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6/30/09
We are recruiting
US and international dealers and distributors. Email if you are interested.
Please note that effective
7/1/09, we have reduced prices for the Sampan Series loudspeakers
and the Enterprise.
6/26/09
EXTREME NEAR FIELD MEASUREMENTS
OF THE KAYAK, SKIFF, AND SAMPAN FTL TAKEN AT 18 INCHES FROM THE
SPEAKERS
Speaker measurements
are customarily taken at 1 meter (3 feet, 3 inches) from the
speaker on the tweeter axis. However, with the increasing usage
of small speakers in extreme near field situations, such as desktop
computer audio systems, it is important to gauge how speakers
perform in such situations. The measurement of a speaker at 1
meter may or may not indicate how well it will perform in an
extreme near field situation, because of such factors as driver
integration, coherence, or neutrality. A great near field speaker
is usually an excellent far field speaker. While a great far
field speaker may not perform very well in the near field. A
speaker with up tilted tweeter output, for example, may be tolerable
at a listening distance of one meter from the speaker, but utterly
fatiguing in extreme near field.
We provide a single SPL versus frequency measurement of only
the 200 Hz to 20 kHz response (bass response is omitted for comparative
purposes), taken at 18 inches from the speaker on the tweeter
axis, in the case of the Kayak, or from the center of the driver,
in the case of the single driver Skiff and Sampan FTL, as a guide
to how these speakers could perform in extreme near field situations.
The measurement is not a smoothed or averaged measurement. The
reader should be aware that this is one among an infinite number
of SPL versus frequency measurements that may be obtained by
even slight repositioning of the measurement microphone. It is
not a definitive measurement. Nonetheless, it provides reasonable
approximation of the speakers' performance.
The graph shows the frequency
response of the Kayak, from 200 Hz to 20 kHz, falls within a
tight band of plus and minus 3.1 dB. To be more precise, the
graph shows that most of the speaker output is between the bottom
two horizontal bars which represent a range of plus and minus
2.5 dB. (Each horizontal band represents a 2.5 dB range.) Moreover,
the graph shows no up tilt in the high frequency performance
of the Kayak that could render the speaker fatiguing.
This graph shows the
frequency response of the Skiff, from 200 Hz to 20 kHz, falls
within a very tight band of plus and minus 2.5 dBs. Note that
the graph shows the Skiff's frequency response is neutral out
to 20,000 cycles, a rear feat for a single driver speaker, and
testimony to the effectiveness of the design of our linearizing
circuit used to flatten the response of the Skiff's driver. Moreover,
the graph shows that the Skiff has no excessive high frequency
output that could make the speaker fatiguing.
This graph shows the
frequency response of the Sampan FTL, from 200 Hz to 20 kHz,
falls within a tight band of plus and minus 3.5 dBs. Note that
the graph shows the Sampan-FTL's frequency response is neutral
out to 20,000 cycles, a rear feat for a single driver speaker,
and, once again, testimony to the effectiveness of the design
of our linearizing circuit used to flatten the response of the
Sampan-FTL's driver. From 350 Hz to 7,000 Hz, the graph shows
the Sampan-FTL's frequency response varies only plus and minus
1.5 dB indicating extreme neutrality in the midrange. Moreover,
the graph shows that the Sampan-FTL's has no excessive high frequency
output that could render the speaker fatiguing. |
4/13/09
New Review
in German Magazine HIFI Statemant
A new rave review of the Sampan
has been published by the German Magazine "HIFI Statement."
Click above link for the review.
2/27/09
New! Rave
Review of the ENTERPRISE by MusikMike Peshkin, Stereo Mojo
Here are some comments from Mike
Peshkin's review of the Enterprise in stereomojo.com.
They do the sound pressure into
your chest thing so many speakers are incapable of doing. My
Infinity speakers do it, but the authority the Roles possess
is mind-numbing!
The soundstage was deep and wide
with just the Nightingale amp, as it was with just the Monarchy
monoblocks. It is so immense with this configuration that my
jaw drops every time I listen to a recording. It doesn't matter
whether it's a CD or an LP, the depth is such that I have no
rear wall, the width revealing I have no side walls!
