Tekton Lore Reference speaker review ! - Crazy good but not so crazy expensive speaker
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 พ.ค. 2020
- This is my review of the Tekton Design speaker - The tekton lore reference. One of the best budget speakers that performs way above its price category.
see where tekon lore reference is on our tier list: www.patreon.com/posts/gear-ti...
Tekton Lore Reference: www.tektondesign.com/lore-ref...
Disclaimer/ Personal interest in my reviews - Please read "About" section on / nbts
Tekton double impact review: • The Best Speaker Award...
Tekton Pendragon review: • Why 3 tweeters for a s...
Tekton Pendragon vs Double impact: • Tekton Double Impact v...
LTA tube pre-amp review: • LTA MZ3 Tube Integrate...
Sound artist integrated: www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/s...
Jay's soundstage reviews: • Jay's Soundstage! reviews
Cables I use:
Memento-be RCA cables : www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/c...
FOND power cable: www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/c...
Alpha power cable: www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/c...
Whisper SE speakers cables: www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/c...
Alpha XLR cables: Alpha XLR cables: www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/c...
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Alot of you guys are asking for links to cables and such, check the description. rock on ! 👍✌👊
Disclaimer/ Personal interest in my reviews - Please read "About" section on Patreon.com/nbts
The Sound Artist amp is Chinese-made but dirt cheap for its power rating, especially for class AB operation.
let the speakers talk a bit jay please need to hear its voice hehe peace
I agree that these cables are a great value and loving them in my setup. Thanks for the recommendation Jay 👍
Thankyou for this eloquent, lyrical list and commentary.
You are clearly fully immersed in the infinite variousness of what makes great audio.
The best review I’ve ever heard - balanced, passionate, technical & immediately accessible.
Thankyou
Great Value for $750, I always appreciate a honest,solid audio review like this.Thanks Jay.
The moment you said, 'paper driver', I was all in. No wonder they get such great reviews... the paper drivers no doubt have something to do with that.
I bought the Tekton Lore Reference speakers because of your review here. I've been very happy with the speakers for 4 years now, and don't see any reason to change speakers. They sound great to me, very dynamic and exciting sound.
Excellent review, one of the best I’ve heard,. Your passion for this hobby really comes through.
Thank you for continuing to review the Tekton’s, I’m sooo close to choosing a model. If at all possible please review their subwoofers, i wold love to know how he compare to some of the other audiophile grade subs out there. Stay healthy.
Thank you for the great reviews and taking a look at price points that is within the lower level audiophile / music lovers ability to purchase.
Next paycheck, I buying a pair. So far, your reviews have been really accurate. Thank you.
Awesome review man, these are gems clearly
You just sold me on them. Let this next two months go by quickly, while they get built. Cheers on this super well detailed video. Respect.
Very good review . The standard Lores are excellent as well . To my ear sonic characteristics are like a small venue live setting with a great sound system . Excellent imaging , timbre , sparkle in the highs , very realistic vocals , piano , strings. Deep natural bass with great texture.
Great video with all the details. Thanks!
Tektons are just awesome looking speakers. Hey Jay thanks for all of your work on the awesome videos. I always leave a "Like"! Have a great day man!
Great review, I'm very curious about about these
Hi Jay. After seeing the review on these speakers I’m going to buy them. I was going to buy the LRS but I think my equipment will be a problem. The way you describe these they sound fantastic. I really enjoy watching your reviews! Thank you so much! I’m going to call tomorrow and see how long it takes to get a pair.
Great review Jay. Tekton makes great speakers at various price point that you have reviewed. You really should try the LTA-F7 pairing with the Encore. It’s too good to miss.
I owned a pair of these and sold them only due to WAF, and bought a pair of SF Venere 1.5, sexy speakers yes, but the Lore Ref trounce them all day long. I regret ever letting go of the Lores and am now making it my mission to get them back into my living room. Great review btw.
Keep up with these awesome vids
Just bought a pr. Of Red Lore Reference with upgrade package! Been wanted to pull the trigger on this for a few years. Glad I did today!
