Tekton Design's new THE PERFECT SET equals "goosebumps time"

I think that means return freight?

Here's some answers to these questions.

1) Snapsc, the Perfect SET does well at all volume levels and also gives you the virtue of being played at low volumes without losing dynamics/punch or soundstaging.

2) Tsar7 and Lula, thanks for your kind words regarding my reviewing/posting.  Remember, this speaker was built to mate beautifully with SET amplifiers and avoid any of the shortcomings of single driver or horn designs.  Based on my experience so far is that it gives what the Tekton designs all offer a sense of aliveness, great transparency/micro-details, and wonderful soundstaging.  What I'm finding amazing is the quality and extension of the bass even when driven with 3 watts.  When you figure in the cost of stands for Impact Monitors and their size, I could see someone using the Perfect SET, even if they don't drive it with a SET, because it gives you much more bass then the stand mount.

Right now I'm using a Threshold S/350e amplifier, instead of a SET 2A3 amplifier, and the Perfect SET's sound superlative.  So, even though Eric designed these for us SET lovers they mate extremely well with high power SS amps.   Lula,I get your concern regarding moving around this heavy speaker, however, just be careful because it might be surly worth your effort.  I find it amazing that Eric is able to sell this speaker for $1,800.00 a pair based on performance, build quality, and how much materials have to be used based on size/weight of this floorstanding design.

@jetter it's not a "trial fee" but you are responsible for return shipping which can be pricey for a heavy speaker.
@lula it's actually easier to manipulate a floorstander around on furniture gliders  than to move the monitors around on stands.Low side tables would be easier.I've got mobility issues too🙂Getting the larger beasts in the house can be done by sliding them around carefully in their boxes.A tarp or even a dollar store shower curtain underneath helps.

Guys this is getting ridiculous with the trolling.I'm a moderater on a different forum and IME if we try not to hit back and just keep reporting the posts(click the little flag at the bottom right of the post) they get bored and go away.

@dgny I did read your post on your impressions,thank you!

@teajay 

was looking on the Tekton website and speaker is rated @96dB  and with a 12" bass driver. will my LTA MZ2  have enough, to get good solid bass or should i stick with more power for better bass  impact and soundstage?

Roadwarrior75

I have the LTA MZ2-S and tried running the Double Impacts at high volume...let's just say I had to replace an output tube. You may want to talk with Mark Schneider at LTA for his recommendation. Now that I am running the LTA Ultralinear amplifier with the system there is plenty of solid bass with a gorgeous soundstage. Also, I took advantage of having my power supply upgraded through LTA - it was a noteworthy improvement.

I keep hearing about the high build quality of Tekton, but what exactly is built to a high level of quality?  They look less than average.  I'm no troll, just curious.

Ketchup they are not built less than Average, I  have one, I like my impact monitor the way it’s built, I wish , I have the piano finish...

Ketchup if the Tekton are built like the Wilson speakers , I can’t afford one, Iam ok with the built and look, especially the performance...

My understanding is the return shipping. I could be persuaded after I read a positive review. When is this coming? I don't like returning. I'm lazy and busy.

Teajay: 
You recently gave a glowing review of the NSMT model 50 “Jamaica”. They are similar in size and cost, and both have dual front ports.  Which has better timbral accuracy and balance? Is there one that is less forward sounding? Would you pick both over the Tekton impact Monitor for a small 12x14x8 ft room being driven by an 8 wpc SEP (Coincident Dynamo)? 

@ketchup 

I haven't heard of too many speakers pulling apart at the joints, but there's a guy over on the Double Impact thread who says the joints in his are pulling apart and cracking the paint enough he can see it from across the room. I don't personally characterize that as high build quality. 

Dear kosst_amojan,

You surly are a persistent propagandist, again giving misinformation and over generalizing about matters that can happen in all speaker brands.  I owned a pair back in the day of 802 B&W's, when they were still completely built in England, that the veneer was peeling off on both speakers.  I have known individuals that own Wilson speakers and the paint started to bubble up and peel. People who loved their Thiel speakers often discovered over time that the front baffles, on certain models, would crack and pull away from the side of the cabinets.

So, I'm sure occasionally, in all brands, unfortunate stuff happens.  Your illogical and distorted conclusion that Tekton speakers cannot be at a high quality is part of your irrational/illogical narrative.

