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Franco Serblin R.I.P. What happens to Ktema?

Again, my heart goes out to his family and his legacy. I have had the opportunity to listen to both the Ktema and Stadivari side by side. I came to listen to the Strads since i was thinking about purchasing them. The owner insisted i listen to the Ktemas, so i said OK. I attached my modest simaudio 600i integrated and played Traci Chapman. Wow, i immediately heard the separation, the dynamic soundstage and even the precise base. Truly, i felt the sound was a bit bright, but i understand these particular speakers have not been broken in yet. My girlfriend which has no audiophile background nor listen to much music said, the sound is no longer muffled in comparison to the Strads. So i turned to the owner and stated, "by you playing the Ktemas, i no longer want the Strads, unfortunately i cannot afford the Ktemas" needless to say i walked away empty handed, but i really are considering the Ktemas.

So i sit wondering, what will happen to company following the passing of FS? Are the Ktemas limited? Should i think about the availability of replacement parts in the future?

Any advice or suggestions would be highly appreciated.
128x128harris4crna

Showing 3 responses by milimetr

milimetr
126 posts
 
I own the Ktema and it is the best speakers I have ever owned.
Purchased them after long search and compared them side by side with Stradivari. For me Ktema is much better speaker and the best speaker ever made by Franco.

Doug99
Stop popularize unconfirmed and untrue messages that Franco Serblin company will not work after he passed away.

Franco was a designr, but company was managed mostly by Massimiliano and will be working without any problems. AFAIK there is another speaker developed by Franco, which is not released yet, but will be soon.

Mid drivers are not modified for Franco Serblin in peson, but for Franco Serblin company and will be available as long as needed. Each serious company has technical documentation for their products.

If someone considers Ktema should not hesitate to buy this great speaker.
milimetr
126 posts
 
I use Ktema with full Jadis tube system.
Ktema if set up wrong can sound too bright.
This if 4-way design where bass is reproduced by two large drivers per cabinet. Mid bass has much smaller driver so amplifier that support mid bass is higly recommended.
In my system Jadis JA80 amplifiers (or new JA120) supports Ktema extremely well. Tube amplification supports Ktema extremely good sophistication and allow to combine the best musicality known from Sonus Faber with clarity and resolution.
milimetr
126 posts
 
BTW. How large is your room?

My room is 6 meters long and Ktema is about 120 cm apart from front wall measuring from the back of the cabinet.
Try to give your speakers as much space as you can.

Try to toe in your speakers that axes cuts just in front of the listener nose.

Try to use supported pads under the spikes.

I would avoid using Yter speaker cables with Ktema even if you think that Ktema is wired internally with Yter. Belive me Ktema is not wired by monowire palladium wires. You can check it if you unscrew for a moment plate with binding posts... With Yter Ktema sounds not so good...

I found extremely good results using French/Canadian wires made by Ocellia. Quite affordable and can bring to light best Ktema atributes.
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