There's no contest : This is the perfect balance ; the sound is effortless. I have owned impressive big box sound systems costing 15 times this, but in the end, this is the goldilocks.
Love the demo of your system. We had a fascinating time at Siegfrieds house a few years back switching between these and his LX Mini's. The sound signature was virtually identical. I think the biggest difference being the need to pull the 521's further out from the back wall. I've heard systems in the upper price ranges that Jay likes including the Wilson Chrono's, the top end Vandersteen's, and Lotus Group Granada, all with ultra high end sources and amps into the six figures. They were all wonderful and at extreme volumes had more on tap than the Linkwitz systems. However 99.9% of the time I'm listening below 100dB, sharing with one or more friends, in a listening room that is smaller than a banquet hall, and for all of that I'm a diehard Linkwitz fan. I use the Pass analog crossover which just puts icing on the cake.
The one common theme in most TH-cam system recordings is the dire acoustics of the room; sadly no exception here... Why is money rarely spent by enthusiasts on this incredible value for money upgrade?
The Dirac graph for this system is actually flat with a slight downward slope of highs as is normal for in room target response using Toole. That's what's on the recording. The bare voice is the tell.
Sounds very impressive on the first cut, and second, but can anyone else hear the loud hiss which I've never heard on any u tube demo. Is the volume maxed out?
Impossible to appreciate a speaker like the Linkwitz over youtube/headphones. I'm listening on Focal Utopias and while this does sound great, it does not convey the magic of the real 521.4 I just heard at the Capital Audiofest. These speakers do not exist while listening with your eyes closed, you just "see" the performers live in front of you with a sense of realism I have never heard from another speaker (not saying they do not exist, just have not come across any and I have listened to some in the six figures). Never considered dropping $20k on speakers but honestly these are a bargain at that price (includes amplification/crossovers in separate enclosures). You used to be able to get the kit, have to check that out as an ever more affordable option. Listen to them if you ever get a chance but only if you got the cash and the space for them, they will spoil you!
@@carlosoliveira-rc2xt unfortunately you are right: they are very ugly 🙈. But hey, I chose my Kefs 207/2 also because of the sound not their looks 10 years ago. 🙈. Hope to own some speakers that combine looks and great sound in the future. We’ll see
Sounds awesome and AMAZING. . I would love to know what gear you have and if that was actual CD or Streamer and If Streamer Which one? It sound great, you got the Synergy down! Thank you.
That was streamed over a miniDSP SHD unit with some Dirac correction for the room, to the Hairball Audio ASP (modified for MG22 woofer), then into ATI AT528NC amps before going to the Linkwitz LX-521.4
Yes - it's more of a full range design and the drivers are better. The LX mini is great at it's price point, but the LX521 is a more sophisticated speaker - you can also push the LX521 much harder if you play loud. You would need to hear it for yourself to judge how close the LX mini with subs gets you there.
ok, but why this design is not using a planar /amt or ribbon above 8 inch mid/woofer? Also, i guess single 15inch woofer should be better than two 10 inch woofers for bass? these seas have very high moving mass, higher than some 15 inchers...@@MichaelAmster
@@quant2011 I could not speak for Sigfried Linkwitz, but I knew that the dipole all the way to the top of the range was a concern. At the time he was choosing components there may not have been a suitable ribbon with rear radiation that met his needs. I do know that Frank Brenner who is carrying on the LX521 project is exploring modern drivers as long as they meet the design brief and we may see an evolution of the LX521 down the road that does use such a driver.
@@quant2011 on the woofer design, the important issue is the Q for a free air resonance. Most bass drivers are not suitable for dipole bass. I believe the SEAS drivers were chosen specifically for their Q behavior and were suitable for dipole. I know some dipoles use 15" now, but again, I cannot step into the mind of Dr. Linkwitz and know his exact choices. He did like these bass drivers though and felt it was one of the assets of the design.
I want to build these so bad. I'm guessing they don't live in the middle of the room and you pull them out for each listening session? I'm learning to accept this process myself.
