Yeah, Pat,
Thanks again a million for taking the plunge on the "whole kit and kaboodle" system from us. I wish I could spend as much time in front of my own Orca system as you will be able to! Haha! At BHQ at last month's head fi meet Dan ran his Paramounts with tape through the Orcas and it was one of the best nearfiled experiences I've ever had. Crazy performance given the relatively diminutive price tag of the amps and everything else added up. I've heard a number of five figure systems that didn't even come close.
Jim was right on with the stand suggestion - in very small rooms the subs as stands are great because of the even smaller total system footprint. The speaker stands, however, do very effectively mass load the Orcas in order to solidify their sonic image, allow for independent subwoofer placement, and also as a new feature we take orders for the stands at custom height. Just send us the seated height from the floor to your ear and we'll take care of the rest.
So the breakdown between the dual subs as stands versus the single sub and column stands is:
-If you are looking for better deep bass resolution on a budget, and just "the most sound from the least space consumed," then the dual subs as stands are a good choice.
-If you are looking for slightly clearer mid bass (orca mass loading), and slightly improved imaging (Precise choice of driver height and also slightly more perfect point source), then the stands and single sub is the best approach.
Of course, either system (or even just a sole pair of orcas) can be added to incrimentally as budget, time allows.
The bases for the subs are offered to assure stability in whichever configuration they are intended to stand in - and that's pretty much it. I do not think that the bases affect the sonics in any particular way - though they do make it easier to use spikes or isolation pods or whathaveyou.
Cheers!
-Clark
