Unboxing & Review: Peak Consult El Diablo - Audiophile Dream Speakers
The model range of the manufacturer, founded in Denmark by Per Christoffersen in 1996, is very small: now these are two models younger than Peak Consult El Diablo, and only two versions of Dragon acoustics are older - and this is a completely different story both in size and in price . El Diablo are large three-way floorstanding speakers, with all their appearance and details betraying belonging to the manufacturer: there are no different lines of speakers (although they are still slightly different) or clearly different model lines.
The manufacturer is known for making original, but at the same time very "classical" acoustics - by the way, which is already historically known, perfectly playing classical music. In terms of technology, they do not declare something cosmic, nano or some kind of esoteric here - an emphasis on their own or custom speakers, careful manufacturing at their own facilities and following their own ideology.
And, according to the manufacturer himself, the costs do not matter. Yes, also according to the manufacturer, each pair of acoustics is made individually and the full cycle takes from 8 to 16 weeks.
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| Peak Consult El Diablo in test system |
Build Quality and Design:
The columns are drawn in an interesting way - a lot of indirect angles and beveled lines, which are complemented by an unusual finish. But before talking about the finish, it is necessary to say about the design of the cases themselves - this will make it clearer. This is a kind of case in a case: inside there is a power frame made of high-density MDF (and a very impressive thickness - a mass of 90 kilograms per speaker will say everything for itself, here both thickness and layering), but the side and top surfaces are finished with decorative (but also not at all thin) solid wood panels - either wenge or walnut, the choice is very conservative.
There are also vertical acrylic inserts in the side panels, which I initially took for glass: the material feels thick and cold. And all these panels, although nominally parts of the case, can not be considered, but in reality it turns out a complex and clearly resonantly elaborated design. The feeling of the body is very, very stable in their behavior.
The front and back surfaces of the speakers are covered with natural leather - the manufacturer has been using this technique for a very long time, almost from the very beginning, if I don’t confuse anything, and this is done the same way for all models in the line. Skin color is black only. In addition to this, it is worth noting that there are no protective grills at all - they are not provided by the manufacturer in principle.
The case is installed on the surface with the help of steel adjustable legs-supports, which are moved beyond the perimeter of the case and are attached to the solid base and other layers of the structure. A rather traditional solution, but it works every time ...
Speakers in appearance can give some general idea of origin, but they are all customized here. It is not so easy to understand how much they have been changed and how the production chain is now built - the manufacturer does not tell much in detail. The tweeter is similar in appearance to the Scan-Speak Illuminator and is equipped with an inch fabric dome: Peak Consult always uses only fabric domes as tweeters.
Mid- and low-frequency speakers are very similar to Dynaudio speakers, with single-layer cones for sure, but again, it’s not so easy to understand how deeply everything has been redone there (and the speakers, although similar, are slightly different for each model). However, here it is better to look, or rather to listen. What I managed to notice in the design of the same woofers is the damped holes in the back of the magnetic system, which indicates a developed cooling system and, apparently, a high overload capacity.
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| Peak Consult El Diablo Dome Tweeter |
In total, the design of Peak Consult El Diablo four speakers: tweeter, midrange and two bass radiators. Acoustic design of the bass - phase inverter. Two wide ports are used, one for each speaker, and each woofer operates in its own separate chamber. Closed separate chambers are provided for both the midrange and the tweeter. Plus, a careful selection - the same tweeters are selected in pairs with a spread of no more than 0.1 dB.
The acoustics have a four-wire connection, you can use both bi-wiring and bi-amping. Terminals are custom made by Argento Audio. Yes, and what should be remembered: only blades can be connected here, connections of other types of connectors are not provided.
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| The mid-frequency emitter is custom, like all others |
Well, the last, but one of the most important features of the acoustics of this manufacturer is crossovers. Of course, the manufacturer does not indicate specific components, but there is an interesting addition that the part is made by hand specifically for Peak Consult.
Sound Quality:
The characteristics are more important: all Peak Consult acoustics have a very even impedance, technology (or the manufacturer calls its approach) PLIC (Peak Linear Impedance Control). For example, for our model, it is declared as 5 ± 1 Ohm, no more. This fact can be very helpful when choosing amplification, but in addition, this amplification should also be “high-resound” in sound and not cut the detail and dynamics so that the acoustics can open up.
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| Peak Consult El Diablo Low Frequency Section |
In the case of our test, the system included the oldest Audio Analogue Absolute amplifier, capable of operating either in class AB or class A, and the older Kalista DreamPlay XC universal player. At the beginning, I turned on the amplifier in class A mode.
The first disc is Ella Fitzgerald's "Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie!". The sound is soft, very intelligent and tactful, but at the same time with very high detail, good overtones and their balance with the main tones. Timbre fidelity is at such a level that not every studio monitor can compete. The sound is natural, and even though it is soft and comfortable on the example of this recording, everything in general is listened to exceptionally easily.
