Listening to the EzraBefore listening to anthony's new Ezra FS speakers, we thought we'd compare it to his 2 previous bs offerings - the Genesis and the newly tweaked Exodus.
It was disconcerting to learn that anthony run out of the highly praised Velodyne silk tweeters and the newer batch of Genesis & Exodus now sports JBL mylar tweets.
I found the JBL tweets to have a raspier sound compared to the smooth and more natural nature of the Velodyne tweeter. Parang medyo magaspang ang presentation nya.
Others, who perceive brightness = more detailed sound might be inclined to prefer the JBL pairing, but I thought (preferred) that the Velodyne tweets were better.
The Exodus suffered the worst, IMHO. Having 2 JBL tweeters in a bs box was too much fatiguing that we ended listening to it after half a song. Any thoughts of using it as a possible center speaker for auditioning the Ezra pair in HT quickly disappeared. But eventually we did as anthony didnt have a proper center speaker (yet) for the Ezra line. Or better yet, a single Ezra FS speaker to act as center.
After hearing the Exodus, I was a bit worried auditioning the Ezra FS speakers 'coz it also has 2 tweeters. The Ezra tweeters has no name and it looks very different from the JBL tweeters (thank God!), should I be worried?
Anthony asked me if I wanted to first audition the Ezra thru audio or HT - I said lets start off with audio as Im still a believer of "what is good for audio is better for HT".
But before plugging the Ezra, I told anthony to play the Genesis even for just half a song, pause it then continue the song using the new Ezra. In effect, I want to closely evaluate the differences or nuances thereof......and to remove any artifacts of the Exodus in my mind.
Within the first few seconds of listening to the Ezra FS speakers - right off it presented a bigger soundscape, more open, much smoother than the Genesis and definitely more Bass than the Genesis could deliver. It is definitely a better speaker than the Genesis!
Now, any worries concerning the 2 tweeters quickly turned to bewilderment so I asked him what those tweeters are - he just said its made in Denmark, silk material, uses a neodymium magnet and has a power rating of 150watts! Vifa or Scanspeak lineage, perhaps?
It is more expensive to purchase than the velodyne tweeter - it should 'coz it sounded more expensive too.
The question of why having 2 tweeters in a FS speaker is ingeniously answered by this - FS speakers (having a bigger enclosure than BS speakers) produces a boost output in the mid to lower frequencies due to the size of the enclosure and adding an extra tweeter compensates this boost - but mind you, this is easier said than done. This surely entails a different crossover design, the right kind of tweeter(s), and their collaboration in a calculated and properly designed enclosure size. My hat is off to the master anthony for even choosing to go this route.
The Ezra also has a different woofer compared to the Genesis but the same size and the Ezra also has 2 ports - 1 in front and 1 in the rear.
Using the Ezra for HT was already a bonus for us - it delivered the right atmosphere in watching anthony's 72" PJ screen. We used the Exodus as a center speaker but sadly was a total mismatch to the Ezra - it sounded small & very thin. Anemic.
Either a new Ezra center speaker would have to be made or maybe 1pc Ezra FS to act as center would properly justify the Ezra to enter the HT arena.
How much is a pair of Ezra? 5.5k!
In conclusion:The Genesis is a well rounded speaker set that could be used in any setting. It is uber cheap with sonics that are many times its price. No shortcomings whatsoever.
Of course, we all know that buying bs speakers also entails BS stands (unless you already have), so consider that cost as well.
But if you dont have stands and wondering whats the next upgrade to the Genesis - then I think the Ezra would be the perfect fit for you
Again, our heartfelt thanks to Anthony for letting us audition his wonderful creations and the awesome food he prepared for our visit!
ang sarap ng manok master!
PicsGenesis on top of Ezra
Exodus on top of Ezra
Full body shot of Ezra with Exodus on top
p.s. I asked Anthony why not use the Denmark made tweeter & use it for the Genesis? He said the Genesis box is too small for that tweeter.
When I asked him if its possible to use those Danish tweets & place it in his previous Clone 1sc? He just smiled
I also heard his 15" sealed sub - but I think I would wait for his regular production subwoofers first before making a comment