I knew the Role speakers were
something special when John Rich and I opened the boxes and saw
how they were packed; an awful lot of thought went into protecting
those speakers from the vagaries of shipping. But even more thought
went into the owner's manual.
I really can't imagine asking
for much more than these speakers are able to give. I'm enthralled
with every recording I've put on since it was bi-amped. The Enterprise
would be welcomed by me to replace my Infinity speakers if I
could afford to do so. I am shocked at how beautiful, how real
the music is; every recording, every one!
It is marvelous. I want this
speaker!
The Roles do strings!...Strayaway
Child is a hand grenade of treble info and the Role Enterprise
speakers handle the attack with aplomb.
Along with the fabulous imaging
these speakers are capable of producing, listening to music (not
sound) is where these speakers sparkle.
...real bass, down below 40 Hz,
is definitely there.
The Roles allowed me to hear
Bill Evans' piano crying along with Miles' angst almost too deeply,
affecting me as I'd never been before. I've listened to that
record a few million times (well, close, but you get it, right?).
The Roles do a great job of bringing
you close to reality.
2/16/2009
The Sampan DTL builds on the
amazing performance of the Sampan. The Sampan DTL offers riveting,
articulate, bass performance you would not think possible in
a speaker this size.
Riveting dynamic bass
performance from a speaker 4 inches wide, 6.25 inches deep and
42 inches high
How do we do it?
With novel and new approaches
to loudspeaker design. The incredible dynamic performance of
the Sampan DTL's is achieved with Role Audio's proprietary dual
transmission line design -- the same technology used in the Enterprise.To
avoid the use of crossovers in order to linearize the overall
frequency response, we use two full range drivers with individual
frequency responses that compensate for irregularities in each
other's response. In addition we use Zobel circuits that flatten
and extend the high frequency response of the drivers. The result
is amazing overall frequency response that is flat from 35 Hz
to 20kHz +/- 3 dB.
Frequency Response: 35 Hz to 20, 000 Hz
Sensitivity: 92 dB
Finishes: Satin black
Shipping Weight: 38 pounds per pair
Introductory price: $2,295 per
pair.
9/29/08
Click to
see pictures of some of our finishes.
9/20/08
WORTH READING
NEW REVIEW OF THE WINDJAMMER BY STEREOMOJO.COM
 |
"I am amazed by the tonal
balance of these speakers...they look as nice as they sound!...just
correct bass, correct midrange, correct highs....and that decay...OH
MY GOD, that decay!"
(MusikMike
Peshkin, stereomojo.com) |
7/1/08
New review of
the Role Enterprise by Bound for Sound's Marty DeWulf:
"...I
drove the Enterprise hard, and on some occasions, very hard.
Never did I experience driver break-up or power distortions
that I could associate with the low order crossover or the small
woofers....the dynamic capabilities of the Enterprise surprised
me. And while the air moving capabilities of a speaker such as
the VMPS RM40 has its benefits, the Role, at least on paper,
does nearly as well in the bass department."
"I
found the "old world" fit and finish of the Enterprise
to be in stark contrast with the industrial visage of the Gallo
[Nucleus Reference 3.1]...With the Merlin VSM and the Gallo,
this is some of the finest cabinet work I've seen..."
"...
the strength of the Enterprise is one of focus and leading edge
precision. String instruments particularly benefit from the transient
acuity of the Enterprise."
Marty
DeWulf, Bound for Sound #186
4/17/08
New Sandbags 32 inch
custom sand fill-able stand for the Sampan FTL and Skiff
Limited availability.
$495 per pair.
