AudioNervosa

Systemic Development => Speakers => Topic started by: evan1 on June 18, 2010, 01:17:30 PM

Title: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 18, 2010, 01:17:30 PM
Hi guys

I just received from Aether Audio their new Spirit 1 speakers and  just want to give a quick impression compared to my Songtowers. I will give a more detailed review later this week.These speakers  can go low, like Bob had posted on AC.They totally disappear in my room. I also like the way snare drums and cymbals sound on these but compared to the Songtowers they are missing something in the Vocal  area. The vocals  seem to be faint ??  I know these are only a 2 way speaker so some may say that is the reason and the Songtowers do excel in the midrange dept. Piano is like WOW. I guess  you could call it the attack and decay ? I am listening to Kenny Drew "Impressions ". I will throw more music at them later. I will also say that they are power hungry . I am using an Odyssey Candela preamp and a Butler TDB 2250 amplifier and my normal listening level for my volume knob is about 9-10:00 and these I have it about 12:00 or a little higher. These things are very heavy around 45lbs each. The cabinet seems to be well built and solid. I think the color is a dark cherry.
So far I am pretty impressed with what this speaker can do for its size. Now if I can only get that bass from my Songtowers.
More listening impressions to follow after I am done with the house chores since my wife fractured her leg last week :duh





Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 18, 2010, 01:29:10 PM
Here is another pic

Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: tmazz on June 18, 2010, 04:01:51 PM
New toys - Cool!  :thumb:

Web Site:

http://aetheraudio.com/spirit_1.html
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 18, 2010, 04:06:55 PM
Yep
First one to demo them for his tour. I'm actually getting adjusted to the sound. Listening to Sara K. Very good imaging. Must resist. Thanks for the link, I knew I forgot something.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: lonewolfny42 on June 18, 2010, 09:21:18 PM
Quote
These speakers  can go low...

Bob's speakers are "noted" for that.... :D

Quote
They totally disappear in my room....

Then....don't lose them....their on loan... :rofl:

Quote
I will also say that they are power hungry....

See why I like "Butler mono's".... :thumb:

Bring them next door to Joe's....see how they do in his system... 8)

Quote
So far I am pretty impressed with what this speaker can do for its size....

Since Bob said they were similar to the SP Tech Mini's....as you go up in size...another step up in performance.

Have fun Evan.....all the best to your wife...get well soon. :thumb:
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 19, 2010, 01:09:09 AM
Thanks Chris

Joes room is being painted right now so the system is dismantled. I'm hoping by doing laundry my wife will let you guys come over next weekend and maybe you bring your speakers ? and we do a comparison. Oh wait , we can do it at Joe's. I'll work on him this week.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 19, 2010, 01:27:54 PM
I've been listening all day and I have to say I am enjoying these speakers immensely. They are very tranquil . They reproduce music very well even at low volumes.I guess my earlier observation of differnt volume settings were a mistake ? I can't believe that these go so low ,I feel like I am rediscovering music again in a different way.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: richidoo on June 19, 2010, 02:17:20 PM
I like your word "tranquil," Evan. That's what I like in audio gear. Exciting sounding speaker and amps make everything sound that way. Some music is not supposed to be exciting!  :-#

I have only heard Aether/SP speakers with relatively lively amps. What amp do you use?

Hard to be tranquil and transparent. Dull is easy, but clear and "calm" is hard.
Thanks
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 19, 2010, 02:21:43 PM
I'm using a Butler TDB-2250
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: richidoo on June 19, 2010, 02:25:26 PM
Nice amp!
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 19, 2010, 02:26:30 PM
Yep ,Lonewolf got me hooked . I need a second one though and he won't sell me one of his. These are great in mono
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: lonewolfny42 on June 19, 2010, 05:30:07 PM
Yep ,Lonewolf got me hooked . I need a second one though and he won't sell me one of his. These are great in mono

Hooked....like in "Hook'em Harlot's"  :rofl:

Quote
I've been listening all day and I have to say I am enjoying these speakers immensely. They are very tranquil . They reproduce music very well even at low volumes.I guess my earlier observation of differnt volume settings were a mistake ? I can't believe that these go so low ,I feel like I am rediscovering music again in a different way.

They also sound good at very high volumes.... 8)

Since those are new....they most likely need to loosen up. Play them a lot....

Did you not hear the Mini's with the Cherry amp at Mike's in West N.J. ? They were "on fire"...Tommy was worried they would blow up... :rofl: ....but I knew better....they did just fine....even Robin commented about that performance.

