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Synergistic Research Comes Down to Earth

I just read some of the RMAF reviews. Since I live overseas I don't get to shows and am envious of those who have the opportunity to do so. I noticed a big difference in the Synergistic Research room this year versus last year.

In 2011 Synergistic Research chalked up a grand total of nearly $150,000 for their system with about $40,000 of that dedicated to their own equipment and cables. It must have been a pretty impressive sound. This year their room chalked up only about $25,000 with about $13,000 dedicated to their own equipment and cables.

Synergistic Research has really come down to Earth. I wonder how the 2012 system sounded compared to the 2011 system. One thing that I am pondering is the $1,500 Nola speaker in a $25,000 system. The Nola is supposed to be an impressive speaker but I wonder about the sonic attributes of a $1,500 in a $25,000 system. Can anyone report on the Synergistic Research room and the Nolas?
sabai
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
I've heard the smaller Nola's elsewhere and recall a very viable big hitting sound out of a small package that could please many I would think for not much. I think it was small Nola's I heard at Capital Audifest 2010 running of a $450 Jolida FX10 tube integrated and delivered sound so good for the $$$ that I was tempted to add a third inexpensive tube amp based system on the spot. That does not happen for me very often.

Glad to hear it if SYnergistic Research is coming down to earth. WIth the economy these days compared to recent past glory days, that is probably a smart move that many high end audio vendors should note.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Excellent post. It makes you realize just how diverse a system can be and still sound great.

For me, the real issue is not weather SR has "Come down to earth" but are their products worth the money; at all price levels. I understand, though, that my opinion on value is completely subjective, but that's how I look at it.

As far as using a $1500 speaker in a $25000, I say why not? If it sounds good, its the right speaker. (I will admit, though, that's a pretty big price difference.) My main system is similar. I have my Vandersteen 2's connected to a pair of Ayre 5's in a vertical bi-amp setup. Sounds incredible.
sabai OP
2,027 posts
 
Mapman,
Thanks for letting me know. I agree -- with the economy the way it is this is probably a smart move that we may see others copying.
sabai OP
2,027 posts
 
Zd542,
You make a good point when you ask, "but are their products worth the money". In many cases, and I have owned a lot of Synergistic Research over the years, my answer is no, they are way overpriced for what they deliver. And what they deliver is often less than spectacular.

In this regard, here is a comment from a recent 6Moons.com review of the Synergistic Research Tranquility Base. The link to this review is ironically on Synergistic Research's own site:

"The Synergistic Research Tranquility Base is a very interesting product. It clearly influences the sound in a good way. It is prohibitively expensive but worthy at least a listen just to be aware of what’s possible."

This is a very tepid endorsement for a product that is "prohibitively expensive".
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