Fleetwood Sound DeVille

[AJM1981]

View: https://youtu.be/UnN5rNf_AMk


First of all. These cost 9600 dollar a pair and I would place a good bet that they would not perform any better than any giantkiller under a 1000 and they would probably never be compared.

However I like the DeVille for its art and kraftmenship, its exchangable grills and last but not least for Jonathan Weiss. It is always a plus to have someone representing the brand who is hands on and passionate about the thing they love to do. I think for all the hours of labor that gets into the product, the price is right.

Not that I would probably ever own them but it is a desirable loudspeaker none the less.

 

[12th Monkey]

Obviously it's subjective, but I think that's repulsive!

 

[AJM1981]

Obviously it's subjective, but I think that's repulsive!

The price I assume.

Yes, it is. Maybe it is related to the fact that they are all handcrafted and multiple American wages need to be payed. If they would have them mass produced overseas they could be much cheaper. But that is not their aim and I think it wouldn't last long with the company in its current form dragging this to the general public.

Given its technique this speaker is comparible to other bottom ported speakers like the Evo series and it is "just" a two way system. According to reviews the horn tweeter doesnt sound as harsch like a horn. This is probably because it is not a horn but something closer to a bi-directional system.

I am sure that in terms of musical output it is similar to the Wharfedale Evo 4.1 or 4.2 at best, maybe a mix of Wharfedale and Klipsch so no need to get it just for that. But in terms of design it is a hard call. I personally like the 19th century look of the DeVille and its lute-like grills. They have a unique style.

 

[plastic penguin]

Do they come with a sick bag?

 

[12th Monkey]

The price I assume.

No - purely in terms of aesthetic. I have scarcely seen speakers that appeal to me less, even if they cost £50. I doubt the pictures do the quality of work justice, but the stands in particular look like they were made by MFI.

 

[AJM1981]

No - purely in terms of aesthetic. I have scarcely seen speakers that appeal to me less, even if they cost £50. I doubt the pictures do the quality of work justice, but the stands in particular look like they were made by MFI.

Design is debatable

I like that they look as something that could fit into a 18th century upper class home.

On the other hand.. the backside is improvable, as it is far from what the front suggests.

 

[12th Monkey]

Design is debatable

I'd argue it's subjective - debates can be won or lost - opinions about whether something's ugly or not, less so!

 

[AJM1981]

I also like the OMA Mini related to Fleetwood. Bit like an old photo camera.

 

[plastic penguin]

They look like they were a result of a very long pub lunch.

 

[AJM1981]

They look like they were a result of a very long pub lunch.

Yep, a lunch with great designers.

 

[12th Monkey]

Ugh. Wouldn't matter how great they sounded - some things are too hard on the eye to be tolerated. But life would be boring if we all liked the same things!

 

[AJM1981]

Ugh. Wouldn't matter how great they sounded - some things are too hard on the eye to be tolerated. But life would be boring if we all liked the same things!

true

Not given sound as a factor, which speakers are designed to your taste?

 

[12th Monkey]

Simple ones, generally!

 

[Friesiansam]

I like unusual design, it’s good to dare to be different. Otherwise everything is boringly uniform, like new housing estates and smartphones.

 

[AJM1981]

I like unusual design, it’s good to dare to be different. Otherwise everything is boringly uniform, like new housing estates and smartphones.

Indeed, and it is not a big deal if they widely catch on or not. Some objects that famous designers of companies like Braun, Apple and many car brands created became something iconic in the world of industrial design. And in my opinion these speakers belong in the same catalogue.

 

[robdmarsh]

The stands really do look like something I could have knocked up in 4th form woodwork class with a bit of help from the teacher! (Sorry, I don't know what the modern equivalent of 4th form is... I know it's been called year something for ages now but I'm that ignorant!)

 

[AJM1981]

The stands really do look like something I could have knocked up in 4th form woodwork class with a bit of help from the teacher! (Sorry, I don't know what the modern equivalent of 4th form is... I know it's been called year something for ages now but I'm that ignorant!)

Tell us which stands you admire for a reference.

 

[robdmarsh]

Tell us which stands you admire for a reference.

Well, speaker stands are not so much objects which inspire admiration but serve a purpose to provide rigidity and stability to the speakers. Most of them are pretty ugly to tell the truth but I suppose those Solid Steel stands look quite nice even if their price tag is a bit OTT.

 

[AJM1981]

Well, speaker stands are not so much objects which inspire admiration but serve a purpose to provide rigidity and stability to the speakers. Most of them are pretty ugly to tell the truth but I suppose those Solid Steel stands look quite nice even if their price tag is a bit OTT.

in that case.

If they are not there for admiration, and since you have not done testing or measurements on them, which I assume Oswald Mills Audio surely has done, why are you laughing about how they look. It is a bit contradicting

 

[Tinman1952]

I also like the OMA Mini related to Fleetwood. Bit like an old photo camera.

Didn't I see those in Star Wars.......? 🤔

 

[robdmarsh]

in that case.

If they are not there for admiration, and since you have not done testing or measurements on them, which I assume Oswald Mills Audio surely has done, why are you laughing about how they look. It is a bit contradicting

Because the stands look a bit home brew in my opinion. I don't mean it very seriously.