Thank you Jay! Just received my Refs and SoundArtist Amp with CopperColour cables and must say this is a perfect match! Hard to top this setup with BS Node for $2K. I owe you one 🙏🏼
Dang with the upgrade of a beryllium tweeter and wood wrap dang now thats awesome ! No stands needed love that ! These will be on my Radar !
First year of production they were bookshelves. Now your saving easy $150. Good stands. Love see how 6 of the micro with dual SVS-SB2000. 7.1.2 system.
They are excellent base that can be improved vastly by enhancing the sealing of the cabinet with tar, a better material for the port, top notch parts for the crossover a better decoupling of the cabinet from the ground.
Hello Jay, I enjoyed your review and got interested in the amp. Is the lore better than Buchardts 400? Thanks again.
I've been using hi fi systems that use a tube preamp and a sold state power amp since the early eighties. It's the best of both worlds.
I bought mine late 2016. Maserati Red. Connected to EmoPre and McIntosh MC2505. Love, love them. They can get a little fatiqueing at high volumes, but when I swap them out I miss that "sparkle" and want to switch back. Anything acoustic, concert, sounds wonderful.
Hi Jay, I've bought the Atoll IN200 Power Amp because of you; also the Sound Artist coaxial speaker; and now the Lore Reference because of you. That's your influence. I need to work harder to keep up with you. But so far, all the video advice I've taken from you is dead on, so for all that is tuning in, you are in good "ears." Thank you Jay. Hey, will you sell me your DIY speaker?
thanks great review
Nice review. I had the Lore Reference and ended up with the Enzo 2.7. I have it in my bedroom system for late night low level listening with a 2 watt per channel Decware tube amp. Dreamy.
Using a dac?? Let me know your setup. Thanks.
@@xjmzrq I use an Audio GD R7 DAC. In addition to the Decware amp I have an Audio Note 300B integrated amp to power the tekton. My source material is Tidal through a Bluesound node 2i running into the DAC
cosmo naut very very nice setup. My budget isn’t quite there, but I was considering the Cambridge CXN V2 as a streaming source for the Decware amp. As a matter of fact, that recommendation came from Steve Deckart via email. He said that combination “will bend you brain.” So yeah - that definitely got my attention.
Thanks for this review. Well done! Since you say that the imaging is more like a bookshelf and better than the Double Impact, do you have plans to review the Impact Monitor? If not, do you have any insights into that speaker that you could share? Cheers.
Amazing review as always buddy it’s awesome that you were put out this information I was ready to spend close to the same price on bookshelf speakers with stands when I could probably just pick up a set like this
I want a simple set up where I could just stream music from and the occasional CD I was wondering what amplifier or preamplifier would you recommend that will be under $1000 I’ll like to keep the budget with the speakers on the 2000 this will be perfect for me and the wife will kill me LOL
great review; you really left me curious about these speakers and this brand. when you mention: "refinement in the high frequencies"...does your pair have the upgraded beryllium tweeters? would really like to know... thanks~!
I have the mini Lore $575 pair. I’ve had them a little over a week and I absolutely love these speakers!
how are they with a naim xs2 amp ?
This brand is really impressive, really good sound and not going to crazy price ! NICE JOB !
Have had these for 5 years, and have had no desire to upgrade at any time. The bass on these things is crazy good - fast, tight and deep. The treble is plump, juicy and tonally correct. I am running them with a 60 watt tube amplifier. I have never heard them do anything nasty even at seriously loud volumes. While the treble is not as smooth as my Monitor Audio Silvers, they have a presence and 'you are there' tone. These are great speakers for rocking out. Just my .02, and thanks for reviewing one of the lesser reviewed in the Tekton line.
Hi Jay, lost count of the number of times I've watched this particular video. Reason is the Lore Reference is among my top wishlist for speakers due to your review. I've just decided to order the Pier Audio MS-480SE after watching the Audio Excellence Canada video (also countless times LOL). Now, I'm torn between the Lore Reference, the GoldenEar BRX & the KEF LS50 Meta to pair with the Pier Audio. Would really love to hear your views. Thank you so much for all your videos.