2/9/08
Some comments
from an owner of the Role Enterprise:
What is startling is how
neutral and revealing the speakers are. As an illustration of
this point, I had been struggling with choosing between three
tonearm cables and two phono stages. With the Enterprises in
the system their differences were easily discerned, the shortcomings
of the losers being clearly revealed. The system they are in
is: Allaerts MCI MkII cartridge, Morch DP-6 tonearm, Merrill
Heirloom turntable with Anniversary Ringmat, tonearm cable: solid-core
single-stranded pure silver, preamp Klimo Merlin and Argo both
heavily modified by Roger Sheker of Audience, amplifier Border
Patrol SE300B with cryo'ed transformers, upgraded caps, and Ko-On
stepped attenuator, Audience Au24 speaker cables with silver
banana plugs, and a McIntosh MR71 FM tuner upgraded by Richard
Modafferi. I tried many different CD players but I just can't
listen to CD's - there is no emotional connection of digits to
music. My room is large - about 15x20 with 9 foot ceilings. ...
at normal human listening levels they are very satisfying with
the 10 beautiful watts I have to give them. Anyway, I'm a happy
customer - these are even better than I expected!
Gene S. (New York)
More comments
from the same owner:
The overall presentation
of the Enterprises is that they truly "disappear" in
the best sense of the word. From the shimmery strings, triangles,
and cymbals to the slam of the kettle drums the sound does not
appear to come from the speakers or drivers themselves, but to
emanate from a seamless soundstage. Voice reproduction is beautiful
- full-bodied yet realistic, without any graininess or false
"edge" to it. I listen to a lot of choral and operatic
stuff, besides chamber and orchestral music. Vocal timbres on
my favorite-the Karajan La Boheme with Pavarotti and Freni, are
perfectly rendered, as is the huge soundstage. On LP's of Fiedler
and the Boston Pops, the ambience of the hall as well as the
robustness of the brass and slam of the percussion are the best
I have heard them rendered. I can't say enough positive about
the Enterprises - they just sound "right".
As they used to say on Star Trek, Live Long and Prosper!
Gene S. (New York)
1/2009
The
Role Audio Sampan FTL faces off with the Bose Companion II Series
2
"The Sampan FTLs reveal what the Bose hides and then some.
They will play at ridiculously high volumes without strain and
plumb the low frequency depths in a way that makes their tiny
footprint nothing short of unbelievable.
More than that, the Sampan FTLs breathe
life into music the way a music lovers speaker should. You can
again hear subtle differences in recordings that were lost with
the Bose....
Do the Role Audio Sampan FTLs win the title
of world’s greatest computer speaker? I can only say that
I have yet to hear better. ...There’s no way I can convey
just how well these tiny speakers play. ...They are truly some
of the most amazing dynamic speakers that I have ever used. You
really owe to yourself to try a pair. If you’re like me,
you’ll find yourself listening to them more than you ever
imagined and in far larger rooms than you might believe possible."
Fall 2007
Russ
Gates of Stereo Mojo reviews the Role Kayak
"I sat at near ear
level with the speakers, 9 feet away. Speakers were placed 8
feet apart, with no toe in. That’s when it happened. That’s
when the magic happened. It’s funny, I hear a lot of people
talking about how speakers disappeared when they started listening,
and Role Audio Kayak did just that - and more. It wasn’t
just the speakers that seemed to vanish, I vanished - everything
seemed to vanish. There was only the music, and that friend is
a real treat."
"Role Audio has done the acoustic suspension design right
on the Kayak. I like sealed boxes (done right). You trade off
a bit in the efficiency, but the natural 6db per octave roll
off on the bottom gives you ‘more’ useable bottom end.
They could have ported it for a little more thump and made it
a tad easier to drive – but it would lose a lot if it’s
character with the typical ported ‘waterfall’ drop
at the tuning point".
"Bass is fast and articulate... There is a decent amount
of dynamic range..."
"Male and Female vocals shine, and do I mean shine."
"Fiona Apple’s ‘Criminal’ off the Tidal CD
sounds like it was made to be listened to on the Kayak. Subtleties
on the drum kit, the smacking of her lips as she is forming words
– a very involving listening experience to say the least.
The voicing is fantastic – the timber and tonal balance
was very natural and real."
"The soundstage had good width AND depth, and the over image
was very impressive. The Kayak doesn’t sound like a small
speaker, but still retains that point source persona. A great
CD for soundstage, and more importantly imaging and placement
within that soundstage is the undeniable greatness of Creedence
Clearwater Revival – especially on limited edition K2 20Bit
Super Coding. Fogerty was in the room. So was his Rickenbacker
325. I found myself hearing the tube amps – not mine, but
his. There was a lot of air and very good layering."
