March Audio Sointuva AWG Bookshelf Speaker Review by ERIN's Audio Corner

[YSC]

Yes, I did not want to share pics before sending them to Alan, to give him a chance to go through it first and not add noise to the conversation by posting online, but now that it is solved I guess it's not that bad to share it. Here's a pic of one of the speakers, both had the same issue.

I am guessing it’s wood movement on the frame pulling it apart? Or maybe just over torque… kinda surprised that MDF front also have this issue

 

[jlimo]

guessing the MDF cracks because it's glued to moving wood

 

[Cincyret]

I just received my Sointuvas today. Here are a few photos. John

 

[Penelinfi]

Hmm you got grills with them? Magnetic?

 

[Cincyret]

Hmm you got grills with them? Magnetic?

Yes...very weak magnets (good?). I'm about to do my 1st frequency resp. measurements - with/without grills. One thing I've noticed, they can play very loud without you noticing. Also very soft. On my minidsp Flex, I can go from minus 40's dB (soft) to the mid teens (loud) with everything sounding great. Very different from my previous speakers.

 

[Matias]

Yes, the mid bass is surprisingly clean even when playing loud. And the low frequency extension is unbelievable. Plus a perfect balanced tonality and these speakers are really amazing.

 

[Cincyret]

Here are my first measurements. I only have one LP (8 ft equilateral). Left+Right & no Sub. The graph shows the Avg of 3 MMM measurements with the grills on & off. What I think the graph shows are the benefits of a well engineered speaker. I only need to EQ for the room (< 600 Hz).
Questions/Comments ? I'm leaning toward either a -.8 dB Target, or the BK target.

 

[Matias]

I would use a target that extends the natural linear slope of the speaker into the bass area.

 

[Cincyret]

Thanks, my thoughts exactly - I don't like a lot of bass. I plan on EQ first and then perhaps adding a high pass filter. I do have a tiny (REL T-Zero) sub.

 

[Penelinfi]

Yes, the mid bass is surprisingly clean even when playing loud. And the low frequency extension is unbelievable. Plus a perfect balanced tonality and these speakers are really amazing.

People thinking of getting a bookshelf speaker to avoid excess bass but with these, bom bom matey you'll get some great rumble room modes in general

 

[Cincyret]

I would use a target that extends the natural linear slope of the speaker into the bass area.

I used a -1 dB straight line slope for target. Highest filter was 550 Hz. I used my tiny sub (REL T-Zero) for fill (100-150 hz). The sub has both a Hi & Low pass XO.
Thanks so much for your advice!
John

 

[Matias]

Hello Matias,

Are you happy with the March Audio Sointuva AWG? Is it the 1 one or the new one. 2Nd model ? Because when I see the comments on ASR (2022) I see negative feedback in quality issues, no doubt the design is great and the sound above the size, and you seem to agree, but on the first model screw problems are reported, some bad ports mounted and with space between support and the wave-guide on the SB tweeter. I ask because I bought the ukkonen model last Tuesday. I'm a bit worried.

Hi yes there has been some issues and Alan replied to them back then, some controversies with reviews etc.

But my unit is the latest AWG and working flawlessly. I love how they look and sound, so I am definitely satisfied and highly recommend them. Your Ukkonen should be awesome too. Enjoy!

 

[What?]

Hi yes there has been some issues and Alan replied to them back then, some controversies with reviews etc.

But my unit is the latest AWG and working flawlessly. I love how they look and sound, so I am definitely satisfied and highly recommend them. Your Ukkonen should be awesome too. Enjoy!

OK Matias thank you for your reply. I deleted my questions because after going through the feed I saw you were commenting the answers.
my unit is the latest AWG and working flawlessly : so when I resume you had issues with the first model you received. The pair was replaced with a new model one? Or Repared? I have red refurbished?

 

[Matias]

Never bought the originals or 2nd version, went straight to the current AWG version and never had any issues.

 

[What?]

Hi yes there has been some issues and Alan replied to them back then, some controversies with reviews etc.

But my unit is the latest AWG and working flawlessly. I love how they look and sound, so I am definitely satisfied and highly recommend them. Your Ukkonen should be awesome too. Enjoy!

You are right amazing sound. Finish is beautiful. The PTT8 ushindi is great very good work with the SB tweeters. The testers are right.
Australian HiFi - July - August 2024.