Horn! Sound Artist SC8B reviewed by Russ

[@twilwel]

I have these SC8B, but for my musical taste (classical, choral, acoustic) they were a big mistake. I miss detail in the mid range and dislike the somewhat boosted high range. My bad, but it did teach me what sound I like. On the other hand the LS3/5a from the same company are very good when used in the near field. I have them next to my computer screen and they sound just as advertised and as expected from this BBC speaker clone. Neutral throughout the whole frequency range and extremely good detail. Love them!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

For me it has an emphasized somewhere on the mids and in my video, I explained to people if you don't like the 'W' curve and prefer either neutral or 'V' curve, these are not for you. It does not sound like a normal speaker. Ideally you don't want to use this with music that has a lot of instruments going on.

[@twilwel]

@@ThomasAndStereo It's ok Thomas. I never saw your vid on the SC8B to begin with.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, it will be out in a few days.

[@Maxime-ho9iv]

The issue with this kind of speakers is the refinement in the design, both speaker design and crossover design. You know it from the look and price range. They are aiming at people that will mainly buy them because they look "cool" for them, and because they're not expensive. It's not new. We've had a lot of this kind of speakers, and it's always the same thing, unfortunately.

[@twilwel]

@@Maxime-ho9iv SoundArtist is just the same very capable of making good speakers or rather: speakers with a very neutral sound signature that I DO like.

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

Well done Russ. Good review. Clear and honest.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks 👍

[@philippest-hilaire4059]

Great review mister russ sounds like it is not his first review , very fluid and choosing the right words to describe sounds . Thanks

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Non-affiliated link www.china-hifi-audio.com/en Check out Russ' system kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJCoeJqHq62DiJo I was told the shipping cost is less now.

[@jrberg327]

Always interesting with the reviews. I’m still rocking a vintage pair of JBL L300 Summits. I have had the woofers re-coned a few times but other than that they have been flawless. I grew up with horn driven speakers and still have not found any speakers that sound as good as my 40 year old JBL’s.

[@bernhardmichaelfux308]

Although I have written this comment on another place, I just copy my opinion here too: I want to invite Thomas and Russ, to make more reviews with Russ as an active Part - just like that one we´re talking about. He is accurate, and he appears to be one who knows what he´s talking about! He speaks fluently and chooses his words the right way, so I must say: Overall, it is a very professional review, and to be honest, I cannot believe that this was his first review on HiFi gear!

[@denniswade4998]

You have amazing timing . . . I saw another review on these speakers, and was eager to hear more! Although my Monitor Audio Bronze 2s do sound good with the MP-301 amp (Seriously, I think this amp can make almost every speaker sound good!), I have thought of going for something different. However, I still haven't done any room tuning, and I'm going to put that first. Then we shall see! . . . By the way, I just know that your reviewer friend has good taste and can be trusted because I see he has the MP-D1 dac in his system! Ha Ha!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Cool, I just finished working on my review. It is different in the sense you have to like horns to enjoy these. It took me a while to appreciate horn myself and once I did, I really enjoy it.

[@one-wayexistence4482]

I own these speakers for a few months now and run them with a high-powered Anthem 225 Integrated and it's a surprisingly good match. I enjoy these speakers very much. They are communicative, involving, emotional and have tremendous sonical presence (without being boomy) in my small- to medium-sized room. They are natural and coherent and they are fun to listen to with various genres. I wish they were a tad more resolving though.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@one-wayexistence4482]

@@ThomasAndStereo To Russ's review: Fit and finish strongly needs improvement. And please note: They are not audiophile speakers like my Harbeth P3ESRs or Falcon LS3/5a and that's why they for me are more engaging, more forgiving, more fun to listen to.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yes, definitely fun.

[@user-xw2tj1kn1f]

A very well done, high quality review! Thank you! 🙂👍

[@brucermarino]

Great job! I agree with you about the appearance. Perhaps a band surrounding the woofer the same color as the Tweeter horn would help the aesthetics. Thanks!

[@net_news]

I love how they look!

[@janpedersen8376]

Bougth a set of these a few months ago and they were at my door for 660$ They are not my main speakers but i am quite happy to bring them out once in a while for a change in sound. Agree with Russ about the design, not particularly a modern speaker design. I find the sound quite forward sounding and may play a little with the horn, maybe adding a little foam to tame a bit of the metalic high end frequency range.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Have you tried pointing them straight forward?

