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Wilson Audio Duette 2's vs Tekton Ulf's

Help...I am going crazy reading the Tekton DI forum.  And now there are comments regarding the Ulf.  I have a pair of Wilson Audio Duette 2's.  I have two Triad Silver in wall Subwoofers to complement the bass from the Duette 2's.  My integrated tube amp is Raven Audio Reflection MK2 with 58wpc.  That combination has been absolutely awesome for me in a room that is 30'wide x 40' long.  Yes, I know not the perfect listening room but the music that comes out of my system sounds like a concert hall.  In addition, I have a Lumin A-1 DAC / Music Streamer and a Synology hard drive for music storage.  I love my system.  This is strictly 2- channel as I have a separate dedicated theater room also.  

Originally, for fun I was going to buy the Tekton DI and just compare them to the Duette 2's.  I figured I would compare the two speakers and sell the ones that I did not like as much.  Yes, they are two totally different speakers.  Then, the Ulf's came out and Eric said they blow the doors off of the DI's.  Naturally, I am interested in the Ulf's.  However, in this situation, I would need to sell my Duette 2's before ordering the Ulf's.  Am I crazy?  I am comparing the Duette's that cost $23k vs a Tekton Mini or Ulf at $7.5k to 12k.  

I live in the Phoenix area.  If there are any audiophiles out here that would not mind listening to my current system and telling me what you think I would love to hear your comments.  It is very hard for me to give an objective opinion on my system.  Like I said I love it....but like all of us, if there is a way to improve it we do it.  I just don't know if the Tekton Ulf's are an upgrade over my Wilson's.
willgolf
waltersalas's avatar
waltersalas
581 posts
 

Mr_m,
Until today, I don't think I've made a single post that anyone could construe as "defensive" of Tekton. I was intrigued by what I read about them, made a relatively minor investment in shipping charges to audition them, and reported on what I found as clearly and accurately as I could when I got them and had a chance to hear them.

I have been to more than one bricks and mortar store to audition speakers, and without fail, the experience has been unsatisfactory. How do you know what that speaker will sound like in your room with your gear by listening to it in another system in a different room? I have never understood that. Maybe you would get some sense, but in this hobby where small differences are often writ large and so many things are system-dependent, I am skeptical of such auditions.

I am afraid there just is no shortcut or substitute for hearing them in your own system. Even in my own, I very nearly judged them too soon. Thank goodness I waited for an appropriate amount of break-in time.
james_w514's avatar
james_w514
286 posts
 
@ mr_m With the long the list of gear I’ve had over the years it is clear to me I am not a fanboy of any company (maybe ATC a little) The Double Impact was such a stand out product for me I felt compelled to post to this site and share my thoughts with other owners. I don’t think anyone else on Canuck Audio Mart has them. Ordering the Mini Ulfs could end up being a very expensive mistake on my part as the custom finish means I won’t be able to return them. Sometimes a company gets it just right with one product and that might be the Double Impact.

I like good sound and if Tekton makes a bad sounding speaker I will be first in line to bash it. I couldn’t stand the Acoustic Zen Adagio’s I bought unheard and bashed them every chance I got even though they were loved by reviewers and owners.


mr_m
1,087 posts
 
waltersalas.
I've been in this hobby for almost half a century. I can get a pretty good handle on how a loudspeaker is going to sound in my listening room, even upon first hearing it at an audio salon. I think it's fair to say I have a pretty well trained pair of ears. I'm in full agreement that you have to have an audition before purchase. To do otherwise is just plain foolish. I
have also brought speaker systems home to my listening room. Even the large ones with no more cost to me than my time and a little sweat in lifting. If you have had unsatisfactory listening sessions  in an audio salon, then maybe you should take a different approach in your tactics. I have bought speakers via mail order and was able to audition, in my home, with absolutely no cost to me if I decided to return them. And that includes return shipping costs. I have even driven over six hundred miles to some of these manufacturers to listen to their speakers at their facility. What I have just described to you is the way I would like Tekton to be. I would LOVE to hear Eric's latest creations. There is just no dealer or person who has them around me to go listen. Or at the moment no one I know. If you or anyone else wants to gamble with return shipping charges for an in home audition, then by all means, have at it. I'm am now retired. I am by no means poor, but my disposable income is not without limits. I still find ways to listen to tons of gear with no cost to me.
mr_m
1,087 posts
 
james. Interesting what you said about Acoustic Zen. I've heard some people swear by them, and some other people swear at them;).......
willgolf OP
156 posts
 
Mofo....Yes I know it is strange to compare The Duette 2's to ULF.  I know I love the Duette 2's and the sound absolutely fills the room with the power of my Raven Amp.  
I wish I could hear the Ulf's even if it was on You Tube.  I too have listened to hundreds of speakers at audio stores and I even attended the Newport Audio show.  I agree that what sounds great in those settings does not mean it will sound great in your own environment.  I have no desire to order Tektons Ulf's or for that matter the DI and then try to ship 400 lbs. of speakers back.  I would even fly to Utah but Eric has told me his operation is not set up for listening.  I look forward to any and all input from people who can provide me their insight on my dilemma
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