Linn Isobarik (DMS or PMS)

Havn't made that comparison, but if I'm not mistaken, DMS = Domestic vs Professional Monitor Speakers. The latter has the removable crossover located within the stands.

Hence, one can Upgrade from Single Passive Amp to Passive Bi Amp to Passive TrI Amp. Presently I'm at The Passive Tri Amp level, next purchase of Snaxo 362 and SC DR, and my Briks will be Active, and The XO located within the stands can be stored away for future Passive operation if one decides. 

Most of us Active fans are waiting to see if The Focal/Naim Merger has something in The works for Active Home Speakers.

For right now, I think its Ovators, if I'm not mistaken The S 800 is a two way, with The woofer being powered by a Third amp.

Lets keep are fingers crossed. Perhaps a modern version of NBL's or Isobariks will be available later this year!

Enjoy your gear!

The Armchair QB!

Not "modern" but my Wilson System V speakers are more musical, detailed and enjoyable than my DMS Briks, regardles of which power amp (250/135s/Krell) I am using.

There have been a few speakers over the past 15 years that I would have considered as replacements for the Briks - NBLs and Dali being among the most likely. I haven't heard anything that would induce me to replace the Wilsons.

Actually the DMS/PMS title predated the external crossover. The DMS was passive only and the PMS active only. The speaker connections being on the back of the cabinet. When the crossover was moved to sit in the stand the DMS/PMS title was dropped as the speaker could be used in either configuration. I seem to recall at the time that there was considerable debate about whether the latter version with the external crossover was actually an improvement or not. I never heard the latter version but loved my Afromosia DMS and then black ash PMS Briks, although the PMS was a very different beast to the DMS.

Allante93 posted:

Havn't made that comparison, but if I'm not mistaken, DMS = Domestic vs Professional Monitor Speakers. The latter has the removable crossover located within the stands.

Hence, one can Upgrade from Single Passive Amp to Passive Bi Amp to Passive TrI Amp. Presently I'm at The Passive Tri Amp level, next purchase of Snaxo 362 and SC DR, and my Briks will be Active, and The XO located within the stands can be stored away for future Passive operation if one decides. 

Most of us Active fans are waiting to see if The Focal/Naim Merger has something in The works for Active Home Speakers.

For right now, I think its Ovators, if I'm not mistaken The S 800 is a two way, with The woofer being powered by a Third amp.

Lets keep are fingers crossed. Perhaps a modern version of NBL's or Isobariks will be available later this year!

Enjoy your gear!

The Armchair QB!

Don't hold your breath regarding active from Focal.  The merger happened 4.5 years ago.

S800 and S600 are 2.5 way speakers.  1 BMR and two bass drivers.  You can use either 2 amps or 3.  With 3 you have 1 amp per drive unit.  With 2 both bass drivers are powered from a single amp.

Looks like a possible question for tomorrow Graham............

Don Atkinson posted:

Not "modern" but my Wilson System V speakers are more musical, detailed and enjoyable than my DMS Briks, regardles of which power amp (250/135s/Krell) I am using.

There have been a few speakers over the past 15 years that I would have considered as replacements for the Briks - NBLs and Dali being among the most likely. I haven't heard anything that would induce me to replace the Wilsons.

Ah, its great Don that you are in a position to answer my curiosity question as you have both speakers at home. i dont know that much about Wilso System speakers, nor Dali -- but its interesting that NBLs would be candidate.

thanks Don...

enjoy

ken

Don Atkinson posted:

Not "modern" but my Wilson System V speakers are more musical, detailed and enjoyable than my DMS Briks, regardles of which power amp (250/135s/Krell) I am using.

There have been a few speakers over the past 15 years that I would have considered as replacements for the Briks - NBLs and Dali being among the most likely. I haven't heard anything that would induce me to replace the Wilsons.

Wow, always wanted to hear Wilson's, bet they sound great. Are they Active Ready, like the Briks and NBL's?

Marksnaim posted:

Actually the DMS/PMS title predated the external crossover. The DMS was passive only and the PMS active only. The speaker connections being on the back of the cabinet. When the crossover was moved to sit in the stand the DMS/PMS title was dropped as the speaker could be used in either configuration. I seem to recall at the time that there was considerable debate about whether the latter version with the external crossover was actually an improvement or not. I never heard the latter version but loved my Afromosia DMS and then black ash PMS Briks, although the PMS was a very different beast to the DMS.

Afraid not Mark, I'm running my PMS Passive right now with 3 x 250.2's. Linn's upgrade route was nice with the PMS! 

Passive Single Amp

Passive Bi Amp

Passive Tri Amp 

Full Blown Active with Naim Snaxo

Option of Bi Amping with Tweeter with one Amp, and Woofer and Mid with the other Amp. or Woofer with one Amp and tweeter and Mid with the 2nd Amp! 

