Shahinian and other speak suggestions from SL2 for 500 system

Hi Gary - yes I have done that as well but have not really gone beyond the 1/4 (started with much more) - might have a play this weekend.

Shahinian are very interesting looking speakers.  I used to dislike them but now I really like them.  Listened to some compasses a few years ago but wasn't sure they sounded better than my B&W's at the time so I never bought them.  I still fancy a set to try though.  I bet they sound great through your system with all the power.  Nice one!

gary yeowell posted:

As good as anything i've had here James. Slightly less full sounding than the Arc, but in my room that is not such a bad thing, as i can now go as loud as i want and everything stays together.

Cheers 

Frank Abela posted:

Here's the fun we were having the other day.

WT Versalex/XX2/P75/282/HCDR/NAP250DR
WT Versalex/XV-1t/Rega IOS Ref/Osiris

...into arguably-still-running-in Hawks.

Hawks have been around a long time. I believe they changed drivers some time ago, though not sure when. Still learning about this odd little brand.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

I didn't realise that Shahinian were stocked fairly local to me. Do you keep the full range there Frank ?

They certainly look beautiful, I love the wood of the cabinets. Perhaps I need to audition some again!

james n posted:

Frank Abela posted:

Here's the fun we were having the other day.

WT Versalex/XX2/P75/282/HCDR/NAP250DR
WT Versalex/XV-1t/Rega IOS Ref/Osiris

...into arguably-still-running-in Hawks.

Hawks have been around a long time. I believe they changed drivers some time ago, though not sure when. Still learning about this odd little brand.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

I didn't realise that Shahinian were stocked fairly local to me. Do you keep the full range there Frank ?

Hawk, Obelisk2, Arc2 at present, sold demo Compass

Regards

Simon

Sten posted:

Nice  .......... but now I want a Versalex. How is the LTD Tone arm? I just have the standard one on my mk1 Amadeus..

Regards

Sten

I find mine a dream to use and just as well with an XV1t on the end. Much less scary than my Aro especially after a glass of wine.

Highly adjustable too though setting the damping is a little more involved than the Amadeus. The armrest, cue-lever, gallows-pole and trough all independently adjustable for height as is the entire assembly for setting VTA.

HI again,

I just got a pair of Hawks home (up 4 flights of stairs with no lift....) and now I want to wire them up.

No idea how to do this!! Can anyone help?

I read something about an umbilical between the subwoofer and the module but there are only 3 inputs on each one - bit lost here and would appreciate some guidance.

Thanks

Sten 

And there is a switch on the bottom of the bass module 250 or 500.......there is also a fuse.....might be a bit out of my depth here. Hoping it is easier than it seem right now....

Hoping one of you guys can help because I am desperate to try these out...

Sten

You connect the bass cabinet to the module using spade connectors underneath the cabinet. You then connect this cabinet to your amp with the normal Naim plugs. That spade connection really needs to be a perfect one . Top quality spade and the correct tightness. Makes an appreciable difference.

The switch should be in the 250 position.

No need to touch the fuse.

The rear passive radiators don't produce bass, so don't worry about that.

They do like to be 24" away from any wall.

Don't put them on granite plinths.

They are easy to drive.

Hi Count.D

thanks for your reply. 

So just to get this right I connect the power amp to the bass as normal (red to red and black to one of the black terminals (closest to the red)) then using spade connectors get a piece of speaker cable and connect to the same red and black on the bass and up to the module red and black.

there are bolts that fit to the terminal on the bass box so I assume these are used to secure the spade connectors...

sorry if these questions seem a bit dim but want to get it right...

thanks again

sten

That's correct Sten. If you decide to buy Hawks, get the best spade connectors.

Brilliant - thanks so much.

Sten

gary yeowell posted:

In an Amadeus you just raise or lower the pot which holds the fluid. In doing so the ball sits in more or less fluid. I found that less fluid equalled a lighter, faster and more engaging presentation which was beter for me.

Agreed.  The golf ball on my GTA is barely into the silicon, just enough so I feel a tiny bit of resistence while queuing records. As you say Gary, it is a better, faster sound. Too much damping results in a loss of detail - it kills the sparkle. 

Hook

I previously used tellurium q. Ultra black and now use tellurium q black diamond with my shahinian obelisk mk2 and they sound sublime. Spades would fit better that bananas as the sockets point downwards so it's a bit of a squeeze

Simon Walker posted:

james n posted:

Frank Abela posted:

Here's the fun we were having the other day.

