Technics SB-C700 Review (Coaxial Bookshelf)

[argyle_mikey]

Thanks for your recommandation !
Any opinion regarding classic AB integrated amplifiers NAD M3, Yamaha A-S2100 or Marantz PM-16 ?

I have these speakers. I’ve tried them with various Class D amps and - luckily for you - an old school Marantz PM16. The PM16 sounded superb. Indeed, I got the classic “where’s the subwoofer ?” comment from a friend. Tone controls levelled out of course. The relays died on the Marantz, so I’m using a class D NAD at the moment, until I can find another.

Subjectively : The imaging is superb, almost wrap around with the right source material. I have them 60cm from the rear wall now, on slate stands. Pointed straight ahead. In my set up, the sound benefitted from a slightly compliant footer, rather than a hard disc underneath.

Herb Reichert of Stereophile still retains a pair of these.

 

[marble]

That is exactly the setup I had for a long time. I still have an IcePower 1200AS2 in a Ghent case and the RME ADI-2 DAC. That is a great combination. Just curious, were you saying that for some reason Hypex UcD modules will *not* fit the bill with the RME? I also have a setup with that configuration as well; I think, if the nc1200 from Hypex is a UcD module, but I could be mistaken. Works just as well as the IcePower.

You really can't go wrong with IcePower, Purifi or Hypex class D amps, IMO. And the ADI-2 is awesome despite some of my early customer service issues with one of their resellers who was still selling the older version with a different AKM chip in it and trying to pass it off as the newer version with a better remote control. I got a little bothered with RME about that because here in the States, their press release didn't get much coverage and a lot of American consumers - including two friends of mine - had to do a lot of leg work to make sure they got the newer version. Not that the older version sounds any different, but the bigger remote is a definite plus. I also love their "loudness" function.

Hi,
Yes, I am about to receive a ROTEL RB-1072 which is basically two IcePower 200ASC modules in one box, although a good construction one.
Then RME ADI-2 Dac (if I manage to get a hold on a used one - or Topping D90 and SMSL equivalents if I can't).

 

[marble]

I have these speakers. I’ve tried them with various Class D amps and - luckily for you - an old school Marantz PM16. The PM16 sounded superb. Indeed, I got the classic “where’s the subwoofer ?” comment from a friend. Tone controls levelled out of course. The relays died on the Marantz, so I’m using a class D NAD at the moment, until I can find another.

Subjectively : The imaging is superb, almost wrap around with the right source material. I have them 60cm from the rear wall now, on slate stands. Pointed straight ahead. In my set up, the sound benefitted from a slightly compliant footer, rather than a hard disc underneath.

Herb Reichert of Stereophile still retains a pair of these.

Thanks for your input ! I decided myself for Class D poweramp + pre. But there are good Class AB integrated amps out there !

 

[Jmudrick]

I have these speakers. I’ve tried them with various Class D amps and - luckily for you - an old school Marantz PM16. The PM16 sounded superb. Indeed, I got the classic “where’s the subwoofer ?” comment from a friend. Tone controls levelled out of course. The relays died on the Marantz, so I’m using a class D NAD at the moment, until I can find another.

Subjectively : The imaging is superb, almost wrap around with the right source material. I have them 60cm from the rear wall now, on slate stands. Pointed straight ahead. In my set up, the sound benefitted from a slightly compliant footer, rather than a hard disc underneath.

Herb Reichert of Stereophile still retains a pair of these.

Interesting re the footer. I just swapped in some cheap gel footers like Buchardt recommends.

 

[argyle_mikey]

I started off with brass discs in vibrapods - but they marked the floor. Herbies large footers didn’t sound as good, so I’m now using Solitude ONE Isolation Spike Mounts. I have replaced the standard inserts with ones cut from Nitrile cork. Happy again !

I think the combination of a near vibration-free enclosure, slate stands, metal discs and a solid wood floor was just a bit much without some “give” in the chain somewhere. They have a small ball of blutack on each corner too.

If you have some vibrapods and brass discs lying around though, give it a go and report back.

