Excelsior Part 1 - Overview

The Excelsior all in one speaker system from Fleetwood Sound is the world’s first ultra high quality, almost portable sound system in one package. Made from solid torrefied Pennsylvania oak, cast aluminum and paper phenolic, it’s a Swiss Army knife for sound, accepting virtually any input; wifi, Bluetooth, DAC, phono.
Modular electronics ensure the Excelsior will never be rendered obsolete, you can update it yourself without any tools.
This is a speaker so compact you can put it in the backseat of your car, take it to your cabin, to a party (it rocks like nothing else in its class). You can put it on your kitchen counter, take it outside (don't leave it there, it's not waterproof!). This is a system so flexible and portable you'll be finding new uses for it. Just plug it in and be prepared…

[@DQ-su6qf]

Reminds me of a futuristic compressed version of the JBL Paragon…

[@iborrada]

5:09 Jonathan himself expresses his incredulity, best moment in this video.

[@appgenie6845]

I have to agree, he is not known for believing in compact systems. But of course they have a place.

[@airtow6766]

Unique and derivative at the same time. Speaker designers of 70 years ago would both feel familiar and baffled at the same time seeing these. No one will ever confuse OMA from anyone else in the music reproduction field!

[@marknachmias423]

Yup. It's truly amazing . I've had the pleasure of listening to it for a little over a year now.. I have and have had many full scale audio systems and I imagine I will continue to do so. But none of them has the allure that this little thing does. It's a magic box.

[@oswaldsmillaudio]

Thank you, Mark 🙌

[@loudspeaker-solutions]

Jonathan is a genius. his deep understanding of what sound reproduction should be is remarkable....no matter only few can afford these piece of art loudspeakers.

[@carlitomelon4610]

Beautiful Steampunk $oundbar. Love OMA! I can imagine this across the corner of a living room, placed on a massive Pennsylvania oak credenza, with a subwoofer hidden behind and TV above. Not a fan of the alternative single leg design. Like an American fußball player doing ballet. Sorry but I prefer something with a sturdy base, but I could imagine the ladies would go for it. My wife likes to balance heavy objects on spindly plant stands🙄....A great Dane would topple it and crush a toddler! How would you hide the power cords? But beautiful 🎵🎶🤫🎶🎵

[@tjmbv8680]

I would kill for one of these in my kitchen, love the concept of a high end all in one system like this. Truly a masterpiece

[@quma001]

Simply gorgeous

[@joaofeiteira6309]

I'm happy to see a high end company catering to compact stereo systems. It makes a lot of sense. If you care about design and you live in a small space, like most european families do, the truth is if you have to put two widely separated speakers plus all the electronics and a TV in between in a 25-30 sqm living room, it becomes a very electronics centered space. Yes, you don't get the wide stereo separation, but with a system like this you have a lot more flexibility to put it where it sounds best, and that makes a big difference in the perceived sound quality, plus you get to be in a room that looks and feels balanced.

[@carlosmacmartin4205]

I recall you stating in another video, "soundwaves can't be miniaturized." Surprise, surprise. Looks like you've succeeded with the Excelsior. 😊

[@lightningwaves5436]

That is absolutely BEAUTIFUL ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@hi-fihaven2257]

Hi Jonathan, I really enjoyed the video! That is one BEAUTIFUL machine. Love the connectivity, especially that Ethernet connection. I stream a lot of Qobuz. The unit’s size and style would be perfect for my room! Have a GREAT one! 😎

[@misterpsych3804]

watch nerd here - SQ was found on the Dial of multitudes of Seiko , which is not Swiss but Japanese. The Swiss had a timekeeping competition to determine the most accurate watch. Seiko won one year and then the organizers of the comp, made the competition only for Swiss made watches there after! Go get em Seiko !

[@bblimediamostlyspeakers]

That thing looks cool! It reminds me of the old all in one console stereos, but smaller and better! I also didn't know phenolic was still used, I thought that was a thing of the past.

[@iborrada]

This is the kind of system that might do well in Singapore where we live in smaller spaces yet crave this kind of quality. We buy high end audio equipment but struggle with things like effective speaker placement and room treatment, I wonder if this is like a silver bullet in that regard.

[@xfloodcasual8124]

Looking more and more like Doc Brown

[@ianmedium]

Outstanding! I am looking forward to hearing more about this Jonathan. The size is much smaller than I thought it would be looing at press images. For a digital front end imagine a DCS CD player! I have the album you played and even on KZbin it sounds nowhere near as good as this! Fantastic Jonathan, you never cease to surprise with your uncompromising approach to creating fine audio reproduction!

[@oswaldsmillaudio]

Hi Ian, the sound is actually much much better than the video suggests, but we recorded it only with my lapel mic- that's why I am leaning in to let you all hear it better! These videos are only done with that one tiny mic.

