Snell Columns – King of the Diameter
I found Snelle almost immediately afterTannoy LGM, I had them as second columns for a long time. They were the only ones who could play competitively in the midrange and had ‘that something’.
Snell is a brand created by the American Peter Snell. After his death, the right to them was bought by the British Audio Note, also in front of you the speakers precursorAudio Note Eor J.
Even today, the old E2 and E3 easily establish an equal fight with the new, several times more expensive Audio Note
Based on the cheap and inconspicuous Vify Snelle converter, these are loudspeakers actually designed to play with a lamp. Hardly any speaker is able to convey as much nuances as these Vifs – especially in this tuning.
The E2 and E3 crossover is a real masterpiece, very precisely measured, perfectly tightened coils, paired transducers. That is why their sound is so extremely consistent. The result is an exceptionally natural, charming, addictive game.
E2 or E3?
I was wondering whether to write separate posts about these models, but they are so similar designs that due to the lack of time, we will put them in one bag for now 🙂
Snell E2
E2 is a design model of Peter Snell, the owner of the brand, with a different tweeter and a slightly different size (just like AN-E / D). They have a more natural and hard (in a good sense) top and a slightly more neutral center. They have less bass, but its control and outline are better.
My copy has been renovated – the carpenter got rid of the edge from the front and covered it with a new veneer – an exclusive American walnut. In this simple and relatively cheap way, we get a column that looks better than most shop products made in the Far East 🙂
Snell E3
The E3 is Kevin Voecks tuned columns. They have a slightly different shape, so they can be used both as monitors – on a 15-25 cm stand and floor heating. It all depends on what sound we want to squeeze out of them and what the housing conditions we have.
They have more velvet and softness on top and a more powerful bass pumping. There is much more energy at the bottom, so they are more fun in contemporary music.
What to look for when buying Snell
- Of course, the most important is the originality of the switches and transducers. After removing the woofer, each transducer should be marked and described – each of them was factory-assembled with a switch and tweeters.
- Foam – Woofer suspension. We will not experience the original foams in these speakers, they usually either crack or rot under the influence of weather conditions. Very often, the new foam is wrongly selected – too stiff. This is not a reason not to buy Snelli, but it is best when AudioFriends foam is selected or at least from AN-E / D – it is looser and gives more colors, although the stiffer ones play with better bass.
- The condition of the transducers and their originality. I have seen a lot of transducers with mechanical damage or even replaced with others. They will play, but it will undoubtedly not be it anymore. Let’s not go this way – it won’t be Snell anymore.
Interestingly, to this day, Atomic HiFi is selling transducers matching this model. Link here:https://www.atomichifiandtv.com/snell-acoustics.html
juxtapositions
Snell are columns made for lamps. period. They will certainly play well with hybrid amplifiers, some transistors such as Lavardin, Haiku or Spec (i.e. in the atmosphere of the lamp), but they only achieve their charm with a good lamp.
On my YT channel you will find at least 10 different combinations of snelli with electronics. Unfortunately, I did not record all the lists, because there was much more.
Of course, 2A3, 300B, 845, 211 are fantastic for jazz and acoustics.
You can easily go to rock in PushPulla, they sound great with Audio Note (even synergically from Audio NoteHereSe), similarly Leben, Luxkit A3550, Jadis, Verdier.
You just have to be careful that the electronics are not too greasy and massive on the bass, because there will be a problem with its volume or quality.
Snell E3 sound
In combination with a good Snell lamp, it gives the most exciting, tangible, colorful diameter you can imagine. The Spendor S100 has more class, but it doesn’t give that much life. Tannoy LGM? More dry, spicy and insistent. Harbeth – there is no such panache, openness and fun. Well, I have no idea what can jump them in this aspect.
Snells have an exceptionally unique feature – they play outstandingly jazz and acoustics, but they also play everything else perfectly. Rock, house, blues, pop, techno – actually apart from sharp metal (I didn’t listen), they are doing very well at least.
With Snell it is always nice and pleasant, and at the same time audiophile if we give the right electrician. These speakers love music.
Snell will give back the electronics class always. You can plug them in for 3000 and 50,000 and always this difference in space and nuances will be felt.
An important aspect is also the bass – it can be loose in bad combinations – then it is worth putting the loudspeakers on the stands. In general, the bottom has a lot of energy, gives a nice kick, can pump and show many colors. However, we do not count on super control and punctuality – because it appears rarely, but it is achievable.
Nevertheless, the bass always gives a good foundation – whether it is a foot or electronic beats, or organ music, or a low roaringMarek Dyjak– It’s just the hoarseness that should be there 🙂
Snell E3 speakers – my opinion
Nearly 10 people are playing on Snell E2 or E3 on my recommendation. I do not know any other speakers that I could recommend to virtually everyone with a clear conscience. Even a fan of analytical playing will sometimes smile at this presentation.
Some of the owners have them as main loudspeakers, many collectors keep them in the back room or in the second or third listening systems.
It is truly an extremely rare combination of musicality, susceptibility to good electronics, openness – playing live, and at the same time warm, tangibility, and climate.
They can be extremely audiophile tuned and play extremely analytically and insightful in color, but they can also play extremely warm, tangible, sweet. However, listening to music is never tiring on them.
To sum up: in recent years I have focused mainly on loudspeakers playing with good or outstanding midrange. Spendor, Harbeth, Tannoy, Focal, Cabasse, ATC, Pylon, KEF, Merlin, Audio Academy, Klipsch, Audio Phase – none of these brands, even tall models, gave me as much fun as Snelle, that’s why I love them so much. They offer so much for so funny in today’s audio world…
Of course, two-way structures have their drawbacks, but in this budget it would be a pig if I reminded these loudspeakers. They could cost PLN 10,000 and PLN 15,000 on the secondary market and I would still recommend them, because I know what pulp they can make from store columns for PLN 30,000 🙂