WT Versalex/XX2/P75/282/HCDR/NAP250DR
WT Versalex/XV-1t/Rega IOS Ref/Osiris

...into arguably-still-running-in Hawks.

Hawks have been around a long time. I believe they changed drivers some time ago, though not sure when. Still learning about this odd little brand.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

I didn't realise that Shahinian were stocked fairly local to me. Do you keep the full range there Frank ?

Hawk, Obelisk2, Arc2 at present, sold demo Compass

Regards

Simon

What is the exact price for the Diapason?

So finally got them up and running (but without the spade connectors for now - will pick some up tomorrow and do it properly). First impressions - what awesome speakers! At first I was a bit confused about the sound and wasn't sure why but having listened for a couple of hours now I think I know why. The Hawks surround you in the music so much more than "normal" speakers - they are not directional in the sense that the sound is directed up not straight at the listening position. 

Still not sure how old these speakers are but they certainly don't sound worn in any way - the detail I am hearing is fantastic. Looking forward to spending some time with them before decision time .......

Sounds like a good start Sten.

Sten posted:

Interesting. Might give it a try but how do you go about getting the silicon gel out once it's in?

Regards

Sten

Just use something like a straw and twist it around and transfer over to the bottle it comes in. John Burns recommends 1cm of silicon is used. Get something like a cocktail stick and mark off 1cm from the point and add silicon to the marker. Given the holder is round, this is the best way. 

ayap1 posted:

count.d posted:

That's correct Sten. If you decide to buy Hawks, get the best spade connectors.

Have I got this right? Spending close to £17 K you then have to  spend more on getting the connectors and linking cables.

 

Yes. Hifi wouldn't be the same if you just bought a product and it worked perfect, without spending another load of dosh, research and time getting it to sound at it's best.

Frank Abela posted:

Here's the fun we were having the other day.

WT Versalex/XX2/P75/282/HCDR/NAP250DR
WT Versalex/XV-1t/Rega IOS Ref/Osiris

...into arguably-still-running-in Hawks.

Hawks have been around a long time. I believe they changed drivers some time ago, though not sure when. Still learning about this odd little brand.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Hi Frank,

I would be very interested in your thoughts on the WT Versalex/XX2/P75/282/HCDR/NAP250DR set up as it is very close to my own. The Hawks I am using are as I said second hand and of an indeterminable age ( I emailed Shahinian direct asking about the age based on serial number amongst other things - I was pleasantly surprised when he (Vasken Shahinian) answered within the hour on my setup questions over the weekend - age questions will have to wait till he is back in the office on Tuesday).

I would be particularly interested in your thoughts on the bass. I tried a few tracks (on tidal through ND5xs) from another thread about best bass (Best Bass Recordings? - 2 Categories) as well as some of my own on vinyl (e.g. Apex Twin - Ageispolis from Selected Ambient Works) and was expecting low ends to make my throat vibrate but this was not the case - the bass although clean and controlled was not as deep as I expected from comments on that particular thread - could this be because: a) the 250DR doesn't have enough grunt. b) the speakers are old and the bass drivers a bit tired or c) the bass is actually supposed to be this way and other speakers can't cope with the sub bass and "rumble".

The mid and upper tones are sublime and vocals especially are incredibly clear and "life like", add acoustic guitar and piano and it really is magical and no issues with bass. Classical music, as others have said, also sounds fantastic - listened to Reference Recordings (half speed mastered 45rpm) Mozart Piano Concertos 21 & 24 - Eugene Istomin. Amazing clarity and so uplifting - a fully immersive musical experience!

Also be interested in what records you play across genres to test the speakers.

cheers

Sten

Sten, what's directly behind your Hawks and how far are they away? Are they sat on a suspended floor and carpet?

Behind is a wall (about 60 cm) - the left speak as I look at them also has a large window on its left and the right speaker has a doorway behind and to the right (will try to post a picture) -  they sit directly on the floor at the moment which is parquet over concrete - pretty solid but the parquet is a little uneven in places.

I found a completely solid wall all the way across the rear of the speakers gives a more solid bass.  Also, firing across a rectangular room, as opposed to down the length, gives more solid thumping bass.

When I've upgraded, 250 to 300, powerlines, radikal, mains improvements, etc... the bass became far deeper and much more spacious. Instead of the typical forward-hitting-in-the-chest bass that other speakers produce, mine produce tight, spacious, deep bass, which make me and my sofa vibrate. When I go to decently produced gigs and I'm in the perfect central near front position, this is also what I hear and experience.