New selekt & speakers

[Ian_km]

The 150s will give me an interesting dilemma next year, I already have the Edition hub with 2x power outs with Organik DACs driving my old Keilidhs, plan was to upgrade speakers next year.

So, 150s being 3 way would require another power out plus Organik DAC, total list cost of £9.6k. Whereas my original plan was Kudos Titan 606s which wouldn’t require addition hardware but list at £11.4K, or less if ex-dem etc.

Close, not sure a dealer would have all that kit to be able to demo the differences.

T606 must surely be the winner in that race. Isobarik for a start but surely superior to the 150's anyway. The question is if the power modules are up to it.
With the Kudos you're only 1 box away from Akurate ampage if you ever decide to swap your carts for lineouts... which I'd recommend from experience going from Majik to Akurate power.

Want to stick to one box solution and use modularity of Edition. Very impressed with power carts, as I listen to mainly rock at decent volume, happy so far.

I think a few in here use them with Titans and seem to work well.

[timster]

The 150s will give me an interesting dilemma next year, I already have the Edition hub with 2x power outs with Organik DACs driving my old Keilidhs, plan was to upgrade speakers next year.

So, 150s being 3 way would require another power out plus Organik DAC, total list cost of £9.6k. Whereas my original plan was Kudos Titan 606s which wouldn’t require addition hardware but list at £11.4K, or less if ex-dem etc.

Close, not sure a dealer would have all that kit to be able to demo the differences.

T606 must surely be the winner in that race. Isobarik for a start but surely superior to the 150's anyway. The question is if the power modules are up to it.
With the Kudos you're only 1 box away from Akurate ampage if you ever decide to swap your carts for lineouts... which I'd recommend from experience going from Majik to Akurate power.

Want to stick to one box solution and use modularity of Edition. Very impressed with power carts, as I listen to mainly rock at decent volume, happy so far.

I think a few in here use them with Titans and seem to work well.

Fair dos. I still think the T606 would be a better bet for not alot more moolah. But I've not heard either so what do I know?

[Ian_km]

The 150s will give me an interesting dilemma next year, I already have the Edition hub with 2x power outs with Organik DACs driving my old Keilidhs, plan was to upgrade speakers next year.

So, 150s being 3 way would require another power out plus Organik DAC, total list cost of £9.6k. Whereas my original plan was Kudos Titan 606s which wouldn’t require addition hardware but list at £11.4K, or less if ex-dem etc.

Close, not sure a dealer would have all that kit to be able to demo the differences.

T606 must surely be the winner in that race. Isobarik for a start but surely superior to the 150's anyway. The question is if the power modules are up to it.
With the Kudos you're only 1 box away from Akurate ampage if you ever decide to swap your carts for lineouts... which I'd recommend from experience going from Majik to Akurate power.

Want to stick to one box solution and use modularity of Edition. Very impressed with power carts, as I listen to mainly rock at decent volume, happy so far.

I think a few in here use them with Titans and seem to work well.

Fair dos. I still think the T606 would be a better bet for not alot more moolah. But I've not heard either so what do I know?

No, I think you’re probably right with the T606 being better, that’s what I’m thinking.

[DiggyGun]

The 150s will give me an interesting dilemma next year, I already have the Edition hub with 2x power outs with Organik DACs driving my old Keilidhs, plan was to upgrade speakers next year.

So, 150s being 3 way would require another power out plus Organik DAC, total list cost of £9.6k. Whereas my original plan was Kudos Titan 606s which wouldn’t require addition hardware but list at £11.4K, or less if ex-dem etc.

Close, not sure a dealer would have all that kit to be able to demo the differences.

T606 must surely be the winner in that race. Isobarik for a start but surely superior to the 150's anyway. The question is if the power modules are up to it.
With the Kudos you're only 1 box away from Akurate ampage if you ever decide to swap your carts for lineouts... which I'd recommend from experience going from Majik to Akurate power.