"The Kayak is one of the most relaxed, non fatiguing speakers
I’ve ever heard."
Moreover, their measurements showed that the frequency response
of the Kayak was +/- 2 dB from 200 Hz to 20,000 kHz, a testament
to the Kayak's neutrality.
The Role Kayak gets
compared to the the RAW HT-2 ???
And although the
Raw HT-2 has two 4.5 inch woofers and twin ports and is five
(5) times larger than the Kayak, the editor notes, "Everyone
thought the Kayak’s virtues, other than the lack of bass
and weight, were better than the HT-2’s."
9/12/2007
The Role
Windjammer and Role Sampan are now available in beautiful all-wood
Russian white baltic birch plywood and red birch cabinets.
9/1/2007
The Sampan wins Enjoythemusic.com Best of 2007 Award
The NSM Audio 15EXP
Subwoofer gets rave review
NSM 15EXP Sub
(click for more information)
8/1/2007
In the latest review
the Role Sampan FTLs go up against the Magnepan 1.6QR speakers.
The reviewers conclusion?
The Sampan
FTLs, "...are absolute champs when it comes to soundstage
portrayal, tonal accuracy, and coherence from top to bottom and
musicality. I even found myself reconsidering my own listening
preferences and questioning the performance of my Magnepans in
several areas when compared to the Sampan FTL (in particular
overall musicality, soundstage depth and micro detail). Consider
it strong praise indeed for these little overachievers."
(Craig
Johnson in the August 2009 issue of Affordable$$Audio)
7/23/07
The Role Sampan
is now available in beautiful all wood cabinet made from white
Baltic birch plywood (front, top, and back panels) and red birch
real veneer covered MDF (side panels).
Sampan
all-wood
6/11/07
Role Sampan FTL available in white Baltic birch plywood, Trends
Amp.
The Sampan FTL is now available in Russian
white Baltic birch plywood cabinets. White Baltic birch is highly
regarded for its excellent sonic and asthetic qualities. This
is partly because it is a very dense and rigid plywood,
although this makes it difficult to work with. The price for
this optional all-wood white birch plywood finish is $1195 per
pair.
A few days ago I received a Trends
amp from Hifi Logic. I have done some casual listening,
using the Trends amp to drive the Sampan FTL, the Sampan and
the Enterprise. The sound? Magical. The Trends amp is unbelievably
good. Whereas the other digital amps I have heard tend to sound,
well, digital, the Trends amp sounds tubelike. I was quite surprised
by its performance, particularly by how well it played the
Enterprise. The Trends hard to believe magical performance,
considering it's price, makes it very much like the
Roles. It is a great match for the Sampan FTL both with regard
to performance and portability. More on my experience with the
Trends amp soon. ER.
6/1/07
We are very pleased to welcome Hifi Logic in Maplewood, New Jersey,
USA as a new dealer. Koby of Hifi Logic is extremely knowledgeable
and a pioneer in seeking out and introducing innovative products.
His introduction of the innovative Trend amp to audiophiles
is a case in point.
5/19/07
Our website has been upgraded to
allow you to purchase all
items directly from us using Goggle checkout. Remember
you may also purchase through
our dealers.
5/11/07
The Role Sampan FTL is now available in a creamy white finish.
All Sampans FTLs are now outfitted with a receptacle for
no-fuss attachment to Omnimount series 10 brackets.
4/25/07
"The [Amphion] Ion has it’s
own strengths and appeal. but doesn’t possess the addictive
coherency and flow, the magic of the FTL."
First
full review of the new Sampan FTL compares it with the Amphion
Ion.
4/10/07
THE Role SAMPAN FTL GETS NOTICED
John Acton of Positive
Feedback comments on the Sampan
FTL at AudioKarma Fest 2009 in Michigan.
