From: billyee@vnet.ibm.com
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 16:08:06 EST
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: Audio Concepts Sapphire IIti and Sub-1 Speaker Kits.

> From: jyk50@quts.ccc.amdahl.com (J Kretschmann III)
> Newsgroups: rec.audio
> Subject: Re: Audio Concepts Sapphire IIti and Sub-1 Speaker Kits.
> Message-Id: <3eVY02MJ33P.01@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com>
> Date: 21 Jan 93 00:48:46 GMT
> References: <19930120.110404.695@almaden.ibm.com>
> Sender: netnews@ccc.amdahl.com
> Lines: 2
> Apparently-To: <billyee@rhqvm14.vnet.ibm.com>
>
> How much did this kit cost you, where did you get it, and was it easy
> to put together??
>
Since the next question is along the same lines, I will answer them
both below... keep reading.

> From: jim!mike@wupost.wustl.edu
> Sender: jim!mike@wupost.wustl.edu
> Message-Id:  <9301211336.aa13940@jim.UUCP>
>
>
> How much did the kits run you?  Do they sell the SUB-1 separately,
> or are they designed to operate with their satellites?
>
> Did you get a chance to measure frequency response and sensitivity
> of the SUB-1?
>
> I am thinking about adding a subwoofer to my system, and rolling
> my own is one possibility.. How long did it take to build?
>
> Mike
> mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu

Audio Concepts Inc. (ACI) is a little mail order only outfit (basically a
family and friends run business) located in the midwest USA.  Their address is:

   Audio Concepts Inc.
   901 South 4th Street
   La Crosse, WI 54601

Phone numbers are: To Order: 1-800-346-9183, (they won't answer tech questions
at this 1-800 number).  For that call their Sales Assistance: 1-608-784-4570.

You can request two types of catalogs from them.  One catalog shows only
their speaker kits (of which the Sapphire IIti and Sub-1's are their top
of the line), and the other catalog is a raw speaker components catalog
from which you can order all the parts separately or partially as you like.
Their packaged kits are priced cheaper than if you tried to buy the parts
including their cabinets separately.  I figure I'll warn those who are thinking
in that direction already!  Unless of course you think you can spend the
time to make your own solid cabinets.  The Sub-1's are easy, but the
Sapphire cabinets have a tricky cross-brace, not for the casual amateur to
attempt.  I did buy an extra set of Sapphire II satelite cabinets from them
for just $320.00 smackos!  But I think it was worth it.  I also built my own
set of the Sub1 cabinets long before I decided to buy ACI's entire set.
I basically have two sets now!

The cost of the Sapphire II/ti kits is $849.00/pr + $$35.00 shipping.
The cost of the Sub 1 (in pairs) is $799.00/pr + $60.00 shipping.

If you buy a complete set, they give a slight discount to above prices,
(Which is what I did).  Cost was $1549.00/set + $90.00 shipping.
I also got them on a holiday special, so I paid only $45.00 shipping.

The kits are relatively easy to assemble, providing you are handy at
such stuff.  Alittle glueing with silicon, alittle wire connecting,
alittle mounting and screwing and above all alittle patience is all it takes.
I built my entire kit within one days time.  The silicon cures in a few hours.

Yes the Sub-1's were made to match the Sapphire II's.  Their efficiency
is rather on the moderate to low side, in my opinion.  A $100 Cerwin Vega
boom box they certainly are not!  They are crossed over at about 90hz
rolling off gradually and out at about 160 hz to match the Sapphire II's
response in that region.  The pair blend seemlessly and I believe that's
what accounts for the raving of "no boominess" sound to this system.  There
is absolutely no hint of a box or boxey sound. Absolutely NONE!
The Sub-1's should mate well with mini-monitors such as the celestion
SL-600si's, Spica TC-50's.  But believe me, the Sapphire II's are probably
their best match.

Look, these are for high-end audio.  They are not going to give you the
KICK!, BOOM!, BANG! larger than life, in the room with you... EARTHQUAKE!,
sound that I think some of you may be seeking.  What they give you is a
very neutral, unharsh, unfatiguing and accurate high-end sound.  But you put
those Sub-1's into the corners and you try to punish them with what you got!
They'll kick it out just as tight and clean as anything else and maybe better!

To summarize, I'll put it in a way maybe some or most of you audioohiles
might relate to better:

I would venture to say that IF this combo/set-up were tested today by say
Stereophile magazine, I would give it an easy Class-B ranking, if not
a very, very strong Class-C ranking.  Who knows, they might even throw it
into the Class-A category!  nuff' said!

P.S. - They use Focal drivers in the Sapphire IIti.  A modified T120ti tweeter
and a 7" Focal 7K011DBL dual voice coiled mid-bass driver.  The 12" subwoofers
are ACI's own spec./design with 10mm linear excursion capability.  They pump!


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