of these together and drive a convention centre, use
the RS232/485 ports with Minder, AMX, Crestron etc for serious integration,
stick it in a cabinet and close the door on the cabinet..the touch controls
can re-calibrate automatically to the face of the door so these touch
controls are sexy but very practical too.....So we have one product that
will sell into many market niches but more importantly offer **CORRECT**
solutions in each niche.
ICON 100/195 Speakers. Due Oct. $199/$599ea
In wall, on wall, in ceiling, on ceiling, on stand, on shelf. Use the same
logic above and see how many applications can be leveraged from these
products. Also acoustic consultants now have the ability to specify an array
that is tailored to a commercial space not just specify an off the shelf
solution, I expect this will be a powerful tool for them.
ICON Sub. Due Dec/Jan. Under $3K
Take the touch controls, display, amp module, microcontroller RS232/485 IO
and team it with a smart filter and state of art woofer and you get a
subwoofer whose response can be tailored for use in corner, against wall,
free space, stacked in groups etc. Also use AMX/Crestron etc to tailor the
balance to suit each user, not just pre-sets
VAF is embarking on an adventure. This is 100% my company and I am sick and
tired of the cottage industry mentality or the product/price/feature
thinking that dominate this industry. I am also frustrated by the notion of
'best'...everyone says they are the best, but without the context of the
intended system purpose, application and location, 'best' means nothing, I
want VAF to offer **correct** solutions which is of course ultimately the
most **beneficial** to our users.
We have along way to go and we have just started. We have a very well
regarded current range of which almost all models will continue for some
time, these are our heritage and indicate where we came from, but the big
future is not with audio enthusiasts like those reading this message but in
the bigger 'real world' selling products that **benefit** all users. Don't
get me wrong the new products are high end products by traditional standards
but their **other** merits are what will benefit all users, not just the
enthusiasts.
I hope these ramblings answer your question.
The DC-X are more sensitive, go deeper, play louder...they are a full range
general purpose speaker. The ICON 195 are a more high end speaker but, for a
realy big sound, need a sub. Used without a sub think of them as a compact
audiophile speaker. Put 200W per channel into the DC-X and even in big rooms
the sound is huge. The ICONs can not do this but they are more along the
sound of our Signature speakers.
If **VERY** high volume levels are not required then 6 x ICON 195 plus a
good sub would be an excellent choice and sound more realistic (accurate).
Consumer expectations being what they are I expect the DC-X/6/7 package to
be our most popular package for a long time as their 'bang for buck' value
is something to be reconed with and with no pun intended have become a bit
of an 'icon' themselves.
"Philip Vafiadis" <phi...@vaf.com.au> wrote in message
news:al71sn$al$1...@pinah.connect.com.au...
At the moment the best option seems to be the Behringer Truth B2031, which,
while being allegedly very good, are $1200 a box, and overkill for what is
primarily a graphics-orientated space. If the Icons don't interfere with the
video monitors, they'd be a preferred solution.
R.
What about active monitors, such as the HHB 3A's. I understand they are
about $1K each including the amp!
http://makeashorterlink.com/?N182655B1
or have a look at www.hhb.co.uk
There are also active shielded monitors from Tannoy, the Active Reveals,
which are about $1700 a pair.
http://www.tannoy.com/frame.cfm?ID=3&D=2
Rod
>
>
Our Azimuth may be suitable for what you need.
Shielded, high quality Audax drivers, have a browse of our site.
At $350pr, they are also well within budget. As is usual, a two week
trial period with a full money back refund if you're not satisfied.
Rick.
--
Rick Stadelmaier
Equinox Audio
http://www.equinoxaudio.com.au
ri...@equinoxaudio.com.au
Sydney, Australia
> All VAF ICON speakers will be magnetically shielded *including* the Subs.
>
> Kind regards
> Philip Vafiadis
> VAF Research Pty Ltd
> www.vaf.com.au
Will Vaf be selling wall / ceiling mounting brackets for the 100/195
Icons? If so, how much?
How about stands?
All VAF ICON speakers will be magnetically shielded *including* the Subs.
Yes but I am not sure on the final price yet. We hope to keep them
accessable unlike the rip-off plasma/projector bracket market.
> How about stands?
Yes again...aiming at under $100 each still to be confirmed.
The notion of **intrinsic** value and excellence has really started to
resonate with me. Trailblazing could be one way of describing what I want to
achieve with VAF. On top of the new products I have already flagged, VAF is
working on a number of other projects as well; all geared to providing
**benefit**, not just products and profits....if we deliver benefit then
profits will follow. I look at my journey through the audio industry,...got
started as an armature bitten by the hi-fi bug, started building bits and
pieces by looking at what others did and using their products as a
benchmark, thought I was doing something special because I really cared
about what I was doing but in fact was just making a different version of
what everyone else was making. There is a 'buzz' around the VAF brand at the
moment and despite my products being very well regarded by many it's now
time to 'push the envelope' a little bit further.
Sorry for the philosophising...
> Would you suggest using Icon 195 as rear speakers with I91 fronts and
center?
