Expert Senior - new purchase

[poodling around]

Ah, the Tractrix horns were an entirely different approach, designed by Paul Voigt, as I'm sure you're aware Marco. The EMG and Expert horn systems are not inferior, just different 'technology' - the mathematics (impedance matching and in this case, 4-dimensional modelling of a hemispherical wavefront) were worked out by Percy Wilson; EMG and Expert took his designs and developed them. A few years ago Graham Rankin, Ian Maxted and I were visited by Bjørn Kolbrek, an eminent horn scientist (incidentally he is co-author of an enormous horn speaker textbook which has just been published, and includes comprehensive historical as well as technical content) - he made lots of tests and concluded that the EMG and Expert horns (and the Voigt Tractix) are really not a great deal more primitive than the best hi-fi horns today. Strangely, it seems there are many radically different ways, all complex, to 'solve' horn requirements... (I must add, I'm sounding as if I know a great deal about all this technically, which definitely isn't the case!) I have an EMG Mk Xb and a Mk Xb Oversize arranged for stereo listening - at some point in future I will attach high quality drivers to both and run them from the hi fi system!

Here's a 'panoramic' photo sweeping round two sides of our main room (the Expert Senior is on the right; the hi fi is in the big cabinet):

This room. One of the most wonderful things I have ever seen.

[BassetHoundTrio]

What an amazing view!! Judging by the sound, there are no design flaws in these machines - simply amazing reproduction. I hope to see your collection someday!

Ah, the Tractrix horns were an entirely different approach, designed by Paul Voigt, as I'm sure you're aware Marco. The EMG and Expert horn systems are not inferior, just different 'technology' - the mathematics (impedance matching and in this case, 4-dimensional modelling of a hemispherical wavefront) were worked out by Percy Wilson; EMG and Expert took his designs and developed them. A few years ago Graham Rankin, Ian Maxted and I were visited by Bjørn Kolbrek, an eminent horn scientist (incidentally he is co-author of an enormous horn speaker textbook which has just been published, and includes comprehensive historical as well as technical content) - he made lots of tests and concluded that the EMG and Expert horns (and the Voigt Tractix) are really not a great deal more primitive than the best hi-fi horns today. Strangely, it seems there are many radically different ways, all complex, to 'solve' horn requirements... (I must add, I'm sounding as if I know a great deal about all this technically, which definitely isn't the case!) I have an EMG Mk Xb and a Mk Xb Oversize arranged for stereo listening - at some point in future I will attach high quality drivers to both and run them from the hi fi system!

Here's a 'panoramic' photo sweeping round two sides of our main room (the Expert Senior is on the right; the hi fi is in the big cabinet):

[epigramophone]

Alastair and Jane came to tea this afternoon, and while the ladies were talking we slipped away to view your latest YouTube clips.
We are both used to hearing Expert Seniors (Alastair has one) but the pure sound of the Mk.VII was new to us. If I could describe it in a single word it would be "refined".

You did the right thing acquiring that collection. I envy you. The enjoyment will remain long after the price is forgotten.

Roger.

[Orchorsol]

Thank you Roger! And I just had a nice email from Alastair on the subject. Yes indeed, absolutely no regrets, even though this was very difficult to finance in the shorter term! The Mk VII is even more of a joy than I anticipated - 'refined' is a very good description indeed. I've been holding off starting a thread about it, only because it has such a dark cabinet, and the light is rather poor on these damp autumn days, that it's very hard to photograph well at present. I think I'll just go ahead however.

[Marco Gilardetti]

The enjoyment will remain long after the price is forgotten.

That's my motto!