[@janpedersen8376]

@@ThomasAndStereo Yes, i do have them pointing straight forward, i believe that gives the best soundstage.

[@thunderpooch]

@@janpedersen8376 I'm curious what you come up with. What about adding some double sided tape to the horn with some felt or fibers attached? It might choke off the reinforcement of the harsh frequencies just a touch.

[@janpedersen8376]

@@thunderpooch That’s an idea, i have not thought about the details yet but maybe just a layer of tape on the outer edge of the horn will do.

[@carlitomelon4610]

@Jan Pedersen Maybe an additional resistor before the tweeter? Tannoy does this, no?

[@The-Spotlight-Kid]

There was /is a musical hole left in my heart from one of my vintage Tannoy's 15" cones going haywire with unlistenable magnet-rubbing & after only 52 years from new!! (according to the faded, signed & dated test-pass labels stuck on the cab's rears) a £100 s/h buy of (pre-e'Bay) 25'ish years ago & sounding excellent until 3'ish months back. I have some post-upgrade speakers stashed & put Celestion 3000 ribbon hybrids in thier place but for 3 months, they still remind me how much better known albums sounded via 15" Tannoy dual concentrics. Now 1 working driver can go for circa 800 to £1000 on watch'out 'Bay so I'd recently thought of buying this particular model for it's good reputation & relatively cheap price of $875 from Amazon U.S. i.e. if Amazon U.K. did the same deal here, tho it is available from China-hiFi (but more hassle if postage dammage occurs, than simply getting Amazon to send you an exchange pair) Before i could check Amazon U.K. i then see that floorstanding model of this same design with 15" cones also from China-hifi, so now i'll rougth-it till a can afford the big versions & hope it's as similar as the large Tannoy D.C.s ...as ive heard 2 tube reviewers now say

[@oldskool80sfan12]

Nice review. I like the way he tested different types of music on those speakers including fast-pace music I wish many reviewers will do the same BTW i listen to fast-pace music like trance a old skool rave music i fined Japanese Audio with a cheap DAC can handle those type of music but then again those are horn speakers maybe they cant handle of type of music. Great review 5 Stars

[@stephencosta6814]

You're done for a Thomas he should open his own channel excellent review well spoken everything I needed to know you talked about well done congratulations

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, he was really good, just like you.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Thank you Russ ! You done really good with the review , and me see that Vintage tube integrated ! Hehe I am secretly a vintage guy, love netrality/balance and that full warm inviting midbody sound but I must admit i'm a sound Chaser of old and new ! Thanks again Thomas and Stereo and friends 😆

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, I think he is really good at talking and really entertaining.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

@@ThomasAndStereo I enjoyed the video 😃

[@mauriciomucino1015]

Love the idea of Thomas and "Stereo" Friends

[@zenboy2000]

Sounds catchy

[@laurelhardy4064]

Thomas I think between you, Mr Kanta, Mr vintage, and Russ, you should call your channel, "The Magnificent Four", thanks for the videos.

[@johnsweda2999]

Not the audio Inquisition, I think is better

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Haha, then Mr Quad, Mr DIY, Loic, Mr Raidho will feel left out!

[@johnsweda2999]

@@ThomasAndStereo you don't like the (audio Inquisition) a play on the theme of the Spanish Inquisition done in a Monty Python Style lol

[@jtsmak]

Thomas and friends. Wait that name is already taken by the train. Lol.

[@cliffordcostley9798]

I would really like you to video review a comparison with your Omega's.

[@tthedon2471]

hello thomas. why don't audiophiles review active speakers? they make sense to me. have you had experience of a few actives?

[@meshplates]

The variation of opinion between you and Jay is interesting here. Jay preferred these a tick to the bro3 in his affordable multi speaker test. As the bro3 aee half the price in france anyway, that's a clear win for bro3s. From the opinion expressed here about the sound artists a recessed midland doesn't seem to be a positive at all as the midland is the most important part of the frequency spectrum. The vocal range as well as the range for most instruments. Also the reviewer suggests we give them a listen before buying. Ha! That's the problem with this Chinese gear. You can't and to make matters really problematic you can't return them either. In Europe anything you buy online from a European based company, you have the right to return in 14 days or less.

