Should we bow down to the King of Kit Speakers? - The CSS Criton 1TDX Review - Mind Blown
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2024
- Criton 1TDX bit.ly/3jlIdDn
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Me wants ITDX! Great review Randy. It’s always nice to see you glow with these types of reviews.
Thanks, great review.
You are really making some great videos now Randy, thanks for your effort, much appreciated from an audiophile in Australia 🍻cheers
I bought a tin of Chicken Falcon Hawks Plutonium 24,000 years ago. When I opened it yesterday it was half empty😮
Are you still alive today?
@@carlsitler9071 My face looks like Iggy Pop’s scrotum, but I'm mostly still alive.
@@billywindsock9597 Thank goodness (and I'm not going to ask how you know what that looks like).
I half to get some....
You shouldn't have waited so long to open it 😉
Randy, I just found your channel and have been binging for a week. I love your style and your no-nonsense reviews.
I’ll keep searching, but I’d like to see reviews of subwoofers you continually refer to, and reviews of Tekton and Zu speakers. I think their reputed value would fit your theme.
I love coming home after a hard day of work and binge watching Randy.... Just the best!
Love all your vids my man. Keep up the good work
Very interesting company..Love your reviews! Thank you for your service as well.
love the t-shirt, randy! great vid as always!
Just finished building one. Have to say I am mighty impressed
Great video, Randy! I want those ready-made for $900! They look fantastic, and I believe the fact that they sound the same. I'm not the handiest guy with wood, clamps, glue, etc........ Don't forget those Moukey 3-way passive speakers......................you have to hear them. BTW......if you want check bass, try Bachman Turner Overdrive's "Not Fragile"; the opening bass line is great.
Easily the most comprehensive and natural review I’ve heard. I good reviewer must be perceived to be honest. At truly great reviewer is considered honest. That’s the impression I got from your break down.
Your review is fair and articulate in all of your evaluations. It was fluid and very easy to both listen to and understand. You kept me into the review.
Wow. Thanks! Very kind of you to say
That is a tasty speaker right there! Thanks for the great review of an endgame speaker!
Good and intelligent review. You know what you are hearing, and why it sounds like that. ...Nice job, I'll consider building a pair!
I "liked" your video as soon as you finished your add! Probably my favorite part of your channel
I’m actually saving for these because of your reviews.
Great review, really thorough and objective with just enough subjectivity to be fun.
These are locked in as my next speakers. The benefits of building something (very good by all accounts) yourself and the sense of pride and ownership experience that creates, far out ways the risks of not being able to audition. Also, it becomes a project, and turns an ultimately passive hobby into a slightly more active one.
Thanks randy
great and good luck. got mine into service a month ago, no turning back, or forward, end game achieved.
more like subjective, many of his videos patronize two brands
Thanks for the analysis of these speakers. I built a DIY set of similar sized speakers a long time ago and I'm still listening to them as my main speakers in my home theater. Definitely tempted to tackle another DIY speaker project.
Also, nice shirt man!
Yeah.....second that on the shirt!
That ad was hilarious. Keep em coming. The 1TD-X looks like a nice kit. Although I'd pass on the $350 crossover upgrade.
my dad worked in the nuclear control room on the U.S.S Enterprise. he said they used to take bong hits, blow them into trash bags and then throw them overboard. those crossovers are behemoths. i think i need these loudspeakers in my life.
Love the reviews and that Bill Murray style of dry humour, fantastic!
I see what you're saying, if you can eliminate the distribution channels and easily convert any of your free time into money, or your time is limited. But for me without a side gig, my non-work time costs me nothing. The fact that I'm having fun building the speaker is like saving more money (as opposed to paying to be entertained for that period of time). Also, I cannot buy most speakers without the distribution channels. As I only have a limited budget + free time to end up with a speaker, it comes down the the maximum speaker I can get for that (and where my free time is worthless when buying a pre-made speaker). I can definitely compare a kit to a pre-made speaker dollar for dollar or bang-for-buck. If 1TD-X sonically compares to a much more expensive pre-made speaker which is outside my budget, I can really only buy the kit (which I will likely do!) or settle for a not nearly as well performing speaker. For others, their time is very limited and have access to a larger budget, this comparison may not work.