Want to stick to one box solution and use modularity of Edition. Very impressed with power carts, as I listen to mainly rock at decent volume, happy so far.

I think a few in here use them with Titans and seem to work well.

Fair dos. I still think the T606 would be a better bet for not alot more moolah. But I've not heard either so what do I know?

No, I think you’re probably right with the T606 being better, that’s what I’m thinking.

I’ve never had an issue with my Linn Selekt DSM; Edition Hub driving my Kudos Titan 606 loudspeakers. Plenty of power with the two power amp cartridges.

Keeps it neat and tidy with a one box system.

[togusa]

I’ve heard the original Classik, and Edition back to back, and any differences were minuscule in my opinion. I personally wouldn’t have chosen the new option if it had been available, but then as it was only delivered just over 4 weeks ago, so I would say that

Don’t personally get what the underlying reason is with this new variant.

New speakers are clearly just Majik upgrades, increasing the middle of the model numbers by one in each case.

Also seems Exakt, while not on its way out, is more on the periphery these days. I’m not criticising it, as I had Katalyst Exaktbox-I, and 212’s for a good few years, and highly enjoyable it was.

[timster]

Don’t personally get what the underlying reason is with this new variant.

It only makes sense if they retire the Edition. As you say, it was too much anyway. Now the Classic is practically identical there isn't any point in it remaining.

New speakers are clearly just Majik upgrades, increasing the middle of the model numbers by one in each case.

Unfair. They are more than upgrades. There are no common drivers, in fact the new ones are based on 360 design. Looking at the numbers they are completely different beasts.

[Nestor Turton]

Getting speakers right is not easy - well, it wasn’t easy for me.

If I were looking for new speakers I would definitely want to hear the new Linn speakers and compare them with my favourite brands: Spendor and Harbeth. I would need to know they worked well in my room before buying. I have recounted my experience with Magnepan speakers before; I remain convinced these are the best value for money speakers around, but the required positioning in the lounge was unacceptable and although I could keep them behind the curtains and bring them out for listening this became too much of a chore.

So I would recommend a home trial of the new Linn speakers before assuming another brand may be better. I won’t be trying them in case I find them better than my current speakers (ignorance is bliss). I don’t want to go active because of cost and complexity, but replacing my ADSM with SDSM Organik is definitely a thought now the new classic has surfaced.

[PhotoMax]

I agree with you Nestor…

There are several threads here focused on the new 150 speakers. A few posts include strong blanket statements that are technically lacking and just opinions with no listening experience of the new product. Until a decent number of Linn fans and folks experienced in evaluating speakers weigh in we just don’t know where they stand in terms of sound quality and value?

Some have stated that the 150 will not be as good as say the Kudos 606? That is to be expected as the 606 costs more money. I think some of these snap judgements are impacted by the long ownership history of the M140s. The M140 is an old design, been around a long time, etc. Both praise and criticisms have evolved over the years, largely dependent on the front end driving them.

The new 150s come from a much more recent technology path and lineage handed from the current flagship. I was expecting the new speakers to be more expensive than they are. As such I am curious about their upgrade potential and value for my one system. This is more focused as I run a full Exakt system so my options are limited, even more so due to geography: Kudos speakers are unobtainium the USA.

I am looking forward to doing some serious tire kicking with the 150s.

[Nestor Turton]

[doomhammer]

So now we have:

Series 1 with 119 and 150
Series 3 with 301, 302, and 360
Series 5 with 530

Is that correct? :P

[timster]

So now we have:

Series 1 with 119 and 150
Series 3 with 301, 302, and 360
Series 5 with 530

Is that correct? :P

In theory! I don't think the 3 series quite works though
Perhaps they need renaming. Or better yet, the 360. It's not an Xbox!

[Pennypacker]

I agree with you Nestor…

There are several threads here focused on the new 150 speakers. A few posts include strong blanket statements that are technically lacking and just opinions with no listening experience of the new product. Until a decent number of Linn fans and folks experienced in evaluating speakers weigh in we just don’t know where they stand in terms of sound quality and value?

