Hi guys, this isn't one of those "should I or shouldn't I buy" posts. Rather I've ordered some gear and just wanted to know if anyone had experience with Paul and his gang at http://www.angelfire.com/biz/bizzyb/AURALECSTASY.html?

On it's way are 1 pair bookshelf, 1 CC and 1 Subwoofer. I opted to try the speaker platforms as well so we'll see. All are coming in Piano Black. With the free shipping, it's setting me back under $500-US. Feels right to jump in considering the low starting cost. Manufacturer direct is getting Kevlar woofers, seperate tweeters, good quality binding posts and (what appears to be) a beautiful finish. Again, under 5 bills to my door.

I'm a Boston Acoustics fanatic and have been missing out on entry level (determined by price) gear. These things look so close to the Wharfedale line(s) with the graceful cabinets I wonder if there might be some "borrowing" of technology and aestetics?

I'm patient enought to survive the break-in period and if anybody is interested...I could post a short version of my impressions. I'm going to document the whole process c/o pics so it'll be fun if nothing else.

Regards,
Dutch

Dutch,

Those are good looking speakers.

I've not dealt with the company, but would be interested in your experiences.

And by all means, post a review- we live for that stuff here.



That subwoofer- looks interesting. I'd be interested in the build of the cab if you decide to open 'er up.

That Aural Ectasy speakers are very similar to B&W CDM1 NT... btw, they are awesome speakers.

absolutely! looking forward to it.

Clint...does that mean you have some listening experience with TAD speakers or were you talking about the B&W's?

Dudes and other...

24 hours and FedEx tracking numbers are in hand...many thanks to Paul. I asked for an opinion on the break-in period and Paul's response is quoted below. Doesn't influence me either direction regarding the sound quality. I forward only because it's refreshing to have a courteous response in a timely manner. My last response has been edited (re: shortened) by me.

Paul,

Nice to hear a candid opinion and I'm looking forward to hearing them. It's difficult for any of us to find time for responding to emails. Like you, I have a life outside of my AV hobby so thank you for your well put answer.

With your permission; I'll pass this along to my fellows at www.soundthinking.com

If you go; you'll see the beginning of my thread under "Speakers" for my experience with the order and listening process.

Many thanks,
Dutch
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Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 10:14:50 -0600
From: tubeaudiodesign@gmail.com
To: mako20ft@msn.com
Subject: Re: New Order from CoolCart.NET - bizzybee Order #:11330

Mike,

Playing all the time will help some, does not have to be loud. Time is the main factor. The cone's rubber edge and giant spider cover behind the cone needs to shake in a front back motion to break the stiff fibers down over time, remaining stiff in a lateral direction. Atmospheric break down of the rubber and fibers is the part we can not accelerate. Sort of like a new baseball glove - it takes time and use to fully break in. We used to torture the new glove with oils etc.and it still was stiff. The addition of time is what made it soft in the right places as the leather broke down with sweaty hands and filed dirt organics. The organic break down part we can not accelerate. Most enjoy their AE speakers right out of the box, a few months later realize they sound even better than day one. The sonic micro resolution improves as the material loosens up in the right places. This is true for all new speakers. Evaluating a new pair in a shop can be considered false information till it has played enough time to settle in. Perhaps why reading actual owner reviews is a good way to get clues it is worth trying. If I see similar results from independent sources looking at any item considered for purchase I consider the repeat results to have some merit - lots of crack pots writing with ulterior motives to taints reviews, maybe make something else look better etc. The majority vote is what I consider a good reference for audio items. Perhaps the lowest ulterior motive sources are audio magazines - the major advertisers tend to always get the best reviews and recommendations. After reading the mags a while it hits you, it's more like an embellished catalog for advertisers than honest journalism. At least it historically catalogs the big money players for that month and year with most not repeated for more that 2-years after people who buy into it realize it does not perform as advertised. Lots of bad sounding over priced high end equipment out there. Sure looks great in the magazine. ( :

Paul

On Sat, Mar 8, 2008 at 8:41 AM, Michael Southworth <mako20ft@msn.com> wrote:

Thanks Paul,

Regarding the break-in period...does it make any difference whether the speakers are continuously played or for proper break-in do they need a break between sessions? I'm thinking I'd leave them in my office for a couple weeks playing non-stop then transfer home.

