Ron, I’ve had the bug for some time to purchase replacements for my 40+ year old Yamaha 1000Ms. I had seriously been considering these speakers after seeing various CSS reviews. Your review pushed me over the top and I have been blissfully marveling at the sound of these for about 3 weeks now. They do everything beautifully that my Yamahas did and improve the areas where I thought the Yamahas weak. I’m sure there are still better speakers out there but much better than this and I wouldn’t be able to stand it. Thanks soooo much. 😊 oh, I got the kit with upgraded crossover and all. A bit of a problem shoehorning the two crossovers into the box but man do they sound beautiful. Mabe
Which setup would you prefer to own: CSS 2TD set on top of GR Research's open-baffle h-frame subs -OR- the GR Research Super Mini set on GR Research's open-baffle h-frame subs?
Great video series! I'm debating buying the kit with premium crossovers, Adante AS-61s, and Bouchardt S400s.... Having in-depth experience with these and the Adante's, how would you compare the two?
Sir! I loved the review! It begs the question: How do these stack up to the GR Research AV-3's? I know that's not your bag....anyway, thank you for the review! One more question: With the subs, did the dynamics improve enough? It's kind of a different question than midbass performance.
Good wrap up of these speakers, Ron. I would like you to try to get a pair of Carnegie Acoustics CST-1 from Danny and see what you think of them. I have a pair and I think for the money they are fantastic.
I've always been very impressed with MTM speakers, even though they only kind I've ever owned have been marketed as center channels. I recently bought a Klipsch RP-500C center channel for my very modest home theater, and was SHOCKED at just how neutral they were! They only go down to 60 Hz, but they roll off very nicely, and have fairly clean, decent bass. I think Klipsch could have a really good multi-channel speaker using the RP-500C as a starting point, with a simple cross-over upgrade that would allow for a bit more bass, getting to 50 Hz at least. Yes, you would still need a sub to round things out, but still.... I really like these 2TD's, but they are far too rich for my blood. If you have any "cheap audio" MTM's you would recommend, I'm all ears.
Pioneer spc22. I saw them on sale for 54$ so I bought a second one and pulled my old one out of storage. They are basically a larger bs22lr that has more upper clarity and spl. I plan to mod these with some sound dampening materials first, play around with stuffing and ports next, then possibly do the dennis Murphy bs22lr mods to bring them to the next level. The pair cost me 135$ Nothing will touch these near that price. I dubbed them "mini towers" 😂
An MTM is a more simple design. Has a lot less parts so they can sound so much better. I am glad someone seems to appreciate that. I have a diy MTM that goes down to 20 hrz. I should have build all my speakers as that design. It's pretty amazing what they can do.
I have built 2 different sets of MTMs not from kits, just raw drivers and diy crossovers. I did start with PE prefab x-overs and then made my own I really love MTMs So I sold my Tannoys and other branded speakers and only have speakers I made now (several pairs). Going to built some Swan speakers from a kit now that I just bought.
as most speakers needs a subwoofer to make a full range system, then why did they not change the two woofers that works with a sealed cabinet and then you don't have the compromises that ports have, and a subwoofer integrates better.
You can always plug the ports if you don't want to run them as a ported speaker. A sealed cabinet could be designed a little smaller but the response with the port plugged will be very very similar. However, with this woofer, you actually lose a little bit of output capability in a sealed alignment. The tuning we used created the maximum amount of output before excursion issues that will cause distortion problems.
plugging a port has not all the same benefits from a sealed cabinet, and as far as i know it is best to purpose built a woofer to match either sealed or ported, there are woofers that work in both but don't excels in either. i am not sure what you mean by output capability in sealed, maximum loudness for the speakers or less bass? either way that's why i mention changing the woofer, might not the be best woofer for sealed.
I'm looking for super accurate reproduction for production purposes and then I can A/B to a speaker like this to verify that it translates well. At least that's my theory for now, still new to this.
Nice review Ron and a great overview/final thoughts. These do sound like good speakers indeed and I'm with you, would rather have that bit of color to the midrange than have a speaker that is all encompassing, no holds barred accuracy and thus risk listener fatigue and since I listen to a wide variety of music from vintage rock/pop and some of that jangly Strats of the 60's and muddy, way over dubbed music (Gary US Bonds) to vintage Jazz to classic rock etc, I need a speaker that gives details, but not at the expense of listener fatigue and found those with some vintage ADS speakers, yes, they are colored, but I'm fine with that but not so much so that I loose details. If you want to hear the full rendition of the drum kit, such as Nick Fleetwood's kit in Rumours, these ADS speakers will give you that, no other speaker I've had in the past did this. So, details but easy to listen to and as you say, these TD's will do just that. Good job!
