Arendal 1528 high end speakers

[Pearljam5000]

Unboxing and re-boxing 250kg of speakers (LCR) for return brings a new perspective to the equation. I understand it is not practical for them to do better than free return policy, but then I still don't see clear benefits of these speakers being so large. Don't want to sound nasty, but is it to discourage returns?

If you damage the speakers, you will be responsible for damage Since I never had to box 80kg speakers before (did 40kg but that's child's play), this is unknown risk I am not willing to take. Imagine putting double the weight on the benchpress - will not really go well. They may at least want to take some insurance on the returns to make it look marginally better.

BTW cudos to Bryston - they do support their products with immaculate service even if 15 years old. I only had one instance in these 15 years and it has been resolved within a day with clear and "out-of-the-box" practical solution that worked and continues to work anhad did not require shipping to the factory so that can make some more money our of the issue.

The Wilson XVX is 310KG per speaker
Imagine packing them up

 

[Oddball]

The Wilson XVX is 310KG per speaker
Imagine packing them up
View attachment 400317View attachment 400318

lol, short of having a crane can’t imagine that. There were some opportunities on iconic Egglestone speakers recently and have decided to pass on those at much lower weights than these, partially also because of the height that would start to interfere with Atmos. Nice find though and entirely impressed

But people should not discount the logistics issues with 80kg speakers. And these are not cubes or similar like subs and more difficult to manipulate. This is easily 2 or 3 person job if you want to keep it on the safe side.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Another review

 

[MarcT]

Another review

Totally subjective review, but he seems to have picked up on that LF roll off in his listening tests. Says Gene and Don are coming over and going to take measurements.

 

[Pearljam5000]

That's a big speaker lol

 

[GIEGAR]

That's a big speaker lol

... or Gene's a tiny dude.

Pending any design SNAFU's (very unlikely), the Center+ 8 has the potential for legendary status.

Out of curiosity, did a size comparison with a few other large/premium CC's (overall dimensions only - no allowance for complex surfaces). This thing is HUGE. Excuse the orientation, the basic comparison site wanted to stand them up.

Any other big CC suggestions?

 

[Penelinfi]

I wonder if you can rotate the mid-tweet of the centre speaker in case you wanted to have a more vertically symmetrical L/R ?

 

[Oddball]

... or Gene's a tiny dude.

Pending any design SNAFU's (very unlikely), the Center+ 8 has the potential for legendary status.

Out of curiosity, did a size comparison with a few other large/premium CC's (overall dimensions only - no allowance for complex surfaces). This thing is HUGE. Excuse the orientation, the basic comparison site wanted to stand them up.

Any other big CC suggestions?

View attachment 401177​

OMG really useful and sobering. My Revel is just next to Arendal. And Revel is already pretty darn big by all measures.

Hope we hear from Gene now that he has a new BIG toy.

 

[Pearljam5000]

They're measuring it in an anechoic room so I guess they'll publish the results soon

 

[MarcT]

They're measuring it in an anechoic room so I guess they'll publish the results soon

Moment of truth!

 

[Pearljam5000]

That thing is huge lol

 

[Vacceo]

OMG really useful and sobering. My Revel is just next to Arendal. And Revel is already pretty darn big by all measures.

Hope we hear from Gene now that he has a new BIG toy.

Gene has given his Perlistens a serious run in terms of amplification and use. Measuring aside (nothing to complain on his methods), he runs the speakers hard when he can, so results should be enlightening.

 

[Count Arthur]

Measurements in this video

Gene seems like a nice guy and has does some useful reviews and measurements, videos debunking audiophile myths, etc.., but he's not exactly one for brevity is he?

 

[kma100]

That thing is huge lol

I have a tough time seeing that in a regular living room...

 

[Oddball]

Gene has given his Perlistens a serious run in terms of amplification and use. Measuring aside (nothing to complain on his methods), he runs the speakers hard when he can, so results should be enlightening.

Understand that those front Perlisten towers use LFE distribution, but are crossover managed for their respective channels. Not sure about the rest of the speakers. Some time ago he had Marantz AV-10 and Amp 10 to drive the system.

 

[Vacceo]

Understand that those front Perlisten towers use LFE distribution, but are crossover managed for their respective channels. Not sure about the rest of the speakers. Some time ago he had Marantz AV-10 and Amp 10 to drive the system.

In the review of the Amp 10 he mentioned how he used it bridged on the Perlistens, hence why we can infer those speakers can take quite a nice amount of current.

 

[PJ 1]

I could care less as well what Jay hears is his own thing. Nothing to do with me. I would take into account very few opinions in this matter, and still with caution, and Jay might get there in 30 years or more.

People have different opinions and there is nothing out there that might objectively put this to rest.

Until Arendal defends themselves with some further actions/reviews, not sure why anyone else should unless somehow connected to Arendal, or perhaps, well let’s not go there. . .

30 years? I'd give Jay a little more credit than that. He's listened to, and presumably measured, a LOT of speakers in his time on YT and while working for the store in Canada. Just cause he hasn't posted the measurements or doesn't waste his time telling us what "sucks" doesn't mean he's not credible. If you don't like his channel, keep waiting for Amir or Erin to get around to measuring them. But keep in mind that this is a hobby for Erin and Amir. Jay and the other content providers are using this as a source of income and spend a lot of time on visuals and editing with at times, a full staff. So manufacturers see a lot of value in getting them items over the "hobbyists". Like it or not, that's just the way it is. Just look at the subscriber counts and it's pretty easy to see who's getting "new" first.

 

[PJ 1]

This thread is interesting, and I must say not a great look for ASR. Why do random people feel entitled to basically claiming that a manufacturer does this and that, especially when they would probably never purchase the product either way?

I'm with you. I also don't see the point in attacking other content creators for their very obvious opinions. It doesn't take more than a few watches on their channel to figure out their philosophies. I also take issue with attacks on how they decide to monetize their content. I've said it once, I'll say it again thousand times: psychoacoustics IS science and I for one, am very interested in how an item is perceived just as much as how it measures. I am capable of formulating my own opinion with more than a "graph" or one content providers opinion and ultimately, a listen. And specifically for the "Arendal/false advertising" crowd, they have a free in home trial. You can measure these yourself without a Klippel Near Field Scanner. It's been done for decades. Open space, scaffolding, microphone, laptop, time.... I bet Amir would even promote it to the first page for you just so he doesn't have to hoist near 180lb speakers on his Klippel.

 

[Ktacos]

Just cause he hasn't posted the measurements or doesn't waste his time telling us what "sucks" doesn't mean he's not credible.

It's really his audiophile nonsense and snake oil he pushes that discredits him. If you don't see it now, you never will.

 

[Pearljam5000]

New videos if anyone's interested