[@rotaks1]

Nice review, Russ!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks!

[@progressiveguy9959]

This is definitely an honest review that comes with knowledge. BRAVO!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dougg1075]

I think the sticker is meant to be removed:) I have the Sound Artist LS/35a and I just pealed them off and chunked em.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Lol

[@twilwel]

Same here. I love the LS3/5a next to my computer screen. They sound extremely good in the near-field. But the sticker on the grille is a bad joke. The speakers were well packed but not perfect and could still move slightly during shipping and that was already enough to completely mess up said sticker.

[@richardspada4430]

I hate to spoil the party, but evaluating a speaker on a shelf, instead of a dedicated speaker stand, definitely could effect the bass, and distortion. I had a pair of A.D.S. Large bookshelf speakers many years ago. They were rated very high on sound and build, and they sounded fantastic with jazz, and eighties music was big at the time. I had them on plastic milk cartons, this is before speaker stands were very popular. I decided to buy a pair of speaker stands, not thinking that the sound would improve much. I received the stand's ,(metal and strong),and I set them up in my garage where I was listening to them before. My jaw dropped!! I had bass extension that seemed like it went down two octaves!! Not louder, extended in the low's and even the treble. I never listened to speakers with out a stand ever again. It actually sounded like I bought a more powerful amplifier. And maybe even an upgrade in electronics. It was that dramatic!.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yes but he also brought it to the other main listening room.

[@richardspada4430]

I didn't realize I would get a response this fast,lol!! I didn't know he auditioned it in another system, I must of missed that. My response might have been misunderstood, I wasn't trying to be critical as much as I was trying to convey how much I was surprised that the $100 used speaker stands improved the sound of the whole system. I apologize if I did come of as being pompous or critical of the review. I would really like to know how they sounded on the stand's as opposed to the shelf, I imagine there are speakers out there that don't sound any better, whether it be stand's or shelf, example, speakers in the wall, or ceiling's.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Ah, yes speaker stands are important. Maybe that is why what I heard at my place is a bit different.

[@edwardbalboa5528]

The lines are the best features

[@matthewhilty4209]

Hmm I wonder how they would stack up against the FYNE F500

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, good question. The F500 is only a bit more expensive.

[@NosTubes58]

As I own Fyne F500’s, which replaced a pair of Reference 3A Dulcet’s which cost more, should offer a clue as to just how much better these were in my system | to my ears.

[@guffosepulveda7189]

Did he tried the speaker only with the Leben Integrated? Maybe some appreciations can be limited using only one type of amplifier. My bet...

[@ThomasAndStereo]

He did try with the union research.

[@brianvportugal1155]

Great comments Russ! What SET amp do you use with your Omegas and Zu?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

This is his system in detail. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJCoeJqHq62DiJo

[@brianvportugal1155]

@@ThomasAndStereo thankyou! I’ve enjoyed your channel and would like to donate to your charity, I think it’s a wonderful example to set.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks, it was a 10 day fundraiser and it is over now, but thanks.

[@colorist_tommy4247]

whats the advantage of Coaxial design ?

[@Diatonic5th]

Great review!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Glad you think so!

[@dougg1075]

Nice review . Keep it up:)

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Glad you liked it!

[@gerritfridericksohn4627]

IMHO, Thomas, I think your channel should focus on tube gear. . To my knowledge no one else is doing so. Something like the 35 watts that the Primaluna puts out. It should be your channel as you are the only reviewer who talks about the holographic sound that can be achieved with valves. It can be achieved with solid state, but it isn't the same. Valves are more likely to be Rubenesque. Perhaps you could review SET. Just a thought.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks, new record day and Next best thing studio also talk about tube gear.

[@klaymoon1]

Looks great. Wish to try sometime.

[@Raymondey]

Very nice review!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@carlitomelon4610]

Good review 👍 Well done! They seem aimed at folks who'd be interested in a poor man's tannoy. But how was the imaging from this dual concentric driver? Did you try them on proper stands and decouple them from that sideboard?

