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Franko HARDRIDER « Dynamics, Warmth, Power! »
Published on 12/12/12 at 14:51I bought them the early '90s for about $!300 (HI-FI cable included). They have been my main speakers for 22 years and replaced my Martin Speakers USA 110 Micro-Max, which I still have but use only as rear speakers.
I bought them after listening to them. I went to the shop with the idea of replacing my Martins with a Triphonique model that would take up less space in my living room and I ended up with these speakers. I was seduced by their sound quality that dwarfed the Bose Triphonique back then.
They were originally amplified with a Luxman LV-100 and then with a Kenwood KA-V8500. Nothing extraordinary, but a perfect match for the B&W.
I would buy the speakers again, but I'd change the amp. I like to keep the speakers, both for sentimental reasons as for their excellent sound quality.
They are not MartinLogan Electrostatic, which are the most extraordinary thing I have ever heard. They simply disappear to the benefit of the music and the musicians, allowing you to really hear them, and even picture them.
But what seduced me and is always relevant, can be summarized in three words: Dynamics, Warmth, Power. Listening to Vivaldi or Wagner, Jazz or Metal, they can cope with anything you through at them. The sound is clean and detailed, from the bottom to the high end.
The possibility to use two vent lengths (short and long) or to shut it off allows a very broad adjustment of the speakers according to the room. What's more, they can be bi-amplified!
The only problem with this type of speakers is their size when you want to install them in reduced spaces or rooms with lots of furniture. Even if they are not the best speakers out there, they require an appropriate space. However, I have them hidden behind the shelfs that surround my plasma, which speaks highly of their quality and versatility. And even in this more than questionable position, they deliver!
With an original design, a modified three-way that features a tweeter and two woofers (20cm) with a crossover at 400Hz, the result is stunning and impeccable.
Bottom line, I don't regret having taken the risk back then, especially since they don't seem to age,
They have also given me great results for my home cinema. I'm looking forward to see what they deliver with the new amp.
: )
I bought them after listening to them. I went to the shop with the idea of replacing my Martins with a Triphonique model that would take up less space in my living room and I ended up with these speakers. I was seduced by their sound quality that dwarfed the Bose Triphonique back then.
They were originally amplified with a Luxman LV-100 and then with a Kenwood KA-V8500. Nothing extraordinary, but a perfect match for the B&W.
I would buy the speakers again, but I'd change the amp. I like to keep the speakers, both for sentimental reasons as for their excellent sound quality.
They are not MartinLogan Electrostatic, which are the most extraordinary thing I have ever heard. They simply disappear to the benefit of the music and the musicians, allowing you to really hear them, and even picture them.
But what seduced me and is always relevant, can be summarized in three words: Dynamics, Warmth, Power. Listening to Vivaldi or Wagner, Jazz or Metal, they can cope with anything you through at them. The sound is clean and detailed, from the bottom to the high end.
The possibility to use two vent lengths (short and long) or to shut it off allows a very broad adjustment of the speakers according to the room. What's more, they can be bi-amplified!
The only problem with this type of speakers is their size when you want to install them in reduced spaces or rooms with lots of furniture. Even if they are not the best speakers out there, they require an appropriate space. However, I have them hidden behind the shelfs that surround my plasma, which speaks highly of their quality and versatility. And even in this more than questionable position, they deliver!
With an original design, a modified three-way that features a tweeter and two woofers (20cm) with a crossover at 400Hz, the result is stunning and impeccable.
Bottom line, I don't regret having taken the risk back then, especially since they don't seem to age,
They have also given me great results for my home cinema. I'm looking forward to see what they deliver with the new amp.
: )