BONUS: John DeVore on speaker design

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[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

There's an Audiophiliac imposter scamming my viewers, DON'T respond! I don't do giveaways or ask for money (except for my Patreon).

[@charlesdavis5542]

Don't worry, Steve. Anyone asking me for money in your name is gonna have to send me a picture of their favorite shirt. That's the best way to separate those imposters from the real deal! Keep swingin ',brother! 😀

[@theworldaccordingto4555]

Love this guy, his own channel is worth a look. Like his stories about his albums, and musical likes, good to listen to, plus he comes across as a real genuine guy and not always trying to push his wares or full of himself. Thanks Steve for these interviews with the makers/designers and listeners/enthusiasts (as well as your gear reviews of course).

[@theworldaccordingto4555]

PS, I'm in the UK and so some of the US gear you feature isn't as common here, or easy to see and listen to on this side of the pond. But I find it all very interesting to compare points of view listen to reviews on those products available here. Love the show, Steve. BTW, any plans to interview Analog Planet and/or Michael Fremer. He's an interesting guy and very knowledgeable on not just audio gear, set up, matching of components, but also on LP pressings and producers/engineers etc etc. Always has a good story about an album, what to look for, how to know who the engineer was, which is 1st Pressing, which is best pressing and why etc etc and some funny stories as well from meeting many of the artists and producers etc over the decades that he's been in the biz...

[@voicesofvinyl]

I really enjoy interviews with John and I hope to hear his speakers some day. Thanks for sharing!

[@GodfreyMann]

Finally a video (see here 15:25) where John DeVore actually talks about how his speakers sound (from which one can infer his speaker design goal seems to be about recreating the natural sound of recorded acoustic instruments, including voice, from a two-channel system). Specifically the O/93 has these features which are uncommon in similar smaller speaker drivers (less than 10 inch diameter): - High dynamic quality - Even impedance - High sensitivity - Effortless dynamics - Energise a room in a more lively way as opposed to a speakery way. - This lively quality is appropriate for live instruments e.g. a cello resonating vibrations and blasting them into the room in all directions or a vocalist with a powerful voice being actually in the room. John needs to articulate his speaker design philosophy/goals more often so that the market understands the point of his speakers…what makes them different to competitors i.e. why someone might be interested in them. We owe it to Steve’s excellent interviewing skills prompting it out of John who was about to clam up. One tiny prompt from Steve opened up a plethora of knowledge from John.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

So glad you enjoyed the interview.

[@madsmalmbakkjeldsen1920]

This is your best video yet. Love the two-part nature. It’s in-depth and very helpfull. Great work!

[@jeffsloane8628]

Thank you John. So good to hear multiple speaker designers, like John talk about the same characters, challenges and various solutions in the attempt to provide great sound.

[@willpower8888]

n your advice I watched one of your interviews;the Devore interview is what I landed on by chance. The man is truly a pleasure to listen to. So informative and well delivered. I love your show.

[@ujean56]

Beautiful speakers. Insane prices. Maybe someone who owns a pair will invite us to have a listen. Love the enthusiasm and passion for the art.

[@ThePaintwurks]

.

[@pkats9093]

Great conversation! And what gorgeous speakers. Heard them couple of times at shows and they sounded really nice even in a hotel room. Wish I could afford a pair!

[@dergore8954]

Love it. I can listen for hours to John, what a great guy.

[@gregkirkos6929]

As a professional product development engineer I am Impressed by your involvement with the component manufacturers- that’s great and I know how that can lead to great products. Nice.

[@NickP333]

Great interview / talk with John. It’s always a pleasure to hear you guys chat and to hear a talented designer like John talk about his speakers or whatever, for that matter. Thanks, Steve and John! 🔊🎶🙂

[@jeremiahchamberlin4499]

Enjoyed the interview very much, especially the details of prototyping. I could certainly identify with his conundrum about having to order a 1,000 pieces to get one.

[@jimfallow7173]

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to John talking about the Os.

[@AdamsOlympia]

They're easily the most beautiful wood cabinet speakers I've ever seen.

[@markkinsman5013]

Great interview! The OBaby looks interesting, but still too far out of my budget to afford. I hope to at least listen to a pair someday.

[@bronovalter391]

Never heard the DeVore Orangoutangs, but I have a great love of the Dynaco A25 so I know that a traditional Seas 10" paper cone can do something special with regard to music reproduction. I wish you could get something going with a whizzer cone. Losing the crossover gets you a very special level of transparency, but in my experience always at a cost in FR that is too high. It sounds like John came up with a great compromise. I'd love to give it a listen some time! I really like the idea of machining the horn out of the baffle.