[@lynnpoole7830]

Thanks. I love horns. Those don't look like most back loaded horns. More like ported with a horn loaded tweeter.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, interesting design.

[@lynnpoole7830]

@@ThomasAndStereo Yep I guess Klipsch are ported or have a passive radiators also in most cases.

[@snowrang3r657]

I actually really like how these look

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, for some people, the vintage look is one of its selling point.

[@cybergod77]

Nice review by Russ. The Next Best Thing Studio also gave a good review on this but aesthetically, not suited to my taste too

[@mzikmund1]

Great review.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@xsamitt]

You are the greatest!!!

[@jaytorr6701]

I would like to hear the opinion of your stereo friends that are not into horn loaded speakers.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I offered but they were not interested in any horn speakers. That is why I always say, there is no best speaker, just the right speaker for the right people.

[@nickking8317]

These are on my list along with sh10b’s

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Nice, the sh10b looks very interesting too. Maybe I should ask for a pair for review.

[@nickking8317]

@@ThomasAndStereo tax return grab a set and the l3/5a

[@JulieTech]

@@ThomasAndStereo Please have a review on SH10B Im waiting..

[@philhunter9134]

Any idea what the crossover frequency is?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Sorry, no idea.

[@johnsweda2999]

Where's the link to his Ross KZbin channel you didn't put it in

[@ThomasAndStereo]

He does not have a channel.

[@johnsweda2999]

@@ThomasAndStereo he has a channel everyone has a channel you mean he doesn't want to release it ok!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

He has an instagram channel.

[@johnsweda2999]

@@ThomasAndStereo why Instagram I don't do that rubbish??

[@davidpetersen7091]

A good review! Mr. Pete----------> aging hippie

[@cliz305]

what is it called in Chinese? My parents (who are living in China) are looking for a pair of speakers. Somehow I couldn't find the soundartist brand in China. Does it have an official site or something?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Email them and ask for the name in Chinese.

[@JG-gg9wk]

Along with many other Chinese audio brands their sold through www.china-hifi-audio.com

[@cliz305]

@@JG-gg9wk oh yeah, they actually ship to china (like duh). And shipping cost is only $14. I think I will pay for them and have them sent to my parents. The only concern i have is that at this point my parents are just using a reveiver (onkyo 373). I wonder if the receiver would be good enough.

[@dougg1075]

What is that amplifier? Looks great

[@ThomasAndStereo]

This is his sytem, check in the description. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJCoeJqHq62DiJo

[@wa2368]

At 3.25, he says the midrange is set a little bit back from the lows and highs. Is that true in your experience as well Thomas?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

In my system, the mids are forward and that is my main talking point of this speaker. It could be in his setup with his amp and placement, this is how it sounds. That is the thing with audio, never know until you plug it in your system. Also it can be usually with the V curve, the mids are way back and for it to be little back means it is forward relative to other v curve speakers. Finally, it can be relative to his horn speakers.I have to ask him to explain.

[@wa2368]

@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks for the additional clarification.

[@johnsweda2999]

@@ThomasAndStereo yes placement could be the issue there with the mid-range then too close to the wall, not at the correct distance. and no bass management dampening like yourself.

[@Digiphex]

Looks like something from the Gilligan's Island set.

[@jmcprotech9670]

Please tell me Russ full Name so I can find He's channel

[@ThomasAndStereo]

He does not have a channel but here is another video he made for me. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJCoeJqHq62DiJo

[@robertbenton2804]

Great review Russ, the quality control or lack there of is a bit alarming.

[@johnsweda2999]

Not really you can glue the ports and grommets back in place nothing wrong with the finish very good

[@FarHagh]

@@johnsweda2999 A manufacturer who doesn't care about the QC or addressing the design flaws of the finish, may not as well be that careful with the components control, or soldering, etc. That IS a really alarming sign.

[@bernhardmichaelfux308]

@@FarHagh I think they have priorities! And, normally rubber gromets don´t go out so easily. So, I would also not pay too much attention to a rubber part that can do no harm to the surface or the sound of a speaker! It´s a minor flaw and being a Sample for Reviewers, we don´t know how cold it got during the flight from china! Up in 10Km high, it is normally very very cold, and relatively fresh glue can fail due to this! Normal Stock-Ware has the possibility to stay a little time in the Warehouse, and Chinese factories are very modern and climate sites in these days! Way more modern than many European or US Factories that suffer old Buildings without proper climate control and filtered air! So I am convinced they have proper warehouses...... By the way, the SoundArtist SH10B are very very beautiful Speakers with classic Wooden horns! They look really expensive!

