A LONG Review: New Swans 5.2

[cveale]

Sounds good. Weird that you received the 5.2s instead of the 6.2s. As others have mentioned, the only thing you will really gain is perhaps a bit more in the deep end. If your sub is handling the duties for music listening as well then you might not have any issue here.

Good to know that things are leaning towards the positive. One note, make sure you pick some good rock recordings. Some of the "lesser" recordings make me wish for a cheap pair of Cerwin Vegas where I can't tell the difference between a good and bad recording.

[Themanthatisi]

Sounds good. Weird that you received the 5.2s instead of the 6.2s. As others have mentioned, the only thing you will really gain is perhaps a bit more in the deep end. If your sub is handling the duties for music listening as well then you might not have any issue here.

Good to know that things are leaning towards the positive. One note, make sure you pick some good rock recordings. Some of the "lesser" recordings make me wish for a cheap pair of Cerwin Vegas where I can't tell the difference between a good and bad recording.

It was a mistake on the inventory and Jon was just as suprised I received 5.2's and not 6.2's. To be honest, the 5.2's bass is very impressive and my girl even said "where are the subs". when I told her they are not hooked up she said "WOW, really?" . For Metallica, yes I think they will need my subs running but I have to finish assembly first as I am building my own. However, I got the cabinets in Black Piano finish so they match the Swan's. The 6.2's would have been nice but being the 5.2's do use up less space I can put that extra space to good use.

I also think that since I will be using subs the smaller 6.5 driver may actually provide better detail on the upper base.

The only real complaint is the binding post location..... But I will not comment further on sound until I have listened to more music over more time.

Mike

[einsteinjb]

Thanks Jeff,,,,excellent review!

How would you say the soundstaging was compared with the B&W 604's, 703 and/or the 802's?

Were you able to distinguish the various instruments with relative ease?

If you did have the correct spikes, would they be sufficient on shag carpet to have enough clearance to make the speaker connection (without crushing)?

Will be great to hear your follow-up after break-in......thanks!

In my buddy Mike's room, which isn't treated in any way yet, the Swans absolutely held their own next to the 604s with regards to soundstage and imaging. In his room the (thoroughly broken-in) 604s had deeper, punchier, clearer and more natural bass, but the 5.2s were no slouch in this area either and as I mentioned in my review, there are several factors that I believe contributed to that and that could be easily adjusted to improve bass performance. The Blue Ice amp already made a difference and I have no complaints.

I can't compare to the 703s. I've heard the 700 series (I think 704s) but am not familiar enough to draw comparisons.

The 802s, with an "s" to indicate they were the older Nautilus versions with aluminum dome tweeter as opposed to the newer 802d with diamond tweeter (which are pretty amazing, I've heard them) are big, impressive speakers that create a big, powerful soundstage. They definitely sound fatter than the Swans, but no surprise there. They're excellent speakers but personally I don't like them enough more than the Swans to ever consider dropping that kind of money on them. The aluminum dome tweeter just doesn't move me.

However, if I did have $5K I could afford to spend on speakers, it would be a no-brainer -- the Dali Helicon 800s. To my ears, they're just utterly superior to everything I've ever heard before, completely "right." Yeah cveale my friend, you need to hear these, and garys, yes, IMO they smoked the Nautilus. No comparison.

I'm a very good keyboard player, but I know people that are so much better than me, I don't even want to touch a keyboard when they're in the room; I just want to listen to them play. But if on any given day I can't have one of those talented players here to listen to, I'll take my own playing quite happily -- I'm still more than good enough to enjoy my own playing and I have no problem with not being the best there is.

That's how I look at the Swans. The Dalis KILL them, but at 4-5 times the price I can't have the Dalis (yet!) so give me Swans 5.2s and I'll be quite happy. They're more than good enough, and that's saying something.

And yes Loner, I can distinguish the various instruments with extreme ease on the Swans. They're slightly less bright than the B&Ws (which to me is a good thing) but no less clear and detailed.

You asked "If you did have the correct spikes, would they be sufficient on shag carpet to have enough clearance to make the speaker connection (without crushing)?" Hmm. I don't know. I'd have to try it and see. The binding posts are pretty much level with the buttom surface of the speakers so you'd have to see if the spikes are tall enough to clear your carpet, taking into consideration the way they'll sink into the padding and carpeting. I'm sure it would help though.

[einsteinjb]

Excellent review!!! I just got my 5.2F and 4.2F?s in today. I got the same wrong feet on my 5.2?s but the 4.2?s had the right ones. The right ones are also not a true spike. It?s a spike with that same flat base that is permanently attached. I plan to figure out the thread size this weekend in home depot and order spikes online. On carpet, spikes are a must as the 4.2?s with their feet are a little wobbly. Needless to say my huge 10ga twisted pair speaker wire has no chance of fitting under the 5.2?s until I get them up off the ground. The binding post location? I can?t agree more, it?s a horrible location. It does look cleaner once installed, but I would have preferred rear posts.