What did you go and do that for?! I want these now! Great video buddy. Best wishes from across the pond
I am going to start a savings account until I can afford to build these.
Yep, it's what most of us have to do to buy any of the nicer audio equipment we want. I always put a little bit away from my overtime.
"cheap" audio
I just completed the CSS Torri a couple weeks ago. They are spooky good. I’ve never heard anything like them and they are a $275 kit! I now have to know what the Criton 1TDX sounds like. I just hope my 60 watt Emotiva integrated is up to the task.
Your amp will be just fine!! These speakers are the real deal!!
Sounds like these speakers could Be the ones! Great Review👍👍👍
Gino, I found your missing 🐝.
@@davidsmithson9236 🤣🤣🤣 Thank You!
Hey Cheapaudioman,
Criton 1TDX or 2TDX?
What might be the reasons for going with one or the other?
Is the 2TDX going to give a better sound? Or is it just more volume?
Thanks
I had the Atomic Energy Kit as a kid. Brought back flash back, of my cousin Kevin and I playing mad scientists trying to make mutant gerbils.
I built the 1TD-X a month ago, standard crossover but switched out the sand cast resistors with Mills. OMG these are amazing. The bass has a bit less texture and tone VS the Encores which I also own. Treble is better on these. I'll have more to say when I post my build. I also own the new Unifi 52 so I'll be comparing these as well.
Try the nor carbon film resistor more relax sounding less noise and quicker
I built the upgraded XLS-Encores. I also have the Elac UB52s (not the new reference). While the Elacs sound great, the Encores sound to me superior in almost every way. In my room they even throw a wider soundstage. Much more detailed, airy. While my wife prefers the encores for the looks, even she (rolling her eyes) hears the distinctions. I can understand Randy’s need to get high quality kits far away... they’ve relegated my Elacs to my office/computer setup.
@@chrisjordan6498 My wife gives me the eye roll too on this topic! 😂
I'm glad to hear about your experience with the encores. If I ever managed to save enough funds to purchase a pair of the GR Research speakers, especially the X-statics, I would in a heart beat!
Wait the 1TD-X comes with sand cast resistors?????? For that $$? Danny Ritchie must be cringing. C’mon Criton. For a very minimal cost upgrade they should make Mills standard
@@mhester99 it does come with them . Cost me over $50 to change them out to mills. Worth it, probally not but other than it stops me from years of wondering... audiophile paranoia runs deep ya know
I have a pair of the CSS Criton 2TDX tower speaker components with superior crossovers on the way (just shipped). I didn't order the flat pack. I am building the cabinets from 3/4" Red Oak instead. I am currently building the Elekit TU-8600S 300B tube amplifier with Lundahl output transformers I recently bought to pair with the speakers. I am waiting for the upgraded resisters and coupling capacitors I ordered to finish it. I ordered a iFi Zen One Signature DAC based on your review of it. I hope you didn't lead me astray! Now all I need is a pre-amp...Thanks for the video! : )
Read that last part as prenup. Lol
Just joined and love when you mentioned Nina Simone - Sinnerman - the treble is indeed difficult to handle .. thank you and greeting from Indonesia
I'd be interested in your opinion on the Wharfedale Denton 85 compared to the Elac's.
You need a sweep audio generator to make sure the bass frequency is as you state. really good speakers hit a measurable useable low frequency bottom of 20 hz. without a separate sub woofer. And yes , they do exist .
I bow down to my 2TDXs often.. or more sit up at ear level. Fantastic speaker. I often stay up too late because I can't pull away from listening to them.
dude, blessed. wish i could have gotten them vs 1tdx.