You really got me thinking with the Lores. I have owned the Double Impact base model and I'm very curious as to how they may compare. I have also owned a pair of the Totem Acoustics Hawks, which may be my favorite speaker so far, and I had them side by side with the DI enabling me to make good comparisons. I have to say that the Hawks held their own against the DI in a situation similar to David & Golliath. Certainly there were a couple of passages were the DI outshined the Hawks but man when we consider the size and driver differences then the Hawks turn into giant achievers. I recommend you checking out a pair of Hawks, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Going back to the Lores I think you can now understand why I am so intrigued with them. I may end up getting a pair.
I also own the hawks. Love em!
Great video.
Hi Jay, have you ever done a review of the Mini Lore Monitor? Thanks for all the other great reviews.
Finally someone review this speaker
Would you recommemd the Sound Artist over the willsenton? Great review btw
Hey Jay, what are those little miniature speaker-looking items sitting on the floor in front of the amp? I've never seen those before. Also, would you be willing to review Tekton's Brilliance speakers someday? :)
Yazoo is great and I especially like "Situation" when evaluating a system.
I have the sound artist amplifier. Right now I'm running it through a pair of vintage akai sw 157 ii speakers and I really like the sound. That being said, I'll be upgrading speakers and so am naturally considering the speakers you recommended as good pairings for the amplifier. Between the magnepan LRS pairing and the lore reference pairing which one did you enjoy more?
Thanks for the review, Jay! Thinking about purchasing these speakers along with the SoundArtist as my first foray into the hobby. What CD player would u recommend i use with this set? Thanks!
On the China-fi site check out the Opera line of players. I have the Consonance and love it.
Jay. I keep coming home to this review of the reference Lore. Also a fan of the the other Tekton reviews. I wish you could compare the reference to speakers like Kef R3 bookshelf, Buchardt 400? You say that this speaker “punches above” bookshelves in a very high price category. I really like Tekton in what you have said. Could you please make some comparisons
I hope you be ok too. Nice video.
Ahhh, all these Tekton videos have me suffering from upgradeitis bad. I have enjoyed NHT Classic Fours for over a decade. Trying to decide whether going for the Pendragons or the Double Impacts make sense or if I should just hold on and wait for the upgradeitis to pass. Discovering this channel (while it may prove expensive for me ultimately) has helped the quarantine time pass more quickly!
You pull the trigger on either speaker??
I’ve owned the Lores for two years and they sound amazing for $1k. Really good. But if. I had the coin, I’d absolutely get the electrons (room not ideal for DI) I think that design is next level. But with the Lores, they really reflect the quality of upstream gear.. while still sounding great on mid-fi power.
@@xjmzrq no. Still saving up and being deliberative.
Jay Antle Me too. I’m moving from an AVR to an integrated amp & dac (well, streamer w/ dac really) first - and will look at new speakers in another 3-6 months. I have a bunch of vintage gear to clean up and sell - and that’s where my speaker budget will come from. I did, however, pick up a pair of lascalas for dirt cheap and updated them with Crites recently. I’m enjoying them but will also sell to help fund what will likely be a pair of dbl impacts.
Efficient speakers excel at attack and decay because it literally takes less power to start and stop them and less energy gets stored in the voice coils.
Yes. I call it "agility". To sound lifelike, speakers must preserve the texture of the original instruments and ensemble soundstage. Speakers that lack agility blend all that texture into a smooth, silky "baby food" glop. All the flavors (frequencies) may still be there, but its limp and lifeless.
Would you be able to compare the double impact VS the elektron. I'm not sure my studio can handle a double impact but maybe an elektron.
How do these sound compared to the CSS Criton 1TD you built?
Jay, have you heard the Mini Lores? I'm on a tight budget, and I'm tight on space, so just wondering how these compare? If it's just a difference of bass, I'd be fine with that as I'm not a basshead. I like detail though (as long as it's not fatiguing), so if you loose detail with the Mini Lore vs the Lore Reference, I might go for the Reference instead.
Were you able to listen to these with the willsenton tube amp? And if you did, did you enjoy them as much as that pairing with the tekton double impact?
Thanks for your great review. I see you have the parasound integrated , did you have a chance to play the Lore R's with it and if so how any comments of the pairing. THX GBB.
