Best Passive loudspeaker designs!

[Soniclife]

ASRer’s are there any European measurements for Fink loudspeakers, apparently they have a Klippel but nothing on their site apart from 35Hx-25kHz -10dB.
Thanks in advance,
Keith

Maybe @Karl-Heinz Fink can share some.

 

[Bmoze]

@Purite, I've also been looking at Fink's Epos and Kim models in my speaker search. I've read all the reviews posted on Fink's site for the Epos and Kim, and have found the attached additional measurements for the Kim. Maybe TeamFink will repond and provide more. These speakers, and the Sointuva are on my short list for passives, while the Sigbergs and D&D are on my actives list. I'm very interested in your comments on Sigberg's SBS 1,with the subs, when you're ready to share them.

 

[Purité Audio]

Thanks @Bmoze .
There is a link to the Hi-Fi Critic review on the Fink sight, Martin Colloms lives just up the road from me, I will try and get hold of a copy measurements don’t look too bad just a rising treble.
I am going to write something about the SBS.1/Inkognito for my Blog but I won’t be giving anything away if I say I am incredibly impressed with them, really impressed.
Keith

 

[Matias]

March Audio Sointuva AWG are the best measuring passive speakers I have seen along with KEF Blade 1 & 2. But for a fraction of the price. That is why I could not get over them and bought a pair.

Below is the comparison I made with the very best both active and passive.

March Audio Sointuva

Pic: front plate. That wood turned out nice. I can't figure out if I like all wood better or something like that navy blue front panel with wood elsewhere Also is the badge inset now? Looks better that way.

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[MKR]

@Purité Audio This will likely be heresy for the objectivists, and I may be flogged and hung upside down from a tree, but might I recommend you consider something completely different (my tribute to Monty Python ) … How about one of the newer planar passive designs? A fully different experience to offer your customers that may lean that way. From my SUBJECTIVE listening experience (I have no idea how they measure), I very much enjoy the offerings from Clarysis and Diptyque (both with HQ in EU, so at least in your region, makes some aspects of carrying those lines easier).

And another you may not have considered would be Legacy. Again another speaker line I am quite fond of that has a serious lack of measurements. But, subjectively and from a value aspect, I rate them very highly. Not to mention the crew at Legacy, including Bill, are down to earth good people. Not sure of their distribution in UK/EU, but maybe something for you to investigate.

Just some thoughts you may have not considered.

 

[jkorten]

I am going to do a @Pearljam5000 and ask which are amongst the best measuring passive loudspeaker designs currently available?
KEF
Revel
March Audio
Magico but way too pricey
PMC ( just joking)
What have I missed?

Harbeth should be on any list

 

[Purité Audio]

@Purité Audio This will likely be heresy for the objectivists, and I may be flogged and hung upside down from a tree, but might I recommend you consider something completely different (my tribute to Monty Python ) … How about one of the newer planar passive designs? A fully different experience to offer your customers that may lean that way. From my SUBJECTIVE listening experience (I have no idea how they measure), I very much enjoy the offerings from Clarysis and Diptyque (both with HQ in EU, so at least in your region, makes some aspects of carrying those lines easier).

And another you may not have considered would be Legacy. Again another speaker line I am quite fond of that has a serious lack of measurements. But, subjectively and from a value aspect, I rate them very highly. Not to mention the crew at Legacy, including Bill, are down to earth good people. Not sure of their distribution in UK/EU, but maybe something for you to investigate.

Just some thoughts you may have not considered.

Thanks Mike I have heard a number of ESLs over the years, Quads, Martin Logan, a customer has those Sanders, @Duke recommended looking at Soundlab to be frank I have never been overly impressed so far.
There is also the WAF factor over here rooms are generally not that large a pair of imposing monoliths…
Keith

 

[staticV3]

Harbeth should be on any list

The one Harbeth spin that we have is really not that great:

Harbeth Monitor 30 Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Harbeth Monitor 30 25th anniversary speaker. It is on kind loan from a local member. This specific speaker came out around 2002 I think and cost US $3,200 around that time. Being patterned after the famous BBC LS 5/9 speakers, I imagine the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Tilted on-axis and poorly controlled directivity with some obvious directivity mismatch between woofer and tweeter.