They look a lot like a pair of Boston Acoustics A-60’s I had back in the early 80’s. They too were an awesome listen.
There's actually 12 options, theres the 1td(x), But theres alsp the 2td(x) MTM which is sold as either pair or as a single unit (intended for use as a centre channel) and there's also tower/floor standing speakers criton 2td(x) tower. All 3 variants are available as td and td-x as well as the upgraded crossover
CSS now sells completed 1TD and 1TDX for $1749 and $1999, respectively. Add $350 for the enhanced crossover. Are they worth it? I'd say so. I bought a pair of Dynaudio Evoke 20s on an open box for $1600. These are $2200 speakers. I like the Critons, the 1TD version with upgraded crossover, better than the Evokes. I'm in the process of upgrading to the X version now. I have a 15 x17 room and have to have the speakers close to the wall, Foam plugs in the ports help with bass issues. I sit low compared to the speakers so I tried them upside down. Again the bass bloom was helped. Love these speakers. You don't have to go crazy, just start out with the base models and you will have a fine speaker. Sand them, seal them and spray paint semi gloss or matte black, if you don't want deal with veneer. A friend built a kit speaker and had a local auto body shop prime and paint his speakers for a couple hundred dollars.
I had a auto vinyl shop cover my GRR Mini's and it worked out great for $100.
@@jefftrout7697 Not sure what color...but 12 coats of clear a must...I want these to be dripping. Curious about the high gloss vinyl wraps though.
Were you able to see different finishes in wraps?
@@lexicon612 Mine are white with a clear wrap over the white. I think they turned out great.
@@jefftrout7697 Sounds beautiful...will be looking into wrapping it for sure TY.
What is your amplifier?
I'd like to hear a direct comparison with the Elac UBR62's. I think that is reasonable to ask. Apples to apples.
Alanis was my first concert ever. Crash Test Dummies opened and sang Hit Me Baby One More Time. Good first show.
I have crash test dummies " give yourself a hand" cd.
It was a sales flop but the recording is amazing.
They look very similar to my Evox EV-1 (Danish rebuild of Heybrook HB1) and the way you describe them are remarkably similar to what I hear coming out of them. I wonder if you know about those semi-vintage speakers? I have heard - not many - other speakers but so far I haven't heard anything that come close to Evox EV-1. They are around 1000$ and they are magnificent.
Thanks for the review, are you thinking of reviewing the CSS Criton 2TD-X Tower Kit
I keep watching this review. I wonder about these quality components and how people buy speakers by name and not the guts of the speaker. As we learn about these comparisons between “true guts” in build and brand name, I wonder about the components used in other more popular speakers. Your review of this speaker is just flat out accurate. I am on the fence with the Tekton Lore reference. What might your thoughts be.
Great Speakers Randy
Sounds like good bass extension there ☺
I always use Tin Hifi cases for my radioisotopes. Only the lead-lined Pro version, though.
Perfect for getting through Customs.
Price comparison might not seem “fair”, but it would be helpful to compare the sound to something available commercially so we could attempt to hear why one would pay so much or invest so much time. I would be happy to perform the electrical if a good woodworker could finish the cabinet.
The GR Research NX Studio kit is going to be a step up from these in every way but the bass extension (design choices) IMO. The open baffle upper frequencies will give you more depth to the image and the voices will sort of come alive… highly recommended, but you will need subs.
This is an interesting kit, though. It bothers me that production companies can’t build similar quality speakers under $2,000 regularly. There are some, but this is a $750 kit. Mass produce this and build it out… there has to be a way to sell it at a price that gets attention. Bookshelf cabinets aren’t that expensive to have built in China.
To each his own. I’ve heard the NX Studio
In person. Unnaturally detailed top end and the Critons walk all over their Studios when it comes to bass. Much simpler design and more natural and realistic sound. Also much better value when considering no sub needed. Nice to have choices though and GR Research obviously has great speakers. I’m just lucky that I’ve to hear many of the GRR’s and the CSS offerings as well. But I disagree with you
Just ordered the upgraded kit hope they pair well with the Audiolab 6000a play.