Niiiiice! Sounds great over my cheap ear buds. My room is very similar (nearly identical) in dimensions to yours. Interested in knowing your acoustic treatments if any. 👍🏼👍🏼
Ryan, I don't have a lot - the rug between the speakers helps. I have 2 sofas and then at the far end of the room, I have bookshelves. I can clap and not get too much slap echo, but I am certain I could do better with a few corner traps. Due to the mixed use, I can do anything too dramatic. I feel the dipole nature of the Linkwitz helps a lot by removing the first wall reflection, so it works well in that room far away from the back wall like I have them set up.
I have lxmini and my basement has no treatment and furniture they sound superb compares to my other speakers. Lx mini is for a small room or person who doesn’t listen to edm cause no bass no pressure I haven’t heard lx521 but guess it covers all spectrum
Thanks for your video Michael, greatly appreciated this work. About the Jay Audio guy, you need to understand that he's what we could call a snob audio and not more. He has no education in electronics or electro acoustics. He has a big amount of money to spend in audio equipment and regularly is boring with his setup. Therfore he needs to change electronics and loudspeakers many times in a year and he has not finished to test a lot of combo. He makes the happiness of different resellers who has identified his potential invests. Now, he has discovered the y o u t u b e game and starts to convert this activity in a business. You can double check but the quality of your song recording is much much better than Jay because your Zoom H4n Pro is definetly in the Champions league compare to the phone used by Jay. You're not alone to have discovered this kind of effective setup with the Linkwitz loudspeakers. The guy from the Audiophile Junkie channel has spoken as well a lot about these fantastic speakers. I hope your video will be more popular ! Cheers :D
Jay pays 95% of the price for the cabinets which degrade the sound, always , and pays for 998 watts of power he wont EVER use in his small room. Now, with 5000sqft room he may need 200 wpc, but even this is debatable
Sounds fantastic. Just goes to show you don’t have to spend over $500K to get top notch sound quality. Bravo 👏 👏👏🔊🎶😊
There's no contest : This is the perfect balance ; the sound is effortless. I have owned impressive big box sound systems costing 15 times this, but in the end, this is the goldilocks.
Pyscho-acoustically dipoles do have some benefits. Drawbacks too. The only solution is to have both lol!
Love the demo of your system. We had a fascinating time at Siegfrieds house a few years back switching between these and his LX Mini's. The sound signature was virtually identical. I think the biggest difference being the need to pull the 521's further out from the back wall. I've heard systems in the upper price ranges that Jay likes including the Wilson Chrono's, the top end Vandersteen's, and Lotus Group Granada, all with ultra high end sources and amps into the six figures. They were all wonderful and at extreme volumes had more on tap than the Linkwitz systems. However 99.9% of the time I'm listening below 100dB, sharing with one or more friends, in a listening room that is smaller than a banquet hall, and for all of that I'm a diehard Linkwitz fan. I use the Pass analog crossover which just puts icing on the cake.
The one common theme in most TH-cam system recordings is the dire acoustics of the room; sadly no exception here... Why is money rarely spent by enthusiasts on this incredible value for money upgrade?
Nice setup!
Not the body or meat on the bone of Jay’s system but eminently listenable. Kicked up mids and highs…
The Dirac graph for this system is actually flat with a slight downward slope of highs as is normal for in room target response using Toole. That's what's on the recording. The bare voice is the tell.
@@MichaelAmster I believe your system is more accurate
Sounds very impressive on the first cut, and second, but can anyone else hear the loud hiss which I've never heard on any u tube demo. Is the volume maxed out?
Impossible to appreciate a speaker like the Linkwitz over youtube/headphones. I'm listening on Focal Utopias and while this does sound great, it does not convey the magic of the real 521.4 I just heard at the Capital Audiofest. These speakers do not exist while listening with your eyes closed, you just "see" the performers live in front of you with a sense of realism I have never heard from another speaker (not saying they do not exist, just have not come across any and I have listened to some in the six figures). Never considered dropping $20k on speakers but honestly these are a bargain at that price (includes amplification/crossovers in separate enclosures). You used to be able to get the kit, have to check that out as an ever more affordable option. Listen to them if you ever get a chance but only if you got the cash and the space for them, they will spoil you!
When you say Utopias, do you mean the headphones? Utopia speakers are over $20,000.
Too bad they're damn ugly. Another $1000 and a little sculpting would do wonders for this diamond in the rough.