An excellent match in some rooms...as to what I would suggest for **your
circumstances** though is to contact VAF on FreeCall 1800 818882 or
v...@vaf.com.au with details of your room, budget, existing equipment etc so
we can make a 'correct' recommendation for **your circumstances**.
Would a HT set up with 195's across the front and the 100's across the rear
be an option? I still believe the rear soundtracks are a long way from
needing the highest quality speakers on the market.
Regards,
Kevin Picton
----- Original
"Philip Vafiadis" <phi...@vaf.com.au> wrote in message
news:aknbcp$ors$1...@pinah.connect.com.au...
>
> "Jaye" <jkc...@chariot.net.au> wrote in message
> news:3d6d69bd$1...@news.chariot.net.au...
> > Just listened to the prototype for the new Vaf icon speakers. The
larger
> > of the two sound excellent, using the same driver from the signature
> series.
> > Something to look forward to i think
>
> A lot of thinking has gone into our new Icon range. There are 2 models;
the
> ICON 195 and ICON 100. Both are identically proportioned however different
> sizes. The ICON v100 is a 100mm cube, the ICON 195 is a 195mm cube. Both
can
> work in wall, on wall, in ceiling, on ceiling, on shelf or on stand. The
> idea is to allow ideal results in many applications from sub/sat high
> quality systems to distributed domestic or commercial sound. Unlike some
> other tiny speakers the ICON 100 can be used without subs so
bedroom/dining
> room etc sound can be easily achieved without the addition/cost of hidden
> subs. Another important opportunity is for acoustic consultants. Both
ICONs
> can be arrayed very easily giving consultants the ability to design arrays
> that are tailored to the acoustic spaces they are designing. My guess is
> that most people here in this group will find the ICON 195 very appealing
> given it's high-end heritage and find the ICON 100s a more tolerable
> alternative to existing choices for low cost near invisible lifestyle
> systems. ICON 100 $199ea. ICON 195 $599ea.
> Standard colours are Aluminium, Black, Broken Stone (Off White). Custom
> colours on request.
> Full info will be available on their formal release in October.
>
> Philip,
>
> Would a HT set up with 195's across the front and the 100's across the
rear
> be an option? I still believe the rear soundtracks are a long way from
> needing the highest quality speakers on the market.
>
> Regards,
> Kevin Picton
** DVD soundtracks are mostly lo-fi so any of the Vaf range should suit
you just fine.
................... Phil
That may be, but they're still better engineered than 90% of the music CDs
that are being released in Australia at the moment.
That is a config I am considering. I can't afford 195 all round, but don't think
100s will be good enough up front.
Ben
** Your claim is false and stupid. In any case my remark was about
Vaf.
........................ Phil
'Stupid' is a little harsh... It was a flippant, tongue-in-cheek comment
very much in line with your comment about Vaf.
> > > That may be, but they're still better engineered than 90% of the music
> CDs> that are being released in Australia at the moment.
> >
> >
> > ** Your claim is false and stupid. In any case my remark was
about
> > Vaf.
>
> 'Stupid' is a little harsh...
** If you believe it - that is stupid.
It was a flippant, tongue-in-cheek comment
> very much in line with your comment about Vaf.
** You comment was non factual - very different to mine.
............. Phil
There was nothing factual about claiming that DVD tracks are lo-fi. It is a
subjective opinion and a broad generalisation.
** It is nothing of the sort.
DVDs are not hi-fi and no-one claims they are. The audio is MPEG 2
encoded - that is little better than many MP3s.
There is no attempt at accuracy in the sound. They are film sound
tracks not music recordings.
Even those that are of live band perfromances sound highy compressed
and phony.
................. Phil
Nope, factually wrong there. Actually most use DTS or Dolby Digital - both
of which are superior to MP3. Not that there's anything really wrong with
MP3 itself. If encoded by an expert, MP3 has been proven to pass even the
most stringent double blind audiophile tests. Fact.
> There is no attempt at accuracy in the sound. They are film sound
> tracks not music recordings.
I didn't say DVDs were perfect - far from it. I said that 90% of CDs aren't
as well engineered as your average DVD. I take it you're either into jazz
or classical music? If so, then they would mostly account for the 10% of
CDs that are well made.
> Even those that are of live band perfromances sound highy compressed
> and phony.
Yeah, some of them certainly do, but it pales in comparison to the amount of
dynamic range compression of the average music CD these days.
> > DVDs are not hi-fi and no-one claims they are. The audio is MPEG
2
> > encoded - that is little better than many MP3s.
>
> Nope, factually wrong there.
** Factually totally correct.
Actually most use DTS or Dolby Digital - both
> of which are superior to MP3.
** That is what I posted..... "little better..."
Not that there's anything really wrong with MP3 itself.
** Bullshit. That is crazy. MP3 is a mass of audio compromises and
masking algorithms.
If encoded by an expert,
** What - it depends on the skill of some operator ?????
MP3 has been proven to pass even the
> most stringent double blind audiophile tests. Fact.
** Give details. This is just not true. MP3 and its variations
provides "acceptable" TV sound only.