Some have stated that the 150 will not be as good as say the Kudos 606? That is to be expected as the 606 costs more money. I think some of these snap judgements are impacted by the long ownership history of the M140s. The M140 is an old design, been around a long time, etc. Both praise and criticisms have evolved over the years, largely dependent on the front end driving them.

Your point seems valid, but I’m reluctant to believe that there are any game changers in speaker design in this price bracket for any brand. It’s still a wooden box hold together with glue, drivers are round driven by magnets. The 360 is a different animal from a technical perspective, but the price is als different.

[Nestor Turton]

When I was auditioning speakers about five years ago, one that really caught my attention was the JanZen. Unfortunately, the UK importer had priced them at around £15,000, which was nearly double the North American price, so I didn’t pursue them further. I wasn’t keen on paying such a premium.

That said, I recently took another look at their website (https://janszenaudio.com/products/valen ... iamplified) and noticed they now have updated versions available. These are active speakers with built-in DACs and amplification, priced at just under £10,000. They’re electrostatic speakers, which are quite different from traditional designs, and I’d definitely consider them if I were looking to change my setup.

Harbeth has also introduced a new active design that's worth checking out. It’s exciting to see how design innovations are making great sound more affordable these days.

Spendor’s D-Line series is another example, with in-house drivers and really innovative cabinet designs.

And I can’t see why Linn’s new speaker designs wouldn’t be game changers either.

In the end though, I think the only way to judge speakers is by listening to them with the right amplification—and ideally, in your own home. Sometimes the more expensive option is more musical, but in my experience, that’s not always the case.

[Bianconero]

When I was auditioning speakers about five years ago, one that really caught my attention was the JanZen. Unfortunately, the UK importer had priced them at around £15,000, which was nearly double the North American price, so I didn’t pursue them further. I wasn’t keen on paying such a premium.

That said, I recently took another look at their website (https://janszenaudio.com/products/valen ... iamplified) and noticed they now have updated versions available. These are active speakers with built-in DACs and amplification, priced at just under £10,000. They’re electrostatic speakers, which are quite different from traditional designs, and I’d definitely consider them if I were looking to change my setup.

Harbeth has also introduced a new active design that's worth checking out. It’s exciting to see how design innovations are making great sound more affordable these days.

Spendor’s D-Line series is another example, with in-house drivers and really innovative cabinet designs.

And I can’t see why Linn’s new speaker designs wouldn’t be game changers either.

In the end though, I think the only way to judge speakers is by listening to them with the right amplification—and ideally, in your own home. Sometimes the more expensive option is more musical, but in my experience, that’s not always the case.

It seems to me that the 119 and 150 are conventional speakers with third party drivers (Seas I think). I remember when the 242 and 212 came out with the 3K system. those were innovative speakers, think of the 212: a 4-way stand speaker!! As I have already written, perhaps mistakenly, the Series 1 are quality speakers made for a Linn system, especially an active one. Of course, if there is a customer with amplifier A, Streamer B and LP C who wants the 150 or 119 Linn, he is welcome but I think it is as rare as a white fly!

[DiggyGun]

When I was auditioning speakers about five years ago, one that really caught my attention was the JanZen. Unfortunately, the UK importer had priced them at around £15,000, which was nearly double the North American price, so I didn’t pursue them further. I wasn’t keen on paying such a premium.

That said, I recently took another look at their website (https://janszenaudio.com/products/valen ... iamplified) and noticed they now have updated versions available. These are active speakers with built-in DACs and amplification, priced at just under £10,000. They’re electrostatic speakers, which are quite different from traditional designs, and I’d definitely consider them if I were looking to change my setup.

Harbeth has also introduced a new active design that's worth checking out. It’s exciting to see how design innovations are making great sound more affordable these days.

Spendor’s D-Line series is another example, with in-house drivers and really innovative cabinet designs.

And I can’t see why Linn’s new speaker designs wouldn’t be game changers either.

