Loudspeakers Archive

My speakers are Shindo Petite Latours. These are the alnico magnet version, unfortunately for me the field coil versions were out of my reach. These continue to get better and better, you can easily hear how special they are. They have an adjustable tap on the back to change the level of the tweeter in 1dB steps.

These ones have 12″ Altec 414A 16Ω bass drivers and Altec 806A 16Ω compression tweeters, mated to Shindo designed horns. The crossover is a work of art. The cabinet work is so fine and impeccably finished. They did take a long time to settle down and really show what they are capable of, but it was worth the effort. This is the same with all the Shindo speakers I have heard, and even the Auditorium 23 Hommage Kens. The rosewood finish is amazing, and always looks good no matter what the light. They do have grilles, but I have never used them. There is a very fine protective mesh over both the 12″driver and the horn, so little chance of damage.

These are speakers that reward over a long period. Since I bought them they have progressively gotten better and better. Recently they seem to have jumped up another level in cohesiveness and texture. They’re really amazing at what they can portray.

They have a vivid presence, amazing communicative ability and a  natural top to bottom layering of the musical soundscape.  Real texture, musical tension, attack, sustain and release. The interplay in the music is easily apparent.

The high impedance, and high sensitivity make for an efficient speaker that compliments my 10 watt power amp perfectly. There is a realness to the presentation that is difficult to convey in words, and the bass response is the most even of all the different speakers I have had in my medium sized room.

They work well in my new room, with its high stud and with the diffusors I have installed on the concrete ceiling. After speaking with Shindo, I am going to try putting some wooden boards under them, to see what they do.  More room treatment is still on the cards though, I have some Acoustic Revive RWL-3 diffusors as well, that have done something to the acoustics. I can’t pinpoint it, but it seems more ‘holistic’ for want of a better term. I did mount some Vicoustic absorption panels to the rear wall and they seem to have improved things as well. Nothing too scientific about the placement, but any room treatment, to a point, seems to be beneficial.

Pretty much an endpoint for me as far as speakers go, that’s for sure, although some Kenrick JBL 4344 or the new DeVore Fidelity O/Bronzes are very tempting as well, just to see what they’re like, we shall see.

I also have a pair of Falcon Acoustics LS3/5a bookshelf speakers. They live up to the hype. Mine are in burr walnut and look great. These are the older silver badge versions. I have the Goldbadge crossovers waiting to be installed when I get some time. These are sitting on some Falcon stands.

To change things up now and then I have a pair of Omega Super 7XRS mk2 fullrange single driver speakers. These little speakers do some cool things, and look pretty cool as well.

Previously I had the magnificent DeVore Fidelity Orangutan 93s, DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 88s, Harbeth SHL5, Harbeth 30.1, Living Voice IBX-RWs, Dynaudio C4 and a plethora of others. All good speakers, offering different presentations and experiences.