Virage - let's play with some expensive drivers

[Paul Carmody]

And of course, the obligatory question: how do these compare to the Carreras?
​

Hmm, a worth while question.

The bass on the Virage extends lower, obviously. Although both drivers have outstanding--if not untouchable --bass response for their size.

I think the Carrera still has better midrange, and I'm sure there's a physics -based reason why a 5" woofer delivers more even FR through the 600--2000 Hz range than a 7" does, but I'm not a physicist. So I'll leave that open to conjecture for now.

The treble is no clear winner. The Carrera had greater pinpoint imaging, but the Virage has a wider sound stage.

[dld]

gonna have to have a carrera vs virage shootout here. gimme a couple, three weeks.

[craigk]

Good question

[ernperkins]

And of course, the obligatory question: how do these compare to the Carreras?
​

[nigelb]

Looks fantastic!
How would you describe the off axis listening, does it drop off a lot over 15 deg?
I presume the floorstander cabinet depth, not called out in the dwg is the same as the Amiga at 11"?

[fpitas]

Right? I designed in expensive drivers (SEAS W18s with the magnesium cones) back when I was a noob. Eventually I got them to sound "right", but it was a long, humbling experience.

[Paul Carmody]

Eek! So much pressure!

[fpitas]

So I had to actually kind of give myself a pep talk to push myself past that point of just "good." "Self," I thought, "These are really damn expensive drivers. You ought to be able to get something out of them that's better than just 'good.' You know that 'holographic' imaging and soundstage you love? You need to make these drivers do that."​

That's the danger of playing with expensive drivers!

[Steve Lee]

I really enjoyed the write-up.
Especially that part where Paul was sort of complaining about not finding any bad X-Over points . . . HA!

[a4eaudio]

Wow, wasn't expecting that driver combo! Excellent!!

[johnny5jz]

I loved your Amigas, but found myself over extending that RS180 woofer in my room. This speaker would fix that problem for sure in larger rooms.

[isaeagle4031]

Very cool Paul Hope to hear them soon!

[AdrianD]

Exciting! two formats for the same design!?

[Paul Carmody]

https://sites.google.com/site/undefinition/bookshelf-speakers/virage

Been playing with this one for a long time. Time to take it out in public.