Chicken Falcon Hawk is my go to company for all my Radioactive needs. Buddy when will you do a review on the Hivi (Swan) 3.1's? I'm waiting for your review so I can buy the kit and build my own.
Thanks for the review. Got one after 2 years of contemplating, just waiting for it to cross the border. Now, decision on the amplifier to match is confusing for a normal humans like me.
I have bought dindinmodern speakers, affordable, and the bass is great. Limited budget can go to consider this speaker
I agree on the sweat equity on kit speakers. However, you can't beat the pride in workmanship when you get it done. My last kit has mahogany veneer with tung oil stain finish. It took a while to finish but it looks like a million bucks :).
Can you link your vaneer? I want to buid my own with a really beautiful veneer
Another good bass song for consideration. Alison Krauss and Union Station Live: Forget about it starting at 1:11. It is an electric upright bass.
A lot of newer bluegrass tend to be bass heavy when mixed into the tracks. Chris Stapleton and The SteelDrivers are the same way in some of their songs. It's usually the only time my Fluance SX6's produce good bass without the help of a sub.
Hi Randy. New to your site. I am considering the CSS Criton 1TDX speaker kit for my rear speakers in my home theater system. I have built the XLS-Encores for my surround speakers, X-voice center channel from grr. I have the Spatial Audio Sapphire M-3's from Clayton Shaw for l/r front, SVS Pro 2000 sub set at 30hrz. These speakers all blend together beautifully for Hi Res music and movies. Do you think the CSS Criton 1TDX speakers will fit in for the rear speakers? Love you video on these, tedjen
I love the USSCS Nostromo t shirt!
Impressions after 1 month
I bought them with the upgraded cross over. I also added layer of industrial tile to the inside. Very heavy speaker. At first I was not very impressed. Sound was not bad but seemed 2 dimesional. Bass was just Ok. My previous kit Swans 3.1 was more engaging, deeper base and more open sound. One month later everything changed. Now that they have broken in, the base is much better and the sound stage and higher frequencies are now much cleaner and 3 dimesional. The swans are tilted forward in the higher frequencies and do amazing job with acustic gutiars but can become too much of a good thing with the wrong music. The CSS Criton's are over all a better speaker. If you get them just be patient and give sometime before you judge them.
Heavy drivers need break in. Its controversial but I believe some speakers need break in.
@@joshuasterling2144 i have measured before and after and it deff matters sometimes more than others.
@@joshuasterling2144 I find it funny that it would be controversial. Any physical material that is going to be actuated mechanically is going to change how it acts from being virgin/unused to having been actuated. Degree of actuation and duration are going to have effects on the material's performance and ultimate failure point. Wiggling a pop can tab back and forth until it breaks off is this, in a short duration form, in a nutshell, IMO. 👍🙂
Randy, how long would you estimate it would take to build these for a guy with average home-handyman skills who has never built a speaker before? Can you give an estimate for the following scenarios:
A) bare cabinets and having an auto body shop do the finish, (in high gloss black);
B) doing a basic painted finish at home; or
C) doing a veneer finish like you did.
Thanks!
I think it took me 5 days to put mine together.. but my general process is more or less day 1 glue, 2 sanding, 3 primer, 4 paint, 5 polyurethane, and day 6 screwing it all together. I put the crossovers together waiting for coats of paint to dry. I go at it pretty hard thought. Typically I would say 1-2 weeks if you don't doddle too much.
For general info, CSS speaker with all upgrades is $1300, GR Encore with all upgrades and flatpack is $850.
Hi, thx for sharing your thoughts on this speaker. What do you consider small vs large room? Mine is 13’x19’x8’
Thanks!