In the end though, I think the only way to judge speakers is by listening to them with the right amplification—and ideally, in your own home. Sometimes the more expensive option is more musical, but in my experience, that’s not always the case.

It seems to me that the 119 and 150 are conventional speakers with third party drivers (Seas I think). I remember when the 242 and 212 came out with the 3K system. those were innovative speakers, think of the 212: a 4-way stand speaker!! As I have already written, perhaps mistakenly, the Series 1 are quality speakers made for a Linn system, especially an active one. Of course, if there is a customer with amplifier A, Streamer B and LP C who wants the 150 or 119 Linn, he is welcome but I think it is as rare as a white fly!

Kudos also use SEAS drivers in their Titans.

[Bianconero]

When I was auditioning speakers about five years ago, one that really caught my attention was the JanZen. Unfortunately, the UK importer had priced them at around £15,000, which was nearly double the North American price, so I didn’t pursue them further. I wasn’t keen on paying such a premium.

That said, I recently took another look at their website (https://janszenaudio.com/products/valen ... iamplified) and noticed they now have updated versions available. These are active speakers with built-in DACs and amplification, priced at just under £10,000. They’re electrostatic speakers, which are quite different from traditional designs, and I’d definitely consider them if I were looking to change my setup.

Harbeth has also introduced a new active design that's worth checking out. It’s exciting to see how design innovations are making great sound more affordable these days.

Spendor’s D-Line series is another example, with in-house drivers and really innovative cabinet designs.

And I can’t see why Linn’s new speaker designs wouldn’t be game changers either.

In the end though, I think the only way to judge speakers is by listening to them with the right amplification—and ideally, in your own home. Sometimes the more expensive option is more musical, but in my experience, that’s not always the case.

It seems to me that the 119 and 150 are conventional speakers with third party drivers (Seas I think). I remember when the 242 and 212 came out with the 3K system. those were innovative speakers, think of the 212: a 4-way stand speaker!! As I have already written, perhaps mistakenly, the Series 1 are quality speakers made for a Linn system, especially an active one. Of course, if there is a customer with amplifier A, Streamer B and LP C who wants the 150 or 119 Linn, he is welcome but I think it is as rare as a white fly!

Kudos also use SEAS drivers in their Titans.

the tweeter is the Krescendo customized to Kudos specifications. I have nothing against Seas and Kudos which are excellent products. I heard the 606 and noticed a great tight sound.
However, I tend to prefer brands that also build the speaker drives. They give me the impression that they have more control over the final project.

[Nestor Turton]

When I was auditioning speakers about five years ago, one that really caught my attention was the JanZen. Unfortunately, the UK importer had priced them at around £15,000, which was nearly double the North American price, so I didn’t pursue them further. I wasn’t keen on paying such a premium.

That said, I recently took another look at their website (https://janszenaudio.com/products/valen ... iamplified) and noticed they now have updated versions available. These are active speakers with built-in DACs and amplification, priced at just under £10,000. They’re electrostatic speakers, which are quite different from traditional designs, and I’d definitely consider them if I were looking to change my setup.

Harbeth has also introduced a new active design that's worth checking out. It’s exciting to see how design innovations are making great sound more affordable these days.

Spendor’s D-Line series is another example, with in-house drivers and really innovative cabinet designs.

And I can’t see why Linn’s new speaker designs wouldn’t be game changers either.

In the end though, I think the only way to judge speakers is by listening to them with the right amplification—and ideally, in your own home. Sometimes the more expensive option is more musical, but in my experience, that’s not always the case.

It seems to me that the 119 and 150 are conventional speakers with third party drivers (Seas I think). I remember when the 242 and 212 came out with the 3K system. those were innovative speakers, think of the 212: a 4-way stand speaker!! As I have already written, perhaps mistakenly, the Series 1 are quality speakers made for a Linn system, especially an active one. Of course, if there is a customer with amplifier A, Streamer B and LP C who wants the 150 or 119 Linn, he is welcome but I think it is as rare as a white fly!

