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The following is
an unsolicited testimonial from David Ogden
Stiers,
the well known actor (from the TV series Mash), philharmonic
conductor, and director. We do not usually publish customer's
comments but we though we should share Mr. Stiers' extensive
experience with three different Role Audio loudspeakers with
our customers. Role Audio is a labor of love and we really appreciate
the satisfaction of our customers. We at Role Audio send our
many thanks to Mr. Stiers. His comments are very much appreciated.
His letter is reprinted verbatim, with permission. |
Letter about Role
Audio Speakers experience.
To: Mr. Erol
Ricketts
Sir,
Your cordiality
and warmth on the occasions we've spoken have been a very real
part of the positive experiences I've enjoyed with Role Audio.
Thank you.
To specifics:
I've just ordered, as you know, another pair of the Skiffs. They
are extraordinary. As I mentioned in a long-ago conversation,
I use them in hotels/apartments for periodic residencies out
of town, and I could not be more pleased. In those rare instances
when I can 'open them up' they offer a consuming musical experience;
full (not gigantic, in keeping with their size), nearly visible
soundstage; clarity and air in the mid-range, accuracy and a
bit of 'forgiveness' in the upper octaves - and fully satisfying
in the upper bass. I use a Pinnacle SUBcompact 6 for deep bass
and, since its' crossover allows up to a 150 hz setting (I use
140 hz just to take the low end pressure off the Skiffs; the
Pinnacles' low end is down 3db at 28) it is sonically a near-perfect
match - as well as of manageable size.
The Skiffs respond
happily to most amplification from, for example, a little Teac
25 watt a side receiver - and, joyously, to an Arcam Solo. I'm
planning a system of the Skiffs, Antique Audio 25 watt monoblocks
(Wave AV-25 DT) and either an Adcom or an Anthem pre-tuner with
a Pinnacle riding low. I'll report, if you'd like, when I've
had some time to assess the set-up.
The Kayaks are
in place as nearfield monitors in my home Tascam CD/ DAT/Cassette
archiving system. They, too, are subwoof'ed. Amazing.
But the true
stars in the Role firmament are, for me (so far), the Sampans
which you kindly had modified for me by using the original Skiff
3.5" driver. They were first evaluated (no sub) with the
Czech Philharmonic/Karel Ancerl performance of Stravinskys' Rite
of Spring, employing modest amplification. We listened, drop-jawed,
to detail, a seamless soundstage, crisp warmth (Oxymoronic? Not
in the least), and next to no sense of compression or congestion
at climaxes. (That recording is analog from the early 60's, so
some distortion was inevitably audible; not the fault of the
speakers - played, as they were, at a fairly conservative level.)
The Sampans are
now set up in my bedroom at home, supported with a small Totem
subwoofer* (not particularly powerful or extremely deep - but
musical and truthful) and they handle everything from big band
and small ensemble jazz (Jazz at the Pawnshop, all volumes; Kenny
Burrell; Bob James; Claude Bolling - small ensemble and big band;
etc) to Ravels' Daphnis et Chloe (Munch/Boston). Mahlers' Symphony
#8? Mmmmmmmm, maybe not. Big system for that. But the Mahler
4th; 1st; even 3rd - ?Tell me when it's time to press play and
I'll be there.
A frequent critical
observation from your quoted reviewers can be summed up in the
phrase "the speakers disappear". And it is the truth.
While my needs have not brought me to the larger Role offerings,
I think I can assume with nearly absolute certainty that they
support - perhaps even surpass - the quality, utterly satisfying
sound and remarkable value of the speakers I've come to rely
on and which give me such reliable sessions immersed happily
in the Art of Music.
Many thanks,
Mr. Ricketts, and please give my regards to the designers and
craftspersons who bring these speakers to service of music lovers.
Gratefully,
David Ogden Stiers
Actor; Director;
Associate Conductor Newport (Oregon) Symphony Orchestra
*and driven variously
by Arcam Solo, Music Hall integrated amp, Adcom pre-tuner controlling
a pair of 45 watt p/p EL 34 monoblocks and anything else I feel
like throwing at them. They remain blithely musical and satisfying. |