Dynamic realism is a real thing!! If it’s impactful and dynamic your a long way there! Horns and high efficiency designs do that well as so active designs , all things considered. Been curious how dynamically transparent these are on their own
Thanks for the heads up about CSS., I wasn't familiar with this company and they look like they produce some very nice speaker kits. I was originally planning on building a pair of the Parts Express Solstice MLTL reference tower speakers this winter @ $1200.00 for a pair. I built a pair of their "passive/aggressive speakers last winter to replace my crappy computer speakers and I have been very happy with them. After looking at the CSS site I am seriously considering their Criton 2TD-X tower speaker kit. With the flat pack and the upgraded crossover that's going to run about $1824.00 about 1/3 more than the Solstice MLTL's. I would be interested on what your opinion is. $1800.00 is pushing my budget a bit do you think there is going to be significant difference in how these two speakers sound? Oh subscribed and liked! Thanks for the video! : )
I was going to get the Solstice kit until I got a great deal on a pair of Duntech PCL-500 Marquis that just needed new woofer surrounds. I would still go with the Solstice over the CSS kits.
I love that your reviews use regular people music and not 'weird audiophile music':
You= Metallica
Others= This recording is the lead symbolist from the Washington Philharmonic playing a 1960 Camaro hubcap with a stick he found hiking in the grand Tetons recorded on an 1894 Altec microphone from 11.3 feet away...
I'd love for you to review some wilson tune tots and compare them to 'cheapaudioman' speakers.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 Others= *spoken in your best public radio voice* ( with the occasional tinkle of ice cubes in a glass of Scotch, in the background....)
Glad to have found this guy as well for that reason. I listen to just about everything, but mostly hard rock and metal. And I'm not an audiophile. Just a dude with a wood shop, a welding shop, decent skills and low budget and looking for answers. :)
@Cheapaudioman How does it sound in a small room with the reflex ports at the back plugged so that the bass is not overwhelming?
You could still compare it to similarly priced finished speakers considering the costs you mentioned. Can you please compare it to SVS Ultra bookshelves for example?
I made Paul Carmody's CARRERA. Price of the drivers is the same, but I finished my project for $1000 with expensive XO parts.
Dear Randy,
I am appreciated by your very open, honest review but I, personally, was looking for the exact comparison between a decent speaker from a well known manufacturer vs these. You don't want to do that as there are not the same things but just image that you labour is free (weekends, some hours in the evenings and enjoying the build) .. and you can handle an average finishing on these.
Considering that these are not "cheap" kits by any means and costs a lot to shipping abroad (ie 200 usd for Netherlands). You will end up a considerable invoice. You can get a pair of decent (not entry for sure) speakers from very well known manufacturers (like MA, Focal, B&W .. etc.. ) with that amount..
What do you think about this... would you mind to compare these (just kit costs and average veneering material if you wish) with similarly priced factory speakers?
Hey, Aydin. Thanks for the question and it’s a good one. If you would consider your labor as “free” I think these would best factory speakers in the same price range. With that said the B/W and Focal and all of the other factory speakers are going to have a “signature” sound. The problem is figuring out which sound is your preference. The Critons are very well balanced and don’t have any stand out characteristics beyond their very powerful bass. You’re in a tough situation where you can’t really return these if you don’t like them. Sourcing enclosure materials in the Netherlands maybe a option to cut down on costs. Kerry at CSS is very nice and I would imagine be open to corresponding with you.
@@cheapaudioman Thanks Randy, this is a very good answer and you touched very important detail regarding the sound signature.
I am not fan of my own speakers (MA RX6) and just compared Dynadio Evoke 30s with B&W 704s and Dynadio won (for me) in every dimension... so the sound signature is very important and key as you said.. As these are "balanced" ones, I had an impression that they are safe bets. I will get in touch with Kerry and see If they have a kind a reference carpenter around :)
Thank you
@@anthonyzimmer80 in term of sound signature comparisons, I think ours are closer to Dynaudio than B&W or Focal. We have several customers who have traded in their Dynaudios after getting our kits though.
guys, these need to be compared to the buchart s400 right away, can a $1k kit compare to one of the most reviewed and admired $1.8K speakers?????? i need to know now!