If these speakers could not "hold the bottom", I wouldn't have them.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: lonewolfny42 on June 19, 2010, 06:02:22 PM
6/26 is open.... :thumb:

http://aetheraudio.com/Spirit-1%20Specs%20rev2.pdf
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: lonewolfny42 on June 19, 2010, 06:30:03 PM
I found Robin's comments from Mike's Rave....2008

Quote
I was also highly impressed with Digital Amp Company's Cherry amp, both with Chris's SP tech Mini's and Mikes's VR4JR's. Not so impressed with the matchup with the B&W 805's tho, the tweeters were simply too hot with the digital amp. But when Chris hooked up the Mini's, I gotta say it was the first time in 2 trys with the Mini's that I finally hear what these speakers can do. Up til yestrerday i had a low opinion of them but when they were connected to the Cherry, a truely glorious soundstage showed itself, especially when the Red Wine Isabella was introduced as a preamp for the Cherry. Tommy popped the top on the Cherry to show off the totally shielded transformer and all them huge capacitors. :cry: Very sweet looking design, faceplate,,, heavy as hell too! We hooked up the Cherry with Mike's VSR's and I got even more impressed with the clean large soundstage. And for dessert, Chris brought in the Mini's into Mike's syetem and hooked them up to the VAC's. For a 2nd time, I was blown away from the SP Tech Mini's. :o :o We cranked up some vinyl and then some of Chris's cherished CD's,,,, hell I just stretched out in the recliner, got blown away and stayed awake thru the whole session. :lol: Heck I wasn't even in the sweet spot and I was still blown away from the huge soundstage, bass, tweeter,,,,, just simply blown away from the Mini's. I never thought I'd ever say that from what I had heard the last 2 sessions. Just goes to show the importance of system synergy. :thumb:
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 20, 2010, 06:15:15 AM
The Woofer and Waveguide
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 20, 2010, 06:33:36 AM
I'm listening to Bill Frisell "East meets West". I swear I am in the audience. on the first track "I heard it through the gravevine " the soundstage is so huge. The guitars sound like there coming over the halls sound system with a little reverb from up above with the drums dead center in the back behind the speakers. Wow. These speakers have such a realistic presentation. Screw Fathers Day ! I'm listening to music . Bob if your reading , send me a set of TP 3.0's to demo.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: bpape on June 20, 2010, 07:16:21 AM
That's what I love about monitors.  The soundstage is just killer and you can adjust for your preference - nearfield, farfield, somewhere between.

Bryan
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 20, 2010, 07:26:53 AM
I never thought I would like a monitor. In my mind I always felt that they couldn't sound like much
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 20, 2010, 09:02:38 AM
After some reading around the web and the reasons here http://aetheraudio.com/technology.html (http://aetheraudio.com/technology.html)
I am convinced this is the reason why these speakers sound so good . I think you get less distortion and better imaging and more of the music without much distortion or reflected sound with this technology. My room is only about 15x15 , which is not big and has  some absorbtion panels , usual couch , chair ,fireplace ,flat screen which I usually cover with a blanket but like the sound from these speakers with no blanket over it.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: lonewolfny42 on June 20, 2010, 01:53:57 PM
Sounds like you like them Evan.... 8)

Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: topround on June 20, 2010, 02:33:12 PM
I think monitors have an advantage over floor standers in some respects.
They seem to get out of the way of the music, they can image really well. Most can't go very low(unlike the TP's) but they hold a special charm that big speakers can't get past.
Trying to throw big orchestral works at monitors can be a problem, but many do a very good job at it.
I remember hearing a pair of Sonus Faber Cremona monitors with a Krell integrated. It was just wondeful! I never forgot it. They two worked together so well.
mike
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 20, 2010, 03:46:01 PM
Sounds like you like them Evan.... 8)



 :thumb:
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: ooheadsoo on June 20, 2010, 05:46:30 PM
These sound like a real deal.  I have TP3.0s and can attest to the incredible bass.  I don't need subwoofers in my room!  Best of luck to Bob with the tour.  While his designs sound great playing soft, they also sound great playing at live volumes.  Gotta bring the power, though.  I'm enjoying my pairing with DAC's DAC4800A.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: Face on June 20, 2010, 05:51:00 PM
Are the vocals any better now?  Have you played with positioning, listening position, etc...?  With that kind of driver spacing, I would imagine moving them back may help.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 21, 2010, 01:47:12 AM
Vocals are fine now. It may have been my ears getting accustomed to the sound.. I have then spaced about 8 ft apart with a slight toe in. and about 10 ft away from me. And yes these guys love power.Mike