What Parasound? New D class is very nice.
I have the Elac Debut Reference Bookshelf which sound great just curious if the Lore would be a step up.I didn't know about these when i bought the Elacs.
How well would they sound on 300 wpc Emotiva or any digital amp? I keep hearing tube flea power amps.
Did you try driving them directly with the Hegel? If so, what was your impression?
Ive own these speakers for 5 years and really enjoy them BUT the cabinet resonates alot and also alot of port shuffle noise when playing bassheavy tracks or watching movies without subs... But drums sounds awesome like you said 😉
an interesting speaker with eminence pro driver surface mounted! - I love no frills, and this company seems to have a similar usp to schiit, which would seem a good aesthetic pairing.
cables; I am a believer in sensible - be interesting to see what you think of 'pro' cabling like van damme.
one diy passing thought I had was to combine 2 sets of romex with thin silver plated interconnect wire - combining 'opposites' at low cost, and with 2 runs per side low/no cap.
I am currently using naim nac5 (which seems similar to romex!) - which i will hasten to add i bought 2nd hand before it inexplicably doubled in price a few years back - my best hifi 'investment'!
Love my lore reference!
Hi Jay. Do you think the upgrade package (Mundorf caps, Jantzen inductors) worth the USD300 extra?. What about beryllium tweeter?...it goes for USD600
Pretty impossible to have a pair of these in Italy, so, you know, nice video, I'm your subscriber, but I gave you a like on the thrust.
Great review! Damn now I'm obsessed with getting some Tektons. I was thinking the DIs earlier when I move into a bigger space, but now maybe I'll just get some smaller ones now. I have the Billie amp, so it should drive any of their speakers. I currently have the Triangle Bro 3s, would you say, in your opinion, that the Lore Reference are a big upgrade from the Bros, or should I just wait?
I'm just gonna say that I like the tektons a lot lol
@@Jayiyagi lol gotcha
@@Jayiyagi wondering if there is anything on the BR 03s that you like more over the Lore?
Can you comment on the correct room placement needed for Tekton speakers. Can they be placed within a few inches of the rear wall in a large room? Would the ported speakers be a good fit for that?
The Be upgrade, are those SBAcoustics Be tweeters? Is there any way to buy Tektons in Asia?
Do these have a murderous upper mid-range/lower treble like the Enzo XL's? Same question for Pendragon/DI?
I am very tempted to buy these... and place them upside down on top of stands in my office. If they sound good...great. I was hoping Tekton= Eric Alexander would have made something like Mini Lore that went a little lower like this Lore Reference does.
Sound artist or iota vx? 🤔 Whats the difference is sound quality? I tried to find some reviews of the Lores but those are from almost 10 years ago.
Hi! I wonder which speaker is better for electronic music in a 24 m2 room ..tekton lore reference or kef ls50(maybe with their new sub?) my current setup-quad 21l with audiolab 8000se. Greetings! Dario,Croatia
Do you recommend the $200 upgrade package?
I have a good one for you these or the Evo4.2 from Wharfedale?
Hi. Are the whisper cables pure copper ? Do they need to be ?
Would these pair well with a cheaper vintage amp?
Wish someone would review the SET15 which can be run off 1 watt amp
I own a pair of Lore Reference with Clarity Cap upgrade. The tweeter is a SEAS!!, bass driver is made by Eminence and is made to Eric's specs. Rest of the system is as follows- Oppo Sonica DAC/ streamer and pre amp, power amp is an Acoustat TNT 200, dual mono amplifer. Upgraded and restored by former Acoustat tech in Florida. I bought the Acoustat new in 1984! I had Acoustat 2+2 speakers. I originally purchased the Lore Ref. 5 years ago for a guest quarters on our farm. Sold the stats in the 80's I won't part with my Lore Ref. All music sourced from Tidal HiFI.