Imho over 3k for this speaker is steep. Much better values out there based on how you explain these sound. Elac adante as61 is now 1500 a pair!! More thsnnhalf the price! Polk lsim703 are now $449 a pair. Not to mention some tower speakers that will crush these for overall sound...martin logan 60xt..now 2k a pair!@@ cantons...german made 2500 to 3k a pair. I'm not impressed.
@@Newrecordday2013 It is now, I quit NRD Patreon membership for this very reason. Too little content and too many videos on one product, after promising that the new NRD was going to provide more content. Plus Ron doesn't respond to comments/messages on the Patreon page.
Ron, I’ve had the bug for some time to purchase replacements for my 40+ year old Yamaha 1000Ms. I had seriously been considering these speakers after seeing various CSS reviews. Your review pushed me over the top and I have been blissfully marveling at the sound of these for about 3 weeks now. They do everything beautifully that my Yamahas did and improve the areas where I thought the Yamahas weak. I’m sure there are still better speakers out there but much better than this and I wouldn’t be able to stand it. Thanks soooo much. 😊 oh, I got the kit with upgraded crossover and all. A bit of a problem shoehorning the two crossovers into the box but man do they sound beautiful.
Mabe
Ron, I have watched your videos since your first one and this video is clearly one of your very best.
"I wish I had, I wish I had..." your turntable! Look at that thing!!! GORGEOUS!
Bi-Amping a two-way seems pretty pointless. A three-way, now that is worth it.
Good job! Finished!
Which setup would you prefer to own: CSS 2TD set on top of GR Research's open-baffle h-frame subs -OR- the GR Research Super Mini set on GR Research's open-baffle h-frame subs?
Great video series! I'm debating buying the kit with premium crossovers, Adante AS-61s, and Bouchardt S400s.... Having in-depth experience with these and the Adante's, how would you compare the two?
Great job Ron!
Great series - thanks
Sir! I loved the review! It begs the question: How do these stack up to the GR Research AV-3's? I know that's not your bag....anyway, thank you for the review!
One more question: With the subs, did the dynamics improve enough? It's kind of a different question than midbass performance.
I would take CSS any day over the GR Research. Way better drivers to start with.
Fantastic video series Ron. I can't wait to see what you do in the future!
Thanks so much!
How do they compare to the Harbeths? (Especially the SHL5+)?
Good question, havent heard the SHL5+!
@@Newrecordday2013 would love to see a Harbeth review from you Ron! Your reviews r really informative, thanks!
Good wrap up of these speakers, Ron. I would like you to try to get a pair of Carnegie Acoustics CST-1 from Danny and see what you think of them. I have a pair and I think for the money they are fantastic.
Thanks so much Chuck! I’ll talk to danny about that!
Ron I really enjoyed the CSS series, a great in depth look at those gorgeous speakers. Awesome work man!
I appreciate you so much!
@@Newrecordday2013 Right back at you man!
I've always been very impressed with MTM speakers, even though they only kind I've ever owned have been marketed as center channels. I recently bought a Klipsch RP-500C center channel for my very modest home theater, and was SHOCKED at just how neutral they were! They only go down to 60 Hz, but they roll off very nicely, and have fairly clean, decent bass. I think Klipsch could have a really good multi-channel speaker using the RP-500C as a starting point, with a simple cross-over upgrade that would allow for a bit more bass, getting to 50 Hz at least. Yes, you would still need a sub to round things out, but still....
I really like these 2TD's, but they are far too rich for my blood. If you have any "cheap audio" MTM's you would recommend, I'm all ears.
Pioneer spc22.
I saw them on sale for 54$ so I bought a second one and pulled my old one out of storage.
They are basically a larger bs22lr that has more upper clarity and spl.
I plan to mod these with some sound dampening materials first, play around with stuffing and ports next, then possibly do the dennis Murphy bs22lr mods to bring them to the next level.
The pair cost me 135$
Nothing will touch these near that price.
I dubbed them "mini towers" 😂
An MTM is a more simple design. Has a lot less parts so they can sound so much better. I am glad someone seems to appreciate that. I have a diy MTM that goes down to 20 hrz. I should have build all my speakers as that design. It's pretty amazing what they can do.
