Sinister Hawthorne Trios - Open Baffle Speakers

[SolidSqual]

Hey Guys,

Check out this thread over at Hawthorne Audio. I commissioned Darrel Hawthorne to make a pair of his Sterling Silver Trios. He's documenting the build here: http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3527&sid=7dc7279d4557e478f63c1be02cc3b1fc

It's going to be very interesting as the project unfolds. In the end, the speakers made by Darrel will accompany my own hand built Hawthorne surround sound system.

Here's a previous thread where Darrel documented a build: http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3338

Regards,

Mike

[madmax]

Can't wait to watch it unfold!
madmax

[zingo]

Those look awesome.

[Ern Dog]

Sounds like you worked out a pretty sweet deal, which includes a review.... Can't wait to read your impressions of those Bohemoths!

[gidrah]

I've never heard the Trios, but have heard the Duets and was very impressed with the quality bass from such a small baffle.

During a local audio meet, I commented my impressions to a guy sitting at a computer. He said thanks and started talking specs, how he wish they sounded better at the time, and design parameters. After a little confusion I found out I was meeting Darrel and then his lovely wife.

[unc2701]

What happened to the ones you started?
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100244

[SolidSqual]

What happened to the ones you started?
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100244

I'm still working on them. This additional project happened during the course of many conversations with Darrel. Darrel is an artist. He used to work for a film company developing the "skin" used to make robots appear as realistic animals in movies. After seeing what Darrel is capable of, I couldn't resist buying one of his pieces of art.

[unc2701]

Wow. Yeah, sounds like he can handle sinister. Can't wait to see what he puts together.

[SolidSqual]

Here is where my build with Darrel is at right now:
http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/photos/albums/userpics/10003/P7140017%7E0.jpg

I'm also working on making my own tube amp to power the top section of the speakers. More pics to come soon on the amp.

[mhardy6647]

uffda. Too cool.

[madmax]

Awesomeness! I wish I had the talent and patients to do that.

[dorokusai]

The design looks pretty good as far as open baffles go. You'll end up selling them but good luck, enjoy.

[SolidSqual]

The design looks pretty good as far as open baffles go. You'll end up selling them but good luck, enjoy.

Hey,

Have a little faith. People change. I still have my Original Lsi7s.:D You are probably one of the first people that got me into this hobby. Everything I've done is your fault.

Mike

[Zero]

Lookin' pretty cool. Big efficient drivers, DIY projects,.. Now I know. You're truly gunna be a helpless case.:p

[dorokusai]

Hey,

Have a little faith. People change. I still have my Original Lsi7s.:D You are probably one of the first people that got me into this hobby. Everything I've done is your fault.

Mike

We share a couple things in what we try in this hobby, I'm no stranger but I handle my journey in a more private manner. I've found my last speaker but I still keep on ditching them and gear because its fun and I want to hear as much as possible. I'll lockdown when I'm older and anyone under <50 who says "I think this might be it fellas....", or similar diatribe is just a shine towards the next 12 month exercise. I'm sorta excited to see your foray into unknown and love that you choose stuff against the grain and flow of popular opinion and most trends. This is a unique loudspeaker but at some point you'll have to find at least one statement piece for your rig....everyone needs ONE, and this could be it. You're doing a fine job.

[SolidSqual]

Oh Yeah!
http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/photos/albums/userpics/10003/PA050064.jpg

Oh, and the plate amps handling the low end of these speakers with the crossover mounted alongside. They look pretty, but depending on performance I might biamp these speaker with my Wyred4Sound amps and use a Prism Orpheus as my digital crossover. The plate amps will then be moved to their new duty for powering a pair of dual open baffle subwoofers. More to come.

http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/photos/albums/userpics/10003/P9050023.jpg

http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/photos/albums/userpics/10003/P9050024.jpg

[SolidSqual]

Just the XO:
http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/photos/albums/userpics/10003/P9030021.jpg

[EndersShadow]

Man....they look quite spectacular...

I dont think they even need to be listened to, just stared at in awe....

[SolidSqual]

They're done and being delivered next weekend!

http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3527&p=59091#p59091

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[Face]

Impressive!

[SolidSqual]

Notice the compression driver is fully open in the back. These babies are 100% dipole. I'm pumped.

[dorokusai]

Doesn't commissioned just mean you paid for them or made a deposit? C'mon...just say that unless it makes it more exotic sounding.

I've read about those before and they look very promising for an open baffle. The construction is clearly top notch.

[EndersShadow]

Man, they are definitely unique for sure. Looking forward to final placement pics.

[SolidSqual]

Funny . . . I thought I was just speaking English??? When used as a transitive verb, "commission" literally means to place an order. So technically, I said exactly what you wanted to hear, just more efficiently.

I'm pretty excited about these speakers. To your credit Mark, you verbally slapped me in the face about two years ago, encouraging me to find some signature pieces with lasting appeal. Since then, my audio pursuit has changed for the better. I think these speakers are part of that pursuit.

[Toolfan66]

Very Impressive!!! he could hold his own at the RMAF.

Congrats !!!

[Drenis]

Very pretty set of speakers. I'm sure they come at a very hefty price. I'd love to hear what they sound like.

[SolidSqual]

Here's a professional photo:

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[steveinaz]

Beautiful man!