[@labalo5]

Jonathan always delivers…Congrats on the release! I need this

[@ptg01]

Stunning !!!! Bet it comes with an equally stunning asking price of........ $500K ?

[@cosmic_diver]

Still no prices on the website. Love the style though, but living in Australia so will probably be hard to view in person anytime soon.

[@user-mp5cb2ir9z]

$19,600 for the standard version (torrified oak body & black powder coated aluminum horns only unfortunately) & $33k & change for the "SQ" version with the larger sized hornd cast in solid bronze (VERY expensive to have done) w/ upgraded wiring inside & your choice of wood, etc for the body/cabinet. Hope that helps.

[@lewbarrett]

How could one be an expert on this system design without having measured or calculated its acoustic power? It looks like a micro Paragon with a compression driver and unusual waveguide. I bet it’s efficient at certain frequencies. The rest of the details we have to suss out for ourselves as the video doesn’t explain the deign and the sound demo is inconclusive due to the usual YT compromises.

[@merlecrandall1709]

Part one which I can assume part two is coming.

[@andrewgillis8572]

omg yes there is a column effect created by a console - the Clalrtones made in Canada with UK parts were amazing - or JBL Paragon

[@GrandSekiza]

I heard this and cried in poor, this thing is amazing.

[@greenlanternseven]

Where does Jonathan get such wonderful toys? Lol don't let the Lower level Fleetwood make you believe this is inferior in any way that is a serious little active speaker system, Awesome product Jonathan I hope it sells well

[@iborrada]

Just extraordinary

[@kenanderson2216]

It's a knockout for sure. 🤩

[@carlitomelon4610]

Definitely; if it fell over on you!

[@kenanderson2216]

🤣@@carlitomelon4610

[@lightningwaves5436]

My mouth is literally watering.

[@jaydeebishop2345]

these things are going to sell bravo!

[@MrBonger88]

As a big fan of horns I’d love to hear these someday

[@crimsonghost6454]

Miles above everything that is out in the market today. Wow,great stuff as always...

[@wesbender9629]

congratulations, pal!

[@Nephilim-81]

Beautiful. Niche art. ❤

[@Peter-yt7xm]

Absolutely beautiful, well done. 👏

[@John-Edward]

Imaging would seem to be challenging if it sounds good anywhere in the room. Sounds like a modern day BOSE 901…? I don’t mean that as a criticism, but I doubt there is much soundstage…?

[@oswaldsmillaudio]

Perfect imaging if you are on axis between the horns. The exact opposite of Bose- this is an extremely directional speaker, with superb pattern control, not an omni.

[@appgenie6845]

Holy Horns Batman! Brief demo sounded amazing! Look forward to hearing in person! What was the tune Jono?

[@felinthorn4977]

Keith don’t go from Nils Lofgren Acoustic live album

[@FirePhoenixAudio]

​@@felinthorn4977Yup... And it sounds good on anything.

[@thinkIndependent2024]

Intriguing I've owned over 100 speakers that endeavor drove me to be a part-time inventor ( Experimentation with the circuits tells me that many speakers can produce a deep detailed soundstage with a proper combination) My True Question how far can it push (Micro-Detail) I look forward to that being question answered one day

[@axelwunsch2366]

Hi Jonathan , Are you bringing the system with you to Munich? The design is incredibly awesome ❤️

[@ichigobankai2343]

Being that close together it wont have that stereo separation effect.

[@oswaldsmillaudio]

Actually the best thing about the sound in terms of imaging is that from a few meters back you simply can't tell where the sound is coming from, the speaker just disappears.

[@TheGrandPumma]

Finally! Been Waiting for this one. Looks Great!

[@jonuiuc]

Looks cool, great size.

[@heshoh2]

Can you do a video on your 2 to 3 watt amplifier?

[@pabulumdrummer]

Just Lovely:)

[@De132an]

Reminds me of the stereo high fidelity consuls of the ‘60 & ‘50s. All in one. Not sure if it will be acceptable to audiophiles.

[@RennieAsh]

Probably fine for rich people wanting an artistic piece

[@oswaldsmillaudio]

Some of the world's most famous musicians are getting the Excelsior, it's not an audiophile piece because you can't tweak it by changing anything.

[@De132an]

@@RennieAshA piece of art, I would agree.

[@De132an]

@@oswaldsmillaudioCertainly thinking outside the box as related to current all-in-one music systems. Handmade with attention to detail is certainly something special these days. I wish you all the best and look forward to reviews that will certainly appear quickly by request on KZbin.

[@greggb681]

Do you offer a subwoofer that can pair with efficient speakers?

[@jonathandavis9507]

Beautiful; how does it image?

[@ole9421]

From the looks, I'm going to guess these are designed to be "room filling" rather than precise imaging.