I am going to wait on my full review, we had hoped I would do a 6.2 review but the 5.2?s were shipped instead and feel I will keep them. As for the sound?. Well, very nice! Mum is the word for now until its proper time as I want to take a few weeks to listen to much music. I am feeding them with a pair of B&K Sonata mono blocks and sound very sweet thus far. Then again those B&K will make any speaker sound better, they are that good. I have another 2ch amp I will try tomorrow made by Monster Cable and see how the speakers behave on it but it?s my planned sub amp. I doubt it can beat the B&K?s in warmth but also puts out more wattage, bigger and heavier then both B&K mono amps put together! But remember, it?s not the size that counts, its how it?s done.

More on all this when my full review comes out in a few weeks.

Mike

Ooo hey, 5.2s AND 4.2s! Nice! Can't wait to hear your impressions, especially with the different amps.

And I hate to say it but your 10ga twisted pair speaker wire not only has no chance of fitting under the 5.2s until you get them up off the ground -- it also has no chance of fitting into the 5.2s' binding post holes!!

[einsteinjb]

Nice review e!!! Not that a/b testing doesn't have it's advantages, but I'll take long term listening impressions (such as yours) in ones own room, with their own equip over a quick a/b. I've read other reviews where the swans compare closely with the B&Ws (not including the 800series), I don't know if that's more of compliment to the swans or the b&ws . Wow! those dalis smoked the nautilus ....

I've heard that too, that the Swans compare closely with B&Ws, specifically the 700 series I think, but personally I disagree, at least the 600 series and Nautilus B&Ws I'm familiar with. The 604s and 802s had a similar sound to each other except the Nautilus sounded bigger and a little cleaner and more natural. They both have that aluminum dome tweeter edge though that the Swans don't have. It's subtle but you can hear it in comparisons. I definitely prefer the Swans' silk dome tweeter.

[cveale]

I wasn't a huge fan of the midrange on the B&W 603s I listened to. It was good, but slightly colored (to my ears). The 700 series was much better in this regard. They just sounded more natural, but still they had the B&W extended highs which some love or hate. The 800s just seemed fuller in all respects. a bit fuller than my Swans 6.2s even. Well... more effortless anyway.

I give the edge to my 6.2s over all of the 600 series B&Ws in overall sound, but I do have to agree with you on the bass. I probably have a bit more bass than you do (einsteinjb) with my 6.2s as opposed to the 5.2s, but I still think there is a bit more definition and punch in the B&W bass. Even in the 600 series.

[einsteinjb]

I wasn't a huge fan of the midrange on the B&W 603s I listened to. It was good, but slightly colored (to my ears). The 700 series was much better in this regard. They just sounded more natural, but still they had the B&W extended highs which some love or hate. The 800s just seemed fuller in all respects. a bit fuller than my Swans 6.2s even. Well... more effortless anyway.

I give the edge to my 6.2s over all of the 600 series B&Ws in overall sound, but I do have to agree with you on the bass. I probably have a bit more bass than you do (einsteinjb) with my 6.2s as opposed to the 5.2s, but I still think there is a bit more definition and punch in the B&W bass. Even in the 600 series.

I'm right with you -- but if you listen with a subwoofer (crossed anywhere you like, 60, 80, etc.), it's pretty much a non-issue for me. With the Swans and a good sub, which you'd have anyway if you use your speakers for HT, you get (to me) better looking speakers with better sound overall than the 600 series, for less money. Sweet.

[Themanthatisi]

Ooo hey, 5.2s AND 4.2s! Nice! Can't wait to hear your impressions, especially with the different amps.

And I hate to say it but your 10ga twisted pair speaker wire not only has no chance of fitting under the 5.2s until you get them up off the ground -- it also has no chance of fitting into the 5.2s' binding post holes!!

Well, for now the 5.2's will sit on hockey pucks for wire clearance until I get new feet. As for getting the wire in the binding posts... I use spade lugs so its a non-issue.

Give me time on a review All next week I have to study for another Microsoft test and I wont get to play much and the following week or the one after that I have another test. On the weekends my girl friend eats most of my time and I cant even listen to ONE song without her opening up her mouth... arggggg! I have another friend wanting a 5.1 demo but I still do not have a matching center so that one will wait as well. I think the 5.2C will be in soon though. I also have a new surround processor on the way that will smoke my current one.....

Again, you made a really nice review!!!

Mike

[cveale]

Damn, still in Girlfriend status and already in control. I can understand the reasons for this, BELIEVE ME, but damn....

[Themanthatisi]

Damn, still in Girlfriend status and already in control. I can understand the reasons for this, BELIEVE ME, but damn....

LOL.... Well, on Sunday I gave a demo to a couple of guys of the Swan's (They came here to buy my AR's) and sent her upstairs. Its funny, I will crank it up in the car where I did a nice system and still she can't be quiet and try to shout louder then the music..... lol

She is 13years younger than I am (she is 24) and still very "trainable"... I am working on it. I have some ideas.

Mike