Audio Physic Tempo

Hi folks. The hunt for a replacement speaker for my trusty Royds has begun. Today I did a demo of three Art speakers (Stiletto, Stiletto 6 and Emotion) and a pair of the new Audio Physic Tempos. The Emotion, at £9k, was the best sound overall, but what was very surprising was how closely the Tempos ran it - very close, not as much bass depth, and a smidgeon less detail.

Having previously owned Virgo IIIs, I could lay claim to being a bit of an AP fan, but I was stunned at how good the little Tempos are, and all for a snip over £2k. I'd even suggest that they might be a little better than the Virgos, though that's based on memories of the bigger APs.



Has anyone got a pair of these, and care to comment on how they feel about them now after a period of ownership? Or maybe you heard them and chose something else. Just curious - the real acid test will be the Living Voice OBX-R versus the Tempos - can the much lauded LV speaker justify it's almost-double-the-price...

If I had a huge room and a bigger budget, though, those Art Audio Emotions were great. Much nicer in the flesh than in the pictures, and my little 8wpc amp was able to drive them to uncomfortable levels with super-tight and deep bass, and a real easy, musical and 'forget the hifi, enjoy the songs' sound...

John

 

The Living Voice has a totally different sound, less analytical and less 'hifi'. The LV is I think more responsive and musically superior.

But, like all things in audio, its very subjective! I think the Tempo's are one of AP more successful designs however.

 

It will be interesting to do the comparison. Certainly, the Tempo is quite a way better than the Avatar, and a bit cheaper. How it stacks up against the OBX-R2 is what I'll be looking at next time. I'd argue that the Tempo didn't really sound hifi at all, though it is quite a detailed and revealing speaker - more so than either of the cheaper Art speakers I listened to, and a Dali Eikon (I think it was called - sounded awful!) - and not really embarrased by the £9k Emotion. The OBX-R2 is what I was really interested in hearing, but sadly their dem pair was out on loan but there were enough alternatives to make my trip worthwhile.

 

if you like the stilleto6s the expression v6s are also worth a listen. similar but more of everything...

 

Audio Physic make some great speakers.... My smallest version 1 AP's (can't remember the name!!) were way better than the JM Labs Electra 915.1's in all except the bass (they didn't go as low). These are a serious bargain

 

I've also been offered a good price on a pair of Avanti mkIIIs (a smidgeon under £3k - rrp is £7.5k) - has anyone heard these, and do you think they'd work with an 8wpc push-pull valve amp*? It's more than I'd prefer to spend, but given the fact that it's less than £1k over the Tempo's price, and the fact I loved the Virgo mkIIIs, I am quite tempted. In any case, it'd be a fair bit cheaper than OBX-R2s.

 

AP, hifi sound

I have a pair of 55 litre each two way floorstanders, considering some smaller 3 way floorstanders to replace them(lookin mainly for better midrange provided by specialised middle channel, plus higher "speed", dynamism. Dont care much for bass as in my opinion bass means trouble in smaller room - what is the point of the magic "28Hz" in the datasheet of my speakers, if all it gives me is trouble healing the room modes with crazy bass traps and the lot?
I am considering the said APs along with ATC SCM35.
Anybody can comment on the comparison?
Also, what on earth is "hifi" sound? something other than pleasurable, enjoyable, realistic, involving sound?thanx
Alex, Prague/Czech republic

 

to clarify, someone commented that some speaker is OK in some respect, but not "hifi enough"... I am curious what quality is meant by "hifi" in this context

 

Think of a bigger, bolder Virgo, with a somewhat warmer balance and deeper bass but possibly not quite as precise imaging (the Virgos are extremely hard to beat in that respect with their ultra-slim front-baffle).

No, they need a good bit more power. With 8 W tube power, anything approaching realistic loudness will be severely compromised.

 

Markus, I previously owned the Virgo IIIs as you know, and the little Nait 2 I used at the time was capable of more than adequate control right up to uncomfortable listening levels. I sold the Virgos before I got the current power amp, so never had a chance to try the combination. However, I perceive my 8wpc amp to have at least as much grip as the Nait 2, and probably a fair bit more (so perhaps the 8w spec is very very conservative).

The power amp is the Eastern Electric MiniMax, and I have heard it drive the Tempo IIIi to serious volumes without any strain. On paper, the Tempo IIIi and the Avanti are similar (in impedance terms) so I am wondering if I could expect similar results.

I think you're one of thefew people on this and the PF forum who actually know the AP speakers well, so your advice is MUCH appreciated!

John

 

John, I haven't heard the Minimax. I have run the Virgo III with a Nait 2, like you, and concur that this is a surprisingly good combination.

I have heard the current Tempo only briefly and under show conditions, I really can't say anything much about them.

ISTR that someone from AP told me that the Avanti is a good bit harder to drive than the Virgo, but I may be mistaken. Why don't you contact AP directly, they are quite open and honest with that kind of question and I'm sure they will be happy to advise you.