[@user-cb1vo1ik4b]

At first glance, these speakers reminded me of Audio Note AN-E

[@affalindk8004]

really looking forward to your review of these babies. thanks

[@russellbrikowski6139]

Hi Steve I enjoyed very much the interview with John Thank You.

[@CP-oe3kt]

What a great video... Thank you Steve!

[@Justwantahover]

Put your 6" FR drivers in a floor standing cabinets. Mount driver with a 1cm gap between the driver and the box (on the top 2 speaker screws). And a 2 cm gap on the bottom 2 speaker screws. Use soft thin sprinkler hose (slightly longer) for your SPACERS. You can tweak the gap a bit by squashing the flexible hose (by turning the screw). And also make a 2" deep bass vent tube onto the speaker hole to make it act as a bass vent and it stops the "bonky" sound by the semi open FR driver. Other than lightly packing the box with wadding, you are done. Sounds a bit like panel speakers! Also you can add a woofer. I do it on the bottom panel (facing down towards the floor). So you only get one directly heard source. Bass has impact too.

[@johndickinson8848]

My old Signet speakers have SEAS drivers and still sound great.

[@Justwantahover]

5:57 The hardest bit is designing the crossover and also building cabinets that stray from the classic box shape. As soon as you do that, it's a complete nightmare to make the cabinets. As far as being finished with the sound, for me, it's when I dare not touch it any more even though maybe I could make it sound even better. But when I refuse to try (cos I like the sound so much) well that is when it's finished. l love designing speakers. One of my two designs is a 5" FR and a 6" woofer in a small floor standing cabinet. The other design is a 8" coaxial and a 10" woofer in a large floorstanding cabinet. To make more, all I have to do is clone these two designs and maybe sell some @ my leisure. They have several unique acoustic innovations I haven't seen before, like semi open main drivers and also highly modified main drivers (plus a few other acoustic oddities). On the FR driver, the mod extends highs with a tiny (grain of rice size) piece of tin foil. Tinfoil Tuesday! Describing these radical mods would be way beyond a KZbin comment. I am also a point source nutter! People say my speakers sound different and they seem to like the spacial sound and particularly clean med that happens cos of the mods and the semi open main driver mounting. I also have my Audiolab 6000A to make my speakers sound good.

[@cjtsn466]

My biggest regret was to listen to my wife and sell my big collection of vintage speakers which included a pair of snell j speakers.They had paper cones sounded amazing.

[@Labor_Jones]

I figured it out... it's the STANDS that kind of mislead me at first. Nice Stands, kind of spendy for an old timer, good stuff for younger folks who will have them for a lifetime.

[@Labor_Jones]

[@gdwlaw5549]

This was just awesome. Made in Brooklyn with nice parts. Have found the French distributor and will have a demo soon. Thank you

[@minsleyskidoo6327]

If you worked harder, son, you may be able to afford some nice speakers one day, instead of this inferior mid-fi stuff. But you have to put your nose to the grindstone, instead of loafing in the YT comments section most of the day. Do you have what it takes, son?

[@joergwittenberg2178]

Very interesting speakers, thanks for the review and interview

[@Labor_Jones]

I have to admit that I was having a hard time seeing how large or small those speakers were until the Unboxing when I had more SCALE between human & speaker. Part 1 left me wondering whether the speakers were more or less the same size as the Klips. It didn't make sense, but image wise for some people (you know stupid folks me) we need visual references to compare scale.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thanks Marvin, but there’s a picture of the baby next to the Klipsch Cornwallis

[@Labor_Jones]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac I must have Blinked I guess, but a Human being presence next to the Baby's it really gave the sense of depth and height. This is a SMALL SMALL COMPLAINT. ... Your reviews are the bases of my entire thinking on Audio Gear. .... Most of the others (Reviewers) who I have listened to also come from your suggestion. ..... To me you are the TALMUDE of HI-FI.

[@scottyo64]

dont feed this troll, he has mothing better to do "Ruben Ramero"

[@Labor_Jones]

@@scottyo64 I don't know if you are talking to me or the other guy?

[@scottyo64]

@@Labor_Jones Ruben is trolling comments on this channel, not you. Love you comments

[@John-Edward]

Have you tried MISCO as a Made in USA manufacturer? They say they can make anything you want…?

[@Marantzwlove]

Agree. Seas speakers are in top 3 manufactured first heard Devore at the 2006 CES - top 5 sound at the Veniation ( IMHO )

[@jked7463]

On those little cubes, if john rotates the veneer 45 degrees, the cube can be twisted to create mirror imaged pairs.