[@BunnyslippersEUC]

The speakers are bigger than I thought.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yup, its good because the bass does dig pretty deep.

[@BunnyslippersEUC]

My appartement neighbours will be so grateful with the deep bass. That's why I also have quality headphones.

[@johnsweda2999]

@@BunnyslippersEUC that's why you need to place them on some thick 3"+ foam to stop the bass diving into the floor, and wrap the whole speaker in foam and back something like floor underlay make a big improvement to the soundstage clarity time alignment.

[@glen7589]

I totally agree with you pertaining to the groves routed, first thing that I noticed. I also found the woofer/tweeter combo striking. If they would copy the Tannoy “look” wood it would sale a boat load, just tighten up the QC as you also mentioned. Great review 👍

[@edwardbalboa5528]

This guy will say Sonus Faber speakers are not to his taste ... Just give him a plain box

[@ThomasAndStereo]

We all have different taste. Just need to respect others for what they like.

[@mikrophonie5633]

It looks like something that should be sold for $25 a pair in discount store chains, next to the $5 headphones.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Lucky it sounds better than a $25 speaker!

[@FarHagh]

@@ThomasAndStereo But that is a real problem with these, or the other SA speakers Sean introduced. You may put them in your man cave, but probably not in the living room!

[@mikrophonie5633]

@@ThomasAndStereo But how much better? I wonder why someone would pay $875 shipped for these when, if they like coaxial, they could get something like Kef Q350 for $699? I don't get it.

[@gaborozorai3714]

Apart from that flimsy sticker on the baffle there's nothing about this design that looks cheap and its sound seems to provide proof of its quality. So what is it that informs your statement other than prejudice towards Chinese made products?

[@mikrophonie5633]

@@gaborozorai3714 How do you know its sound "seems to provide proof of quality"? Do you own the speakers? How many hours have you spent listening to them? Since you state "seems to provide" I take it you do not own them, so have no basis for your opinion regarding the sound. As for the looks, they look cheap to me. I would never pay over $800 (w/shipping) for something so cheap looking. And furthermore, your statement that my opinion is informed by "prejudice towards Chinese made products" looks completely asinine, as I stated above that Kef Q350 would probably be a better alternative, and they are made in China.

[@MOOeymania]

I like Thomas & Stereo Friends. "&stereo" just sounds weird to me.

[@hawkins55]

I think Thomas and Friends is just fine.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Lol, choo choo.

[@homerjones3291]

Good review; would’ve appreciated a little more detail about the components, and the price up front. Also, I know getting rid of all the um’s is a conscious effort and takes practice. As for the speaker, there’s too much competition around this price range to justify buying something where a dab of glue would keep pieces from coming out. My Electrophonic, Airline and Lafayette speakers sounded horrible, but at least they stayed all together.

[@fatdoi003]

Thomas + Friends Stereo

[@aaronross3747]

If you like dual concentric speakers go and get yourself a pair of "Coherent Audio " speakers for review, made in Canada by a single designer and manufacturer out of the Hamilton area. I know you have attended the Montreal audio show so you may be familiar with his offerings.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks for the info, yeah, those look interesting.

[@cvee2614]

Braggadocios review for cheesy speakers. I hope SA send you a big check $$$.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

No they did not, the problem with these kind of speakers if you approach it from a normal speaker point of view, you will be disappointed. If you approach it from a single driver type of speaker point of view, then it is a different story. Not many people understand that.

[@joeindia1647]

A bit obvious, they should even out these paid reviews a bit.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

What made you think Russ made a single penny on this review? He did not if you are curious. In fact, Russ has made zero $ for all the videos he made for me, it was done simply out of the love of listening to gear.

[@oluhamilton2121]

They need to change that cheesy logo.

[@sequentialgear]

So, they're not that coherent sounding. If they're troubled by complex and dynamic music, that's what it tells me.

[@chongfong1994]

86

[@pharoahamunra]

yay early squad