The foot-print of Kali IN-5 is much larger than this T1E (581 cm^2 vs 315 cm^2).I voted for "not terrible" as directivity is quite poor especially for the price and I don't see the big advantage for relatively flat on-axis for a desktop monitor where it is easy and free to use EQ like Equalizer APO to correct it, I'd rather preferred smooth directivity instead which cannot be corrected by EQ. Also at times of a pair JBL LSR or Kali 5-6" costing around $300 this makes no sense to me.
That is definitely an argument, although a JBL 305 MkII with 427 cm² is possibly an option for many.The foot-print of Kali IN-5 is much larger than this T1E (581 cm^2 vs 315 cm^2).
Small? 10" x 6.5" x 8" is smaller than an LS3/5a (or a shoebox) so I'd call it tiny. Very impressive for the size, and I see on the website that the cherry finish is real wood veneer.This is a review and detailed measurements of the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore powered/computer speaker. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $599 for a pair (in black and cherry).
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This is small speaker but is quite heavy for its size and feels quite dense. All the electronics are in one speaker and four wires drive the slave indicating active (DSP) configuration. Back panel shows very rich connectivity (including remote control which is not shown):
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You are not going to find features like digital input, sub out, etc. in any budget professional monitor but you have it here and then some. That passive radiator is a serious looking thing in person as well.
Measurements that you are about to see were performed using the Klippel Near-field Scanner (NFS). This is a robotic measurement system that analyzes the speaker all around and is able (using advanced mathematics and dual scan) to subtract room reflections (so where I measure it doesn't matter). It also measures the speaker at close distance ("near-field") which sharply reduces the impact of room noise. Both of these factors enable testing in ordinary rooms yet results that can be more accurate than an anechoic chamber. In a nutshell, the measurements show the actual sound coming out of the speaker independent of the room.
Measurements are compliant with latest speaker research into what can predict the speaker preference and is standardized in CEA/CTA-2034 ANSI specifications. Likewise listening tests are performed per research that shows mono listening is much more revealing of differences between speakers than stereo or multichannel.
Reference axis was the center of the tweeter (aligned by eye). Measurement room was at 15 degrees C. No grill was used.
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Measurements
Acoustic measurements can be grouped in a way that can be perceptually analyzed to determine how good a speaker is and how it can be used in a room. This so called spinorama shows us just about everything we need to know about the speaker with respect to tonality and some flaws:
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On axis is impressively flat and extends quite low for such a small speaker. Unfortunately the woofer beams (narrows its response) before tweeter takes over with its broad beam so we have some directivity error. Back to bass, we see the low frequency tuning of the passive radiator:
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And its superiority over open port in suppressing cabinet/port resonances. Without this, you get mid-frequency colorations which are nicely absent here.
Here are the early reflections and predicted in-room response:
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Distortion is nicely controlled at 86 dBSPL:
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Beamwidth clearly shows the directivity error:
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Vertical directivity is as expected. Point the tweeter to your ear vertically:
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For people who are fans of timing tests, here you are:
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Speaker Listening Tests
I chose to test the TE1 on my desk as I see it as more of a nice computer speaker than stand-alone. Placed on the corner of my desk and near the wall, I was most impressed by the amount of bass out of this speaker. I think it goes deeper than just about any speaker I have tested in its size in the same location. Crank the volume way down and there is graceful breakdown with faint static and other distortion. Overall tonality was on the warm side.
I attempted to use the predicted in-room response to develop EQ. I put in a boost in the dip area and pulled down the bass a bit. This gave me a light and airy signature and tighter bass. But I could not convince myself that it was better for all music so I am not going to show it. Seems in near field on-axis response is dominant.
I then sat back, working on writing this review and enjoying the sound of this speaker.
Conclusions
Clearly good engineering has gone into this speaker with active DSP design and flat on-axis response. Really the only flaw is directivity error in crossover region which I found in near-field listening to not be as important. However, response may be more room/location dependent than if the directivity was fully controlled.