Dutch

cant wait to hear what you have to say about them.

elroy

I too look forward to the results of these speakers. Try as I might, I cannot find anything anywhere on "Aural Ecstasy" as a speaker company. All I find is internet ads posting huge discounts, and if a speaker once supposedly retailed for $1,500, and is now available for $169, I have to admit that sounds rather suspicious.

I was talking about the B&W's.
If they are like the B&W's they need a very long period of break-in. Much more then the usual 100h.

Something seems fishy to me as well. And don't look a LOT like the $50 Best buy insignia's with a tweeter on the top? This picture shows www.tubeaudiodesign.com but does not mention where they are built which is odd.

I've taken a closer look at the original posting for these speakers and I now have even more serious doubts than before. In fact, I'm going to go out on a limb, and state that they seem to be little other than a well crafted ripoff.

For one, the speakers are only 17" high. Given the fact that most of the front of the cabinet is taken up by other than the main driver, I'd have to assume that it's not much bigger than 6". It just doesn't seem possible to be even an 8" driver, though I guess I could be mistaken.

The speaker are also described as being "heavy" at a mere 16 pounds each. The little Dynaco A-25 that retailed for $79.95 is a good deal heavier than that.

And finally, the "made in china for quality" is enough to steer me away for good.

these reviews seem good but all state VERY long break in time.

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/bo...64_4290crx.aspx

The sub looks pretty good. Wish he showed pix of the back sides of the drivers. Did you ask him the drover brand?

Pardon me, but that's an awful lot of suspicion for something not seen, received, opened, listened to, etc... Maybe we should take a breath and try to take these units for what they are; a simple and hopeful introduction to a factory direct offering.

[B]For one, the speakers are only 17" high. Given the fact that most of the front of the cabinet is taken up by other than the main driver, I'd have to assume that it's not much bigger than 6". It just doesn't seem possible to be even an 8" driver, though I guess I could be mistaken....[/B]the ad lists the driver as 6-3/4". My favorite speakers in the world are Boston Acoustics Bookshelf VRB with a 7" driver. Their cabinet dimension is 16-3/4" X 7-3/4".

and state that they seem to be little other than a well crafted ripoff...umm, seriously; I just ordered them yesteday and you've passed your "rip off" judgement based on exactly what?

And finally, the "made in china for quality"...and finally; what isn't made in China. Wharfedale EVO's for example; beautiful build quality by anybody's definition, great value for the dollar and sound that cannot be denied.

Listen anybody & nobody; with all due respect I see the road you're going down. It's neither reasonable nor fair to cast that wide a net by tossing the China label under the bus. Geez, for those of us old enough to remember "Made in Japan" had it's own conotation of inferior quality. Now we find ads for vintage HiFi gear specifically citing the value of "Made in Japan".

I'll say this once and after that forget it. I'm taking some time to offer a simple, and hopefully fun, layman's review for an affordable set of speakers. I don't work for these guys but I darn sure do work my tail off selling of all things; custom millwork. My money comes the hard way but should I want to spend 5K on a set of speakers, I do have that available. What I don't have is patience for the seemingly infinate amount of middlemen taking their share of mark-ups. I truely wonder what it actually takes to research, market, manufacture and ship to the end user a product that brings satisfaction at it's price point. Gauged at "this price point" let's see what we can find and as said; have some fun on the way.

Maybe we can all learn something about a new product; hell maybe 10 years from now we'll look back and say "yeah, I saw those coming". But for now; please either keep your presumptious negative comments to yourself or ask that I take my attempt to spread a little fun around somewhere else. I'm actually pretty good either way.

Dutch

ignoring any moral aspects that might be relevant .... as long as they sounded good, i would have no problem with that!

everything thats been said in this thread about these speakers, i would have the same doubts. i think that there is cause for raising an eyebrow. when dealing with an unknown, i too look at weight. a good rule of thumb has always been "the heavier the better", but perhaps this is changing and no longer applies? i see the erosion of this axiom with amps as well. in the end, weight and all other spec's take a back seat to how it sounds to me. no measurable factor can count for more than that.

looking forward even more to hear about the results (allowing for adequate break-in time of course).

I dont give a rip where stuff comes from, if it sounds good, then thats kool with me, I just want to hear your impressions. big sound can come from little speakers.

elroy