Blumenstein Ultra Fi

[Clark B.]

Clark, have you ever experimented with the FE103?

I have a pair that used in a 1/4 wave pipe. I really wasn't that happy with the enclosure.

Been thinking of trying Fostex recommend 6L vented box. 
Any thoughts on that?

I have a set of 2A3 Paramours with MagneQuest Iron. (I'd be running them with a 150W 12" powered sub)

Thanks for your time!

Mike

Mike, I have experimented heavily, across many generations of the FE103, and its not my cup of tea.  Like the FE126, (which is even worse), its got a very ragged response up top when compared to the likes of the Orca Classics or Orca Mini's.

Also, there is no practical way to get them down to 50hz evenly, unfortunately.

Best,

Clark

[Mike F1]

Thanks for your input! I value your opinion.

I guess that's why I was never that thrilled with them... could never really put my finger on what it was.
Funny, in different audio forum(s), people swear by them! lol

I'll probably just make ~6L enclosures and turn them into "shop" or "back ground" music speakers.
Then my son can whale on them when I'm not home...and I won't get to bent out of shape! lol

Cheers!

Mike

[feeench]

Can we hear more about the Orca Mini's? Is there a port at the back? How would you compare them to the Orca Classic? Thanks.

[tdogzthmn]

I would be interested in knowing how the Frequency response of the Orca Classic compares to the Orca Mini's.

Best,
Thomas

[Clark B.]

Orca Mini's do have a port in the back.  They do not go quite as low as the Orcas, but only by a few hertz.  I can still enjoy just a pair of them anywhere.  A sub does take things to the next level of course.  More Bottleheaders should just try them out and report back their findings. 

Clark

[Horatio]

If we are looking for comparisons I am in the very fortunate position of having in my possession:

Orca Classic Centre-set x 2 - Birch
Orca Mini's x 2 - Birch
Dungeness sub x 2 - Birch

Along with:

Bee-Pre (Stock EH 300b)
Paramount (Sophia Carbon Princess 300b)
Stereomour (kit to be built in the next fortnight with stock tubes 2A3)

Sources would be a Schitt Bifrost DAC / 2014 Airport Express (used as DAC) / Mac Mini (used as DAC)

I also have the stands and Blumenstein cables on the way to throw into the mix...

If we thought there would be value I can test a few combo's of the above if there is anyone juggling configurations. I won't even pretend to begin to throw around the audiophile terminology you see in magazines / online but I am about to start setting them up across the house and I would happily do some comparisons in the two room sizes I am using (4m x 4m and 4m x 8m) and give some feedback on how well the various combo's fill the room and handle some differing types of music if anyone thinks it would help them evaluate options.

Bill

[xcortes]

I have a pair of Orca deluxe center channels on top of dungeness subs in my bedroom system. They are mated with a perfect and serviced Nak Dragon, a Bee Pre with every possible tweak and a pair of Paramour 2s with upgraded caps and iron (Cobalt pinstripe opts). I've had the Orcas plus subs for many months now and they always were OK. I have to say that now they have started to shine. Always chamber music (bedroom system as I said) and low volumes. All the time they missed the "box" resonance of a cello that my WE do so well. I have to report that they now do it. After many tries now I have a bedroom system that is utterly engaging.

I also have a pair of Orca minis at the office. They're still missing the cello box resonance but I expect they will eventually get it!

BTW Clark, we need a mini dungeness to mate the Orca minis!

Oh, please don't ask me to compare as I won't do it.

[2wo]

Nice bedroom system. I think I would be happy with that as my main rig. I have always wanted to hear cobalt outputs...John   

[tdogzthmn]

If anyone can comment on the sonic character of the min compared to the orca classic that would be nice.

[feeench]

Clark have you tried the new Seductor amp with the Orcas? Any words on that?

BTW I recently received a pair of Orca Mini's in BB that are starting to burn in nicely and I'm loving every step. They're currently powered by a $20 Lepai Class-T amp which I'm sure is not doing them any justice but the Bottlehead S.E.X. kit is in the mail and I'm looking forward to getting it hooked up!

[Horatio]

tdogzthmn, the Mini's are remarkably close to the full Orca's. The primary difference to my ear is the fuller Bass that the full Orca's have, however, while this is a clearly audible difference, if I drop a Dungeness sub into the mix in a room that is roughly 4m x 4m there is very little between a set of Mini's + Dungeness and a set of full Orca's + Dungeness. Both are spectacularly good and perform similarly to my ear when supported by a sub.

Bill

[Hank Murrow]

Nice bedroom system. I think I would be happy with that as my main rig. I have always wanted to hear cobalt outputs...John

Well John; If you are ever in Eugene OR, I can oblige; as my BH Customs Soul Sister linestage has MQ B7 cobalt opts, and my BH Customs 2A3 amp has MQ TFA 2004 M4/ten slices of cobalt opts. They feed Blumenstein Orcas and BUF Subs with Oppo dvp 95 and vinyl as sources. Lovely system!
Cheers, Hank

[tjessen]

Can one order an Orca centre set with the same cabinet as an orca mini? TIA.

[Clark B.]

Can one order an Orca centre set with the same cabinet as an orca mini? TIA.

Oh- indeed!  That is a good idea.  If you order one, we will build it and put as an option in our online store. A single Center channel is 1/2 the price of a pair of Minis.

BTW,  we have redone the website somewhat.  Stripped down and simpler.  We also have a new package deal up right now which is Mini's, the new stands, and the new Dungeness Max sub. 
 
Give it a look! 

http://www.blumensteinaudio.com/

Best,

Clark

[tjessen]

Thanks Clark, I'm just sizing up a home theater at the moment, not yet making purchasing, but I do love your business, beautiful and simple products!