Credo's, IBLs and SBLs

Then I made the mistake of hearing a pair of current spec SBLs in a system the same as mine in a room same size as mine. This experience totally changed my opinion of SBLs. I've had SBLs in the past and given up on them due to bass dificulties which I put down to a smaller room (14ft x 11ft). However, since then I've made a number of equipment changes, including stands (and the floor!), plus I've never actually heard current spec SBLs in my system.

I decided I had to try SBLs again and also, as a comparison, Credo's. Two pairs of speakers arrived yesterday.

First up, the Credo's

Credo's: If I'd tried these speakers twelve months ago against the IBLs they wouldn't have lasted longer than about five minutes in my system. It must be because I'm getting older, but recently I've moved away from the pace, rhythm and timing dogma and now I'm looking for something a bit different. There are a couple of major things I want from my system. I want a convincing degree of transparency, I don't ever expect to get the sound of a live band right there in front of me, but I want to be able to enjoy the music without being reminded that I'm listening to a HiFi system (an overtly fast system is just as culpable as a slow system in this respect). Also, I want to be able to enjoy listening to music for as much as three or four hours at a time without fatigue setting in.

Compared to the IBLs the Credos sounded vieled and fuzzy, yet they were relaxed and easy going. Perhaps relaxed to the point that they weren't exactly attention grabbing and I found myself drifting off to thoughts of other things. But the sound was pleasant enough. Certainly more bass than the IBLs but the bass wasn't as tuneful and tended to be a bit one-note-ish and thumpy. Where the Credo's did score convincingly over the IBLs was when the volume level was turned up a bit. With the Credo's the character of the sound remained the same, it just got louder. On the other hand, the IBLs harden-up noticeably whenever you start approaching "loud" and this tends to limit the overall dynamics of the system. The Credo's seem to free-up the system in this respect and allows the system to swing much larger dynamic ranges.

After about an hour of listening to the Credo's I put the IBLs back in. Quite a contrast, the IBLs sounded fresh and clean, lighter but faster. The Credo's are pleasant enough but overall I still found the IBLs strengths to outweigh any shortcomings.

At this stage I'm thinking - damn, these IBLs are good. When it comes to the SBL comparison I'm sure its going to be down to minor nitpicking.

SBLs: These are one year old, ex-dem, like brand-new, everything current spec, cherry finish. I knew within seconds that these speakers were in a different league to the Credo's and IBLs. Take all the good points of the Credo (but more so), add all the good points of the IBLs (but more so), thats the SBL. The entire character of the system had shifted gear and moved to a higher level. Music seemed to just flow effortlessly through the system. I'd reached one of those points where everything in the system works together beutifully to produce something totally seamless and integrated. As good as the IBLs are, they were choking the system. Where the SBLs flow smoothly and effortlessly, the IBLs in comparison seem to cough and splutter. The sound is now much more naturally in proportion - size, weight, body, timbre and so on. And enjoyable - huge grins.

Bass problems ? not even a hint. I've got the cabinets 4" from the wall and they could probably stand moving closer by another inch or so, but its sounding so right as it is that I don't think I can be bothered at the moment.

I wasn't really expecting such a comprehensive difference but was just looking to improve on the weight and scale of the IBLs. The SBLs certainly do that - and then some.

Allan.