I bought these speakers and I have to say they remind me more of some of these amazing home builds out there. What is shocking to me that some of the best known speakers out there could upgrade parts less than 50 bucks and it would make a huge impact, but they don’t. These have the best sound I’ve heard for the money. Also you have to remember that if these were sold, to wholesalers for retail it creates a middle man which ai promise you would be far more expensive. Another thing I see with these is that people tend to keep them, just like dirty weekend a huge following. The regular Lores out there I bet money there is a tube amp in the room.
it is going ok thanks for asking ps tekton mini lore any good with Naim XS2??
I love tekton, their subs are amazing. 4-10 and 2-10 are so tight.
William West I didn’t know they made subs. I’ll have to check them out
Please find a pair of KLH Audio Kendall speakers for a review!
Whats the gauge on the Whisper SE speaker cables?
How do they compare with the Magnepan? It looks the SoundArtist SA200IA can't be found online. Can you please recommend some other integrated amps to go with the Lore Reference below $2000?
check the description for the sound artist.
Great review. Hopefully you can get a pair of OB Sigma's from Tekton for review. Their response to Magnepan.
One thing no reviews mention is that Tektons are available in a wide variety of colors and can custom the finish if required.
Be well.
how do piano heavy recording sound on the Tekton Lore?
how do you think they would sound with a older kenwood model 500?
How does it match up to the focal 826? What is the sound signature difference between a Focal tweeter and the Beryllium in the upgraded Lore BE?
I also still own a pair of Audio Concepts Sapphire speakers. I upgraded from the nasty Kevlar tweets to a Focal Tioxid non ferro fluid tweeters. Titanium dioxide prevents the spittey sound of pure titanium.
Seems it’s at the same price range as Elac UF5, how do they compare?
How about Parasound New Classic 200 integrated amp?
Be tweeter upgrade worth it?
any comparison with zu or omega?
How do these Lores compare with the Sound Artist SC8B speakers you reviewed? I have the Tekton Moabs in my cave. I'm looking for something smaller in my bedroom.
sound artist is more lively. more rockn roll with less bass than the tektons. These are more linear and all rounded.
wondering the same.. how these compare in terms of being "tonally accurate", at least how Jay described the Sound Artists.
@@Jayiyagi Thanks for clarifying.
I would much prefer the ports on the rear. Placement would be more difficult (not for me) but the speaker would look more refined and much better in my opinion.
On the site of tekton they say the lore reference is Sold out???? Could you tell us Jay if it will be available in the near future? Could you even ask if they would please continue making it? Thanks.
On july
I don’t see these Lore reference reviewed by anyone else. Your review speaks for itself but…. Could you tell us your thoughts on improvements that could be made to this speaker that would give it some traction in the industry? An incredible mid tower should be just the ticket for most people. Just curious? Thanks Jay.
How do the Lore compare to the other famous competitor, the Zu Omen DW2?
I am also waiting for that SAME question to be looked at
You tell me these have won twice best speaker award
In my opinion the Tekton Uruz would be a more fair comparison, better ribbon tweeter than the Lore, and same price as the DW mk II.
How are these Lore Reference speakers compared to the KLH 5's?
Can you use this for movies?
I own the same Copper Colour cables, and I found no difference between them and my (much cheaper) Ghent Audio Canare 4S8 Star Quad cables and I have a pretty resolving system (IMO).
Wharfedale EVO 4.4, Ares II, DIY 200W Class AB amp.
Such a great review....... then ended with a cable pump....... if you want to ever understand where an audiophile is coming from, ask him / her about cables. You can learn a lot that way.
they are about $100 USD for a pair. if that is a lot of money (to you) then you are in the wrong hobby.
How is the bracing of these cabinets? I've noticed in less expensive speakers like my Bro3s that you can hear the influence of the cabinets a little, and there's more resonance .
Matthew Christ very little. This speaker resonates alot... sounds good though. Very live feeling but not as refined as a pair of Kef R5 or similar
And also. Alot of port sound in modern bassheavy music or movies if you dont have subs
@@SStrandh thanks for the response! I used to have Kef LS50s but they were too bright for me and murdered my ears. R5s and R7s sure are pretty though, and I hear they're great, probably not for me though. I want a smaller mid tower like the Lore, but i want it to be refined and audiophile grade, so idk
How do these compare to the zu omen or zu dw?