Please, even though you won't, just get off my thread so we can go back to the real propose of this thread to share information about a great new speaker that I know you have not even heard.  

did you even read my post? I came to the same conclusion as you: it’s not fair to tarnish a brand due to a few speakers that fall through the QA cracks.


for the record, I have never spoke with kosst, I do not know this gentleman at all. He is not my friend or “comrade in arms” (hey! Brothers in arms is a great record)

also please refrain from calling me by my first name in public.

Teajay,
I asked you an honest question in response to your comment that Tekton have high build quality, but you didn't answer.  What exactly is high quality about these speakers?  It can't be the drivers, as they are not made by Tekton.  So, I ask again, what is it about Tekton that is high quality?  I am honestly not seeing it.

People who loved their Thiel speakers often discovered over time that the front baffles, on certain models, would crack and pull away from the side of the cabinets.

Comparing Tekton to Thiel is silly.  Thiel were extremely high quality loudspeakers with gorgeous woodwork/veneer.  They also designed and built their own drivers.  To compare the two companies is crazy.  I think the models you're talking about above are probably the ones with the concrete front baffle.  That was highly unusual construction done for ultimate performance.  I think anyone should know how to glue MDF together and make it last at this point.

Hey dcevans,

Both are great speakers, and of course would match beautifully with your amplifier.  Because of your amplifier I think both speakers would be a better match then the monitors.

The Model 50 is slightly, and I mean slightly, warmer overall then the Perfect Set.  The Perfect Set is slightly, and I mean slightly, more transparent, therefore you can pick-up some of the micro-details more easily.  Both have excellent bass, but the Perfect Set will go somewhat deeper because of its 12 inch woofer.

Two ways to try to describe the differences:  1) Would you rather sit 15 to 20 feet away from the stage/ Model 50 or sit about 5 to 10 feet from the stage/ Perfect Set when you go to hear live music in a jazz club. 2) Do you love Telefunken or Bugle buy NOS tubes.  They are both great, but sound different.

Finally, both are good looking speakers, however, the Perfect Set is a much wider/deeper speaker then the Model 50, so you would have to decide which would look better in your smaller room.

Imo what is high quality when it comes to aesthetic things like the finish is subjective. I have seen a pair of tekton speakers in custom orange finish, it was quite fancy automotive finish and looked probably as high end as any other manufacture offering a similar finish. maybe the smaller tekton bookshelf’s wouldn’t pass the knuckle rap test, or be completely inert with heroic and exotic internal bracing and materials used but we are talking about $1800 pair of medium sized bookshelf monitors so that kind of perfection is not to be expected.


@teajay 

I do hope you can appreciate that I am not like these other posters making blanket, generalizations about Tekton. I don’t recall ever making a post like that as I find such actions beneath me. Also I have never actually heard a pair of tekton hence why I’ve never said they sound bad (or good) as I don’t know.


Am I guilty of calling out Eric for his behaviour behaviour online? Maybe. I’m a little sick of manufactures bullying the little guys online because they had a bad experience. So I’m trying to call them out if I deem it necessary.

However, I have a heart and I do see that you seem upset so I will be nice and just refrain from saying anything at all about Eric on the audiogon forums henceforth. People are smart and will come to their own conclusions. 

Hey Ketchup,

To answer your question:

1) The great majority of the most respected speaker companies do not build their own drivers (Wilson/Ariel Acoustics/Totem), so this has nothing to do with the question of general build quality.
2) I know at least three electrical engineers that have checked over the internal parts and the craftsmanship of these speakers and found it to be at a high quality.
3) Just had a retail dealer come over to hear/see the Perfect Set speakers.  Not only was he delighted with their performance he believed that the paint job was a good as Wilson speakers that he has closely examined.

My pair of Elf's are beautifully painted with a metallic black piano lacquer finish and the very large cabinet is rock solid and extremely well constructed with internal bracing.

Jim Thiel, rest his soul, was a brilliant designer, so is Eric.  I don't agree with you that it is "silly" to compare the two companies regarding performance and that occasionally any speaker company can have difficulties with enclosures, veneer, and paint jobs.

Hey d2girls,

Sorry, that you were upset that I posted your name vs. your AudioGon moniker.  It won't happen and I apologize to you.