Overall, I am going to recommend the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore.
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
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I hear you, but based on Amir's testing, I'd say the king so far in the category seams to be Adam T5V, 400$ a pair. It was mentioned to be a "no contest" Against JBL LSR or Kali. Looks much better to me too. Of course digital inputs is a nice feat that none of those offer tough.I voted for "not terrible" as directivity is quite poor especially for the price and I don't see the big advantage for relatively flat on-axis for a desktop monitor where it is easy and free to use EQ like Equalizer APO to correct it, I'd rather preferred smooth directivity instead which cannot be corrected by EQ. Also at times of a pair JBL LSR or Kali 5-6" costing around $300 this makes no sense to me.
Used as a desktop monitor the room influence is minimized and the whole frequency response is dominated by on-axis behavior,I voted for "not terrible" as directivity is quite poor especially for the price and I don't see the big advantage for relatively flat on-axis for a desktop monitor where it is easy and free to use EQ like Equalizer APO to correct it, I'd rather preferred smooth directivity instead which cannot be corrected by EQ. Also at times of a pair JBL LSR or Kali 5-6" costing around $300 this makes no sense to me.
My experience is different, since especially desktop environment is usually very reflective, from the desktop surface and often close rear and side walls. Also good directivity doesn't really cost more nowadays (just a plastic waveguide) , so why compromise?Used as a desktop monitor the room influence is minimized and the whole frequency response is dominated by on-axis behavior,
good directivity is for the most part wasted in desktop use, except maybe for some monster desks
You mean based on his subjective preferences? I personally don't take them too seriously (in opposition to his very valuable measurements) due to several reasons.I hear you, but based on Amir's testing, I'd say the king so far in the category seams to be Adam T5V, 400$ a pair. It was mentioned to be a "no contest" Against JBL LSR or Kali. Looks much better to me too. Of course digital inputs is a nice feat that none of those offer tough.
At least compared to the JBL, measurments looked a bit better to me too, and well, an audible hiss may not be directly visible in Klippel measurments but it's still pretty objective. What makes you think the superiority of the ADAM is not objective and just taste based? Personally, I do think measurments are more valuable, but when a trained listener do an A/B and we are in "No contest" territory its different than, "I think I prefer this one a bit better" No? Personally, I fully know which is the better speaker at home between my two different systems. Differences in speakers are audible....You mean based on his subjective preferences? I personally don't take them too seriously (in opposition to his very valuable measurements) do to several reasons.
If you connect a subwoofer to the T1E with the Flat DSP setting selected,the crossover to the subwoofer is set at 80Hz.
I was curious about the sub out and checked the manual. The sub out actually has a real crossover. So often sub outputs are an after thought and are lazily implemented with just a 120 Hz low pass on the sub out with no actual crossover.
If the objective data (measurements) really show so I have no problem of accepting it, my response was general and not directed to a specific comparison pair.What makes you think the superiority of the ADAM is not objective and just taste based?
It depends on the listener(s) and the conditions of the comparison, as too many parameters can influence the subjective impressions, hell, even my own systems sound to me much "better" on some days than on others.Personally, I do think measurments are more valuable, but when a trained listener do an A/B and we are in "No contest" territory its different than, "I think I prefer this one a bit better" No?
Anyway, just saying that the ADAM T5V would be the one I'd go to in this price range, yes mainly based on measurements but I also value Amir's opinion to some extent.If the objective data (measurements) really show so I have no problem of accepting it, my response was general and not directed to a specific comparison pair.
It depends on the listener(s) and the conditions of the comparison, as too many parameters can influence the subjective impressions, hell, even my own systems sound to me much "better" on some days than on others.
Sorry, up.This is still not clear despite the replies in the thread... your comment, was it in regard to increase the SPL or decrease?
"Crank the volume way down and there is graceful breakdown with faint static and other distortion."
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