Post by Arke on Oct 9, 2022 14:10:53 GMT
It's been a whirlwind over the last few weeks! I've been so pleased with progress and flattered/touched by all the support and positivity from everyone. THANK YOU ALL!
It appears that these speakers are really starting to create waves! (sorry, terrible pun) They are doing what they should do and they're doing it well.
I built my first DIY speaker over 20 years ago and still remember the first time I listened. My Jaw dropped! How can this £600 kit speaker sound like this? The clarity and resolution were far beyond any speaker costing many times more. That's where it all started.
Many years later, things have aligned and I now have the opportunity (with a workshop and more prerequisite skill) to make more speakers.
The main aim of the Arke Duos is to show people what is possible from a bespoke speaker. No one will spend thousands on a DIY/bespoke speaker unless it is good, very GOOD. In addition to sounding good, they need to look good - at least as good as a shop bought speaker and ideally much better.
The first listen to the Arkes didn’t go to plan. I had rushed to build them for Oli and Steve’s demo and frantically tried to run them in sufficiently. It is safe to say that they weren’t run in! The sound was good, but not good enough. Bass lacked tightness and control and the midrange lacked transparency.
The speakers returned to the workshop and few small changes were made: The mid/bass caps received a complete overhaul and the treble output was increased by 2db. I (and Oil) felt they lacked a little presence.
After a few more weeks of running in things were really coming together. The Arke standmounts were really starting to sing. Bass was tighter, more textured, deeper and faster. They’re not a large speaker, but these little 5” drivers really kick out some decent bass. Mid range transparency has improved significantly. Time for round two with the Oli ears!
The Ekta (mkIIs) and little Arkes were loaded up and driven over to Oli’s last Tues. I won’t write much about the sound comparisons as it is very subjective and doesn’t really mean much if I say my speaker is better than another. Of course I’m likely to favour my creations - they have a voicing I know so it is very hard to be objective. These speakers need to be heard by the customer - it’s their opinion that matters. If they’re as good as I believe, comparisons and demos will sell the speakers in due course.
In summary, we started with the Q Acoustics Concept 500s, listened to a few tracks and then moved onto the Arkes. It wasn’t long before Oli mused “I'm gonna end up buying these”! They couldn't match the heft and weight of the Qs, but for me they had more resolution, transparency and detail. There was less bass, but much more control and resolution. Still a lot more bass than should be possible from 5” drivers. It was simply much easier to hear into the recording. I could go on about the differences for hours, but there is little point - my perception of the SQ has little meaning when they’re my speakers.
NOTE: this wasn't a very fair comparison to the Q500s. They needed a much bigger room and more space to breath. I only listened to 3 or tracks, so my time with them was brief. A comparison with the Q300s will be much more interesting and I'd be very eager to do this.
Next came the Ektas, and we all know how that turned out! The Ektas are another big step, but the Arkes are certainly not slouches. The Ektas have much more expensive drivers and crossovers and frankly they should be much better. If you spend twice as much, you’re likely to get a better speaker, especially when they originate from similar stock. For me the Ektas just turn up everything another notch and they do it in an utterly effortless way. It’s beguiling how the resolution and transparency are so utterly effortless. RIGHT, STOP. That’s my ears and I made the Ektas! It’s relatively pointless for me to say what I hear and perceive. I will be biased, and it’s impossible not to be.
What matters is what others think. I started on this path a few months ago and the main reasons are simple:
- I love designing and building speakers. (mine are currently based on Troels Gravesen designs)
- I believe hifi and music enthusiasts can have much better speakers for a lower cost
Building the Arke Duos and allowing others to hear the Ektas is the first step to showing what bespoke speakers can do. I may be WRONG! If that is the case, I am fine with that - I will humbly accept that and continue with garden design! If my speakers are only as good as an equivalent priced retail speaker then I doubt this venture will have longevity. If people can buy a similar or better retail speaker instead of an Arke Duo or Ekta then they probably will. My speakers will be bespoke and handmade, but they need to better - ideally a lot better!
So far only Oli, Alan and Stevew have heard the Ektas. Oli and Alan have bought some, so that means a lot to me and I am very grateful for their support. I believe Stevew was suitably impressed also. EDIT: Steve has just ordered some too! 😀They won't be everyone's cup of tea, I am sure of that, but hopefully many people will find the same joy in bespoke speakers as me!