What do you think about getting them in the TMM floorstanding model? I'm about to buy a pair and any thoughts would help. I can veneer these easily and have clamps and router and all I need to build them.
22:22
A perfect speaker for RIMsky-Korsakov. 😉
-✌🏼
Perfect for side of TV with a small 60watt NAD amp and can party great 😂😂
Thank you for Serving Shipmate! Semper Fi and Can Do OORAH
These speakers wont work for me because I'm running a 2.3 watt tube amp from Decware. Is there a high efficiency speaker you recommend that won't break the bank?
While I greatly appreciate this review, I'm gonna need you to reach out to CSS Audio for another kit my friend. lol They just listed the Criton 2TD Tower and the specs are 30hz anechoic and 20hz in room! It has a nice compact footprint at 8.5"W x 10.5"D x 44"H and is rated at 6ohm and 90db! The only thing that concerns me is the lack of outriggers to keep that thing stable.
??? In addition to my reply to the comment from a year ago asking about hard rock/metal through these. 2 things:
-When you say "away from the wall" how far are you meaning? And is this distance the same if in a corner of the room?
-Also, small room? Is there a standard size range for a "small" ( also medium and large) room when talking in the audio realm? And if not, could you give an approx. sq. footage of what you are meaning?
Thanks very much! I'm enjoying your reviews. I haven't a big budget but I have a wood shop and am comfortable building cab's. The electronics are a bit much for my very dyslexic brain to muscle through, but if given the right visuals and instructions, the hand skills aren't an issue.
Best regards,
Bert
For a second I thought you were talking about a CIS "Criton"...some obscure decommissioned boat's remnant found by some unsuspecting audiophile while roaming along the shores of the Kara Sea.
I would like to try these but cant say itd be worth it since i have the xls encore with maxxed upgrades and i think their incredible, so i dont know how these critons would compare with those being fully upgraded, so not sure, maybe ill catch a set for sale someday to try.
I believe you're right; both solid choices w/killer value.
The veneer you put on these looks better than most speakers and sounds like they are worth every penny. Effortless sound stage with detail is an end game speaker. Can't wait for these to show up on my door step 😉😉
Lucky! Enjoy.
@@Feliciano12v I wish it was me. I was just throwing out a hint of who Randy could send them to, lol
@@JohnScheppler 🤣 Me me me✋
i think you will be happy. imaging, sound stage left right top bottom, check. detail yes but not focal sort of detail which is not for me fyi. bass is simply glorious, different than the encores for sure but ok by me. got my 1tdx in use a month ago. i consider my end game speaker. infinity kappa 9, unifi 5, overnight sensations, hsu hb1-mkii, gr research encore sxls, unifi ub52.
@@briansimmons5363 I currently have the UB52’s, so whatever I get in the future has to be a definite upgrade. Thanks for your thoughts, I see you have experience with various speakers.
Hey Randy, are CSS and GRR the only DIY kits worth building? Are any Parts Express kits worthwhile? Not sure I need such superior quality. My system wouldn't do them justice anyway. Thanks!
Hi Randy have you reviewed q acoustic towers they have a good range of tower and book shelf from cheep to let’s say a bit expensive I am running an older pair of 2050i floor standers I have had them from new and am still very happy with them they where about £600.00 a pair when new
What kind of stands did you put these on and how did you attach them considering there aren't screw anchors on the bottom?
Hey! Quick question, when you say three feet out, are you talking speaker to wall or the distance from center? Thanks 😊
Three feet from the wall
how do you think the css criton 2td-x would compare to the klh model 5. I'm trying to decide for my cottage. have done diy lots in the past with great results but wondering if one is better than the other
@cheapaudioman How would these stand up to Yamaha HS8 monitors? I would love to see you do a review of the Yamaha's too :D
I'm Not sure why maybe you referenced in the past but I've always knew deep down your were not only a Navy Nuke but a bubblehead to boot. What boat/boats were you on?
