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Editor's Note:This is the first appearance of both a new column and a new reviewer, Anthony Cordesman. Though breaking our tradition of listening backed by thorough, careful measurements, we are adding the column in an attempt to discuss more of the truly worthwhile gear available, with less delay than a full-scale review might take.
Mr. Cordesman intends to concentrate principally on "high-end" gear; other reviewers will probably also contribute to "Auricle." We must emphasize that we still believe in the ultimate worth of measurements; however, we have long felt the need in these pages for something in between a "New Products" mention and a complete "Equipment Profile." We invite your commentary on this column.
--E.P.
It has been clear ever since the LS-3/5A that a speaker system could be small and still produce excellent high end sound. While no speaker can defy the laws of physics regarding the amount of bass energy that can be produced from a small box, the LS-3/5A demonstrated that a small box could produce a great deal of apparent bass, high-quality midrange sound, and act as a near point-source radiator which provided excellent imaging and sound state.
The Innovative Techniques ITC-1 is an attempt to provide even higher quality sound in a very small box. Each speaker is only 7 1/4 in. W x 12 1/4 in. H x 8 in. D and is nicely packaged in high-quality veneer with matching wood stands. Despite its small size, the ITC-1 is a full three-way system, with a 5 1/4-inch woofer having a damped Bextrene cone and a magnet larger than the cone; a 1 1/2-inch, soft dome midrange, and a 1-inch soft dome tweeter. The cost per pair, including equalizer, of the ITC-1 is $800 without stands or $900 with stands.
The ITC-1's frequency response is specified as being ±3 dB from 50 Hz to 18 kHz, with ± 1.5 dB from 55 Hz to 17 kHz as typical. Its efficiency is specified at 86 dB SPL at 1 meter with 1-watt input, and it is said to be able to handle 150 watts. Crossover frequencies are at 1 and 7.5 kHz. The system is described as phase coherent and uses a first-order cascaded filter at the top end and a second-order crossover between the midrange and woofer.
These high crossover frequencies are felt to increase speed and reduce distortion. There are separate treble and midrange gain controls.
An external active equalizer, used to improve bass response and protect the woofer by filtering very low bass frequencies, fits in a spare tape loop or between the preamp and amplifier.
The equalizer is comparatively neutral, although it will add a slight transistor character to the sound if you are using tube equipment. This is reflected in a slight drying out of the sound and minor loss of transient life.
In most ways, however, all this technology pays off. The ITC-1 produces very good bass from about 60 Hz up, even at relatively loud playing levels, and the bass is tight and has good transient speed. It sounds flat and can handle a great deal of power. There are no major irregularities apparent in its performance. Unlike many small or miniature speakers, the ITC-1 provides the full audio spectrum, except for deep bass, without compensating rises or shifts in apparent frequency response.
Placed on its stand, and several feet from the side and back walls, the ITC-1 has outstanding imaging and very good depth. The manufacturer, incidentally, recommends placing the speaker 4 feet from the back wall to improve depth, but 2 1/2 to 3 feet generally seemed adequate. The speaker does not present bass problems if it is placed closer to a rear wall, but it does lose some of its air and excellent sound stage. It also benefits from a wide spacing between the units and from having the speakers toed in towards the listener. This still leaves a wide listening area and produces the most realistic overall result.
In fact, few speakers at any price can provide a more natural and stable spread of instruments from left through center to right with natural size and height. There is no loss of center fill, nor any tendency to divide the sound of instruments and make it sound as if each group had somehow been bunched near each speaker. This is enhanced by a good range of controls that allow you to make slight adjustments in the frequency balance so that the treble energy reaching the listener seems natural to the sound stage.
Many speakers with fixed controls tend to sound either too bright and close, or too soft and far away, for their apparent imaging.
This combination of controls, and the small size and weight (16 pounds) of the ITC-1, also provide an unusually practical ability to vary the sound stage to suit the performance. The speakers are so small and light that you can easily reach the treble and midrange controls to change the apparent frequency balance to match your listening position. You can then alter the distance between the speakers so the imaging matches. Moving them closer together makes the imaging seem further back in the hall; moving them further apart makes the imaging seem closer to the stage.
This means, however, that you must treat the ITC-1 for what it is. It is not a small speaker designed to be hidden on a bookshelf. It is a small "point source" designed to be kept in the open with a clear line of sight to the listening area. It can always be put aside when it is not being used, but it ought to be well out in the room when the music is playing.
As for the competition, it may be unfair to judge the ITC-1s by their size, but the LS-3/5As, the Spica TC-50s and the Dayton-Wright LCM-1s do provide some good benchmarks in the small speaker arena. The LS-3As are less flat, more distorted, and can handle less power, but they have a slightly more natural transient life and very musical midrange. The Spica’s have more speed or detail from the lower midrange up, although they have less extended and balanced bass. The Dayton-Wrights are more dynamic and have more air and imaging detail than the ITC-1s, although they are not the equal of the Spica’s in this regard. The Dayton Wrights also have bass that seems as natural and more live than that of the ITC-1s, although the LCM-1 s sound flatter.
This places the ITC-1s among several excellent speakers. Their strength is in coherence, smooth frequency response, and imaging. Their weakness is a slight lack of life and dynamic realism. They mate best with the faster moving-coil cartridges and the transistor or tube amplifiers having a great deal of low-level detail and transient speed. A good new entry in a tough old world.
-Anthony H. Cordesman
(Source: Audio magazine, Jun. 1984)
Also see: KEF 105/3 Speaker (June 1991)
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