Greets!

FWIW, even though the ?E? is a very popular version I?ve the most experience with and most used in recording studios AFAIK; the original with its much larger horn and nominally 1 kHz XO is the best of the series since it has an XO that matches up best overall with a 15? in general [with around 900 Hz being the ~ ideal], not mention sounds best to me and AFAIK everyone that?s been fortunate enough to compare the original to any of the later small horn models.


All things considered then, buying a new pair of the S3 is what I would do since its horn is larger and its profile produces a much better power response overall, probably even better than the original, though disappointed that GPA didn?t go the ?extra mile? to get the overall best horn/woofer match-up. I guess they didn?t want to get too far a field from the 604?s ?signature? [vintage] sound.

Also, if you know someone locally with good XO design skills, I recommend buying them without XOs or at least not using them as is and have a proper time delayed one developed based on Jeff?s:
http://home.earthlink.net/~jmarkwart/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/604_8Hpcwmfeq.pdf

Be sure and read about omitting HF loading caps in case they are standard on the S3, which of course will affect the XO design if you choose to try it: http://home.earthlink.net/~jmarkwart/id21.html

Anyway, please keep us periodically updated since as you know, there?s no such thing as having too much published ?hands on? experience for others to help make an informed buying decision.

GM