Mike, I will try some orchestra music this week and see how they sound.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: ooheadsoo on June 21, 2010, 06:38:22 PM
oh man, if they are anything like the tp3s, they will blow your mind.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: BobM on June 22, 2010, 06:36:31 AM
I would strongly suggest using another recording other than East Meets West by Frisell. He uses some wierd flanging and phase adjustments to get his guitar to sound that way. It is not accurate soundstaging and sounds like it is coming from everywhere. That is definitely an out of phase kind of thing.


Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: richidoo on June 22, 2010, 07:32:32 AM
Did you ever hear the bridgestone TV commercials? They put some kind of wild space phase trick on that synth patch at the end when they show the trademark. They have done the whole commercial as music video before too, it sounds cool. I wish I could capture it without the directv compression.

http://audioaficionado.org/general-audio-discussion/4269-phase-trick-cds-lps.html

Ken's TP1s had great bass too. I could hear it from outside his house.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 22, 2010, 12:11:21 PM
I would strongly suggest using another recording other than East Meets West by Frisell. He uses some wierd flanging and phase adjustments to get his guitar to sound that way. It is not accurate soundstaging and sounds like it is coming from everywhere. That is definitely an out of phase kind of thing.


 




I'm listening to a bunch of stuff, not just that
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 22, 2010, 12:13:23 PM
oops ,I forgot a "." (period) above ^. I hope the Gestapo doesn't see it.  :rofl:
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: bpape on June 22, 2010, 12:46:05 PM
Always makes me nervous when people miss periods  :yay2: :nono:

Bryan
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on June 22, 2010, 12:58:48 PM
Always makes me nervous when people miss periods  :yay2: :nono:

Bryan


 :rofl:
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: ooheadsoo on June 24, 2010, 02:36:19 PM
Are the vocals any better now?  Have you played with positioning, listening position, etc...?  With that kind of driver spacing, I would imagine moving them back may help.

 Best to ask someone better versed in physics, but I think the idea is that an appropriately designed wave guide shapes the dispersion such that it leaves the baffle "intact" and as such, the wave front of the tweeter can be considered as somewhere along the waveguide rather way back at the tweeter.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on July 04, 2010, 03:52:02 AM
 :yay2:

Getting ready to drop the Spirit 1's off at their next location.

Final impressions on the way
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on July 04, 2010, 01:03:25 PM
NYAR Speaker Model. Thank G-D he didn't wear a bikini  :rofl:
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: lonewolfny42 on July 06, 2010, 11:46:20 PM
Quote
Thank G-D he didn't wear a bikini

It didn't fit.... :duh :rofl:

Quote
Final impressions on the way...

Well....let's hear them Evan....  :clap:
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on July 07, 2010, 04:10:02 AM
Quote
Thank G-D he didn't wear a bikini

It didn't fit.... :duh :rofl:

Quote
Final impressions on the way...

Well....let's hear them Evan....  :clap:


Yo dude

I'm working through the night keeping the power on . My brain is fried. It will have to wait until the weekend
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: lonewolfny42 on July 07, 2010, 08:49:46 PM
Quote
I'm working through the night keeping the power on ....


Go go.....Power Ranger..... :thumb:

(http://thelittlecriminal.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/power-rangers_turboranger1.jpg)
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on July 08, 2010, 03:56:35 AM
Too much time on your hands , and don't make a reference to Styx  :rofl:
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on July 09, 2010, 07:43:58 AM
Just a final summary of everything I have heard from the Spirit 1

Well the time has come. I have not listened to my stereo all week and when I turned it on I was heartbroken. I knew something was missing. The Spirit 1's. Then I remembered Lonewolfe lent me his TP Mini's ,so I hooked them up and VIOLA . The sound that was missing. Almost, except for the bass.The Spirit1 goes much lower. The Spirit 1's were gone and this was the only way to experience them again. The Spirit 1's have a very natural "you are there" sound to me. I keep emphasizing the bass only because they go low and bring out the lower registers in my music and add such a great deal of dimension. The imaging is superb, the best I have heard in my room yet. Cymbals are so real sounding that I get chills up and down my spine. I can raise the volume and the music is clear and precise and no distortion,effortless. Every instrument is separated from each other superbly. I never thought I would be so GA GA over a monitor , but I am. And you know what is going to happen now ?