OK, I should stop writing and get down to the workshop! My order book is growing and more demos are booked! I have some ARKES, Ektas and Vaders to build!
It appears that these speakers are really starting to create waves! (sorry, terrible pun) They are doing what they should do and they're doing it well.
I built my first DIY speaker over 20 years ago and still remember the first time I listened. My Jaw dropped! How can this £600 kit speaker sound like this? The clarity and resolution were far beyond any speaker costing many times more. That's where it all started.
Many years later, things have aligned and I now have the opportunity (with a workshop and more prerequisite skill) to make more speakers.
The main aim of the Arke Duos is to show people what is possible from a bespoke speaker. No one will spend thousands on a DIY/bespoke speaker unless it is good, very GOOD. In addition to sounding good, they need to look good - at least as good as a shop bought speaker and ideally much better.
The first listen to the Arkes didn’t go to plan. I had rushed to build them for Oli and Steve’s demo and frantically tried to run them in sufficiently. It is safe to say that they weren’t run in! The sound was good, but not good enough. Bass lacked tightness and control and the midrange lacked transparency.
The speakers returned to the workshop and few small changes were made: The mid/bass caps received a complete overhaul and the treble output was increased by 2db. I (and Oil) felt they lacked a little presence.
After a few more weeks of running in things were really coming together. The Arke standmounts were really starting to sing. Bass was tighter, more textured, deeper and faster. They’re not a large speaker, but these little 5” drivers really kick out some decent bass. Mid range transparency has improved significantly. Time for round two with the Oli ears!
The Ekta (mkIIs) and little Arkes were loaded up and driven over to Oli’s last Tues. I won’t write much about the sound comparisons as it is very subjective and doesn’t really mean much if I say my speaker is better than another. Of course I’m likely to favour my creations - they have a voicing I know so it is very hard to be objective. These speakers need to be heard by the customer - it’s their opinion that matters. If they’re as good as I believe, comparisons and demos will sell the speakers in due course.
In summary, we started with the Q Acoustics Concept 500s, listened to a few tracks and then moved onto the Arkes. It wasn’t long before Oli mused “I'm gonna end up buying these”! They couldn't match the heft and weight of the Qs, but for me they had more resolution, transparency and detail. There was less bass, but much more control and resolution. Still a lot more bass than should be possible from 5” drivers. It was simply much easier to hear into the recording. I could go on about the differences for hours, but there is little point - my perception of the SQ has little meaning when they’re my speakers.
NOTE: this wasn't a very fair comparison to the Q500s. They needed a much bigger room and more space to breath. I only listened to 3 or tracks, so my time with them was brief. A comparison with the Q300s will be much more interesting and I'd be very eager to do this.
Next came the Ektas, and we all know how that turned out! The Ektas are another big step, but the Arkes are certainly not slouches. The Ektas have much more expensive drivers and crossovers and frankly they should be much better. If you spend twice as much, you’re likely to get a better speaker, especially when they originate from similar stock. For me the Ektas just turn up everything another notch and they do it in an utterly effortless way. It’s beguiling how the resolution and transparency are so utterly effortless. RIGHT, STOP. That’s my ears and I made the Ektas! It’s relatively pointless for me to say what I hear and perceive. I will be biased, and it’s impossible not to be.
What matters is what others think. I started on this path a few months ago and the main reasons are simple:
- I love designing and building speakers. (mine are currently based on Troels Gravesen designs)
- I believe hifi and music enthusiasts can have much better speakers for a lower cost
Building the Arke Duos and allowing others to hear the Ektas is the first step to showing what bespoke speakers can do. I may be WRONG! If that is the case, I am fine with that - I will humbly accept that and continue with garden design! If my speakers are only as good as an equivalent priced retail speaker then I doubt this venture will have longevity. If people can buy a similar or better retail speaker instead of an Arke Duo or Ekta then they probably will. My speakers will be bespoke and handmade, but they need to better - ideally a lot better!
So far only Oli, Alan and Stevew have heard the Ektas. Oli and Alan have bought some, so that means a lot to me and I am very grateful for their support. I believe Stevew was suitably impressed also. EDIT: Steve has just ordered some too! 😀They won't be everyone's cup of tea, I am sure of that, but hopefully many people will find the same joy in bespoke speakers as me!
OK, I should stop writing and get down to the workshop! My order book is growing and more demos are booked! I have some ARKES, Ektas and Vaders to build!