[@thomasnavin552]

Whats the name of the track he's playing?

[@hungdeath]

Please tell me where I can buy it? How?

[@JingoLoBa57]

Ear height? Subwoofer? Just some questions coming to mind

[@oswaldsmillaudio]

The horns have the best directivity of anything we've ever measured, so if you are far enough back, it all works very well. A sub may be coming, we'll see, but the bass is ridiculously good by itself.

[@seraphin_creates]

The red oak finish is a classy statement, for those who understand it.

[@anowosielski]

So it’s Bluetooth/soundbar speaker

[@stephannordmann5346]

I am ready to buy 🎉❤ Is a delivery to Europe available?

[@oswaldsmillaudio]

Yes, it will be very soon.

[@stephannordmann5346]

@@oswaldsmillaudio Thank you for the information I am excited 👍

[@lapeercharlie8691]

One day the Smithsonian will open the Jonathan Weiss wing.

[@oswaldsmillaudio]

😂 Thank you, love your comment!

[@inherent777]

Excellent 👍👍👍🎉🎉🎉. Is it Google Chromecast compatible?

[@JMImperial54]

Incredible audio! I wish you can play other music without the pesky copyright fade.

[@CarlosRiverakp4kgb]

Nice!!

[@jadutch7361]

I think I Saw something very similar on Ali Baba Express for only $388.88. I bet the sound is similar too, whether or not it is made in China-

[@mauort6870]

i feel bad for cheap people. not being able to discern quality and value is probably an easy way to go through life ..I wouldn't know, but it's so short sighted. You support all the wrong people by buying cheap, poorly made junk.

[@ciuciulala8888]

No Tiffany style RCA inputs?.

[@ssgeek4515]

Is the rear panel modular in that ..improvements in phono pre amp line in etc. A compression horn and centrally mounted driver(very Tannoy) audio on tube pointless really but I guess u had to play something

[@robertj1701]

What about soundstage???

[@markovlasic1978]

AND how does it sounds?

[@dingskydongsky]

it's also a coffee maker !

[@Siggy_Sour]

@DeanDelray sent me here.

[@johndyer8875]

Wow it looks like they copied the Boss 901 speakers

[@audioeeze8396]

In what way?....shaking my head.

[@RAREFORMDESIGNS]

No way... If anything it's a mini Paragon with built in power.

[@JingoLoBa57]

Not sure about the spider web covers

[@oswaldsmillaudio]

As I mentioned, the grills will be an option, you will see photos without the grills soon.

[@rastislavledaj3110]

It has no sense from acoustic perspective…when speaking of acousticaly treated environment. In modern architecture it doesn’t matter at all. Maybe that’s the selling point.

[@adrianconti5718]

Sadly the aesthetics are not to my taste, I love the horns on top, but those grill just do nothing for me…. If I wanted powered horn speakers, I’d go straight for Pitt and Giblin… but that’s on looks, not sound reproduction!

[@willowwale2000]

Another critic who cant afford it

[@adrianconti5718]

Many of OMA designs are stunning, this is not, I’m allowed to express my personal taste!

[@59seank]

Not bad for $3,000.00 USD. ;)

[@jimbower4249]

For 3k they will send you a signed black and white photo. Their ungodly expensive, but the craftsmanship is second to none. I gotta buy more scratch offs.

[@jareddevey9131]

People will buy into anything.

[@nirodha35]

True, but that doesn’t matter. The fact that people swallow bull like eight years in development 🙈

[@oswaldsmillaudio]

Eight years means eight years, stay tuned for the next videos and you'll understand why.

[@Erelio]

People have too much money , yet others complain about the price of eggs .

[@mauort6870]

most people will buy into mass produced junk without once stopping to discern on what scale something exists (how good is the best thing in the category and where does this stand in respect to that) a labor of love or of "doomed idealism" is too much for the non-discerning to comprehend, let alone appreciate... people who shop on temu and think they are smarter for buying cheap junk made by people with abhorrent work conditions are contributing to a worse future than people who support people striving to make the best of something and asking a fair price

[@appgenie6845]

Nicely said Mauort!

[@fredfungalspore]

I like unusual designs I'm into art deco But for me it looks like you have tried too hard to achieve uniqueness but ended up with industrial looking hodge podge and looks tacky im sorry to say.. They do nothing for me for what so ever What ever your goal was setting out I think you have failed in this design look I'm sorry to say..🙏

[@willowwale2000]

Don't worry,you can't afford it anyway

[@fredfungalspore]

@@willowwale2000Yes but I could afford you the other night though 😘

[@scottyo64]

What was that song?

[@CollectingRetro]

Keith Don't Go

[@les5309]

@@CollectingRetro from Nils Lofgren, the LIVE album