>
> > There is no attempt at accuracy in the sound. They are film sound
> > tracks not music recordings.
>
> I didn't say DVDs were perfect - far from it. I said that 90% of CDs
aren't
> as well engineered as your average DVD.
** That is meaningless. Music CDs have way better general sound
quality.
Film sound is a world on its own and not like music recordings at
all.
I take it you're either into jazz
> or classical music? If so, then they would mostly account for the 10% of
> CDs that are well made.
** Rubbish. There are lots of clean sounding CDs from popular
artists.
>
> > Even those that are of live band perfromances sound highy
compressed
> > and phony.
>
> Yeah, some of them certainly do, but it pales in comparison to the amount
of
> dynamic range compression of the average music CD these days.
** Not in my experience or any of my CDs.
................. Phil
Of course it does. If you didn't know that, then you're not really in a
position to pass judgement. 95% of MP3s you'll find on the 'net are created
by laymen and sound dreadful.
> ** That is meaningless. Music CDs have way better general sound
> quality.
Potentially, yes. In practice, no.
> Film sound is a world on its own and not like music recordings
at
> all.
That's right. Film tracks actually have audio engineering standards.
> ** Rubbish. There are lots of clean sounding CDs from popular
> artists.
I'd appreciate if you could name some. I haven't found many. (Celine Dion
doesn't count)
>
> Of course it does. If you didn't know that, then you're not really in a
> position to pass judgement. 95% of MP3s you'll find on the 'net are
created
> by laymen and sound dreadful.
** Can you stick to the topic. The net is not it.
>
> > ** That is meaningless. Music CDs have way better general sound
> > quality.
>
> Potentially, yes. In practice, no.
** Your unsupporteed assertions are not enough to make your
strange points clear.
>
> > Film sound is a world on its own and not like music recordings
> at> all.
>
> That's right. Film tracks actually have audio engineering standards.
** Then you tell me why film sound is all compressed shit then ??
>
> > ** Rubbish. There are lots of clean sounding CDs from popular
> > artists.
>
> I'd appreciate if you could name some. I haven't found many. (Celine
Dion
> doesn't count)
** Any at all sound better than the montage of dialogue and musical
trash on most films and hence the DVDs made from them.
................... Phil
> http://thingy.apana.org.au/~fun/fuckhead.html
>
> Spooky !:)
>
> Henry
All that's missing is PA's name ;-)
I reckon this set up would work in a great many rooms. But that's just my
own speculation. I'll have to go listen to it for myself.
Cheers.
It largely depends if the Icon 100s rolloff the treble at the same
frequency and rate as the Icon195s - the 195s should rolloff treble
like the I-91 since the driver is identical. This also assumes that
the Icon 100 has a reasonably flat response up to this rolloff
frequency to match the 195 (Philip has said they use a filter to
smooth the midrange to acheive this). The distortion characteristics
of the relative drivers also play a part.
>SNIP<
> > > That is a config I am considering. I can't afford 195 all round, but
don't
> > think
> > > 100s will be good enough up front.
> > >
> > > Ben
> >
> > I reckon this set up would work in a great many rooms. But that's just
my
> > own speculation. I'll have to go listen to it for myself.
>
> It largely depends if the Icon 100s rolloff the treble at the same
> frequency and rate as the Icon195s - the 195s should rolloff treble
> like the I-91 since the driver is identical.
>SNIP<
The COAX driver we use in the I-91 and ICON 195 actually has reasonably flat
output to around 30KHz (around -6dB @ 30KHz) if the total averaged output of
+/-10deg is taken into account.
The Tweeter/woofer combination of a COAX driver are quite different to a
conventional tweeter and woofer in a normal box. Neither approach is perfect
and has a different set of Pros & Cons. A properly time aligned tweeter in a
Coax has an issue with diffraction as the woofer voice coil former is
directly adjacent it. This manifests as an on axis response that is a bit
'wobbly' at the extreme high end....however...as soon as you move even a few
degrees off axis these wobbles almost disappear. We are making many
measurements to show this and hope to have these results on our website in
the new year. Contrast this with a conventional cabinet with a separate
tweeter and woofer....time alignment comes at the expense of a stepped
baffle, vertical dispersion is woefully skewed one way or the other
etc....if two woofers and one tweeter are used with a symmetrical and
stepped baffle, everything can work out just fine...but using the best
quality drivers in this type of arrangement is far from the $599ea price of
the ICON 195 or $950ish price of the I-91. I judged that using this truly
outstanding driver that is custom made for the I-91 in a compact enclosure
was a better value proposition than using a larger quantity of cheaper
parts.
With regard to matching high frequency response in surround speakers for
Home Theatre, Dolby Digital and DTS are digitally compressed paradigms.
There are not enough 'bits' of information available to drive all channels
to wide dynamic range & bandwidth at the same time. In my experience,
surround speakers do not seem to need output to 20KHz with the majority of
current software. I have experienced a small selection of recordings that
have remarkable surround sound, and looking to the future of SACD, DVD-A and
Corona 5.1 Lossless compression with 1080i vision....extended treble will
probably be desirable on all channels.