Is the Monitor 30 a good representative of Harbeth, or is it like a super outdated design?

 

[Purité Audio]

Harbeth should be on any list

A list perhaps not on my list.
Keith

 

[Purité Audio]

The one Harbeth spin that we have is really not that great:

Harbeth Monitor 30 Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Harbeth Monitor 30 25th anniversary speaker. It is on kind loan from a local member. This specific speaker came out around 2002 I think and cost US $3,200 around that time. Being patterned after the famous BBC LS 5/9 speakers, I imagine the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Tilted on-axis and poorly controlled directivity with some obvious directivity mismatch between woofer and tweeter.

Is the Monitor 30 a good representative of Harbeth, or is it like a super outdated design?

Harbeth make a speaker that isn’t an outdated design?
Keith

 

[MKR]

Thanks Mike I have heard a number of ESLs over the years, Quads, Martin Logan, a customer has those Sanders, @Duke recommended looking at Soundlab to be frank I have never been overly impressed so far.
There is also the WAF factor over here rooms are generally not that large a pair of imposing monoliths…
Keith

Yes, big, and as they are dipoles, need room to breath. But understand many of your clients do not likely have the space to do them justice. And do note I am not referring to ESLs, rather planar ribbon based designs. Very different beasts Than ESL. I suppose all I would say is try to give a listen to Clarysis and Diptyque before ruling them out, you may be very surprised

As to WAF, Legacy designs are very attractive cosmetically, incredible cabinet work, right up there with the Wilson and Magico silliness … but much more sane pricing.

As to Magico, crazy pricing, but they do sound and measure very good. Solid engineering and I respect Magico for this. But yeah, those prices …

 

[Theta]

Any measurements for the newish Fink ‘Epos’?
Keith

Why a passive crossover if you are attempting to make a high resolution high quality (expensive speaker)?
Why make a 2 way speaker, at all, when a well designed 3 way or 4 way guaranties better results?

 

[Purité Audio]

I will take your advice under consideration, mentioning Harbeth I sold my very first pair of 8Cs to a chap who owned Harbeths 40’s perhaps?
We set them up and Neil asked his wife which she preferred she listened briefly to both and said of the D&D,
’those are clearer and have better bass’
Which summed everything up perfectly.
Keith

 

[Purité Audio]

Why a passive crossover if you are attempting to make a high resolution high quality (expensive speaker)?
Why make a 2 way speaker, at all, when 3 way or 4way

Don’t ask me ask Herr Fink, £12k seems rather a lot for a passive two way with limited extension to me but what do I know.
Keith

 

[AudioJester]

Below is the comparison I made with the very best both active and passive.

March Audio Sointuva

Pic: front plate. That wood turned out nice. I can't figure out if I like all wood better or something like that navy blue front panel with wood elsewhere Also is the badge inset now? Looks better that way.

www.audiosciencereview.com

I spent a bit of time listening to March audio speakers at an audio show last year. To me in the same setup (by Alan himself) the Ukkonen significantly bettered the Sointuva, as in after hearing both back to back it would be hard for me to settle for the Sointuva. Alan spoke along the same lines when I revisited the next day for another listen. (By the way - he is actually a great guy in person, very humble and accomodating).
But then I heard the D&D 8c in another room which was the standout of the show for me. The Ukkonen with electronics is not that far off the 8c Studio price wise. Then factor in convenience and the easier setup/integration with cardioid bass and less electronics/cables etc. , the 8c is really hard to beat.
Still, if passives are a must the March audio range is really as good as it gets.

 

[Purité Audio]

The 8Cs are superb so if the Ukkonen are vaguely comparable…
Keith

 

[AudioJester]

The 8Cs are superb so if the Ukkonen are vaguely comparable…
Keith

Yeah and for AU$10k less you get the studio which is identical performance!

 

[Purité Audio]

Yes identical just lacking the streaming software.
Keith

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

Yes but direct sales only I believe?
Keith

Why is this relevant?

 

[staticV3]

Why is this relevant?

I believe that Keith is looking for speakers to add to his portfolio as a dealer.