Wall of Speakers, Private 2-channel audio listening System

OUR PRIVATE LISTENING / AUDITIONING
SYSTEM

"What no Flat Screen, Plasma TV?"...
"You mean you are just supposed to listen to it?"

This is my "new toy" I have been working on for the past few months. I've always wanted this for my own enjoyment. I have sold gear, in the retail environment for years, but never had a selection of speakers that covered so many brands. As a dealer, you have many models from a few manufacturers. However, as most of us know, most manufacturers had only 1 or 2 models that are now "classics" out of their entire line. Now, I am able to assemble 1 or 2 of the "classic" models, without dictation by any single manufacturer. This will likely feature a constantly changing lineup of gear.
Now to address the original two questions. The general public has allowed advertising to convince us that we need constant "sensory overload" all the time in order to enjoy our selves. "Big Box" audio stores stock inventory that follows this general trend. Just try and find a simple 2 channel audio receiver or system in a typical "mega mart" electronics store. It is generally going to be assumed that you are going to also need a system to watch movies on as well, so you may as well look at a system that "does it all". I won't go into the "pros" of having a dedicated system for 2-channel audio listening here and the "cons" of trying to use your 8.92 niner, surround sound, DBX, Dolby, THX, Double-Whammy, Active Seymour Rose, THC, THD, DMC, GAG system to do it. That's another rant for anyone who doesn't already know the drawbacks. The real loss is the simple "relaxation" factor you get from simply "listening" to good audio recordings through a system sufficient to reproduce them adequately. When sitting in my Eames Lounger (yeah, it's a copy), listening to this system with a good Single Malt and a decent cigar, I can't imagine being distracted by some video screen glaring at me. It would be completely distracting when trying to "soak in" the music coming from my vinyl or CD.
This system is not meant to be a "High End" audio system by any means, so you serious Audiophiles, just settle down. With the exception of the Green Mountain Audio "Continuum 1" speakers, it's meant to be a reference system utilizing gear that was financially "reachable" by the mainstream audio listener who appreciated listening to music on better than average audio equipment, but didn't want to spend half the price of a car, or more on each component. Just FYI, there are Amplifiers for $125,000, Pre-Amps for $30,000, Cartridges up to $20,000, Turntables up to $80,000, Speakers up to $250,000, Tuners up to $8,000, meter long RCA patch cables for $6,000 and replacement AC cords for $500 out there, if that helps put this system in perspective. With the exception of the Green Mountain Audio speakers, this entire system or one similar to it, could be put together maybe in the $4000-$8000 range. That is of course from a reputable dealer who has completely serviced, tested and is willing to back it up with a warranty.

This will be the system that our speakers "for sale" will be auditioned on and will be against popular / classic "benchmarks" for reference.

Current gear line-up:

Electronics: Amco "AS-210" Speaker Switcher, Soundcraftsman "PE2217" Pre-Amp / Graphic, Bose "901E" Series V EQ, Hafler "P-225" Power Amplifier, Kenwood "KD-550" Turntable with Anti-Static Felt mat and HK Disc Clamp, Complete Discwasher system with "Zerostat gun", AT-440a, "AT-120E", "AT-71", Shure "M75ED II" & Grado "F3+" cartridges, Technics "RS-M245X" DBX Cassette Deck for decoding DBX encoded LP's, Sony "XA20ES" CD player, KLH "Eighteen" FM tuner, & RCA "WA-504R" AF generator for testing speaker resonance.

Speakers: 1-10 positions; Advent "The Loudspeaker" (Utility cabs), AR-"2ax", Boston "A100's", Bose "301" Original Series, Bose "901" Original Series (yes, I know they're placed completely wrong in the photos), DCM "Time Windows", Polk Audio "SDA Compact Reference System's", Green Mountain Audio "Continuum 1's" (currently awaiting new mounts for the mid / tweet array's. That's why only the bottoms are shown in photos) and Sansui "SP-3500's".
Yes, there are other speakers visible in the photo in the back row, but they are simply being used as stands. We will be soon building a rack system to hold the speakers in a better fashion, not just for aesthetics, but sonics as well.

Media used: Lots of MSFL (Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs) vinyl, Nautilus "Half Speed Mastered" vinyl, New Japanese, British & German, virgin, 180gram vinyl and "Reference Recordings" CD's. We also have numerous test records and CD's by many manufacturers.

There are many other speakers that I would love to have in the system as well. Unfortunately they number about 50. I will acquire more of them as resources allow. Some of them will be; Klipsch "Heresy's" and "La Scala's" or "Belle's", Pioneer "CS-901's", "CS-63DX" & "HPM-100's", "JBL L100's", Ohm "I's", Infinity "Reference Series / RS-III's", Boston "A40's", Auratone "RC-5", Sansui "SP-2000", Sansui "SP-5500", Bose "501's" (a special "yuck"! for those), Yamaha "NS-10's", Polk SDA "Signatures", Magnapan "MG-1's", A/D/S "L620's" just to name a few.
Some of these speakers will be in the line-up, not because I particularly care for their sound. Some I like, some I love, some I dislike completely, for various reasons. Some I only enjoy for certain "cuts". Believe me the Bose "301's" and "901's" are not in my current line-up because I necessarily like to listen to them, but simply for comparison / reference purposes. Please do not email to get my opinion on each of these models or to find out if a speaker will be added because I like or dislike it. Sometimes I won't even know the answer to that myself. In fact, having this system has changed my opinion on many speakers I either thought I historically liked or disliked. I am finding that it depends not only on the type of music I'm listening to, but the recording quality / technique of the media I'm listening to. Sorry. In fact listing the above info may be a bad idea for a myriad of reasons. We'll see. I'm sure it has already offended plenty of people. Anyway, after 3 Single-Malt scotches, all speakers sound great! Right?

Sorry, gotta' go. Much more to come in the next week, including a textual "line-up" of the gear shown in the photos. -

Just added Klipsch "Heresy's" and Bose "501's" to the lineup this week. - 6/11/07

SPEAKER SURVEY 6/07

We are working on an additional project / aspect to this. We welcome you to email us with your list of favorite speakers (brand / model). We are looking for your favorite 3-20 models from the very late 1960's into the late 1980's. Please no A/V speakers, custom made, home-made, one-off or anything modern. Also, we are aware that there are many "boutique" and high end speakers that, while also marvelous, were not available to a wide market, so would not be as appropriate for this inquiry. This list we are putting together is the "every-man's" (or every-woman's) type of speakers that were in production and available at most audio stores at the time that originally sold in the price range of $150 to $2000. We're not sure exactly what we're going to do with the list, just curious. Thanks in advance for your time.

sales@oaktreevintage.com

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