Myself and George (GML hereabouts) headed west yesterday evening, to sample the delights of James' new Kudos C10 loudspeakers.

I am not generally a fan of traditionally ported designs, but the C10s really were something of a revelation - an epiphany almost!

My initial reaction (before hearing the beauties) was - 'That's a heap of money for a stand-mount loudspeaker' (£2,550 with some very fine Partington stands). But......... they certainly belie their size and produce a sound that I have not hitherto heard from a ported design.

The immediacy, transparency and incisive delivery of a Naim design was apparent, with just enough warmth to impart a delightful smooth musical flow.

A good quality tweeter has obviously been employed here, enabling the speaker to deliver a sparkling and detailed top end, together with a delightful mid-range vocal quality.

The C10s do not seem to produce the bigger 3D sound-stage of some other 'free-space' ported designs, but their transparency and boogie factor is much more important to me.

The designer of these fine loudspeakers is to be congratulated for really getting it right as far as I'm concerned.

Music was equally enjoyable from the LP12 or the CDS2. A splendid evening - Thanks James.

Tea and chocolate hob-nobs helped things along, and we rounded off the evening very nicely with a visit to James' local 'Titash' (I kid you not!) Indian restaurant.

John.

Excellent John. Sounds like a good day for 'Da Norfolk Massive'!

From what you and James have said the C10s sound like an excellent pair of speakers.

No comment about the Titash!

Regards

Mark

I reckon you got it about right John, they certainly boogie and have an incredible immediacy alright. Mine are sounding mighty fine as my 552 burns in, and more joys to come with my new LP12 being delivered next Tuesday featuring a nice Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua care of Peter @ Cymbiosis. I hope my C10's are grateful

Gary.

Thanks, John - it was great to have you and George over, and introducing me to some fine new-to-me music too. Glad you enjoyed the Kudos Cardea C10s as much as we are - Mrs JWM and I think they're bound for cult status!

Anyway, SWMBO was just bringing-in a beer to the study (Valentine and all ... no stimulus required) and she caught sight of your post as it was appearing on screen ... just at the wrong (or do I mean right?) moment - I usually break her into the price of things gently, so 'similar price point' and 'trading up' have been phrases much in use over the last fortnight - so seeing your post she got the whole price, both barrels ... but I've still got m'goolies

RIGHT EVERYBODY...

You've heard me rant and rave about these Kudos Cardea C10s until you're blue in the face - now you have coroborating evidence from a totally reliable independent source - the legendary J.N. himself!! Though I have to observe that at times, listening intently, John and George - even by their own admission - were doing a b***** good impression of Statler and Waldorf...

And thanks for the darned good curry at the improbably-naimed 'Titash' - strange but true, and excellent curry!

James

quote:

And thanks for the darned good curry at the improbably-naimed 'Titash'

I prefer the Bumoak myself.......

Nigel

James,

Just an update on the Kudos, i have definately decided on the C10's over the C20's after hearing them again, still not really that close! Now just to decide whether i keep my Walnut ones or change them for the Cherry, as Alastair kindly has offered to change them if i wish- the Jury is still out on that one.

Glad yours are doing the business as are mine.

Regards, Gary.

james,
congrats on your new speakers. enjoy ! how about a piccie ?
regards, scotty

ha ha ok james,
in the meantime tell me more about the kudos c10 and c20 whats the bass like on the floorstanders compared to the standmounts ?
soundstage also ?
cheers, scotty

guys,
is it true that 2 guys have broken away from neat to design their own speakers ( kudos) ??
scotty

quote:

Originally posted by scottyhammer:
how about a piccie ?

Talking of which, you've been starving us lately, Scotty, you meanie!


Mark

quote:

guys,
is it true that 2 guys have broken away from neat to design their own speakers ( kudos) ??
scotty

Yes it is true, the gents at Basically Sound told me this was the case and they had lots of good things to say about the Kudos range that they stock. May have a lisetn mysef next time I am over there.
Regards
Gary

mark,
i know ! i know !
keep yr eyes peeled soon on system pics my public.
scotty

quote:

even by their own admission[/i] - were doing a b***** good impression of Statler and Waldorf...

Thanks for a very pleasant evening James, that'll be me on the left. I would have stuffed more of your Hobnobs if I knew this was coming.

The Kudos were certainly doing all the right things.

Happy listening, George.

quote:

Originally posted by scottyhammer:
guys,
is it true that 2 guys have broken away from neat to design their own speakers ( kudos) ??
scotty

Yes! And this is what they've come up with - box with two drive units, big and small, and some electronic components to separate the signal into frequncies best suited to each...



James

PS John - I meant to say in response to one of your comments, the '3-D' with the Kudos is not half as marked as the old ProAcs, but boy do they do music better, much, much more convincingly, with real transparency!!

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:

PS John - I meant to say in response to one of your comments, the '3-D' with the Kudos is not half as marked as the old ProAcs, but boy do they do music better, much, much more convincingly, with real transparency!!

There ya go! Some real ole time flat earth philosophy.

They sound the business, James.

quote:

A good quality tweeter has obviously been employed here,

JN,

I think I've seen those tweeters somewhere else.

Steve

quote:

Tea and chocolate hob-nobs helped things along, and we rounded off the evening very nicely with a visit to James' local 'Titash' (I kid you not!) Indian restaurant.

Sounds like the perfect evening

quote:

I think I've seen those tweeters somewhere else.

PB,

I think you have too.

Steve

james,
A very NEAT speaker indeed !
do they do bass / soundstage. ??
scotty

quote:

Originally posted by Steve S1:

quote:

I think I've seen those tweeters somewhere else.

PB,

I think you have too.

Steve

Yes they are the same tweeters as used by Art in their Emotions and Impressions,

Regards

PB