eD's new offering - DL Series

[parodielin]

Got an email and checked on it.

http://blog.edesignaudio.com/?p=1183

It's a Vifa + SB 7". Why not the dimple dome? I don't believe Vifa can be crossed too low based on Zaph's test and comment (on non-linear distortion).

[hyperlite]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

Got an email and checked on it.

http://blog.edesignaudio.com/?p=1183

It's a Vifa + SB 7". Why not the dimple dome? I don't believe Vifa can be crossed too low based on Zaph's test and comment (on non-linear distortion).

I'm a big eD fan, but they are...expensive.

[johnnyrichards]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

I'm a big eD fan, but they are...expensive.

Actually, I think those are reasonably priced all things considered. Shipping is included, they use some fairly well regarded drivers and eD is proving to be one of the better companies out there.

$1500/pr shipped for tower speakers is a fair price, IMHO.

[robertclark]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

I wonder if that tower version is a 2.5 way.

[hyperlite]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

Actually, I think those are reasonably priced all things considered. Shipping is included, they use some fairly well regarded drivers and eD is proving to be one of the better companies out there.

$1500/pr shipped for tower speakers is a fair price, IMHO.

Fair enough. i don't really have any basis for saying they're expensive. they're just expensive to ME. Not saying they aren't worth every cent :D

[HareBrained]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

Actually, I think those are reasonably priced all things considered. Shipping is included, they use some fairly well regarded drivers and eD is proving to be one of the better companies out there.

$1500/pr shipped for tower speakers is a fair price, IMHO.

Pre-order price is actually $1200 shipped. Looking at the distance between the XT25 and the SB17, there's probably a little lobing issue. (IMO, the xover frequency is not below 2kHz.)

[[email protected]]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

just $600 for the cc pre-preorder.

[Taterworks]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

Don't whip out your checkbook to be an early adopter - even at those tempting prices - until you see some actual in-depth reviews of the new line. These are some superb drivers, with the un-coated reed-cone SB mid being used by Wilson Audio, and the Vifa ring radiator being used by many others, but they'll no doubt need a fully-tweaked crossover to wring out as much performance as the drivers are capable of, and I personally don't think eD (a car-audio house) possesses the kind of critical ears or the patience in coping with the iterative crossover design process to deliver the goods. Building a true high-end speaker is about much more than just picking a couple of expensive drivers and firing up the CNC router.

Until independent reviewers (and not the people commenting on their forum) confirm that Elemental Designs has done their homework with this series, or until a well-known crossover designer steps forward and claims credit for the design, I don't think the DT series is a solid buy.

[parodielin]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

What Wilson Audio model uses the SB reed cone?

Until you see some actual in-depth reviews of these, don't whip out your checkbook to be an early adopter - even at those prices. These are some superb drivers, with the un-coated reed-cone SB mid being used by Wilson Audio, and the Vifa ring radiator being used by many others, but they'll no doubt need a fully-tweaked crossover to wring out as much performance as the drivers are capable of, and I personally don't think eD possesses the kind of critical ears or the patience in coping with the iterative crossover design process to deliver the goods. Building a true high-end speaker is about much more than just picking a couple of expensive drivers and firing up the CNC router. Until independent reviewers (and not the people commenting on their forum) confirm that Elemental Designs has done their homework with this series, I don't think they're a solid buy.

[Taterworks]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

The Wilson Maxx Series 3, Polaris, Sasha W/P, and Sophia Series 3 all use the un-coated SB reed cone, with the "Wilson Audio" logo cast into the frame, and possibly a modification or two. But don't assume that because the DT series from eD use this driver, that anywhere near the same care has been taken in enclosure or crossover design to the level where you'd hear similarities. Drivers are only part of the story.

I should mention that I haven't had good luck with eD's customer service. They 'lost' my RMA for four months and then emailed me asking, "We found blah blah blah in the back of the shop - is this it?" (after I'd thoroughly followed their RMA process), and I never received a replacement driver or a followup. That's just one of two bad customer service stories I've accumulated since Jaunary - the other is against Assistance Audio, who sent me only one of the two BMS 4550 compression drivers I ordered through U.S. Speaker; I emailed U.S. Speaker and received no response. Thankfully, Parts Express has been very consistently good to me over the years. No hidden agenda here; it just seems like I've been treated better by mid-size businesses than 'small' businesses when it comes to customer support.

[joeybutts]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

I just saw this thread and thought I would chime in.....

I had limited time to listen but was quite impressed by their performance. They were in no way comparable to the EL series (which were extremely impressive) but offered I thought a great performance/value ratio. They also looked very nice.

The bottom end was the most striking performance characteristic that stuck out. Deep, low, pronounced. Not super clean but definitely would pass 90% of the markets test.

Wish I had more time to listen, but the EL series was on hand and busy blowing my mind.

[gowa]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

Nice work and good prices.

[markparsons]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

I purchased two of their A5s subwoofers and experienced excellent customer service. I am also extremely happy with these subwoofers. Outstanding value IMO.

[Ray Tremblay]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

It's a Vifa + SB 7". Why not the dimple dome? I don't believe Vifa can be crossed too low based on Zaph's test and comment (on non-linear distortion).

Any idea how ED crosses these two drivers?

Regardless, John recommends no lower than 2kHz LR4 or 2.5kHz LR2. You can still achieve amazing performance from this tweeter at those two crossover points with the recommended slopes.

Considering the breakup of the SB starting at around 4K and the CTC spacing of these two drivers, I could imagine that 2k LR4 would work very well.

In my opinion, these two drivers could produce a VERY high end system if the crossover is done properly and if subs are added. (or bass bins)

I'm far from being an expert, but I think most will agree with me on this one.

[DS-21]

Re: eD's new offering - DL Series

The Wilson Maxx Series 3, Polaris, Sasha W/P, and Sophia Series 3 all use the un-coated SB reed cone, with the "Wilson Audio" logo cast into the frame, and possibly a modification or two. But don't assume that because the DT series from eD use this driver, that anywhere near the same care has been taken in enclosure or crossover design to the level where you'd hear similarities. Drivers are only part of the story.

I think one would expect and equal or greater level of care from eD than from Wilson.

I've never seen a Wilson speaker that measured anything approaching high-fidelity. Or heard one that sounded like a true high-fidelity device. They're expensive, and wacky-looking, but beyond that devoid of virtue. If, that is, one even considers being overpriced and odd-looking virtues in the first place...