Time coherence - how important and what speakers?

Now, as opposed to then, I'd have to guess that the execution of a speaker's chosen methodology and quality of materials is significantly more important than simply the methodology. There are some important questions about speakers (phase shift perhaps), but I don't think time and/or phase coherent to be among the make or break methodologies.

For example, the Vandersteen Model 5 and 5A are phase and time coherrent and come very highly rated by some and retail for about $15k. Some have even claimed the Model 5's to be among the very best speakers available at any price. (Although, I've always been bothered with the fact that the Model 5's have their own built-in bass amps. As if to say nobody can build a better amp than Vandersteen).

On the other hand, there's the Von Schweikert VR4 Gen III SE's that (I believe) are neither time nor phase coherent and employ 4th order crossovers. Some here may puke at the thought of these ingredients and methodology. Yet, there's at least 2 reviewers and some to many happy owners who claim the VR4 Gen III SE's to be the very best speaker available at the $20k and under price range. And they retail for only $6k.

And remember that the Vandersteen Model 5a's retail for $15k and therefore fall into the $20k and under category.

No matter how you look at it, that's quite a statement for a $6k speaker.

I've listened to neither and that is not the point as I'm all for have the best speakers possible within one's given budget. But personally, I think people put way too much stock into speaker design, etc. when in fact, it's the amplifiers where the more serious deficiencies lie.

It all comes down to priorities. And you can only have 1 top priority. And all other priorities will suffer for the number one priority.

Therefore, I'll take the best amplifier/mediocre full-range speakers combo over a mediocre amplifier/best full-range speaker combo any day of the week.

And, without a doubt in my mind, this chosen path would reign superior sonics every single time.

-IMO (of course)

Good point.
Roy

Roy, will you please tell us what the impedance ranges, sensitivity, amplitude response and power recomendations are for each of your speakers?

Those are listed at the bottom of our temporary home page at greenmountainaudio.com. What are not described there are the products made for custom install. Full website in a couple of weeks, after C-3 ships.

Roy is a marketing guru as well as speaker designer. Some may argue that positive word of mouth is the fastest most effective way of getting a product accepted in the marketplace. Positive feedback can be generated just as easily through intrigue as it can from hands on product experience. Having said that, it's extremely important for the product to meet or exceed the expectations heeped on it in order to sustain momentum. In this instance I can't think of a better way to penetrate such a subjective and fickle constituency than to go into their discussion forum and raise company and product awareness. By attempting to increase the basic education level of those who may be in the market for a new pair of bespoke speakers, Roy is establishing both credibility as scientist and a speaker designer. Given Roy's knowledge and practical experience, his knowledge transfer in this thread may have even served as a change agent for the way we listen and judge music reproduction.

When developing a bespoke product, there are always distinguishing elements that identify it as a "best in breed". In most cases this bespoke item is the product of creative engineering, which is based on solid principles of science, technology and ample testing, ultimately resulting in superior performance. No subjectivity is involved on the peformance, the product works at a level equal to or above the competition. To truly be bespoke, superior performance must be integrated into an aesthetically pleasing "wrapper" that displays the manufacturers attention to artistry, detail and craftsmanship. To round out the bespoke nature of the product the manufacturer must create a special customer relationship experience, which will ultimately generate word of mouth praise and in many cases a cult following. See customer loyality in the Marketing 101 handbook for further details.

Simply put, Roy Johnson believes he's created a bespoke product. By coming on this board Roy has introduced himself to many potential customers. By articulating his incredibly deep knowledge of physics/math and speaker design he's raising the credibility bar in our eyes and possibly changing the way we think about listening to music. By tackling the tough questions on this board and by calling some of us on the phone, Roy is building up a good customer relations strategy that should breed success, if of course the product lives up to expectations.

Roy is obviously very smart on a variety of levels, not the least of which is marketing. Most good marketers when trying to fight off larger and higher resource competitors will go after obvious flaws in the competition in order to add doubt in Mamouth Co. X and provide distinguishing characteristics that separate them from companies Y & Z. To be perfectly honest I am extremely impressed by this entire thread and the quality of discourse. I've not only learned a ton about speaker engineering and design, but have been introduced to a man who obviously has the passion and drive to develop a product that raises the bar in experiencing the reproduction of music. I haven't even heard Green Mountain Audio speakers, but I'm intrigued enough to make inquiries and learn more from people who have listened to his products. I'm intrigued enough to toss my perfectly good speakers aside and purchase a pair of C-3's. Now that is solid marketing! ;-)