"In the Audio Two room, I discovered what may perhaps be
the smallest loudspeaker I've seen since Radio Shack's Realistic
Minimus 7 of the 1980's. The Role Audio Sampan FTL ($... per
pair) contains a single full-range 3.5" aluminum driver
[sic] with underhung voice coil, measures just
8" tall, 4" wide and 9" deep, and yet is rated
to deliver 40 Hz - 20 kHz response. How does the Sampan FTL deign
to make such claims? Well, for starters, the diminutive speaker
incorporates a genuine folded transmission line for extended
bass response. Driven by a Connoisseur CD-1 CD player ($3900
Canadian with 6H30 output tubes) and SE-2 single-ended tube amplifier
good for 9 watts per channel of 300B goodness, the little Sampan FTLs were dynamic and surprisingly
extended at both ends of the frequency spectrum. Playing Rebecca Pidgeon, the speakers sounded much bigger than they looked. Piano transients were just slightly anemic compared
to larger speakers, but vocals and acoustic guitar sounded full-bodied
and robust."
4/5/07
Affordable Audio comment on the Sampan FTL AudioKarma Fest 2009
"Audio
Two (Windsor, Ontario) surprised many listeners with the sound,
size and price of the Role Sampan FTL speakers....
affordableaudio.org,
Issue 16, April 2009
report on
AudioKarma Fest ‘07
12/04/06
We have introduced the Role Sampan
FTL, a tiny bookshelf version of the Role Sampan, to be used
as high end personal speakers, is now available direct or through
our dealers.
If we haven't
defied the laws of physics, we have come pretty close!
If you have been looking for a small full spectrum speaker, we
have packed the performance of our amazing 37 X 4 X 4 inch Sampan
into an incredible 8 X 4 X 9.5 inch loudspeaker that produces
flat 40Hz to 20 kHz frequency response. (That is not a typo).
Listeners wanted,
all amplifiers welcome.
The Sampan FTL can
be driven by any amplifier from an iPod to the most exotic high
end amplifier.
Be among the first to experience this incredible loudspeaker.
Email
or call if you have questions.
No subwoofer needed!
Frequency response: 40 Hz to 20,000 Hz +/- 3 dB
-6 dB reference
to 1 kHz: 35 Hz
Dimensions: 8 X 4 X 9.5 inches
(H X W X D) roughly the size of two Skiffs
Color:
satin black with non-removable grill
Minimum impedance: 7.2 ohms
Rated impedance: 8 ohms
Nominal impedance: 9 ohms
Sensitivity: 87 dB 1 watt/m
Role Sampan-FTL - personal
music therapy
12/04/06
Role SKIFF IMPROVED
11/16/06
New Review of the Role Windjammer by Soundstage A/V:
"they
"image like lasers." They looked very attractive like
that -- not only did my wife not complain, she asked that they
not leave.."
Doug
Schnider Soundstageav.com
11/1/06
A new review of the Role Enterprise, Role Sampans, Role Discovery,
and NSM Audio 15EXP subwoofer has been published by enjoythemusic.com
"...the
bass is to die for."
"...they image like a son of a bitch..."
"...the
Enterprise are, almost, neutral to a fault..."
"...with Role's speakers
I was astonished to find myself within a seamless, natural and
forgettable immersive musical environment that had depth, ambiance,
imaging power, subtlety and a naturalness that was, how shall
I put it, so seamless that it was forgettable. Good hi-fi should
get out of the way... and getting out of the way is precisely
what this Role multi-channel system did in spades. Could write
more, though think I'd rather go play a movie or listen to one
of my SACDs."
10/28/06
New testimonial about the Role Skiff, Role Kayak and Role Sampan
from David Ogden Stiers the actor, and conductor added to our main page.
10/13/06
We are pleased to announce a new all
wood custom finish for Role Enterprise. (shown
with standard plinth)
9/12/06
Enjoy peace of mind with our new five-year
no fault original driver replacement policy. Free one time replacement
of all drivers on all Role Audio loudspeakers. See our new
driver replacement policy.
8/1/06
All Role Kayaks are now outfitted
with full value film-foil capicators. This is unprecedented for
a speaker in its price range.
