Linn's new top of the line speaker

Andreas--

I'm generally as supportive of Linn as anyone here but I'm with you--they are hideous !

Cheers,

Bob

PS--Are they for real ?

I found this information about the KOMRI on the Linn Homepage

"The Linn KOMRI is a no-compromise high performance Linn loudspeaker
incorporating innovative design features. The KOMRI is a five-way
loudspeaker capable of pitch-accurate music reproduction with very high
power handling. Each Linn KOMRI houses one very high frequency driver, one
high frequency driver, one midrange driver, one upper bass driver and two
long-throw active bass drivers. The Linn KOMRI deploys newly developed
soft-dome technology for the high frequency and mid-ranges. The two high
frequency drivers, midrange and upper bass drivers are mounted closely
together in a unique acoustically optimised array, for uniform dispersion
characteristics and a highly defined acoustic centre. Each bass driver is
coupled to independent active silent power amplification, with Servo Bass
Management. To allow for variations in the size and characteristics of
listening rooms, the roll-off characteristics of the Bass system can be
adjusted via a control panel on the back of the KOMRI. The result is an
exceptionally open, stable and natural sound."

Interestingly, no mention of Isobarik loading of the bass drive units. A great shame I'd say, that would leave Wilson Benesch as the only speakers I can think of that (successfully) use this technique.

Should be interesting to hear what the motional feedback system achieves. I heard rumours that they're several times the price of the keltiks

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

They'll allegedly cost $30-40,000 in the USA. In other words 2 x DBL cost!

Hi,

Linn are sounding more like a Japanese electronic company they are always realising new equipment and using the latest technology, and I don't mean that in a good way!!!.

pete

...and mega expensive? Sounds like it is intended to be in competition with that hideous Tag-MacLaren banana speaker.

cheers

Nigel

Or may be the equally charming Wilson System 6 in the UK and their MAXX in the US.

Having said that its nice of them to fit a boom control.

There is a range of settings from 1.Isobarik - normal to 2. Keltik - stodgy, ill-pitched mess designed for two purposes:

a) To instantly give all your records a remix by King Tubby . Remember never, ever play a King Tubby record while in King Tubby mode - seismic activity can result and the bass note can last for at least half an hour after power has been removed.

b) Make you all sleepy for that all important early night

I have just looked at the pictures and posting regarding Linns new speaker. I don't think that the automatic dismissal of it and Linn in general is either fair to Linn or the credibility of this forum.We are here to make intelligent observations,voice rational opinions, and to share experience-not to detract from a company that is a competitor only in the broadest of senses. I freely admit that there is no mistaking the Komri for a Sonus Faber or B&O, but a DBL system would never be found in the pages of Architectural Digest either. Even in their 'fall from grace' Linn has made some very good speakers..... the Tukans, the Kabers and allegedly the Katans which have allowed many Naim owners to appreciate their investments.
It is the opinion of several (?many) that the Decline of Linn started when the Kan1 was discontinued and was sealed by the demise of the Isobariks. It is true that were it not for the Isobariks I would have never entered the Flat Earth Arena, as what they did at the time vastly raised my expectations as to how an audio system should not only sound, but also perform. Many components of the famous tri-amped Isobariks system have not stood the test of time. There is nowhere the demand for Grace 707 tonearms in todays marketplace as there is for almost similiar vintaged Kans. Likewise the 32, 250, snaps and even the cabling has been vastly improved upon without too much in the way of Luddite dissent. Linn and Naim at the time formed the members of an audio A-frame, leaning heavily upon the other for strength. Now they are each capable of standing by themselves (?an I-frame?) many audiophiles feel the need to adopt a stance to one side of the division with almost knee-jerk autonomic and increasingly more predictable dogmatic creed and utterances. Except we are not talking about religion, we are talking about companies that make audio equipment.
One day I may here Linns new flagship speaker. If I do, and I have something worthy to say, I will say it, and maybe even post it here.

Just because we choose to live on a Flat Earth does not mean that we should also live in the Dark Ages.

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo

http://homepages.go.com/~rontoolsie/index1.html

I pretty much agree with everything Ron has said in his post, I don't think we should be so dismssive of Linn.

Dev.

Personally, I'm looking forward to hearing the Komri's.

The Katans are an excellently designed loudspeaker and I hope Linn have finally broken their previous 10 year loudspeaker mould.

The only thing is - the price. Although I guess the amps that drive the feedback-bass units are included.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

...from my point of view is they seem to be promoting their equipment using meaningless acronyms / abbreviations.

