End Game Speaker Quest - The Final Chapter

[MKR]

Please post measurements. After all this is ASR. I want to see the best you've heard in action. Which driver is the one you can't believe other manufacturers dont use?

The planars … they are used of course, but seemingly quite rare … I think PS Audio uses them in their new speaker line, but not 100% sure about that, may be another planar brand (only other I am aware of is Radian, who actually happens to also be the same designer as the GRS line )

 

[FrantzM]

Sorry all for delay … I have spent extensive time now listening to the planar config (midrange + supertweeter) and it is simply superb. Hearing this driver on the Titan line arrays last year Florida Audio Expo I expected it to be good, but it has fully exceeded my expectations. Soundfield’s designs have always done an incredible disappearing act, but these planars are another level. The imaging is spooky real. The artists are standing in front of me. In addition, the resolution/detail is excellent, maybe the best I have heard (and that is saying a lot, I have heard just a few systems past couple years). Strings, horns, piano, human voice, all presented with astonishing realism. Again, best word I can use is spooky. I should add this is with zero EQ whatsoever. I am very surprised other speaker manufacturers are not using this driver! They are missing out on excellent performance.

I should also note, even though not the focus of this activity, that the cardioid base cabs are of course excellent, no surprise there, best portrayal of low frequencies of any speaker I have heard, part of the reason of course I decided to go with Soundfield.

If I had to make decision today, would go with the planar, but I need to give the coax a fair shake. Will listen to planar for another week or so, then switch over to the coax.

A pic for your viewing pleasure. And note these are a bit banged up and hacked up (the coax config was actually at the Florida show last year, so the cabs have some mileage on them, plus they went through a hurricane, literally). Plus the mods to accommodate swapping the heads and they are truly Frankenspeakers . Simply to say, don’t judge a book by its cover, that is not the point of this.

More to come, stay tuned …

View attachment 424338

These speakers remind me of the Infinity Beta of yore...

Enjoy your speakers.


Peace.

 

[prestigetone]

These speakers remind me of the Infinity Beta of yore...

View attachment 424422

Enjoy your speakers.


Peace.

They really do look so similar. I really enjoyed old Infinity models.

 

[MarkS]

If I had to make decision today, would go with the planar

Are those planars open or closed back?

 

[pablolie]

The title "end game" has never been used more appropriately. I am afraid the OP will die long before he makes a decision.

(I say this with humor and of course wish the OP long health! But this has been going on for how long?)

 

[Pearljam5000]

Wow finally
I can't believe it
congratulations on the amazing speakers

 

[MKR]

The title "end game" has never been used more appropriately. I am afraid the OP will die long before he makes a decision.

(I say this with humor and of course wish the OP long health! But this has been going on for how long?)

LOL, indeed, sometimes it feels that way. But on the home stretch now. The decision is made on the general design, only now it is deciding between planar and coax. If all goes as planned and lead times hold, should have the final product in hand around April (2025 )

 

[MKR]

Wow finally
I can't believe it
congratulations on the amazing speakers

Not quite there yet, but getting closer!

 

[prestigetone]

What is the difference between the previous speaker you tested out and this one? They look largely the same.

 

[MKR]

What is the difference between the previous speaker you tested out and this one? They look largely the same.

Mainly, midrange and upper freq driver complement/design is completely different

 

[pablolie]

...on the home stretch now. The decision is made on the general design, only now it is deciding between planar and coax. ..

That is pretty fundamental. So another three years.

 

[MKR]

Are those planars open or closed back?

Sorry for delayed reply ... Great question and I was likely not so clear on this prior. The midrange planar is actually operating as a cardioid. So it is "pseudo" open, with side vents in a cardioid wave guide

Also, there is a planar in back that provides indirect sound via special diffuser design. This rear planar, as well as rear tweeter are used in the "omni" variable directivity mode

 

[MKR]

That is pretty fundamental. So another three years.

Gosh, I sure hope not ... again, loving the planar so will likely go that path, but need to give coax a fair chance

 

[prestigetone]

Can you get measurements of both in room?

 

[Colonel7]

So how’s that coax?

 

[AlmaAtaKZ]

Following with interest!

 

[Colonel7]

LOL, indeed, sometimes it feels that way. But on the home stretch now. The decision is made on the general design, only now it is deciding between planar and coax. If all goes as planned and lead times hold, should have the final product in hand around April (2025 )

So are you still deciding between the planar and coax or is Soundfield putting the final touches on the Bespoke MKRs?

 

[MKR]

So are you still deciding between the planar and coax or is Soundfield putting the final touches on the Bespoke MKRs?

Hello! Thanks for checking in

Sorry for the delay in my report back, turns out the choice between the planar and coax not as easy as I expected! They both sound excellent and both have pros/cons, making the decision more complicated. One of my sons has taken part in many of the comparison sessions and has same opinion and quandary as me . I plan to spend a long session this weekend swapping back and forth and hopefully make the final decision very soon! Will do best to report back with my impressions over weekend. Onward and upward!

 

[MattHooper]

Hello! Thanks for checking in

Sorry for the delay in my report back, turns out the choice between the planar and coax not as easy as I expected! They both sound excellent and both have pros/cons, making the decision more complicated. One of my sons has taken part in many of the comparison sessions and has same opinion and quandary as me . I plan to spend a long session this weekend swapping back and forth and hopefully make the final decision very soon! Will do best to report back with my impressions over weekend. Onward and upward!

Thanks for the report back.

I have to say I take a sort of mild comfort in your quandary. It is a reminder that no matter how hard we try, there are always compromises of a sort, and in the end our choice will involve some sort of compromise.
Something to heed for those of us inclined to “ chase that perfect speaker.”

I’ve tried dealing with that perfectionism before simply by having lots of options available - owning a variety of speakers.

I’ve pruned away most of my speakers, and feel at this point quite satisfied with what I’ve got.

Like we’ve discussed before, when we put a lot of effort into the result we can at least sit back at the end and put off some doubts or itches by falling back on “ I did my best I left no stone unturned… I can give it a rest.”

 

[Mr. Widget]

Something to heed for those of us inclined to “ chase that perfect speaker.”

I gave up on "perfect" a long time ago. I think the best solution is multiple systems. Then you can enjoy the strengths of each one.