Kudos also use SEAS drivers in their Titans.

the tweeter is the Krescendo customized to Kudos specifications. I have nothing against Seas and Kudos which are excellent products. I heard the 606 and noticed a great tight sound.
However, I tend to prefer brands that also build the speaker drives. They give me the impression that they have more control over the final project.

Thank you for clearing up my misunderstanding about the new Linn speakers. I had mistakenly thought they used custom drive units, so I really appreciate the clarification.

When it comes to making a great loudspeaker, I think there are several valid approaches (and maybe even more!) that a company could take:

1. Do everything in-house, from design to production.

2. Specify the drivers and cabinet, then outsource some or all of the manufacturing, with careful testing to ensure top quality.

3. Use off-the-shelf drivers and use digital sound processing to make sure everything works together seamlessly.

I don’t think it matters too much which method is used, as long as the speaker measures well and sounds fantastic. Personally, I really value good measurements, since I wouldn’t want a speaker with an unusual frequency response or one that puts too much strain on my amplifier.
But of course, what really matters is the speaker fits well in the room and brings joy to the listener. From reading everyone’s posts here, it seems like most of us are pretty happy with the speakers we’ve chosen!

[Bianconero]

When I was auditioning speakers about five years ago, one that really caught my attention was the JanZen. Unfortunately, the UK importer had priced them at around £15,000, which was nearly double the North American price, so I didn’t pursue them further. I wasn’t keen on paying such a premium.

That said, I recently took another look at their website (https://janszenaudio.com/products/valen ... iamplified) and noticed they now have updated versions available. These are active speakers with built-in DACs and amplification, priced at just under £10,000. They’re electrostatic speakers, which are quite different from traditional designs, and I’d definitely consider them if I were looking to change my setup.

Harbeth has also introduced a new active design that's worth checking out. It’s exciting to see how design innovations are making great sound more affordable these days.

Spendor’s D-Line series is another example, with in-house drivers and really innovative cabinet designs.

And I can’t see why Linn’s new speaker designs wouldn’t be game changers either.

In the end though, I think the only way to judge speakers is by listening to them with the right amplification—and ideally, in your own home. Sometimes the more expensive option is more musical, but in my experience, that’s not always the case.

It seems to me that the 119 and 150 are conventional speakers with third party drivers (Seas I think). I remember when the 242 and 212 came out with the 3K system. those were innovative speakers, think of the 212: a 4-way stand speaker!! As I have already written, perhaps mistakenly, the Series 1 are quality speakers made for a Linn system, especially an active one. Of course, if there is a customer with amplifier A, Streamer B and LP C who wants the 150 or 119 Linn, he is welcome but I think it is as rare as a white fly!

Kudos also use SEAS drivers in their Titans.

the tweeter is the Krescendo customized to Kudos specifications. I have nothing against Seas and Kudos which are excellent products. I heard the 606 and noticed a great tight sound.
However, I tend to prefer brands that also build the speaker drives. They give me the impression that they have more control over the final project.

Thank you for clearing up my misunderstanding about the new Linn speakers. I had mistakenly thought they used custom drive units, so I really appreciate the clarification.

When it comes to making a great loudspeaker, I think there are several valid approaches (and maybe even more!) that a company could take:

1. Do everything in-house, from design to production.

2. Specify the drivers and cabinet, then outsource some or all of the manufacturing, with careful testing to ensure top quality.

3. Use off-the-shelf drivers and use digital sound processing to make sure everything works together seamlessly.

I don’t think it matters too much which method is used, as long as the speaker measures well and sounds fantastic. Personally, I really value good measurements, since I wouldn’t want a speaker with an unusual frequency response or one that puts too much strain on my amplifier.
But of course, what really matters is the speaker fits well in the room and brings joy to the listener. From reading everyone’s posts here, it seems like most of us are pretty happy with the speakers we’ve chosen!

You have deeped into my topic perfectly. I would have do a lot of fatigue. Thank you!