[@garyalexander5686]

They look gorgeous. They're nicely sized for a smaller apartment. They're relatively efficient. They're voiced more towards the warm side. All good things. Then we get to the price. Sadly, that's where I get off the bus. If the o/Baby were the price of the Micr/O I'd be visiting In Living Stereo for a listening session.

[@Leondc123]

Just my 10 time on this video hehe greate

[@Justwantahover]

About designing speakers. As you know it's not just sounding right, it has to have impact and every now and then you get a rush of satisfaction. Like for example, a trumpet sound that is not just sparkly but also every nauce of the trumpet sound hugs your brain like a teddy bear with metalic satisfaction. I was listening to KZbin Chet Baker & Paul Bley - Diane (1985). By: Pedro Nobrega. Try that on the best system you can. Especially point source speakers for that holographic soundstage. And play it on panel speakers if you have some. Piano sounds good in that album too. It's tizzed up on the top so it's good for FR single driver driver speakers. Iol This album made me think my speakers I just built are finished and I dare not change anything on these speakers.

[@bencarignan2711]

As Einstein once said... "Elegance lies in simplicity."

[@popdufc4139]

My speakers, from the early 80's are SEAS. Very nice.

[@BostonMike68]

I thought a woofer shouldn't be centered the same distance from the edge of the baffle all the way around and also I thought that a perfect square was something to stay away from in designs too because of standing waves. I will have to go back and look through my books.

[@LeonFleisherFan]

Heard the O/baby in Munich, well-balanced speaker, good job! Is the top model really so outrageously expensive? What's the price tag on those?

[@michaelekidwell3491]

john = great radio voice!

[@howard5992]

yeah, he was born to pod-cast...LOL

[@smaarch1]

I'm pretty sure I need to take a ride to Brooklyn, pick up Steve and head to John's.

[@Rowuk2024]

If they are designed for a record shelf, why are they not in 12" record format? Would that not limit resonant spaces around the speaker?

[@carlitomelon4610]

Very engaging. It occurs to me that the record shelf speaker still has room for an ABR in the space above (or below-with feet)....John?

[@gr328]

Gotta love The Special's there 🙂

[@JukeboxAlley]

Good lookin little speaker, but I can't imagine in any way why someone would choose these at the same roundabout price as a new set of cornwalls or fortes, that just makes no sense.

[@seanb3303]

People who buy these aren’t focused on price. Price is more your bag 😉

[@JukeboxAlley]

@@seanb3303 that's just silly, and sounds like the typical audiophile snobbery. For the price of a nice used car (literally a decent mustang gt, maybe Nissan 350z, etc.), u get a very small driver in a square so-so cabinet, that just doesn't even make any sense. Go spend how u want, but you can get much more for your money for ALOT less, line them up against some hpm-100 or zu audio DW for less than a grand and tell me how it turns out. End of discussion.

[@seanb3303]

@@JukeboxAlley It’s more about the experience than money for me. I’m super focused on money when it comes to investing, but not hobby.

[@gdwlaw5549]

@@JukeboxAlley go try them and get back to us all. Are you too busy at the amazon depot to get a day off?

[@cobar5342]

For the monumental prices, these would want to be very good

[@dougg1075]

Always thought is was seas . As in sail the seven

[@peteleoni9665]

How do you do it Steve? How in the hell do you do it? I have enjoyed reading your stuff for decades. Now seeing you and personally armed with a *complete* understanding of the high end speaker industry? Of course I mean how do you possibly keep a straight face? (-:

[@MrStingraybernard]

Can’t afford $5000 speakers but they look nice

[@julianayala03]

Wow 5000 , for a speaker in a box. I need to start “designing” speakers.

[@michealjaymurphy]

@@julianayala03 hire a good marketer

[@gdwlaw5549]

And what if t you keep them for 20 years and even hand them down to a family member?

[@Thighwatts]

If only he would make a version of those for a desktop set up that would be gold!

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

We do!

[@Thighwatts]

@@DeVOREFIDELITY ohh really? I did not know! 😧

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

@@Thighwatts They are called the micr/O

[@SuperMcgenius]

Hi John, would be fun if you made a transmission line speaker with open baffle mid and HI’s .

[@photoipster]

I’d love to find an interview discussing the 0/96

[@danbuffington75]

21:52

[@skip1835]

I can't help but wonder if John had a sound proofed room for the burn in process - if - he would use some or any of the so called "burn in" sound mediums - - his comment that he uses music left me wondering about the value of those "burn in" CD's.