Thanks, for your gracious post towards me.  I'm not hurt or upset, just will not give in to individuals, excluding you, that have a vile/nasty agenda towards Tekton or me.  I have never hijacked anybody else's thread for personal reasons and wish the haters would just get off this discussion so we can discuss THIS speaker and nothing else. 

This thread will be closed if verbal attacks among other members continue. Keep your posts on the topic. 

@teajay 
Have you paid for every Tekton speaker you are keeping long term? There are no unpaid long term loaners? 

Over what time frame were those problems with other speakers? I'm sure the majority of those manufacturers or their dealers would take care of those issues. It doesn't seem like the same can be said of Tekton.

I find it disconcerting to agree with kosst, but there've been way too many reports about Tekton differences in internal components & other QC issues. I wonder if any reviewer has had a friend buy the same speaker to compare the crossovers. It'd be sad if Tekton sent reviewer versions.

Admin + 1 agree...

For some unknown reason I have read this entire thread.  I like to call my perspective as a view from the middle.

There are a couple of issues that jump out to me immediately.  The manufacturer chooses to sell direct and has no distribution network.  It also appears that he does not showcase his product at national shows (please correct me if I am wrong).

This business model is good at cost constraint, but suffers with regard to wide spread exposure.  The return situation is a function of the deficient business model.

The OP is all in for the brand and from a neutral corner seems to like superlatives that can seem a bit much.  I appreciate that it is one person’s view and absolute right to expound as he seea fit.

The counterpoint is that others who do not have the same high regard for the product get their back up due to their perception of excessive enthusiasm by the OP.

The truth I suspect lies in the middle.  Point of reference, I own big planars that are driven by large SS mono blocks via a tube pre amp.  Thus my specific experience is not in this specific product environment.

At the end of the day, what is percieved by others as excessive hyperbole will usually create a negative atmosphere.  Notice the term percieve.

If we can all tone it down a bit.  I guess my 750 bench tested watts per channel might be a bit excessive for them, ;-)

For some unknown reason I have read this entire thread.  I like to call my perspective as a view from the middle.

There are a couple of issues that jump out to me immediately.  The manufacturer chooses to sell direct and has no distribution network.  It also appears that he does not showcase his product at national shows (please correct me if I am wrong).

This business model is good at cost constraint, but suffers with regard to wide spread exposure.  The return situation is a function of the deficient business model.

The OP is all in for the brand and from a neutral corner seems to like superlatives that can seem a bit much.  I appreciate that it is one person’s view and absolute right to expound as he seea fit.

The counterpoint is that others who do not have the same high regard for the product get their back up due to their perception of excessive enthusiasm by the OP.

The truth I suspect lies in the middle.  Point of reference, I own big planars that are driven by large SS mono blocks via a tube pre amp.  Thus my specific experience is not in this specific product environment.

At the end of the day, what is percieved by others as excessive hyperbole will usually create a negative atmosphere.  Notice the term percieve.

If we can all tone it down a bit.  I guess my 750 bench tested watts per channel might be a bit excessive for them, ;-)

Ihasaguy you are right on the money, excellent post...

Would you just look at the retail prices of these speakers, read what Tekton's designer has to say about design relevancy and use some basic common sense. 

teajay,
Another Coincident Dynamo SE question: my current main system is DeVore Orangutan 0/96 with Leben CS600. It is my intention to pair a Coincident Dynamo SE (also own LTA MZ2) with the PERFECT speakers, Border Patrol DAC in a 14x17x9 room as second system. Do you think this system, PERFECT, will compare favorably with the DeVore's?

A previous responder wrote, “There are a couple of issues that jump out to me immediately. The manufacturer (Tekton) chooses to sell direct and has no distribution network.” And further, “This business model is good at cost constraint, but suffers with regard to wide spread exposure.”

I can’t think of a better way to get the message out than to initiate threads on Agon soliciting testimonials. Many of these gushy testimonials are from “members” with very few posts, which might indicate that they are new members or that this thread somehow compelled them to share their opinion. I’m stunned that many are able to quote specs on the speakers, and comment on the speaker designer’s philosophy as if they are old friends. I recall one poster asking “Are they really as good as they say?” Even this thread uses the term “goosebumps” to describe the listening experience. Really? Excuse me if I seem suspicious!