@@carlosoliveira-rc2xt Change the baffle and you destroy all Sigfreids hard work.
@@carlosoliveira-rc2xt unfortunately you are right: they are very ugly 🙈. But hey, I chose my Kefs 207/2 also because of the sound not their looks 10 years ago. 🙈. Hope to own some speakers that combine looks and great sound in the future. We’ll see
@@nirodha35 Yes, that is the ideal.
Sounds awesome and AMAZING. . I would love to know what gear you have and if that was actual CD or Streamer and If Streamer Which one? It sound great, you got the Synergy down! Thank you.
That was streamed over a miniDSP SHD unit with some Dirac correction for the room, to the Hairball Audio ASP (modified for MG22 woofer), then into ATI AT528NC amps before going to the Linkwitz LX-521.4
will LX521 be much more transparent vs LXMini with dipole subs?
Yes - it's more of a full range design and the drivers are better. The LX mini is great at it's price point, but the LX521 is a more sophisticated speaker - you can also push the LX521 much harder if you play loud. You would need to hear it for yourself to judge how close the LX mini with subs gets you there.
ok, but why this design is not using a planar /amt or ribbon above 8 inch mid/woofer? Also, i guess single 15inch woofer should be better than two 10 inch woofers for bass? these seas have very high moving mass, higher than some 15 inchers...@@MichaelAmster
@@quant2011 I could not speak for Sigfried Linkwitz, but I knew that the dipole all the way to the top of the range was a concern. At the time he was choosing components there may not have been a suitable ribbon with rear radiation that met his needs. I do know that Frank Brenner who is carrying on the LX521 project is exploring modern drivers as long as they meet the design brief and we may see an evolution of the LX521 down the road that does use such a driver.
@@quant2011 on the woofer design, the important issue is the Q for a free air resonance. Most bass drivers are not suitable for dipole bass. I believe the SEAS drivers were chosen specifically for their Q behavior and were suitable for dipole. I know some dipoles use 15" now, but again, I cannot step into the mind of Dr. Linkwitz and know his exact choices. He did like these bass drivers though and felt it was one of the assets of the design.
I want to build these so bad. I'm guessing they don't live in the middle of the room and you pull them out for each listening session? I'm learning to accept this process myself.
Niiiiice! Sounds great over my cheap ear buds. My room is very similar (nearly identical) in dimensions to yours. Interested in knowing your acoustic treatments if any. 👍🏼👍🏼
Ryan, I don't have a lot - the rug between the speakers helps. I have 2 sofas and then at the far end of the room, I have bookshelves. I can clap and not get too much slap echo, but I am certain I could do better with a few corner traps. Due to the mixed use, I can do anything too dramatic. I feel the dipole nature of the Linkwitz helps a lot by removing the first wall reflection, so it works well in that room far away from the back wall like I have them set up.
I have lxmini and my basement has no treatment and furniture they sound superb compares to my other speakers. Lx mini is for a small room or person who doesn’t listen to edm cause no bass no pressure
I haven’t heard lx521 but guess it covers all spectrum
Thanks for your video Michael, greatly appreciated this work. About the Jay Audio guy, you need to understand that he's what we could call a snob audio and not more. He has no education in electronics or electro acoustics. He has a big amount of money to spend in audio equipment and regularly is boring with his setup. Therfore he needs to change electronics and loudspeakers many times in a year and he has not finished to test a lot of combo. He makes the happiness of different resellers who has identified his potential invests. Now, he has discovered the y o u t u b e game and starts to convert this activity in a business.
You can double check but the quality of your song recording is much much better than Jay because your Zoom H4n Pro is definetly in the Champions league compare to the phone used by Jay.
You're not alone to have discovered this kind of effective setup with the Linkwitz loudspeakers. The guy from the Audiophile Junkie channel has spoken as well a lot about these fantastic speakers.
I hope your video will be more popular !
Cheers :D
I would take the new MC Audiotech Forty-10 Loudspeakers over these Hands Down !😇🙂😊😉Heaven on Earth🤫
I've heard them at shows. Not my cup of tea.
Jay pays 95% of the price for the cabinets which degrade the sound, always , and pays for 998 watts of power he wont EVER use in his small room. Now, with 5000sqft room he may need 200 wpc, but even this is debatable