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Dutch & Dutch 8c Review
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Defi
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Pretty sure I won't be alone in wanting to hear your thoughts once you have those. Those two configurations are the top of my dream list right now, aside from the purifi cardioid the Ascilab hasn't even revealed yet.
Pearljam5000
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How does Kii 3 compare to 8C?
To me, 8C is better for sure. As to why, you have the data to compare but I'd agree with mitchco's review:
"If I was to try and subjectively characterize the sound difference, both are very neutral performers, best I have heard. The THREE’s sound a bit drier than the 8c’s. I don’t know any other way to describe it. Objectively speaking, it may be a damping factor difference between the amplifiers. Both measure just about textbook response in the frequency and time domains. But with the 8c’s larger drivers, more onboard room calibration controls, and the best directivity polar map I have seen, edge out the Kii THREE’s to my ears. But that is just my preference."
I have both, the C8C+BX8C of course has an edge to it. More drivers, larger cabinet. It's possible I'm imagining it because I've seen the measurements, but I think the C8C is clearer due to lower distortion. And the lower cardioid mode removed a room resonance at 77Hz so of course it sounds better overall.
I still use my 8C with BACCH, though, at around 75cm and I don't see that changing because it has better cardioid effect down to 100Hz. Fewer sidewall reflection= better results with Bacch. Maybe the S6C, if ever released, can match it. But at 75cm I don't turn it up loud enough for 8C distortion to be a problem (although Erin noted no audible distortion at 105dB at 4m, which was also my experience but I'm not a trained listener)
Well - I must be the only one who did not like them.
I don't remember exactly, maybe I've written about it before. I went to visit someone specifically to listen to the 8C. I couldn't (even though I tried) hear any particular merits. Pardon the brevity and subjectivity. Maybe I'm too used to my system.
It was written only so that markstein wouldn't be so lonely
It was written only so that markstein wouldn't be so lonely
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Yeah, this sums it up well, though I'd factor it more to the fact that the Kiis limit pretty readily vs the 8C.
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Not that they are perfect, but what did you not like about an accuratish (slag) speaker such as the 8C?
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More similar than different. I've heard the former and own the latter. Some fairly obvious pros and cons. I think with EQ they would sound alike and unless I'm mistaken Martijn from Dutch & Dutch has written something similar.
nope. i appreciated their response smoothness, but I did not like the distortion below 60hz. for that kind of money, should be cleaner. my new cadentia 3 are a near-match for smoothness but very clean down to 50hz, where i cross them anyhow to subs. $3500.
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Interesing comment, considering they have more distortion at 100Hz than 50-60hz but your ears seemingly didn' pick up on that.
Okay, sorry, it's been awhile since I got rid of them. Whatever the distortion was down low, it didn't agree with me. So I amend my post to say, "too much distortion in the bass."
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The 8c is a brilliant speaker - convinced me on the merits of active and cardioid.
Ended up buying the C8C/BX8C due to its measured performance and significantly cheaper price.
Ended up buying the C8C/BX8C due to its measured performance and significantly cheaper price.
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I think this is a fair enough comment. When I bought them quite a few moons ago, before many of the speakers they are compared to today existed, I knew I would be using subwoofers with them to somewhat lower their low end requirement.
That is interesting... looking at the scale though, I doubt I could reliably hear the ±0.6 to ±0.7dB changes shown above ~45Hz of the 8C, where as the several dB swing in the bass for the Kii Three would be clearly audible.
I was eyeing on the C6B, but then it was sold out real quick and not in production since then..
Find my - purely subjective - impressions in this thread:
Upgrade from Neumann KH310 for home listening?
Hi all, What do you do when you have 2 days off? Right - test some speakers at home! I am currently thinking about replacing my Neumann KH310 as I feel they are not designed for my irregularly shaped, asymmetric, non treated living room and the relatively long listening distance (2.5 m for...
www.audiosciencereview.com
Maybe I had just a bad day?
In the meantime I am happy with Ascilab C8C and BX8C.
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Find my - purely subjective - impressions in this thread:
Upgrade from Neumann KH310 for home listening?
Hi all, What do you do when you have 2 days off? Right - test some speakers at home! I am currently thinking about replacing my Neumann KH310 as I feel they are not designed for my irregularly shaped, asymmetric, non treated living room and the relatively long listening distance (2.5 m for...
Maybe I had just a bad day?
In the meantime I am happy with Ascilab C8C and BX8C.
Well, it didn't seem like it was all bad. Your quote below.
"Soundstage is very wide and super precise. More precise than with the KH420. Much much more than with the KH310."
Ascilab C8C and BX8C is probably pretty hard to be to beat.
Soundstage was indeed the one thing really impressive about the D&D 8C. Very precise and kind of holographic. At the same time, singers and instruments appeared very small, not in real life size. I did not like that and prefer a slightly less pin sharp but more life like imaging, if that makes sense.
I also somehow did not like how voices sounded on the 8C, especially at higher volume. However, this was in comparison to Neumann KH310 and KH420 which both are exceptional in that regard.
At least in my untreated "suboptimal" living room they sound astonishing good. Nothing to complain about, other than the size (they look kind of brutal).
In a well treated room there are many other good options to choose from I guess. Same if money is less important to you - then you should also try the GGNTKT M3.
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