6/29/06
The first review of the Role Sampans by
enjoythemusic.com establishes it as a phenomenal performer: "The Greatest Disappearing
Act Since Houdini "
"I heard through the Sampan's music
and, let me say it, imaging to die for, and a speaker disappearing
act that I wouldn't have believed possible."
" ... a transmission line speaker
in an unfeasibly narrow cabinet that does one of the best disappearing
acts I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying..."
"I used the Sampans in three systems, with six different
amplifiers, in three different situations and they never ceased
to amaze me or my guests who heard them in action. For a while,
I had the pair of them next to a very much larger pair of speakers
and would ask people to point to the speaker that was playing
and I would conservatively guess only one out of three people
correctly identified the Sampans as playing and no one commented
on an absence of bass."
"Even a respected Lowther cabinet
builder in these parts ... said he could not believe the quantity
and quality of bass that was being reproduced from such a slim
little cabinet."
6/8/06
New Review of the Role Skiffs by enjoythemusic.com
The Skiff continues to distinguish
itself as the true high-end mini speaker.
"...the Skiffs
produce a remarkably linear frequency response over their
entire range."
6/7/06
The Skiffs are now available in real white 9 layer Baltic birch
plywood cabinets.
02/11/06
One of the best compact 5.1 home theater
and music systems combines the skiffs with NSM Audio's 15EXP
subwoofer. The system is available from audioexcitement.com.
Email for price of 6.1 and 7.1 systems.
1/03/05
NEW Follow-up review of Role Windjammer
by Bound for Sound's Marc Yun.
"Sibilants are
perfect,...completely neutral..."
"What I like about the Jammer's bass is how it airs out
the lower frequencies, and frees the bass from the confines of
the speaker cabinets."
"Bass drum wacks resonate from extreme corners of the stage,
while plucks from the string bass section of an orchestra originate
from the outer parts of the stage, i.e., to the right of the
cellos and well outside the lateral bounds of the speaker."
12/1/05
We are pleased to announce the opening
of our parent company NSM Audio's online store audioexcitement.com
where you may purchase Role Audio products directly.
9/30/05
Review of Role Kayak and Role Discovery
loudspeakers in the section on nearfield monitors in enjoythemusic.com.
The review of the Kayaks is
right on. While readers of the review of the Discovery should
keep in mind that while the review is accurate the Discovery
will perform less well than the Kayak in extreme nearfield situations
because the Discovery uses two woofers and the listener will
not be equidistant from the woofers unless the loudspeaker is
placed vertically and the listener is exactly on the tweeter
axis.
9/12/05
The New Sampan
The new completely redesigned Role Sampan is here! We have redesigned
the Sampan around a new titanium cone full-range driver to increase
the speakers dynamic output. The result is a very small tower
that delivers output on par with larger small towers.
9/1/05
New reviews of the Role Kayak and Role Discovery will by published
by Enjoythemusic.com on 9/15/05.
6/7/05
The IW3.5 and the OW3.5 speaker are now part of the Innovations Series Audiophile Decorator Loudspeakers sold
by our parent company NSM Audio
10/17/04
Role Enterprise
upgraded.
We have made changes to the transmission
lines and changed the dampening as well as fine tune the crossover.
10/15/04
The New Role
Windjammer
In a recent review of the Windjammer, Marc
Yun of Bound for Sound magazine described the Windjammer as, "his speaker to beat at the
price point." We did not rest
on our laurels. Instead we redesigned the Windjammer to make
it even better. Although we retained the internal volume of the
Windjammer, we narrowed the baffle from 5.5 to 5 inches. We made
the cabinet more rigid. Why? Because we wanted to make one of
the best imaging loudspeakers image even better and we wanted
to make the bass even more neutral. And we designed a new optional
larger base (12 X 14 X 1, W X D X H) that is very stable and
may be used without spikes on wood by attaching rubber bumpers
to the bottom of the base.