Thanks to Bob Smith of Aether Audio for the demo and for making one of his designs easier on the wallet. And only because of no custom cabinet. Otherwise I think these would cost more than the Mini's.

Here is a list of associated equipment

Odyssey Candela
Butler TDB-2250
marantz SA15S1
Salk Songtowers
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on July 09, 2010, 10:07:33 AM
And let me clarify that these are not the best speaker in the world....but they will put many floor standers to shame . these thoughts are based upon my listening impressions and a few others and what seems to work best in my room.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: topround on July 09, 2010, 01:12:51 PM
My Bose 301 series 2 modded with vcaps will smoke those speakers!! :thumb:
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on July 09, 2010, 01:16:21 PM
My Bose 301 series 2 modded with vcaps will smoke those speakers!! :thumb:

Ban this guy  :rofl:
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: topround on July 09, 2010, 05:41:14 PM
Us Bose fan boys have rights.

Don't let me call the ACLU on you :?
\
You want to come over tomorow for a little thing?
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on July 09, 2010, 05:44:39 PM
Us Bose fan boys have rights.

Don't let me call the ACLU on you :?
\
You want to come over tomorrow for a little thing?

I guess your not shy about your little thing  :drool: I'm going to catch up on sleep tomorrow .
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: tmazz on July 09, 2010, 07:53:58 PM
My Bose 301 series 2 modded with vcaps will smoke those speakers!! :thumb:

Ban this guy  :rofl:

....or just make him listen to those Bose with a Bryston amp... :duh :rofl: :duh
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: lonewolfny42 on July 09, 2010, 08:40:45 PM
Just a final summary of everything I have heard from the Spirit 1

Well the time has come. I have not listened to my stereo all week and when I turned it on I was heartbroken. I knew something was missing. The Spirit 1's. Then I remembered Lonewolfe lent me his TP Mini's ,so I hooked them up and VIOLA . The sound that was missing. Almost, except for the bass.The Spirit1 goes much lower. The Spirit 1's were gone and this was the only way to experience them again. The Spirit 1's have a very natural "you are there" sound to me. I keep emphasizing the bass only because they go low and bring out the lower registers in my music and add such a great deal of dimension. The imaging is superb, the best I have heard in my room yet. Cymbals are so real sounding that I get chills up and down my spine. I can raise the volume and the music is clear and precise and no distortion,effortless. Every instrument is separated from each other superbly. I never thought I would be so GA GA over a monitor , but I am. And you know what is going to happen now ?

Thanks to Bob Smith of Aether Audio for the demo and for making one of his designs easier on the wallet. And only because of no custom cabinet. Otherwise I think these would cost more than the Mini's.

Here is a list of associated equipment

Odyssey Candela
Butler TDB-2250
marantz SA15S1
Salk Songtowers

Since your a Salk Songtower owner Evan.....how did these two speakers compare during your audition ?

What were the strong and weak points for each ? Thanks..... :thumb:
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on July 10, 2010, 08:18:53 AM
To Tedb and anyone else from AC. The reason why I am posting here is because JohnR banned me back in June .
I can only view from my cell phone so that is why I saw your concerns

So sorry for the inconvenience

Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: Barry (NJ) on July 10, 2010, 08:28:21 AM
Hmmm... I post here because I prefer the vibe 8)
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on July 10, 2010, 08:29:00 AM
Good vibrations
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on October 01, 2010, 02:05:35 AM
My Spirit's have taken flight. I should have them by Tuesday.
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: Barry (NJ) on October 02, 2010, 05:34:51 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: lonewolfny42 on October 02, 2010, 07:25:50 PM
My Spirit's have taken flight. I should have them by Tuesday.

Cool..... 8)
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: evan1 on November 20, 2010, 11:31:21 AM
Got to bum this and laugh. These speakers have a suprising amount of bass ,even Bob Smith said he couldn't believe it until he heard them himself. I still have not measured them. Most members know Joe and I are neighbors in a townehouse community . He calls me today and asked me if I bought a subwoofer because he was hearing tremendous amounts of bass yesterday penetrating the walls. I said hell know those are my Spirit 1's pumping that stuff. They are beasts baby  :thumb:
Title: Re: Aether Audio- Spirit 1
Post by: AcidJazz on November 20, 2010, 06:37:43 PM
Soooo...I guess you be liking it with the "improved" bypassed caps removed? mhnnn...