I have built 2 different sets of MTMs not from kits, just raw drivers and diy crossovers. I did start with PE prefab x-overs and then made my own
I really love MTMs
So I sold my Tannoys and other branded speakers and only have speakers I made now (several pairs).
Going to built some Swan speakers from a kit now that I just bought.
Sweet 👍. Great assertation . Love the editing and background set. Awesome job man! Great review. Have a great weekend. ✌️
as most speakers needs a subwoofer to make a full range system, then why did they not change the two woofers that works with a sealed cabinet and then you don't have the compromises that ports have, and a subwoofer integrates better.
You can always plug the ports if you don't want to run them as a ported speaker. A sealed cabinet could be designed a little smaller but the response with the port plugged will be very very similar. However, with this woofer, you actually lose a little bit of output capability in a sealed alignment. The tuning we used created the maximum amount of output before excursion issues that will cause distortion problems.
plugging a port has not all the same benefits from a sealed cabinet, and as far as i know it is best to purpose built a woofer to match either sealed or ported, there are woofers that work in both but don't excels in either.
i am not sure what you mean by output capability in sealed, maximum loudness for the speakers or less bass? either way that's why i mention changing the woofer, might not the be best woofer for sealed.
Great review Dave !
Who is Dave?
Lol
@@Newrecordday2013 Apparently, there's a "Ron & Dave's Tattoo" shop on Staten Island. Maybe this is the source of his confusion.
@@Newrecordday2013 so sorry Ron lol Great review Ron !
All good, i've been called much much worse! Thanks for the comment Bill.
I wish them well. I have never heard of them before which infers buy and hold = buy and stuck with them.
The whole 5 seperate chapters thing way too much, overkill without return. Better is one but longer and nuanced.
Thanks for the feedback!
Agreed...too drawn out
please make more videos about how to use Clio Pocket
I'm looking for super accurate reproduction for production purposes and then I can A/B to a speaker like this to verify that it translates well. At least that's my theory for now, still new to this.
Good review, Ron. How about a review of the CSS P215. I've seen & read several positive reviews of it, and I'd love to hear your impressions.
Thanks
I’m down if CSS wants to play.
This just proves my theory. You pay waaaayyyyyyy too much for finish today. NO spkrs today are even close to being worth the price.
Nice review Ron and a great overview/final thoughts. These do sound like good speakers indeed and I'm with you, would rather have that bit of color to the midrange than have a speaker that is all encompassing, no holds barred accuracy and thus risk listener fatigue and since I listen to a wide variety of music from vintage rock/pop and some of that jangly Strats of the 60's and muddy, way over dubbed music (Gary US Bonds) to vintage Jazz to classic rock etc, I need a speaker that gives details, but not at the expense of listener fatigue and found those with some vintage ADS speakers, yes, they are colored, but I'm fine with that but not so much so that I loose details. If you want to hear the full rendition of the drum kit, such as Nick Fleetwood's kit in Rumours, these ADS speakers will give you that, no other speaker I've had in the past did this.
So, details but easy to listen to and as you say, these TD's will do just that. Good job!
Thanks so much John! You get it.
Imho over 3k for this speaker is steep. Much better values out there based on how you explain these sound. Elac adante as61 is now 1500 a pair!! More thsnnhalf the price! Polk lsim703 are now $449 a pair. Not to mention some tower speakers that will crush these for overall sound...martin logan 60xt..now 2k a pair!@@ cantons...german made 2500 to 3k a pair. I'm not impressed.
Great video, the product is honest just like your review thx!, i have the 12" and 15" subs :) ,
Thank you!!!
audioscience forum lives for flat.... once it measures flat they buy
Better than the BUCHARDT S400
Good question, lets find out soon!
@@Newrecordday2013im thinking of buy buchardt s400 or the css p215
Less bass distortions from CSS than the SB midbass used by Buchardt.
@@Newrecordday2013 did u find out ?
Still talking about the same speakers? Good Lord😔
Reynaldo, this is the final thoughts, he broke them up into chapters and uploaded then in fair rapid succession this week.
Good thing the content is free, right?
@@Newrecordday2013 It is now, I quit NRD Patreon membership for this very reason. Too little content and too many videos on one product, after promising that the new NRD was going to provide more content. Plus Ron doesn't respond to comments/messages on the Patreon page.
Lol