@teajay
Thank you. I enjoy reading your reviews.

I have heard the Electron SE and DI SE at two separate audiogon member homes. I was blown away how amazing they sound. Did not see any problems with the finish and look great in person. Thank you Lance and motta

I can’t wait to read your review of The Perfect Set before deciding on which Tekton to buy.

Guys give it a rest! Teajay is not paid by any manufacturer and is barely paid for his reviews. He simply loves affordable Audio equipment. Has anyone noticed the Coda amplifier thread where he gives similar superlatives to their new amplifier?  No one there is claiming Teajay is on the take there. Teajay prior to becoming a professional reviewer reviewed gear just on Audiogon giving his opinion of the merits of his latest purchases. The guy is a passionate audiophile like all of us. If you disagree with his opinion so be it,  but to disparage him because you don’t like the brand is insane. Teajay likes the latest versions of Teckton speakers and this doesn’t make him a shill or anything else derogatory. The motivation of those who are incensed by this review should be closely monitored. Teckton Perfect SETs are just speakers ..... get a life or get whatever speaker’s you prefer!

Reading through lots of threads on various forums, the one thing that seems common is that when it comes to the smaller companies, those primarily selling through the internet....there is a pretty good chance that if you call the company, you will get to speak of the founder. 


Call Zu...you will likely have a shot at Sean Casey.  Call Chane...Jon Lane may pick up.  Call Tekton...talk to Eric....Call Salk...talk to Jim Salk.  I don't think this is all that strange as the owners want to talk to customers...and usually, their enthusiasm rubs off.

No doubt, each of the above guys has his own take on what speakers should sound like...and each guy has a different take.  So, as an example, if you are a Salk fan, you will probably be pretty enthusiastic about Salk...as you should be.  In fact, I spoke on the phone today  to a guy who is on this 4th pair of Salks....keeps trading up.  He has no real desire to move out of the Salk family because he loves the sound.

As for shills, it might be that there are a few people that aren't who they appear to be....personally...I like to look at whether people are showing their own system and where they might be from....but in the end....if a bunch of forum people say they like Tekton...and a bunch of reviewers say they like Tekton...we all KNOW this is not a guarantee that we will like Tekton.....but it may be a nudge that it is worth the price of return freight to give them a try.

And, on the subject of "trying something"....Teajay said the Perfect Set had a "sitting up front" type of presentation....and you hear that frequently from reviewers and posters regarding the "Tekton sound" (if there is such a thing)....so, if a person knows that they don't like an up front presentation, then its possible that the Tekton's may not be for them....but they will never know until they hear it...and if it isn't for them, it shouldn't be a surprise.

Here's some answers to questions or statements.

Mikirob- I have heard your DeVore speakers and thought they were great.  What's remarkable about the Prefect SET is that it performs way above its $1,800.00 price point.  So, would you enjoy them totally in your second system as much as your main speakers, I believe so.

Jay23- The issue of internal parts being different between one pair of speakers and another has been addressed already on other threads, but I'll explain it one more time.

Some of the most highly regarded companies will often change or use different internal components during a production run because the supplier of that part has none in stock, or they find something they think is better or just as good and available to them. This is standard practice across the industry, not unique to Tekton.

Because many buyers of Tekton Design speakers are DIYers and because the speakers are so inexpensive they often open them to take a look and modify or replace certain caps or wires.  Individuals who normally purchase very expensive speakers (YG Acoustics, TAD, Wilson, Magico) do not open up their speakers to see what parts are used or are going to modify them.  The speakers sent to reviewers have the same internal components as a regular customer.

By the way has anyone every seen a post that stated that the Tekton speaker that they own has malfunctioned or stopped working because of a faulty driver or internal component.  I never had read one or talked to any owners of Tekton speakers that had this experience.  I think this says something about QC regarding being dependable in the field.

   

kosst, even if you were right, it doesn’t matter. If you were selling speakers, I would give my business to Tekton just to not be buying them from you.  I did not always think this way.

Kosst

 AGREED ! The problem with constantly making threads of adoration is there is and will be those who call you out with their proofs and findings of misfortunes. Yes every company has a issue here and there. Its how they are handled on a timely manner.  Parts supplies in todays Audio world are much tighter tolerances. Customers should never be the test ground for a work in progress prototype