Salk Speakers of Michigan

Anyone have anything to say about the speakers they make. I just found out they are not too far from me.

 

Never heard of them but they sure are striking. Check these out.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=125313.0

 

I drove over to the space last year to check out the operation...I was discussing a possible website / speaker barter with Jim that never panned out.

Jim Salk was a really nice guy - he gave me a tour, talked a lot about the construction/design of the speakers and let me listen to some speakers that were built. They sounded pretty wonderful and he'll do just about anything you want to customize the speakers to make them your own. Pretty cool local operation, I was impressed.

 

Nice. If they sound as good as they look then they are sure winners.

 

Where is Salk's operation?

 

He told me he is in Pontiac Michigan

 

Yeah, he's in an old industrial building outside the downtown Pontiac area. Reminded me of the Russell Industrial space in Detroit.

 

I should check it out. A short drive.

 

Never heard them but he's made a speaker with an active crossover using the DEQX which is interesting.

http://www.salksound.com/ht3 - home.htm

He used to sell the DEQX, and suitable multi channel amps such as one from ATI, but I don't see them on his current site.

 

i think 'rent' is actually free there

 

I've heard several of his speakers at audio shows; they always sound at least "good", unlike many speakers I've heard at shows.

 

It's ironic how one of the richest counties in America has such a dump of a county seat.

 

If you think pontiac is a dump i suggest you travel a few miles north to Flint! Now that is a dump. At least they have the ole silverdome, old home of the Detroit liedowns.

 

Do a search om Salk Songtowers
Many people on this forum have them and love them
I'm saving up for a pair myself
Also made in the USA

 

http://www.audioholics.com/tower-sp...tower-qwt/salk-listening-tests-and-conclusion

Read that review. I'm leaning that way more and more. But I have to do some major driving to listen to them all. The KEF LS50 and the Salks at the min.

 

http://www.salksound.com/songtower images.htm

Ok people lets hear opinions on looks. Rank the top 3 from the page above.

For me.
1. Crotch mahogany
2. Pelin Burl
3. African Bubinga

Or maybe teak, My turntable is teak, my Sansui rack is some kind of darker fake walnut, my kefs are walnut vaneer. All hodge podge mismatch.

Maybe get them in teak to match table then have someone make me new rack sides out of teak. That might be the ticket.

 

Always thought African Bubinga looked really sharp

 

1. Imbuya
2. Macassar Ebony
3. Crotch Mahogany

 

I got yer Crotch Mahogany right here...

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I'm a terrible person.

Can't help ya with choice of veneer, but do look at the option to have the baffle cover the front entirely in the veneer of choice (see the Bamboo samples). The two-tone thing with the black baffle + wood veneer reminds me of 1950s saddle shoes.

 

Olivewood
African Bubinga
Natural Bamboo

 

Have you seen the Silverdome lately? The dome is history and the rest of the stadium is not far behind...

 

Never been to the factory, never met Jim. Spoke to him over the phone a few times and he's just a nice guy. Never heard anyone say a bad word about him on any of the forums.

I think he's a cabinet maker first and a speaker builder second. He will pretty much build a speaker for you if you provide the veneer. I had Rosewood Songtowers and they were beauts. Found a pair of used HT3s in satin black and couldn't be happier. Even they look good and they sound great.

If you want to audition Salks, there's an owner's audition thread on AC and Salk owners love to share.

 

Not seen it in a few years at least. It just sort of sat there, don't even know what they used it for after the lions left.

 

If everything works out for Jim and his house closing I'll be checking it out next week.
Oh those HT3s look even better. How are they vs the Songtowers?

HT3s would be a can of worms for me. But I want them! I would be underpowered to for driving them. So then I would have to get a set of Outlaw audio mono blocks to tie into my Sansui. Oh no not giving up the old horse Sansui that easily.

 

HT3s are better than the Songtowers but not by much and I had the dome tweeter Songtowers. Biggest difference was the low end. My sub has cobwebs on it.

You're right about the power needs of the HT3s. They love their watts. Ended up selling my tube amp and went Belles tube Pre and vintage Classe SS amp. Miss my KT88s.