 

[mmi]

Just ABd these with Kef R3 in a cramped store setup, so not optimal. Tonally at lower volumes they were closer but louder they sounded completely different. I much preferred the Technics.

In terms of image / soundstage it was a totally different experience, R3s image was quite contained, Technics was wide open and almost wall of sound like.

I’m a convert, these have me super intrigued. I’ve had the feeling I am after super wide dispersion speakers and this experience validated that feeling somewhat.

 

[Jmudrick]

Just ABd these with Kef R3 in a cramped store setup, so not optimal. Tonally at lower volumes they were closer but louder they sounded completely different. I much preferred the Technics.

In terms of image / soundstage it was a totally different experience, R3s image was quite contained, Technics was wide open and almost wall of sound like.

I’m a convert, these have me super intrigued. I’ve had the feeling I am after super wide dispersion speakers and this experience validated that feeling somewhat.

Where did you find them??

 

[mmi]

Where did you find them??

Are they not produced anymore or something? Apollo Hifi in Sydney Australia.

Edit: just realised they were discontinued before this review. What a shame! I’m seriously considering getting these.

 

[Ilkless]

Are they not produced anymore or something? Apollo Hifi in Sydney Australia.

Edit: just realised they were discontinued before this review. What a shame! I’m seriously considering getting these.

Yes, they failed to compete with the LS50, no thanks to What HiFi's terrible review. Even a Stereophile Class A, the cheapest one short of an LS50, couldn't salvage the speaker.

I do think they are still worth a buy if you can wrangle a discount because they are discontinued

 

[argyle_mikey]

It amazes me that so many people apparently rely on What Hifi.

The Technics are a future classic. Imaging is superb. The barking dog at the beginning of “Amused to Death” is way forward and far, far to the right.

I’m never getting rid of mine.

 

[marble]

It amazes me that so many people apparently rely on What Hifi.

The Technics are a future classic. Imaging is superb. The barking dog at the beginning of “Amused to Death” is way forward and far, far to the right.

I’m never getting rid of mine.

I agree plenty on that.
I've heard the LS50 a lot and some other bookshelf speakers in the past (KEF XQ20 was my favorite, very good, better than LS50...I was dumb to sell them).
The Technics are so good that I am thinking of pairing them with something more classic than my class D Icepowered Rotel power amplifier.... just to give them "another flavour"
Right now, I am torn between a good old Pioneer M22 class A (seems to work good with LS50), Luxman M-02 (I like those VU-meters) or going full crazyness with a MC275.
Just another route than Class-D amplification with those amazing speakers. Any advice on that is welcome...

 

[testp]

Any advice on that is welcome...

yamaha a-s 3000/3200 used.. very good prices, vu-meters.. or Luxman 509 used maybe..

 

[mmi]

Does anyone pair these with the matched SU-C700 amp? What has me interested is the DSP phase correction, however I also want to get some small subs and not sure how those get integrated with the amp.

 

[marble]

yamaha a-s 3000/3200 used.. very good prices, vu-meters.. or Luxman 509 used maybe..

Great ! I was wishing a TOTL power amplifier of those brands... there is not much to see nowadays (mostly integrated at decent price). There is much more going with older stuff.
In the past, I collected nice integrated gear : Yamaha AX-1090, Technics SU-8077 among others...
I was thinking of a Sony TA-N86 but I am concerned with the switching PSU : I was hoping to get something with a linear power supply.

 

[mmi]

White paper on the original technics flat honeycomb drivers:

Technics Honey Comb Speakers Home Page

 

[thewas]

White paper on the original technics flat honeycomb drivers:

Technics Honey Comb Speakers Home Page

I own those Technics SB-10 featured in that paper still today.

Here is also a very good review with measurements and comparison with the B&W 801 of that time:

https://www.madagascarsound.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Technics-SB-10-review.pdf

 

[Abe_W]

This is a review and detailed ...

View attachment 184275

I have noticed the same in countless headphone measurements. Make this region right and the sound opens up with better detail and spatial qualities. Now, I could sit back and enjoy the sound of the Technics!

I've been having to do some version of this PEQ correction in the midrange for any speaker i own literally. I am wondering what the heck all these manufacturers are up to.