Or cut both sets of tri wired brakes and Then you have Passive Tri Amp! 

Then throw away the XO, or sale it, or store it, and Plug speaker wires directly in back of The Briks, Then you have an Active System! 

Cdx2 >Hi Cap DR > 282 > SC DR > Snaxo 362 > 3 x 250.2 > Briks!

Enjoy your gear! 

The Armchair QB!!!

Been Full Blown Aktiv with LK 280's Karin, Linn XO, with Bingo Card! 

Can't wait to see what Active sounds like with Naim Amps! 

BTW Mark you are correct, I have the latter versions, I never heard the former versions, The Linn guys claimed that the New version was better, but who knows! 

Hence, The Armchair QB! 

Enjoy your Gear! 

Marksnaim posted:

Actually the DMS/PMS title predated the external crossover. The DMS was passive only and the PMS active only. The speaker connections being on the back of the cabinet. When the crossover was moved to sit in the stand the DMS/PMS title was dropped as the speaker could be used in either configuration. I seem to recall at the time that there was considerable debate about whether the latter version with the external crossover was actually an improvement or not. I never heard the latter version but loved my Afromosia DMS and then black ash PMS Briks, although the PMS was a very different beast to the DMS.

thanks for extra background. i used to have DMS in black -- good fun -- but i sold them when my wife threatened 'me or the speakers'. i thought long and hard about it () and decided to sell the speakers -- replaced by Linn Kan 1's -- still have them after, uh, must be more than 30 years now...

i'd love to compare DMS with my SL2s passive to see how far we have come speaker SQ-wise... but this is not important -- and i am certainly not planning my life round it...  i am somewhat stuck on wall placement speakers though... hence...

enjoy

ken

Allante93 posted:

Don Atkinson posted:

Not "modern" but my Wilson System V speakers are more musical, detailed and enjoyable than my DMS Briks, regardles of which power amp (250/135s/Krell) I am using.

There have been a few speakers over the past 15 years that I would have considered as replacements for the Briks - NBLs and Dali being among the most likely. I haven't heard anything that would induce me to replace the Wilsons.

Wow, always wanted to hear Wilson's, bet they sound great. Are they Active Ready, like the Briks and NBL's?

I have only ever used them passively.

I'm not really certain where the x-overs are located. The bass filters must be in the bass units but I don't know if the treble/mid filters are in the bass units or the monitor units. I rather suspect they are in the monitors.

The power amp(s) feed into the bass units, then the Puppy Tails feed from the bass units to the monitors. The monitors can be used on their own, fed directly from the power amp(s).

I don't know who would design an electronic X-over to split the frequencies for active operation.

Wilson advised me not to bi-amp the speakers, but I can't remember why not. Whether it was purely on the basis of sound quality or whether it was some slight risk of electrical damage I don't recall.

Any way, they sound good, even when driven by the 135s but more so with Krell power amps

ken c posted:

Marksnaim posted:

Actually the DMS/PMS title predated the external crossover. The DMS was passive only and the PMS active only. The speaker connections being on the back of the cabinet. When the crossover was moved to sit in the stand the DMS/PMS title was dropped as the speaker could be used in either configuration. I seem to recall at the time that there was considerable debate about whether the latter version with the external crossover was actually an improvement or not. I never heard the latter version but loved my Afromosia DMS and then black ash PMS Briks, although the PMS was a very different beast to the DMS.

thanks for extra background. i used to have DMS in black -- good fun -- but i sold them when my wife threatened 'me or the speakers'. i thought long and hard about it () and decided to sell the speakers -- replaced by Linn Kan 1's -- still have them after, uh, must be more than 30 years now...

i'd love to compare DMS with my SL2s passive to see how far we have come speaker SQ-wise... but this is not important -- and i am certainly not planning my life round it...  i am somewhat stuck on wall placement speakers though... hence...

enjoy

ken

My wife has a similar view regarding the aesthetic qualities of the Isobarik Ken. 

regards

Mark

I have run Passive DMS Briks, then Active 3x500 PMS Briks for about 20 years before finally finding speakers that I enjoyed more on balance - that was when I swapped to Active Ovator S600. But I still missed some of the very low bass control the Briks had which the S600 did not quite manage, despite being better everywhere else, so I now have S800 Active, which does everything the Briks managed in the Bass and far more.

But the Briks now seem a neat small unassuming speaker compared to the S800.

I did have great fun for decades with the Briks - they are a very musical speaker and wonderful Active-driven.

G.

No Ken - no!

Fight the urge man!

Arrgggghhhhh!!!

John.

J.N. posted:

No Ken - no!

Fight the urge man!