The dynamics are not constrained or restrained by anything, although this disc is not a reference in this regard. But what is nice - the system plays slow music at the right pace, but without the slightest feeling of lethargy or dragging. A calm presentation, on the contrary, draws you into listening and does not give any hint of drowsiness. At the same time, acoustics, despite its solid dimensions, can play at a low volume! The texture of the vocals, the stage, and the instruments are preserved.
Both instrumental parts and vocals are served very well - everything is very legible, but at the same time without dividing into components: the music remains music, beautiful, from edge to edge of the range, both the detail and the integrity of the melody are felt.
The bass is neat, textured and detailed, complex. The middle is also detailed and transparent, the tops are precise and accurate. The scene is proportional, airy, with good localization - the music does not stick to the acoustics at all.
The second album is Bingo Miki & The Inner Galaxy Orchestra "Montreux Cyclone". From the first notes - excellent detail, elaboration of volume and space, timbre authenticity. The acoustics work very precisely with the rhythm, playing both slow moments and bursts. Here the sound is also not sharp, but quite natural and very detailed, and this detail is without corrosiveness, but somehow incredibly natural - there is even a similarity to live sound, the feeling of the hall and space is conveyed confidently and realistically.
With high detail, acoustics have a very natural emotionality, primarily due to naturalism and timbre authenticity: the sound of a variety of instruments turns out to be realistic and nothing sticks together, does not fall into a heap. And not the slightest hint of synthetics in the sound.
While listening to Murcof's "The Versailles Sessions" album, I wanted to convert the amplifier to class AB. Changes in the operation of the amplifier are audible, but this did not affect the acoustics in itself so much. On the abstract neoclassical album, every sound, shade and nuance is perfectly audible, but the presentation in the other mode is less soft and in this case more suitable for recording.
High detail, excellent rise and fall, excellent bass foundation, although the rest of the range sounds just as good. In general, the stitching of the bands is exceptionally good, and the dynamics-details are more than enough. However, there is no corrosive sharpness in the presentation, only naturalness. Immersion in the recording atmosphere, in emotions is very interesting to feel, the sound is delicious, but completely unobtrusive, high detail and timbre accuracy are taken for granted.
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| Peak Consult El Diablo, rear view |
I returned the amplifier to class A and put on a CD with bassoon concertos by various composers. No less interesting than in previous cases. Naturally timbre, in great detail, the realism of the sound approaches the semblance of a live sound - here is both authenticity and the volume of the scene, which is not chamber at all, perhaps even more than I expected. It is extremely interesting to listen to, the sound is engaging, but does not leave a feeling of obsession or tiring at all - you can listen to such a presentation for many hours and even on such complex material as classical music.
And the last disc is the only recording of the History of Dr. Faust Schnittke. Immersion in music is incredible. Excellent elaboration of vocal parts, opera in German is not always comfortable to listen to, and here the material is such that it does not imply “comfort”, but with this system it is so cool and interesting to listen to the rhythm and expressiveness of the voice.
The sound is emotional, lively, fascinating. And here emotions are conveyed very accurately, I want to follow the flow of music in general, and the voice as a solo instrument, and not every acoustic system can create such a feeling. Instrumental parts do not lag behind: drama, tension and calm - everything is in its place, everything is very natural.
conclusions
Exceptional acoustics. Somehow, historically, I am of the opinion that if the system is capable of playing classical music with full weight, then it is capable of playing everything. Yes, not all of this rest may be to your liking - due to a clear demonstration of the shortcomings of recording and performance. But still, it’s better to be honest and truthful than beautiful, but embellished ...
Another amazing feature of acoustics is the naturalness of sound with very high detail and dynamics. And in general, from time to time, when you listen to the music, you lose the feeling of recording: the realism is very high.
But all these qualities have a “side effect”: in order to reveal such acoustics, you need the appropriate environment. So I would not count on a pair in the form of a system much cheaper than the acoustics themselves. But the gain can be different - not the lowest sensitivity and a very even impedance with minimal bursts makes acoustics an easy load. True, the amplifier, like other components, must be “high-res”, consonant in dynamics, detail, naturalness and other components, otherwise the meaning will be lost.
musical material
Alfred Schnittke - Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg, Chor Der Hamburgischen Staatsoper, Gerd Albrecht - Historia Von D. Johann Fausten - RCA Victor Red Seal - 09026 68413 2
Bingo Miki & The Inner Galaxy Orchestra - Montreux Cyclone - Three Blind Mice - TBM-XR-5020
Ella Fitzgerald - Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! - Verve Records - VICJ 011-4052
Murcof – The Versailles Sessions - Leaf – BAY 67CD
Vivaldi, Weber, Jolivet – Rodion Tolmachev, Mariinsky Theater Orchestra, Ivan Stolbov – Bassoon Concertos - Melody – MEL CD 10 02413
OFFICIAL SITE
peak consult el diablo specifications
Type: floor passive acoustics
Number of bands: 3
Bass design: phase inverter on the rear panel
Crossover frequencies: 350Hz / 2400Hz
Frequency response: 20-30000Hz
Sensitivity: 90 dB
Impedance: 5 ohm, min. 4 Ohm
Dimensions (HxWxD): 1150 x 300 x 540 mm
Weight: 90kg each column
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