Fellow Audiophiles
After 6 months on intensive research and hunting, I am finally happy (and very much relieved) to say that I am the proud owner of the first ever Salk Sound speakers (SongTowers QWT) in India. :yahoo:
Now I am not as knowledgeable as most of you or even close to having an ear as discerning as most of the people here, but I will attempt to give as honest a review as I can.
I'll start from the beginning...I started looking for my first 'decent' HiFi system early this year(Feb) while I was constructing my house. While doing research online, I found this forum and the extremely knowledgable and helpful people here that have knowingly or otherwise helped me on my journey of attaining audio heaven. I started off with almost no knowledge but slowly started learning the finer nuances of attaining sound nirvana.
Initially, I started off with auditioning (speakers) from the 'well known' brands like Sony, Jamo, JBL, Yamaha, Onkyo, Bose etc. I was impressed(at that time) by what I heard but always felt that something was missing. Then I started my research and got to know about the real audio brands like ATC, Focal, Dali etc. My first audition of a true HiFi brand was Vienna Acoustics. I must say I was blown away by the sound those babies produced. The details and imaging was absolutely stunning and at that time I knew I wouldn't be able to go back to a lesser speaker. But, sadly, they were way out of my budget. I then started auditioning extensively and over a period of 7 months auditioned (and re-auditioned) speakers from Monitor Audio, Focal, Quad, Vienna Acoustics, Anthony Gallo, PSB, Dali, Ushers, Totem, KEF, Polk, Klipsch, AAD by Phil Jones, Energy, Wharfedale, Def Tech etc. I was suitably impressed by each of them, but they were all missing something or the other...sometimes it was imaging they lacked, sometimes depth, sometimes they were too bright and so fort. And the speakers that truly were exceptional were out on my budget. During this time I also started researching Internet Direct brands like Salk, Axiom, Ascend, Aperion etc and was helped at every step by valuable feedback and help from a lot of forum members here. After long and deliberate thinking, I decided to take the risk of ordering an ID brand as they seemed to me real VFM and not grossly overpriced as all the 'brick and mortar store (B&M)' brands here. My research confirmed that these brands not only offer exceptional speakers at very reasonable price but also had many customization options as well which most of the B&M brands were missing. And then I found Salk Sound.
After reading every review (user and expert) written about Salk, Axiom, Aperion and Ascend that I could find courtesy Google baba, I decided that Salk SongTowers would fit my bill perfectly. They, although over my budget, were great VFM and had SQ that gave speakers double their price a run for their money. For my requirement- 70% music and rest gaming, TV and movies- STs were a perfect fit with a ruler flat mid-range, gorgeous detailing, extremely clear and well produced highs and great depth. With F3 of 38Hz, STs would be good enough for my mid-sized listening room even without a sub. I was sold on paper but the only thing stopping me was that no one in India has ever had one and shipping+customs+taxes would shoot up the cost considerably. After exchanging a tad over 200 emails with Jim (Salk Sound Owner), I went with my gut and ordered a pair of Salk SongTower QWT in Walnut veneer (Wenge color). And boy it was a right decision.
I received the speakers last weekend and had them set up at a friends place (as mine will not be ready for another 2 weeks or so). The packing was absolutely first grade and the speakers arrived in perfect condition. The whole package was about 60kgs and had the 2 floorstanders, 2 plinths, 8 bolts to attach the plints to speakers, 8 spikes, a Demo CD, a 'Birth Certificate' and some other papers detailing care and setup procedures etc. Below all this was another layer of styrofoam and then 2 most gorgeous floor-standers I have ever seen. Now I know much has been said about Salk speakers' finish but I must say that no picture truly do them justice. (Only if the carpenter working in my house would be able to give me finish that is even half as good as these, I would be a happy man. :indifferent14
Setting them up took just over an hour - attaching the plinth, spikes, running cables, positioning them correctly etc. the first CD I played was the Demo CD that came with the speakers (it has 17 beautiful songs) and the first song was 'Someday, somebody - Jennifer Warnes'. The sounds that these babies produced right out of the carton was amazing. The female vocals were rich & smooth and the bass very nice and tight. I was impressed. Next I put in the old n familiar Pink Floyd (one of their old analog recordings) and the result was absolutely surreal. The detailing and the soundstage was absolutely amazing (and they haven't even been broken-in yet). I could actually hear the very slight screeching sound make by Gilmour's fingers gliding over the guitar strings. Needless to say that I was amazed. After a couple of hours of Floyd, Doors, Dire Straits, Ray Charles and David Sanborn, I put in Beethoven. The STs handles classical music just as easy as it did the rest. Each and every piece of the Orchestra was clearly and separately discernible and accurate. Even at insanely high volumes the speakers did not distort the sound, loose their clarity or sounded muddy. Sadly, shortly after that I had to leave for my home as it was late at night. Hours had passed and the music engaged us in an ethereal world.
I haven't heard them long enough to give a complete review of every quality or flaw that they have, but with the few hours that I did spend with them, they sounded great. I will chime in with more comments and notes as and when I spend some time with them but I'm pretty sure that they won't disappoint.hyeah::thumbsup::cheers:
Cheers
D
ps: I know people will be asking for pictures...patience guys I will be adding some soon.
pps: sorry for such a long post.