Arrgggghhhhh!!!

John.

 

'Somebody stop me' !!

enjoy

ken

But seriously though Ken, an up to spec pair of 'briks (passive or active) still have some excellent and pretty unique sonic qualities. And they can work very well in a small room too.

But you have of course, come to your senses?

John. 

J.N. posted:

But seriously though Ken, an up to spec pair of 'briks (passive or active) still have some excellent and pretty unique sonic qualities. And they can work very well in a small room too.

But you have of course, come to your senses?

John. 

I had mine in a room that must have been no more than 12 x 9 feet and they worked very well.

ken c posted:

J.N. posted:

No Ken - no!

Fight the urge man!

Arrgggghhhhh!!!

John.

 

'Somebody stop me' !!

enjoy

ken

Ok, Ken I will stop you!

As DB pointed out a musical and enjoyable Speaker, and sleek compared to Dbl's and even DB's 800's.

I would still hold out, your only problem, meeting the requiement of being close to the wall. I would think most modern speakers won't fit that criteria . 

But if you happen to Stumble on a well kept pair of the later versions, go for it!

You might be pleasantly  surprised!

As far as built quality, Solid as a Brik!

The Armchair QB!

The Brik is one of a small breed of speaker that manages to be completely effortless in its portrayal of music and utterly musical with it. I'm a fan, especially actively driven, just like a giant Kan.

J.N. posted:

But seriously though Ken, an up to spec pair of 'briks (passive or active) still have some excellent and pretty unique sonic qualities. And they can work very well in a small room too.

But you have of course, come to your senses?

John. 

thanks John -- i am just curious to figure out how much we have  moved since the hey days of this iconic speaker. i would be very curious to compare it with similar boundary placers like NBL, DBL.

but dont worry folks, i am not about to ditch my lovely SL2's... 

enjoy

ken

gary yeowell posted:

The Brik is one of a small breed of speaker that manages to be completely effortless in its portrayal of music and utterly musical with it. I'm a fan, especially actively driven, just like a giant Kan.

ha ha ... "Giant Kan" 

i still have my (very old) Kans on KanII stands, and i still love them...

enjoy

ken

Had Briks with x-overs in the stands for the best part of 25 years. Run them in both passive and active formats. I've listened to a lot of speakers but the only ones I've heard that I preffered and could afford have been DBL's. There's a certain 'correctness' to how Briks play music that I think has been rarely matched in any speaker. I agree with DB that the bass control is truly exceptional. Some say they can't image but I would disagree if you feed them a good enough signal and enough power. They are a bit of a bugger to drive and would light my fans up even in active mode!

Geko posted:

Had Briks with x-overs in the stands for the best part of 25 years. Run them in both passive and active formats. I've listened to a lot of speakers but the only ones I've heard that I preffered and could afford have been DBL's. There's a certain 'correctness' to how Briks play music that I think has been rarely matched in any speaker. I agree with DB that the bass control is truly exceptional. Some say they can't image but I would disagree if you feed them a good enough signal and enough power. They are a bit of a bugger to drive and would light my fans up even in active mode!

I used to have the passive 250 go into thermal trip sometimes but I never came remotely close when I had 3 active. But then it was a small room.

This thread is making me go all sentimental. Listening to Enya - The Celts at the moment. That used to be a great way to show off what the Briks could really do in the bass department. Can't remember when I last saw a pair come up for sale now that I think of it. Not at a sensible price anyway. 

Geko posted:

Had Briks with x-overs in the stands for the best part of 25 years. Run them in both passive and active formats. I've listened to a lot of speakers but the only ones I've heard that I preffered and could afford have been DBL's. There's a certain 'correctness' to how Briks play music that I think has been rarely matched in any speaker. I agree with DB that the bass control is truly exceptional. Some say they can't image but I would disagree if you feed them a good enough signal and enough power. They are a bit of a bugger to drive and would light my fans up even in active mode!

Geko, I had Full Blown Linn Aktiv System, with Linn XO with Bingo Card, etc.... 

Never had heating problems with the LK 280's  80 watts @ 8 ohms, 160 watts @ 4 ohms. 

But Bi Amped Briks, 250.2 went into thermal protection mode, switched and put the 250 on the tweeters alone, and ran a 200 on the woofers and Mids. No More heating problems, but the non regulated slipped on the job, had to turn the briks down to 9 o'clock. Now I'm running Passive Tri amped Briks with 3 x 250.2's, High, and Mid Amps are cool as a cucumber, but the Low Amp still gets warm, when cranking for an hour or more! 

I thought Going Active with the Snaxo 362 and SC DR would cure the heating Problem!!!!!!

THE ARMCHAIR QB! 

We have both Isobariks and Kans, both excellent speakers