Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: EFE technology EFESPKRS@aol.com DIY speakers assembled by EFE technology designer of these speakers Speakers by v.r.sola

Model:	DIY speakers assembled by EFE technology designer of these speakers
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$600$ assembled with matched components 40 $ shipping
Description:	Book shelf speakers13-10-9 inches 18 lbs Frequency range 40-20 K 6and Half inches woofer and one inch tweeter80hms impedence 90 db sensitivity
Manufacturer URL:	EFE technology EFESPKRS@aol.com
Model Picture:	View

Review by v.r.sola ( A ) on January 24, 2002 at 19:30:11
IP Address: 206.28.33.74

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for the DIY speakers assembled by EFE technology designer of these speakers

Ed frias DIY speaker kit
Assembled by EFE technology (efespkrs@aol.com)â€“designer of these speakers. (600$+40$ shipping).
Speakers used in the past B&W, Fried, Mission, Spica, Sony, Bose, Atlantic Technology T90 speakers with A.T Sub woofer.
Associated equipment
Outlaw audio 1050 receiver, Audio by van Alstine omega star pre amplifier, Omega star 120 watts per channel 3&2 channel amplifierAvahifi.com).,12 gauze speaker wires from Wal-Mart, Panasonic RP51 DVD player. Hitachi 53 inches projection TV. Sony cassette Tape deck...

Most of my past equipment is a mix of mid- fi and hi- fi. As it got stolen, I lost interest in music. I moved to US Virgin Islands in 97. I returned back to the main land last October. Since I have some free time, closer to retirement and ample collection of CDs my interest in music got rekindled.
I purchased Outlaw receiver 1050 and Atlantic research T90 speakers (1700$ including stands and shipping)).
I felt some thing is not right with my set up. I read all the reviews and I finally settled on Ed frias center speaker C2, and DIY kit as a first step in the process of upgrading from Atlantic Technology speakers. I realized I prefer full range speakers, not satellite speakers with a subwoofer for listening music. I feel if they are good enough for music they should be very good for a home theater.
I have not heard or seen them but thanks to the reviewers (Five stars) who kindly
E-mailed me their very favorable opinions. Many thanks to them. I am not an audiophile, cablephile or equipmentphile but I enjoy music and DVD movies. I mostly listen to vocals, violin, flute, and guitar. Couple of hours everyday.
These speakers are well made, but they do not look expensive like EFE laminated speakers.
I waited anxiously for the speakers to see whether they really are five star speakers by all the reviewers.
For the packing the speakers with care, the finish and looks get 5 stars. If they look good and expertly packed I assumed they will be built with 5 star care and precision.
I connected them for the first 2 minutes the sound was terrible. I thought for a moment whether the multiple reviews are hyped and over enthusiastic reviews. After few minutes every thing changed. I realized the speakers are cold from the weather during transportation.
They are different â€“with excellent dynamic range, reasonable bass, the violins, sitar and female vocals sound natural and I do not get tired after listening for few hours. There is a kind of purity in voices and the various sounds are intelligible. The Wife acceptance factor is very high.
Yes!
Indeed they are five star speakers.
Their timber matches well with EFE center channel speaker.
The only shortcomings if any are when playing some classical symphonies limited by size and my initial hesitation in purchasing unseen and unheard speakers.
For me the speakers should be like a copying machine, it should reproduce as it is with out adding or subtracting any thing. And these Ed frias DIY speakers do this the job very well. When I used my previous speakers (Atlantic technology T90) either with Dolby, Prologic or DTS my wife used to ask me turn of the rear speakers
She said the voices are muffled and sound like some one is grumbling. There is too much of electronic processing with Dolby or DTS for music and the result is a Japanese sound.
I also purchased Ed Frias passive decoder.
I see there is no reason to hesitate in purchasing the DIY speakers. The money one can save can be used for purchasing software DVD and CDs
I got them assembled by Ed frias himself as I do not have the knowledge, skill and patience. Also I believe there will be subtle improvements as the components for the crossovers and drivers are matched and the designer of the speaker can do it better than me a--- Novice. What I read from other reviewers about DIY speaker is enough and it is close enough to his B 15 speakers (890$) and one can save either by purchasing it perfectly assembled with care and precision by Ed frias himself or substantially by purchasing the Kit if they have the time and skill.
I replaced the Atlantic Technology T 90 front surrounds and rear surrounds with the EFE DIY speakers. There is a big change. They are not restricted, efficient and more transparent and with an excellent Dynamic range. I think they will be a great speakers, cost efficient if purchased as a kit form (360$ times4.If purchased assembled they cost about 1260 dollars for four including shipping.).For the quality of sound they offer I consider them to be a bargain. This is a purchase at a price where the point of rapidly diminishing returns begins.
Ed Fries seems to be busy and there may be few weeks of waiting period. . Ed frias is a good communicator and a good packer. I even received a picture of the crossovers.
I will also post later my evaluation of this speakers using Omega star pre amplifier and amplifier built by Frank van Alstine (avahifi.com), EFE C2--T22) speaker as a center channel, EFE passive decoder.., EFE T36 speakers.
I am pleased and happy with the Speakers and thank all the reviewers. I was uncomfortable in my decision process of placing an order, I have not heard or seen the speakers and I thank all those who replied to my e-mails. Probably they are the last set I will ever buy.
V.R. Sola

Product Weakness: May be a little bright(micro) in high frequencies.Other wise I cocur with all the 20 5 star reviews in audio reviews
Product Strengths: Wife acceptancy factor.Full range of frequency.well made.great dynamics and transparent.20 reviewers gave 5 stars correctly though initially I thought they are over enthusiastic till I owened them

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Out law 1050 receiver. Omega star pre amplifier. Omega star amplifiers 3 channels and 2 channels from AVAHIFI.COM.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Omega star from avahifi.com
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Panasonic RP 51 DVD
Speakers:	Atlantic Tech t 90 speakers. EFE c2(t22) center channel.
Cables/Interconnects:	Philips from wal-mart. 12 dollars each
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Male and female vocals, strings, Jazz.
Room Size (LxWxH):	24- x 15 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	None
Time Period/Length of Audition:	20 Plus Hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster cable.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	n/a

Product Weakness:	May be a little bright(micro) in high frequencies.Other wise I cocur with all the 20 5 star reviews in audio reviews
Product Strengths:	Wife acceptancy factor.Full range of frequency.well made.great dynamics and transparent.20 reviewers gave 5 stars correctly though initially I thought they are over enthusiastic till I owened them