After 6 months on intensive research and hunting, I am finally happy (and very much relieved) to say that I am the proud owner of the first ever Salk Sound speakers (SongTowers QWT) in India. :yahoo:
Now I am not as knowledgeable as most of you or even close to having an ear as discerning as most of the people here, but I will attempt to give as honest a review as I can.
I'll start from the beginning...I started looking for my first 'decent' HiFi system early this year(Feb) while I was constructing my house. While doing research online, I found this forum and the extremely knowledgable and helpful people here that have knowingly or otherwise helped me on my journey of attaining audio heaven. I started off with almost no knowledge but slowly started learning the finer nuances of attaining sound nirvana.
Initially, I started off with auditioning (speakers) from the 'well known' brands like Sony, Jamo, JBL, Yamaha, Onkyo, Bose etc. I was impressed(at that time) by what I heard but always felt that something was missing. Then I started my research and got to know about the real audio brands like ATC, Focal, Dali etc. My first audition of a true HiFi brand was Vienna Acoustics. I must say I was blown away by the sound those babies produced. The details and imaging was absolutely stunning and at that time I knew I wouldn't be able to go back to a lesser speaker. But, sadly, they were way out of my budget. I then started auditioning extensively and over a period of 7 months auditioned (and re-auditioned) speakers from Monitor Audio, Focal, Quad, Vienna Acoustics, Anthony Gallo, PSB, Dali, Ushers, Totem, KEF, Polk, Klipsch, AAD by Phil Jones, Energy, Wharfedale, Def Tech etc. I was suitably impressed by each of them, but they were all missing something or the other...sometimes it was imaging they lacked, sometimes depth, sometimes they were too bright and so fort. And the speakers that truly were exceptional were out on my budget. During this time I also started researching Internet Direct brands like Salk, Axiom, Ascend, Aperion etc and was helped at every step by valuable feedback and help from a lot of forum members here. After long and deliberate thinking, I decided to take the risk of ordering an ID brand as they seemed to me real VFM and not grossly overpriced as all the 'brick and mortar store (B&M)' brands here. My research confirmed that these brands not only offer exceptional speakers at very reasonable price but also had many customization options as well which most of the B&M brands were missing. And then I found Salk Sound.
After reading every review (user and expert) written about Salk, Axiom, Aperion and Ascend that I could find courtesy Google baba, I decided that Salk SongTowers would fit my bill perfectly. They, although over my budget, were great VFM and had SQ that gave speakers double their price a run for their money. For my requirement- 70% music and rest gaming, TV and movies- STs were a perfect fit with a ruler flat mid-range, gorgeous detailing, extremely clear and well produced highs and great depth. With F3 of 38Hz, STs would be good enough for my mid-sized listening room even without a sub. I was sold on paper but the only thing stopping me was that no one in India has ever had one and shipping+customs+taxes would shoot up the cost considerably. After exchanging a tad over 200 emails with Jim (Salk Sound Owner), I went with my gut and ordered a pair of Salk SongTower QWT in Walnut veneer (Wenge color). And boy it was a right decision.
I received the speakers last weekend and had them set up at a friends place (as mine will not be ready for another 2 weeks or so). The packing was absolutely first grade and the speakers arrived in perfect condition. The whole package was about 60kgs and had the 2 floorstanders, 2 plinths, 8 bolts to attach the plints to speakers, 8 spikes, a Demo CD, a 'Birth Certificate' and some other papers detailing care and setup procedures etc. Below all this was another layer of styrofoam and then 2 most gorgeous floor-standers I have ever seen. Now I know much has been said about Salk speakers' finish but I must say that no picture truly do them justice. (Only if the carpenter working in my house would be able to give me finish that is even half as good as these, I would be a happy man. :indifferent14
Setting them up took just over an hour - attaching the plinth, spikes, running cables, positioning them correctly etc. the first CD I played was the Demo CD that came with the speakers (it has 17 beautiful songs) and the first song was 'Someday, somebody - Jennifer Warnes'. The sounds that these babies produced right out of the carton was amazing. The female vocals were rich & smooth and the bass very nice and tight. I was impressed. Next I put in the old n familiar Pink Floyd (one of their old analog recordings) and the result was absolutely surreal. The detailing and the soundstage was absolutely amazing (and they haven't even been broken-in yet). I could actually hear the very slight screeching sound make by Gilmour's fingers gliding over the guitar strings. Needless to say that I was amazed. After a couple of hours of Floyd, Doors, Dire Straits, Ray Charles and David Sanborn, I put in Beethoven. The STs handles classical music just as easy as it did the rest. Each and every piece of the Orchestra was clearly and separately discernible and accurate. Even at insanely high volumes the speakers did not distort the sound, loose their clarity or sounded muddy. Sadly, shortly after that I had to leave for my home as it was late at night. Hours had passed and the music engaged us in an ethereal world.
I haven't heard them long enough to give a complete review of every quality or flaw that they have, but with the few hours that I did spend with them, they sounded great. I will chime in with more comments and notes as and when I spend some time with them but I'm pretty sure that they won't disappoint.
hyeah::thumbsup::cheers:Cheers
D
ps: I know people will be asking for pictures...patience guys I will be adding some soon.
pps: sorry for such a long post.
