I bought a pair of L1 Model I a couple years ago and jumped at the chance to get the Model II with it's smaller, more portable base, as well as wider dispersion due to the splayed angles of the drivers.

Well I just tried out my Model II last night and very happy to say the least with the width of the soundstage, but I have one huge gripe, and all they had to do was leave perfection alone, while doing the speaker angle tweak.

My Model I sounds great without a sub connected, but the Model II sounds so anemic without at least a B1 to give it some fullness.

I'm sure you've all noticed that the little ports in the middle of both halves of the Model I have been eliminated from the Model II.

These are just a couple of my first observations and I thought I'd make a little poll to see how others feel about the elimination of the ports and resulting lack of depth without at least one sub connected.

Question:
Owners of both Model I and Model II, do you miss the warmth of the Model I due to it's ported design like I do?

Choices:
Do you miss the warmth of the Model I compared to the Model II when used without a sub?
Would you pay more to get ported Model II top sections?
Do the advantages of the Model II outweigh the missing bottom end?
Have you gone back to the Model I after having a Model II?
Do you see the Model II as a perfected PAS?

 

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Akami,

Hi Akami,

My understanding about the Model II was that is designed to be used with a B1. That is, it was not designed to operate without it. That fits with the Model II being is sold with a B1. The B1 is not an option. It is part of the Model II. I really like the way the B1 nestles in and fits with the Model II Power Stand. That design saves me a lot of floor space.

For me there was no disappointment when I got the Model II. I understood that the ported design went away in order to gain efficiencies that allowed for the lighter, more compact Power Stand. And *that* was a compelling reason to get the Model II. Not the only one, but significant.


Back to the B1 for the Model II.
I view it the same way I do the two-piece Cylindrical Radiator®. That is, even though the pieces are detachable in order to make the System portable, (and it *is* possible to operate with only the lower half), the Model II is not complete without the upper half. The same applies to the B1. The Model II is not complete without it.

Operating with only half the Cylindrical Radiator, or without a B1 are not recommended with the Model II.


Except for public speaking type tasks, I have never used the Classic without a B1. For those tasks I just take my Classic unless I need the wider dispersion.

I would take your survey, but you didn't give me an option to say that I was happy. I hope you are too for at least the 90%*** of the time that you too would have used a B1 with your Classic.

ST


*** this is a reference to your other recent post

edit: spelling / grammar

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ST,

Hi Akami,

For me, it's Model II hands down.

Like you, I was stunned when I heard the MII without a B1 attached...transistor radioville.
But *with* a B1, it has better bass tone than the Classic does w/1-B1, to my ears.
As ST said, you have to use the whole package, and why not?

I admit to having to adjust to the Model II.
I was used to sitting just a foot or two off to the side of the Classic.
With the MII, I move over further, so the articulated speaker is aimed at my ear.
I find I can sit much further off to the side and almost parallel to the tower and still hear very well.

I have been leaving my Classic in the studio as a monitor lately and taking the MII out,
and I miss the MII in the studio...it's just so smooth.
The new power stand is a joy in every way, what's not to like?
I also don't enjoy getting down in my knees behind the Classic to change presets and gain controls.
Easy solution though, I just ordered another T1.