Thanks Randy for the great review. That speaker is gorgeous and I know it sounds even better. I am one of the unlucky ones without enough room to let the big dogs out.
They have a smaller version and I’m sure Kerry would help you with a crossover if you wanted to upgrade the tweeter
I know a lot of audiophiles scoff at EQ but below the room transition zone( in the 300-700hz range) EQ can be super helpful as the room dictates a lot of the response. Getting something like a miniDSP 2x4 HD or the upgraded model with Dirac Live would probably improve your sound considerably for the relatively small investment.
@@TylerStout Also I know in the 80's and 90's some record producers demanded the Bass be turned down so the songs could be played louder on the crappy boom boxes of the day. That why Sony and others added bass boist switches and stuff like that to their walkmans
@@TylerStout or schiit loki, cheap easy.
@@TylerStout
Parametric EQ is an absolute must in any system, period.
You're correct about only implementing EQ thru the transition and below, as that's the minimum phase region whereby change in level is essentially effective throughout the room.
Eq'ing above the transition is simply chasing your tail, as changes are only effective in the precise location of the mic.
The problem; adequately transparent EQ gear/approach.
Thanks
You said CSS put a lot of time and effort into designing the woofers ? Is that the same for the tweeters?
I think you’ve sold me. I’ve been going back and forth on the kits for a few months now. I may just pull the trigger. Plus I think CSS is like an hour from me so it’s kind of supporting a local business.
You in Michigan?
@@cheapaudioman Toledo, well outside. So south southeast Michigan, little Michigan, Michigan lite?
I want to do the same but I just don't like their center channel design. I live I think 15-30 minutes from them so I might see if they do in person demos or if they'd be willing to make something custom or work with me to design something they can sell where it has a 3 way W(t/m)W designed center channel.
Question: all things being equal, how would a set of these sound compared to a pair of Klipsch RP-280F speakers? I’m looking for a set of speakers that will blow me away when I listen to rock/metal and although the Klipsch sound good, they down blow me away. I’m running a Yamaha RX-V385 AV receiver. Would I be better off investing in a better receiver or speakers?
I just found this channel yesterday and I am obsessed!
Adding comment in hopes of giving yours a bump to get his thoughts. The "how do they sound for rock/metal" is always my question and is often left out of 99% of reviews. (Granted that there's more to that question then just the speakers)
??? If my 50+ yr old OEM organic audio intake devices.....my ears......don't hear the way-up-there high freq., would you recommend just sticking to the non "X" version?
Thanks you once again!
Bert
I have the Klipsch RP600M and I love how dynamic and detailed they are but want a little more quality in the midrange. Do you think these would be a step back in dynamics and detail or will the overall increase in sound quality outshine the Klipsch? Thanks!
Yes, not as dynamic. Not as detailed I would say. More of a speaker that is more laied back and not in your face and bright as the klipsch. but more revealing and smooth with less listening fatuige.
How about giving one of Dayton Audio speakers? The transmission line looks interesting and they are well below the average speakers cost.
yes please!
I have the Critons and the Parts Express TriTrix MTM Transmission Line Towers. I like the Tritrix towers more with my system in my room.
@@melschmidlap3173 Why is that, could you elaborate?
Did you add the electrical mechanical lugs at the back of the binding posts or is that part of the kit?
Oh. I got those separate from Home Depot. They just worked out really well
Great T-shirt ;)
cool - though that is not ebony, I think it is zebrano (or zebrawood). jantzen caps (not jensen, a different brand) - serious stuff.
Due to my living room space, I can’t pull the speakers further than 5-7 inches away from the wall. What speakers would you recommend
Just pulled the trigger on the 1TD-X kit. Standard cross-over. I decided the upgraded tweeter was probably worth the extra couple hundred, but the $400 cross-over upgrade was not. Hopefully I don't regret skipping the upgraded cross-over. Now to decide if I veneer or spray auto paint. Never done either before. Upgrading from the ELAC Debut B6 (which have served me very well).