The Windjammer is now offered in
a standard satin black version and the SE red birch and black
version pictured above. Both the all-black and the birch-black
cabinets match well with black, silver or gray components. Inside,
we use DLH silver plated copper wire to the tweeter and multi
strand oxygen-free copper wire to the woofer. We use metal oxide
resistors, perfect lay air core inductors and film foil capacitors
in the crossovers. All Windjammers are now bi-wireable via two
pairs of Superior (TM) binding posts mounted on recessed terminal
cups for ease of use and to prevent damage during shipment.
9/1/04
The Role Enterprise:
New review by Audiophile Auditions, www.audaud.com
"I
was astonished by what a big sound came from these rather compact
towers - like a much larger and taller speaker with more drivers
- at least a true three-way design....
I was impressed by the high quality fit and finish of the black
lacquer and birch cabinets of the speakers. Sophisticated lock-miter
construction is used and corners are rounded throughout. The
two-tone design is very striking and makes the thin towers appear
even thinner....
One thing I quickly noticed was the excellent imaging with the
Roles..."
John Sunier, Audiophile Auditions,
www.audaud.com, September 2004
6/15/04
Please note our new fax number:
206-339-9034
1/7/04
NEW! Role Skiff review
from Bound for Sound.
"... the Skiff's full-range driver truly shines."
"It is
crisply delineated yet silky smooth, with excellent articulation
and resolution. As good as the Windjammer
was with woodwind instruments like oboe, flute, or clarinet,
the Skiff may just edge it out in sheer beauty of woodwind sound.
I'm not sure it's necessarily
a more accurate transducer than my reference Merlin TSM -- the TSM is clearly more resolving
overall - but it could be a case of complimentary colorations
creating a more "realistic" final product, at least in my system. Tones are pure and pristine,
with just a bit of emphasis on the fundamental over the delicate
harmonics above."
"The upper midrange
smoothness and coherence in particular is something to behold..."
Marc
Yun, Issue #154, Bound for Sound
NEW! Role Windjammer Review
from Bound for Sound
The following are excerpts from a review of the
Windjammer in issue #148, the current issue, of Bound for Sound
"The Windjammers ...
are my speakers to beat at the price point."
"The carbon-fiber woofer is a gem, and the tweeter struck
me as being almost the equal of the vaunted Morel unit in the
Merlin"
"... the Windjammers
even give the mighty TSM's a run for their money in terms of articulation. The TSM picks up more
air and fine detail ...Yet the Windjammers often have incredible
texturing, as if the upper midrange were just that much quicker
and more resolving... it draws the listener into the beauty of
the individual sounds."
"The 'Jammers' alluring combination
of articulation and tonal completeness ...can enchant the listener."
"The sound is full, natural, and seamless."
"Imaging and soundstaging
are first rate in the tradition of the best mini-monitors."
"In the highest treble, cymbals
and triangles have lovely shimmer without splasshiness... very
nice indeed. Integration
from top to bottom is exceptional--the sound is woven of a single
fabric."
More on the Windjammers
from Marc Yun's review of the Music Pumps 20 Wpc IC-based monoblock
power amplifier and the Music Purse IC-based preamplifier. Bound
for Sound Issue #149
"...the Windjammers seem to present a very benign load which
let the little IC amps sing - a great match for the Pumps."
"Rarely have I
heard a system sound so involving as the Windjammer/Purse combo
with intimate musical passages."
"Subtle nuances in articulation and dynamics are communicated
masterfully..."
11/20/02
Role Kayak and Role Discovery
Response Improved.
The response of the Kayak and Discovery
have been tweaked to provide smoother frequency and better reproduction
of micro dynamics.
10/28/02
Role Skiff Significantly Improved
Although the Skiff was introduced only
in April' 2002, we have made a significant modification to its
design in order to make the Skiff's frequency response more linear
and accurate. As a result the Skiffs frequency response is now
135 Hz to 20,000 Hz +/- 4 dB!. Because this performance comes
from a single 3.5 inch driver, the skiff has no driver integration
problems, it is a true point source, perfectly time coherent,
and has no phase anomalies. It can also play loud, has adequate
bass, and it will replay music with a level of accuracy that
you have not heard. Skiffs that are shipped after 11/01/02 will
have the new improved design. The new price is $495 per pair. |