mdyde wrote:Are you saying that you don't think *any* commercially-available, off-the-shelf speakers/amplifiers (whether studio monitor, home hi-fi, audiophile, digital organ speakers, PA speakers, or whatever else) are well-suited for reproduction of dry sample-based organ systems that use accurate per-pipe samples of real pipework?
If not, which specific makes/models do you think would be best-suited and why?
Dear Martin
The point is that Hauptwerk dry samples are so good, they can do more than most to outwit the ear even with inappropriate speakers. When put through appropriate speakers they can sound even better.
I believe it is true to say that only 0.2% of all music sold currently is classical music. Most commercial speakers will be aiming to do very well with such programme material which, with heavy impulse based bass requirements and percussive top treble to balance, contrasts markedly from the smooth contuous frequencies of classical and in particular organ music.
One therefore has to be very discerning as to the specifications and the suitability of a choice of commercial speaker.
With the heavy continuous bass requirements of organs, of popular commercial designs three way speakers do a better job but few exhibit the most appropriate design characteristics. One day whilst working on the organ I listened to the explosive Lemmens fanfare to which I have given a link using a pair of Realistic Optimus 1000 speakers which I intended to use on the organ. They are very clean with a good big bass driver excellent for a 32ft and have a reputedly flat response. In fact the track through those speakers succeeded in making me jump out of my skin. So tests 1 and 2 passed. They are a good start for a home system, but for my purposes, perhaps too flat to be interesting and make certain stops sound plastic. Test 3 failed but quite good enough for home entertainment.
I don't berate the use of all commercial three way speakers: I exploit the flaws, as far as organ use is concerned, in the TOA 38SD
http://www.toaelectronics.com/disc/manu ... 8sd_im.pdf
There is one figure in that specification which makes it not a universal speaker for my purposes, but it is capable of serving a useful purpose on one channel.
In the cause of the preservation of pipe organs, I'm very happy to see the continuing adoption of standard rugged commercial designs for the rollout of standard electronic pipe organ replacements, with all the disadvantages that electronics bring so that one day people yearn to rebuild their pipe organs. In this thread, however, I have provided hints for criteria for anyone contemplating a prestige installation to consider and, in the interests of pipe organ preservation I do not wish to be more specific in a public forum.
Just as Wilson Audio describe the effects of their crossover but cover it in epoxy to stop competitors seeing it, just as you describe the effects that Hauptwerk achieves but do not put sample set coding in the public arena lest competitors use the technology, we all have our areas of expertise.
Hauptwerk is the most wonderful tool for spreading pipe organ enthusiasm at home, but the last part of the audio chain is important in determining whether in the public arena people are satisfied with electronic systems or only second to pipe organs. Hauptwerk competes with commercial manufacturers and it would be unwise to allow commercial competitors public access to specific instructions both to compete with top Hauptwerk installations and to march ever further forward in displacing pipe instruments.
Best wishes
David P