Kabers to Isobariks: anyone made the jump?

Posted by: Tarquin Maynard - Portly on 16 March 2003

Muchachos

Cannot help but notice the 'Briks are being sold of for around £300-400 or so. Even though they are twice the size of my Kabers, this is playing on my mind.

Has anyone made the jump? Whats' it like? Is it as big an improvement as my upgradeitus makes me think it is?

Regards

Mike

[This message was edited by mike lacey on SUNDAY 16 March 2003 at 20:49.]

[This message was edited by mike lacey on SUNDAY 16 March 2003 at 20:49.]
Posted on: 16 March 2003 by raymond
Yes. Big Grin

Hi-Fi a means to an end.
Posted on: 16 March 2003 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
Raymond

The most economic reply I have seen. Everything that needs be said. Except how to swing it past The Nagger....

Regards

Mike
Posted on: 16 March 2003 by Paul Ranson
I moved from Aktiv Kabers to Aktiv Isobariks last June.

I think the Briks are substantially better, but I'll be reinstalling the Kabers shortly, prior to sale, and maybe I'll change my mind...

I'd be a little doubtful about £350-£400 Isobariks, you may end up having to spend significant sums on drive unit replacement to get them up to scratch.

FWIW the Isobariks are more than twice the size...

Paul
Posted on: 16 March 2003 by Mick P
Mike

Be careful. There are some very good Briks out there but also some disasters. Remember that these speakers are around 15 yrs of age and some spotty faced oik may have played them at the 12 o clock position for hours on end.

Listen before you buy.

Regards

Mick
Posted on: 19 March 2003 by StephenK
All my personal opinion: Briks are quite a difficult speaker to place, probably the most difficult I know. In contrary Kabers do what they do in most circumstances, they are better if placed correctly but the differences are not fundamental. Especially in a difficult room it can be a nightmare to set-up Isobariks and to get the best out of them. As all of them got into age now, new tweeters are essential, as well as tightening all driving unit screws. To answer the question, Kabers vs. Briks, I think Kabers can be better, they almost always will be faster, but Briks at its best are playing in annother league and it is very difficult to top them. To me the remaining questions are: are they in proper condition and are the really set up properly. P.s. In my experiance the late XLR models are the best match to Naim amplification. Hope this helps.
Posted on: 19 March 2003 by raymond
quote:
Originally posted by mike lacey:
Raymond

The most economic reply I have seen. Everything that needs be said. Except how to swing it past The Nagger....

Regards

Mike
Hello Mike, I've got a nagger also... I had a pair of Kabers and have to listening to them for 6months decided they had to go..I bought the Isobaricks blind..never heard Isobaricks until they were delivered to my front door,nothing ventured nothing gained as they say. I have never looked back...for me they do everything I want them to...the Kabers weren't in the same league. I placed them in my living room and they are in exactly the same spot as they were when I first placed them, I get no boom, just a solid bass that is quite remarkable...Maybe I'm lucky, who knows, they are just Sound speakers. As far as the tweeters are concerned they sound so sharp, and the detail is the best I have ever heard. I have a pair of IMF pro-monitors and these date back to the 70s and the units B139 and 110 sound absolutely fine....what I'm getting at is, i'm tired of hearing all this crap about tweeters wanting replacing..when they blow ..and god knows how one actually blows them..replace it. On the positive side..buy a pair if you don't like them or the nagger doesn't..sell them on ebay...they are selling at a good price now ..over £700 for the DMS model depending on condition......Go on mike take the plunge. Smile Regards,Raymond

Hi-Fi a means to an end.