Thinking out of the box..... Linkwitz LX521

[fbee]

Linkwitz leaves conventional speaker design behind.

"Box"-Radiaters as well as planar concepts.

 

His new, strictly form follows function design LX521 looks very avantgarde, like a sculpture.

A sculpture with acoustic integrity.

 

This year, Siegfried Linkwitz was honored with ALMAs "Titanium Driver Award",

which recognizes a specific technical contribution, accomplishment, or expertise in the loudspeaker industry.

The award was presented by Laurie Fincham (KEF, Harman Group, THX).

 

Recently, three experienced audio engineers listened to the Linkwitz LX521 speakers:

 

"On 31 Jan. 2014 I was at a hifi Gourmet in Stuttgart as a guest and got the Linkwitz boxes LX521 demonstrated. It should be a completely new sound experience, the prediction of my companion Jörg Wuttke...."

 

Google translate

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[mayhem13]

Very true....his designs are ground breaking each and every time. I've had the pleasure of listening to both the Orion and Pluto but not the LX521........yet!

[Philande]

I have had the pleasure of listening to these speakers in Annapolis, MD. I can only say that they were the best sounding speakers that I have heard in anyone's home. They have a world class low end, a natural and full mid-range and are very good spatially. Oh, they image very, very well. They are active and require either an analogue signal processor or a DSP before amplification and require a minimum of three channels per side.

 

These speakers are DYI, (you need to purchase the plans from Mr. Linkwitz) but kits are available from Dr. Frank Brenner LX521 Constant Directivity Loudspeakers and Madisound. These speakers are designed to work in a home environment with little or no need for room treatment. Normal furnishings suffice. I will own these speakers before long.

[fbee]

+1

Their phantom imaging seems to be very close to what was recorded (when the recording was done properly).

When spotting the phantom-placement of the instruments with the test tracks of the Schoeps Microphone Showroom

wind ensemble, it was really comparable to the picture of the recording venue (5-6m behind the loudspeaker axis).

The best realism was reached with the XY or ORTF mic´d tracks.

 

A photo of the real recording venue is shown on this schoeps website.

 

You may try these tracks with your own speaker setup...(or maybe you have the opportunity to listen to a LX521 once)

[RubenV]

I have build a pair of these and I am very pleased with them. So I cannot agree more with posts above

[RubenV]

Because a picture says more then a thousand words... This is the pair I build.

[drivemusicnow]

I'm undecided on exactly which speaker I want to build, either choosing the LX521, going with the NaO Note II RS, or spending the time to figure it out myself, but I really like the dipole speaker concept. For more information, I recommend reading a bit from this blog in addition to the SL and NaO websites. Gainphile

[RubenV]

There are more options. Recently the people behind Daudio - dipole – design – audio approached me if they could stop by for a listening session. They also make an open baffle speaker which uses better quality drivers then the Orion. They had never heard the LX521 before and wanted to know how this design performed compared to their own one.

A few weeks ago I went to an audio club evening were they gave a demo, and I must admit I was impressed with their creation.

[fbee]

Could be interesting, too.

However, I m veeery amazed when listening to the LX521...

Holographic soundstage 5m behind the speaker axis.

....quite a departure from conventional box speakers.

[RubenV]

Could be interesting, too.

However, I m veeery amazed when listening to the LX521...

Holographic soundstage 5m behind the speaker axis.

....quite a departure from conventional box speakers.

 

I am too. I won't be changing speakers for a long time I guess...

[drivemusicnow]

Thanks for the link, I hadn't ever seen those before. I really wish I could blind test some LX521s, the NaOs, perhaps those Daudio dipoles and a few others to truly know what the cost differences achieve. I'd definitely also compare them to some Magnepans as well. Now that would be a worthwhile listening test.

[RubenV]

Also a thing to keep in mind, building them yourself will give you a lot of satisfaction when they are finished

[fbee]

There is "The Official LX521 Auditions Seeking Thread..."

ORION/PLUTO/LX521 Users Group • View topic - The Official Seeking LX521 Auditions Thread...

 

I heard the big Magnepans 3.?, before going for the Linkwitz Orions in 2007 (Linkwitz LX521 became available late 2012)

The Maggies were impressive and steered my attention away from conventional box speakers to dipoles. The Maggies have their pros and cons, I like their slim appearance.

 

When the Maggies want you exactly in the sweet spot,

the "Constant Directivity" radiation pattern of LX521 allows you to listen from "off"-side and still get nice phantom spatial impressions.

And ... there is this dry and powerful bass of the LX521 woofer V-frame, able to emit bass&drum pressure waves, that rock my listening chair.

 

 

....

[fbee]

more pics on LX521 Constant Directivity Loudspeakers

[fbee]

The well-known audio critic Peter Aczel http://theaudiocritic.com/plog/

just reviewed the Linkwitz LX521.

Not mentioning, that in the meantime there are turnkey LX521 system available (from Germany)

[MikeJazz]

The well-known audio critic Peter Aczel http://theaudiocritic.com/plog/

just reviewed the Linkwitz LX521.

Not mentioning, that in the meantime there are turnkey LX521 system available (from Germany)

 

It really makes me go there and listen....

[fbee]

Hi Mike,

 

you really should try to listen to one of those LX521

 

With a well resolving program source (DAC etc), you might be experiencing the same as Peter Aczel: TheAudioCritic.com/plog/

The speakers naturally disappear

as soon as you start the music;

you don’t even have to close your eyes.

I would go even further—you have to make a slight mental effort

to be aware that the speakers are actually there! It’s uncanny...

 

A "Titanium Driver Award Promotion" is running for LX521 turnkey sytems. If interested, here is more.

[fbee]

Recently, selected guests had the opportunity to join the event at the CARHOTEL and go for a testride with a TESLA Model S, a BMW i3....and -of course- listen to the LX521

 

Even in this extremely open, reflective and asymetrical environment, the outstanding phantom imaging of LX521 could be demonstrated to an interested audience.

 

 

Details on News

[NOMBEDES]

Recently, selected guests had the opportunity to join the event at the CARHOTEL and go for a testride with a TESLA Model S, a BMW i3....and -of course- listen to the LX521

 

Even in this extremely open, reflective and asymetrical environment, the outstanding phantom imaging of LX521 could be demonstrated to an interested audience.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12784[/ATTACH] ;[ATTACH=CONFIG]12785[/ATTACH]

 

Details on News

 

 

 

 

A location for the event would be nice.

[fbee]

THe CARHOTEL is located in Stuttgart/Germany, the town famous for their car factories Daimler-Benz and Porsche.

[NOMBEDES]

THe CARHOTEL is located in Stuttgart/Germany, the town famous for their car factories Daimler-Benz and Porsche.

 

 

 

Thank you. I was not aware of the CARHOTEL. I used to walk by the Daimler-Benz building in Stuttgart-Moehringen each morning, it was fun to see all the test cars in the lot.

[fbee]

You may have noticed the RMAF Denver report abou the new LXmini and the LX521.

LX521 Constant Directivity Loudspeakers

[fbee]

San Franciscos Burning Amp Festival was an opportunity for Bay Area residents (and also from beyond) to experience stable imaging and natural reproduction.

 

Some pictures and impressions can be found here:

BAF2016

or

News - Linkwitz magicLX521....Stereo kann 3-D @13NOV2016