A recent perusal of their Web site reveals components using 'Linn's 2-D (or 3 or 4-D)' technology - what the bloody hell does that mean? It's certainly not explained on their site.

Despite the fact they claim to still sell their equipment on the basis of competitive demonstration, they seem to insist on using simple catchphrases to describe the technology behind their equipment. This puts me off and I find it insulting, as it implies the reader is incapable of understanding the detail.

The Japanese have been adorning their equipment with such logos for years, and we all know that in many cases they mean little if anything to the final product.

One of the many things I like about Naim Audio is their product descriptions make sense, and talk (sometimes quite technically) about the engineering behind their equipment - they do not insult the reader by pretending that the technology has to be 'wrapped up' in a catchy acronym or abbreviation.

I'm certain Naim would never feel the need to promote, for example, 'Silent Power' technology, they'd just tell you there's a very quiet low noise, high capacity PSU.

I would never write off any Linn product as a result of this, but it does put me off investigating the products further.

In the days when I bought my LP12 Linn seemed proud of the engineering behind the products, and explained it in huge detail to the customer.

Every time I see a Linn product now, I just think of B&O, which is, in many cases, an unfair comparison, but one brought about by the current market position they appear, to me, to be positioning themselves in.

Andy.

Andrew L. Weekes
alweekes@audiophile.com

Andrew,

Have you seen Linn's Mission Statement yet (on their website)? Oh dear...

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

[This message was edited by Andrew Randle on WEDNESDAY 10 January 2001 at 16:57.]

Wait until later to hear this one--as I understand, the pair shown was a (the / only?) prototype, assembled on site. The speaker stands at least as tall as a pair of old 'Bariks on stands, about 13" wide and deep (smaller than DBLs).

Each unit has a forest of WBT binding posts on the rear of each unit, a huge heatsink on the back for the VLF amp(s) powered sub (uhh, no lightweight metalwork here) and the driver array shown in the picture (VHF / HF / MF on plate over controlled-dispersion LMF driver)--and, yes, twin VLF drivers, no Isobarik loading (hence the move to servo technology, I guess)--couldn't tell if there were ports on the back, though plenty different types of connectors (no Neutrik Speak-ons, though).

Source material was suspect in an otherwise top-range Linn system (CD12 / AV5103 / unknown number of Klimaxes, some turned off): when I went in, Cher's "Believe" was playing...to their credit, though, it is possible that this was the limiting factor. I was too busy to go back to hear them again, as Naim was represented thusly:

NANA #1: CDS II / 52 / 500 / NBLs + supplies on StarBASE

NANA #2: CD5 / NAT 05 / 112 / FLATCAP 2 / 150 on pARTicular stand (pics tomorrow)

Emotive Audio #1: CDX + XPS into tube integrated amp, unknown horn-loaded speakers

Emotive Audio #2: CD5 + FLATCAP 2 into similar system

Mana/ATC: CDX + XPS into ATC preamp, various ATC speakers (SCM70A, T16A)

S.A.P. (Italian SET OTL mfr.): CDS II + XPS

Mirage (at T.H.E. Show, St. Tropez): CDX / 102 / HICAP / 250 into new two-way "bi-pole" design.

Hope this helps,
Dave Dever, NANA
(one delayed flight later, enjoying the peace and quiet of home)

[This message was edited by David Dever, NANA on THURSDAY 11 January 2001 at 05:57.]

...not an LP12 in sight in the Linn room(s). We were too busy this time to send down an analogue rig ourselves; we're trying out some new cartridges from various manufacturers anyways, as it turns out.

Dave Dever, NANA

P.S. Don't get me started on the direct-drive turntable thing, especially pertaining to idler wheels and outboard AC supplies, for which my ear was knawed off one afternoon at the show.

First of all I would like to thank Ron for his comments here. I really believe that Naim and Linn between them took the hifi industry by the throat and gave us all what we were looking for. For that we can thank Linn and Naim equally. Now that they have both grown up they can afford to do things differently and I, for one, am pleased to see this. I have a pair of Linn Ninka in my Naim system and they are great. The CD12 is a piece of genious and I am seriously considering getting one. Naim are equally strong with their "second-to-none" no compromise approach to amplification as we all know. They're now slouches with speakers, tuners and CD players either. I too am a little perturbed to see Linn use the jargon to sell their equipment but that does not distract me from realising that it is still excellent. This new speaker is a no compromise offering which is intended to compete head on with the DBL and I am under the impression that it is similarly priced. I am quite sure that it makes beautiful music and that there are solid engineering reasons for the approach they have take. Let's wait and see.