First Really Negative Review in Stereophile Guide to HT (1 Viewer)

[Len Cheong]

The latest edition reviewed the Cambridge Newton T500 speaker system and outright trashed it. I couldn't believe I was reading it since they've never put out such a negative review. It was interesting to note that manufacturer was surprised by their assessment and said that their cones and drivers are identical to those of the Infinity Interlude system (which it was compared to and noted as being superior) and therefore should sound similar.

 

[gregD]

I read the reviews but take 'em with a grain of salt, precisely because as you imply, 99% of them so glowingly positive.

However, SGHT seems to have nailed this one... I think of Cambridge as pretty good bang-for-the-buck speakers... I use 3 small bookshelf models in the HT as center and surrounds... but on an audition last year, it was evident to me that the Newtons were a step backward... the entire Newton line sounded muddy compared to the entire line of their older Tower floorstanders (which I came close to buying).

Just goes to show, especially for speakers, you have to carefully assess every new model... new designs, tweaks and upgrades don't always pan out.

 

[David Lorenzo]

That's amazing. I've never read a negative review in that rag. They must not give the magazine any money.

 

[Dustin B]

Don't matter much if they use the same drivers or not. The crossover is what counts the most.

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

Actually, what the company said was that the tower mains(which the reviewer did not like) and the center(which the reviewer did) had the same midrange and tweeter. Just for the record, the company did not say that the drivers were the same as the Infinities.

 

[Shamus]

Is there an electronic copy of that artical anywhere? I would love to read it because I just bought the CSW T500 HT system and really love it. I would like to hear what the artical has to say about them. I wasnt able to find that mag in my local magazine rack.
What was the gripe?
Thanks

 

[Adil M]

According to them it was the price for an inferior speaker set compared to the Infinity Interludes. I thought it was a good issue.

 

[Mike Sloan]

Anybody that has actually spent time listening to the Newton T500's knows this review to be an anomaly. Believe me...they sound great! I read a review in Stereophile (not SGTH) that said the B&W Signature 800's were harsh and irritating to listen to....go figure! I have compared the Newton T500's directly against the Rocket 750's and the Polk Audio LSi25's in my house with the same equipment over a 2 week period....I kept the T500's!

 

[Tony Genovese]

What's funny is that the measurements were quite good: flat frequency response and excellent low end extension. The guy measuring was at a loss to explain why the listener heard what he heard. Time domain issues was his supposition. What I would be willing to wager is that the subwoofer adjustment was way off, way too high, thus leading to the dull, lifeless sound the auditor heard.

 

[Kevin C Brown]

I actually think it's a bad idea to put powered subs in mains. You get all kinds of problems with destructive and constructive interference from them. (I'm surpirsed the reviewer didn't mention that.)

I would personally be very interested in whatever equivalent there is to the T500 *without* the powered subs...

 

[Rich Wenzel]

I once read an article in either SG or SGTH (i think it was the former) that said changing cables added nearly two octaves worth of depth...I am not arguing that cables can or can not change the sound of your system, but 2 octaves? I would think the write would know how much of a difference that would make and would not say something so stupid...I shut the magazine immediately.

Rich

 

[Kevin C Brown]

2 octaves, ... what is that? Like 10 dB or something?

 

[Tim Ranger]

""2 octaves, ... what is that? Like 10 dB or something?""

Octaves and db are totally different terms. An octave refers to frequency. (it is a doubling of frequency) For example, if someone says that he gained two octaves extension, you have to know the starting point. Say the original system played cleanly to 80Hz. A two octave extension would mean it played cleanly to 20Hz!
Nuts! db is a reference to volume level

 

[Adil M]

If he was making the "bold" statement of adding 2 octaves he was most definitely talking about the wiring to the sub and adding that would of course be to the lower extreme. Since I never saw that review I'll save my opinion.

 

[Rob Rodier]

Don't matter much if they use the same drivers or not. The crossover is what counts the most.

My vote is for the cabinet. Still, both are crucial.

-rob

 

[Kevin C Brown]

Tim- It was a joke... =>

 

[Tim Ranger]

Sorry Kevin! A was literally being literal

 

[Len Cheong]

I don't want to be bashing these Cambridge speakers but I just read another article in Absolute Sound Issue 133 (Jan02) regarding the T300 , one down from the flagship T500. This time I'll quote word for word what the reviewer said:

I wish I knew a kinder way of saying this:Nothing sounds right played through these speakers.

I couldn't help but laugh at such a brutal review. These speakers must really suck. Too bad since I wanted to try them out.

 

[Kevin C Brown]

I don't know, but do the T300's also have the included powered subs?

 

[Andrus_R]

Who cares what "They" think. As long as you enjoy them that's all that matters.