[dorokusai]

I'm pretty excited about these speakers. To your credit Mark, you verbally slapped me in the face about two years ago, encouraging me to find some signature pieces with lasting appeal. Since then, my audio pursuit has changed for the better. I think these speakers are part of that pursuit.

Exactly what everyone should do.

[cstmar01]

very nice. I really like the stain color that you went with. Enjoy!

[cubdog]

Those are beautiful! How big is the room you have them in?

cubdog

[rebuy]

They are Very nice but I'm confused with the driver complement. It looks like there is only one speaker and two passives.

[Face]

They are Very nice but I'm confused with the driver complement. It looks like there is only one speaker and two passives.The center driver is a coaxial, a woofer with a tweeter(compression driver) in the center. The woofer acts as a waveguide for the tweeter, which aids in dispersion and also allows a lower crossover point. The top and bottom drivers are woofers, not passives. The magnets appear to be small side, which usually raises the Qts, and makes them more suitable for open baffle use.

[cstmar01]

so did you get them yet Mike? how are you liking them so far? I'm interested to hear how you like them compared to the Emeralds.

[SolidSqual]

The center driver is a coaxial, a woofer with a tweeter(compression driver) in the center. The woofer acts as a waveguide for the tweeter, which aids in dispersion and also allows a lower crossover point. The top and bottom drivers are woofers, not passives. The magnets appear to be small side, which usually raises the Qts, and makes them more suitable for open baffle use.

There is actually a small horn from the compression driver that lies within the 15 inch woofer. The augies, the top and bottom woofers, produce the strongest and tightest OB bass I have heard to date. (they don't look small up close.)


so did you get them yet Mike? how are you liking them so far? I'm interested to hear how you like them compared to the Emeralds.

I'm going to reserve any detailed comments until I have had the time to properly listen to these speakers. My first impression is that these speakers are way more refined that the Emerald Physics.

[falconcry72]

I'm going to reserve any detailed comments until I have had the time to properly listen to these speakers. My first impression is that these speakers are way more refined that the Emerald Physics.

Alright man, times up! Let's hear it...:biggrin:

[audiocr381ve]

Alright man, times up! Let's hear it...:biggrin:

+100!

[Toolfan66]

I agree let's hear it.

[thsmith]

I was thinking the same thing yesterday.

[Ern Dog]

{cough cough}

[Face]

The way Mike goes through speakers, he's probably shopping for his next pair already. :twisted:

[SolidSqual]

The way Mike goes through speakers, he's probably shopping for his next pair already. :twisted:

Oh now that's just rude. :)

I'm actually working on a long review that I promised to write for Darrel Hawthorne after receiving and thoroughly listening to these speakers.

Out of the gates, it was instantly apparent to me that the Sinisters have a much more refined sound than my old Emmys. This is not surprising considering Darrel Hawthorne has been refining his design for years. The Emmys were just a product that sounded good but was never engineered to its full potential. The Augie bass drivers pack a seriously tight wallop that makes the bass of the CS2s seem artificial by comparison. Again, this is because the Augies were purpose built whereas the CS2 15" woofers were adapted for the application.

These big monsters image like a book shelf speaker, mainly because most of the sound comes from the mid woofer and compression driver in the center. The augies augment frequencies somewhere between 70 and 80 and below, but the the mid-woofer is not crossed over as it still receives the lowest bass notes. Despite their massive weight and size, the Sinisters are actually kind of just a large bookshelf speaker with a very inert and unique "stand". In fact, sometimes I forget to turn on the Augies and just listen to the mid woofer without even missing the extra bottom end. It's quite amazing how low the woofer will play, while at the same time creating a milky smooth midrange. This is truly a testament to the engineering that went into designing the specs for the Sterling Silver Iris package.

What impresses me most about these speakers is their ability to create depth. The wide soundstage is a given on most open baffle speakers, but few speakers of any design can really create an image that has both width and depth. Of course, both of these elements combine to create a 3-D soundstage that most of us seek daily. With the Sinisters, I feel like the singer is always in my room. What's crazier, when I'm out of the room, it sounds like a live band is playing right in my home.

These speakers also excel at creating a very tactile music experience (which for me is an important and often overlooked factor in finding a perfect speaker). I don't mean big powerful bass (although they can deliver when needed). Again, this is more a comment on the mid range and highs, which powered by the mid woofer and sterling silver iris is a tingling experience. You can literally feel the crash of a symbol ripple over your skin or the keys of a piano walking across your lap. Anyone who tells you a person only listens with his ears has never been to a live concert or seen a 4th of July Firework Celebration.

That is all I got for now . . . .I need some coffee.

[SolidSqual]

Back to Face's comment, I'm hoping to have this system for a while. I ordered these speakers knowing they were the type of sound I most enjoyed. The rest of the system reflects my entire education here at the Polk Forum and in my living room. Some other speakers or gear may come and go, but the system you see in my sig will last a long time.

[Face]

Just razzing you Mike. :razz: Enjoy those beauties!

Any pics of them in your room?

[EndersShadow]

Hey Mike, when you going to be in Indy next? I know I still need to take that TT off your hands :smile:.

P.S. dont post those pics FACE asked for.... they will only further my jealousy lol..... Someday I might need to try and make a roadtrip to hear your gear :smile:

[nooshinjohn]

Someday I might need to try and make a roadtrip to hear your gear :smile:....