Tekton Impact Monitors


Hi All,
I'm relatively new to Audiogon but have trolled the discussions for a few months. I have been listening to Spendor LS3/5As driven by a Quad 34/306 combination since the late 1980's and decided that it was finally time to upgrade my speakers. I love the Spendors but they are very limited in dynamics and scale. I auditioned the SVS Ultra Bookshelf speakers and while they brought some additional scale they simply didn't have the sweet midrange that I can't live without. I listened to some open baffle speakers (Emerald Physics) and loved them, but their size and need for space worried me, and I found them less satisfying at moderate and low volumes, where I do a fair bit of listening. I was fascinated by all the discussion regarding Tekton speakers and was considering getting a pair of Enzo 2.7s, but after a short discussion with Eric I followed his recommendation of the Impact Monitor with upgrade. They have the 7 tweeter array and a pair of 6.5" woofers and are rear-ported. I use a pair of SVS subs (the sealed variety). The Impact Monitors are simply amazing. The midrange is oh-so-sweet (very similar to my Spendors, but with more air) and the detail, even at low and moderate listening levels, is superb. The imaging is even better than my Spendors managed and the scale is huge and is much more music-appropriate. My system is really quite modest but now when I walk into my listening room (doubles as our living room - thankfully my wife appreciates Hi-Fi) I get the audio-show feeling of "being there". I have a Denon DP59L turntable with a DL110 HO moving coil cartridge running through an Emotiva XPS-1 phono preamp and the Tektons are absolutely incredible with classic rock on vinyl. I'm not sure how Eric managed it, but these speakers are superb, even with my 30 year old Quad electronics. I believe they are basically the top 24" of the Double Impacts, but are rear-ported rather than front ported. I can heartily recommend them and Eric and his team are great to work with. I'm not sure how many other Impact Monitors are out there since the pair I have are S/N 0005 and 0006!  
ky1mag
I have considered upgrading my KEF LS50's, however they are part of a large desktop system, (4' x 6'), and the Tekton monitors may be to large for a desktop system. Does anyone have any experience with both the LS50's and the Impact Monitor?
Hi audionut22,
I have not heard the LS50's in my system, but have in an audio shop (in Chicago). They are outstanding speakers, but the sheer scale of sound coming from the Impact Monitors is on a different level. They are much too big for a desktop system, IMHO. I'm listening to a Tuba Concerto right now and the scale of the orchestra sound (and the Tuba) is outstanding. The LS50s sounded big for their size when I heard them, but would still be quite far behind the IMs. The midrange speed of the IMs is also amazing. Keep in mind the IMs are 24 x 10 x 13. They are like a short tower speaker.
I just measured my LS50’s including the IsoAcoustic stands and they are 20.5"h x 8"w x 9.5"d, with the concentric tweeters level with my ears. So, the audio sickness in me says, Hey, they aren’t much bigger than what I have now ;-)

I also have a pair of HSU STF-1 subs under the desk to fill in the lower bass, due to the KEF’s are a little lacking there. 

However, I am sure the IM’s would look a LOT bigger than the LS50’s on stands. The IsoAcoustic stands are 8.5" tall so there is some "see through" space below the KEF’s, making them appear smaller.

I would be an interesting desktop system with the Tekton’s, but it probably wouldn’t pass the WAF test ;-)

Thanks for sharing your impressions about the Tekton Impact Monitors. I am very intrigued by these speakers, after reading all the raves about the DI. I like monitor/bookshelf speakers, and I do not think I would be happy with the massive DI. I currently own a pair of B&W 805 D3 which are very nice, but I am wondering how the Tekton Impact Monitors would compare (considering they cost 1/3 of the price of the 805).
Hi Stelo,
I haven't listened to any of the B&W 800 series in a long time, so I can't really comment about that comparison. I was listening to some early Susan Tedeschi last night and I was really impressed with how the Tektons kept all the instruments sorted out and separate from Tedeschi's gravelly voice. Keep in mind that the DIs would not be much bigger than the IMs on stands, but still I agree they would be imposing depending on the size of your room. Eric has a return policy, so I encourage you to give them (the IMs) a try.