The Tower Discussion Thread!

[Veda]

I'm in the same situation and I would definitely choose the RAAL + the RAAL Horizon if I'm serious with HT. I would personally buy a separate great system for music and keep HT at a minimum budget. Sierra bookshelves NRT all around to keep matched timbre I think would be a good enough setup.

[davef]

Would I be correct in thinking that someone planning on 96% home theater would be better off going with NRT over RAAL?

I wouldn't say you are better off going NrT over RAAL for a mostly HT system. You won't lose any performance going with the RAAL (you will actually gain some lower volume clarity compared to a dome) but generally speaking, I would say it is harder to justify the increase in price for the RAAL ribbons for a mostly home theater system.

[davef]

Those speakers are beautiful. What color is that considered??

This pair is a very unique true piano black. What makes them unique is that they are 100% hand finished, hand buffed Made in the USA - and the finish is a polyester resin based piano black. Most piano black finishes (especially from Asia) are polyurethane. Polyester buffs to a higher sheen and is harder. The finishing on this pair was completed by an experienced guitar finishing company.

Regrettably, this is a very expensive option and will add $700 to the introductory base price of $1898/pair.

Are you going to post some pictures with other colors that are avilable ?

Yes, we intend to post pictures of the various finishes that we are able to offer.

As of right now, the standard finish options will be:

Natural
Espresso (with a satin sheen, not nearly as glossy as the Sierra-1)
Dark Cherry (with the same satin sheen)
High Gloss Black (not as perfect a mirror finish as the true piano black, which is nearly a perfect mirror)
Satin Black
Black Matte (this is a textured black matte paint, extremely durable and very attractive) It is the same finish that is used for M&K speakers

Because we are building these locally, we are able to offer various custom options (various veneers, different color paints such as white) for additional fees.

Are these the pictures of Brandon's speakers ??

Yep.... And I miss them

[GaryB]

Hi, Dave. How would the "true piano black" and "high gloss black" finishes on the towers compare to the "piano black" finish on the Sierra-1?

[curtis]

OK...it's been 90 minutes. Where did he go?

[ripcordaff]

This pair is a very unique true piano black. What makes them unique is that they are 100% hand finished, hand buffed Made in the USA - and the finish is a polyester resin based piano black. Most piano black finishes (especially from Asia) are polyurethane. Polyester buffs to a higher sheen and is harder. The finishing on this pair was completed by an experienced guitar finishing company.

Regrettably, this is a very expensive option and will add $700 to the introductory base price of $1898/pair.

Wait, so you have two gloss blacks? The "True piano" and the "high gloss black", with the True piano costing a whopping $700 more?

[indulger]

I already told my wife what next years state tax refund is going to!! She was so overwhelmed with excitement, she replied...."Whatever". I'm taking that as a definite "OK".

[davef]

Wait, so you have two gloss blacks? The "True piano" and the "high gloss black", with the True piano costing a whopping $700 more?

That is correct... High gloss black is not "piano" black -- the difference being that piano black is a mirror finish, such that it will reflect back nearly every detail just like a mirror. High gloss black does not have the same degree of reflectivity, reflected detail is somewhat blurry.

A "Made in the USA" true piano black finish is nearly impossible to come by. It is extremely labor intensive and uses chemicals that require very specific environmental licensing, especially here in California. For example, I believe Salk charges $1400 for the option. The $700 additional fee we are charging has no added profit in it for us -- it simply covers the cost of the process and the additional handling required.

It was also our desire to manufacture the speaker cabinets here in the USA.

That being said, since piano black is a very popular finish and the $700 increase in price is hard to swallow, we are considering having our Sierra-1 cabinet maker produce piano black cabinets for us which will reduce the cost of this option dramatically. This will take several months though...

[ebh]

Wait, so you have two gloss blacks? The "True piano" and the "high gloss black", with the True piano costing a whopping $700 more?

and it looks like two less glossy blacks as well. Very interesting. Can't wait to see pictures and get cost details for the various options.

[waynes]

what center channel will come with this speaker ? will it be overkill in a14x14 room with hardwood floors?