Agree on the crossover. Unless someone can show some measurement differences I don't see the value.
What's the verdict Joel?
2 coils and 3 caps in high quality is for 100€ one. Thats realistic. 14awg and 600v is enough!!👍🇩🇪
I felt the same way. Got the better tweeter but could not justify the upgraded cross over. I did buy better caps from the tweeter from parts express, I thought that minimal expense might be a good value.
@@briansimmons5363 Which caps did you upgrade to?
I built a pair of CSS speakers about 15 years ago. Can’t remember the model/name of the kit. They are the best speakers I have ever listened to. 4.5” woofers have unbelievable detail and bass. Soundstage is incredible. Anytime I have someone listen to them they ask to hear them with the sub turned off. I have no subwoofer in the room! Always the same response, people can’t believe how good a little diy speaker sounds. We’ll worth building your own
Yes. Do have the one with the ribbon tweeters ? I have a few older designs as well. The original was amazing designed crossover and the ribbon tweeters gave it so much more airy sound . I also have the floor standing,and MTM bookshelves with ribbon.
Also a fully custom designed floor standing MLTL. time aligned designed by original designer. Amazing detail and bass output.best speaker I have.
@@davekallerae5672 Not the ribbon tweeter. It has a soft dome HiVi tweeter, can't recall the model. I had wanted to get the ribbon tweeter version but never did. Kicking myself now. The version I have just has a high pass filter on the tweeter and the CSS WR125 runs full range without any electronics in the way. Incredible sound.
@@plaidfrog1 I have some new stuff I worked on with Al the designer of the CSS. We made some bookshelves designs and few floor standing. Love them. Where do u live ?
@@davekallerae5672 Are you guys in BC?
@@davekallerae5672 I know that MLTL design/kit and I totally regret not building it.
Maybe stupid question: can you mix on these? Any audio engineers have an opinion in terms of freq bias and whatnot?
Greatly enjoyed this, Randy. As I live in the UK, it's rather difficult to get hold of kits from CSS or GRR, and in any case it would be more expensive thanks to import duties and VAT. I guess that if I wanted to go down this route, I'd have to find a British kit maker, but those don't seem as well represented on CZcams, so it'd be more a case of flying blind.
Seeing as you occasionally assess equipment at $1000+, I'd love to hear what you'd have to say about Quad S2 speakers (currently $1200). They're the equivalent of $809 (£599) at current exchange rates in the UK. IMHO, they're MUCH better sounding than Q acoustics entry-level speakers (I have the 3020i's, which I use on my AV system).
Tharbamar in his recent long-term review rated them above many ready-made speakers up to $2-3000. He mentions how good they are in the bass region (down to 48 Hz according to the manual, but personally I think they go lower), and have bass texture and tonality that varies according to the instruments involved. He also praises the true ribbon tweeter, which, like me, he finds sweet and not at all edgy, and to be well-integrated with the woofer. For me, they're the best speakers I've ever owned and I'd love to hear how you'd assess them in comparison to the kit speakers you've assembled and tried.
You often play things for a laugh, but IMHO you're very intelligent and possess obvious integrity. I recently subscribed and since then have listened to every episode as soon as it comes out. This one was prior to my subscription, hence why I am late to the party. Cheers! 🙂
Did you find a British kit maker? I'm looking for one to go for
@@richardkemp3421 Wilmslow audio (Google them). They have a demo room if you want to listen before you buy.
Curious how some old Advent/1s fair to these really nice speakers?
Are they going to be good in near field listening in a medium sized room ? Do they mind being close to Windows (1 Feet away) I am currently using ProAC Tablette Signature edition.
Tablettes are jaw dropping performers.
How does the sound compare to Klipsch speakers? I really like the sound of Klipsch.