[@Labor_Jones]

*SLIGHTLY OFF TOPIC:* Printable Speakers (like Printable Houses) ---> in the next 1/2 of the Century could make designing 1/2 way between DIY and INVENTOR Creative Control rather than MFG'ers.I also think (not know) that MORE of the INCOME could go to the 'Designer and Inventors' of Audio Equipment. Is that a Possibility & are there conversations among people (Mr. DeVore) in your line that see this as a potential. P.S. I don't mean anything insulting by calling someone SIR :) It's just respectful and build into my South Texas up bringing.

[@mzondi1970]

I like listening to John I sub his channel as well good interview

[@peacetrain3320]

Cool!

[@falvegas511]

ALL THE AUDIO WIZARDS TALK OF SPEAKER "DRIVER" yet all we ever see them talk on is the Speaker Cone as if it's a Driver. NONE OF YOU GEEKS EVER TAKL OF THE "VOICE COIL" - How its Quality Effects the Speaker CONE, THE SENSITIVITY, HOW MANY FABRICATORS ACTUALLY "MAKE THEIR OWN VOICE COILS" , THE DIFFERENCE IN QUALITY OF "VOICE COILS", TYPICAL RELIABILITY....ETC.

[@amirjubran1845]

That big rack o' Pass is a sight to behold.

[@spirosk7984]

Truly driven by passion, would love to listen to a pair of his speaker...and I so much agree with his perspective on 2.0 home cinema layout...you simply don't need more as the human ear and the human brain receives 99% of the sound in a stereo mode, given that you are watching a movie in your living room through a full range speakers driven from a "decent" 2 channel amp

[@dogbiterabies2547]

have you been to jd's house? yeah i had backflash's of school felt ill then i had a coffee n went into a genious nerd shock... i laff about it now alk the "florecent tab's 😖" joke time is over 🤓🗣

[@dogbiterabies2547]

for relic's sake put that shirt in a safe place "do not wash" do not remove the voted sticker (recommended)

[@BerndtNorten]

Relic from the tv show The Beachcombers?

[@twiiii1]

You can voice a speaker you can't tune it or change the pitch!

[@Juangalt]

I've never heard of someone who is against home theater? Literally against watching movies or they just don't want to have good speakers while watching them lol?

[@dannychavis8496]

Nothing new speakers design Allison speaker did 30 years ago

[@drewlsy]

I wish you had asked him about all those colored tabs/dividers in his vinyl walls behind him. Just what is going on there? Lol

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWbRdXimlLx3kMk

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

Explanation right here:

[@smallm7943]

"...stupid passive radiators..."

[@zarmindrow5831]

Might buy some. Depends who you voted for. Just kidding.

[@greencraig8570]

It looks like a smaller 096

[@keithfox2995]

you are not wearing a comme des garcons

[@rickmackay4758]

Enough. These are crappy wooden boxes. Tweeter on a huge bare baffle board. No possibility of them ever imagining anything. Speaker design --- B + W 801.

[@garyb2507]

Opportunistic pricing of mediocre designs.

[@gdwlaw5549]

Very uneducated remark! Have you heard them? Can you even afford a cheap Chinese sourced pair of KEF or Klipsch. Shame on you for something actually made in the USA!!!!!!

[@garyb2507]

@@gdwlaw5549 you are a eunuch!

[@gdwlaw5549]

@@garyb2507 pleasure to look after you one day

[@garyb2507]

I don't wish to be your enemy. I have Dunlavy speakers and Naim amplification. Roksan, Linn and Townshend turntables.

[@garyb2507]

What is confronting is that you, from your posts, seem obsessed with the expense of equipment and the inability of others to pay that. That is ugly!

[@cliffbacken]

What a joke...!! Greedy guy..!! For a speaker that cost maybe '$1700 to make and wants $5600 a pair.....lol..!!! Never...!!

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

I would normally never reply to a comment with such a high ratio of exclamation points to words, but this time cliffbacken puts out a price that is actually pretty close to the cost of making an O/baby. I wonder then, why you think it's greedy to have an MSRP of $5700? Devore Fidelity sells the O/baby for thousands less than $5700, because we sell wholesale to our dealers around the world. We prefer this retail channel as it is the best method of getting the speakers out into the world, allowing people to see, hear and touch them, and maintaining a network of knowledgable people out there who can recommend great systems to go with the speakers and service the product locally. Our rent in Brooklyn is around $100k/year. All our products are handbuilt entirely here in Brooklyn (other than the drivers made for us in Norway) and we pay all our employees an actual living wage, there are no minimum wage positions here at Devore Fidelity. Our margin is below average for the industry as a result of these and other factors but I'm not interested in doing it differently. Outsourcing companies contact me weekly, and there are plenty of other ways of cutting costs (and quality) but it's not going to happen here.