Visit To Seaton Sound

AudiocRaver

Senior Reviewer
Staff member
Thread Starter
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
974
Location
North Carolina, USA
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Onkyo TX-SR705 Receiver
Main Amp
Crown XLS 1502 DriveCore-2 (x2 as monoblock)
Additional Amp
Behringer A500 Reference Power Amplifier
Front Speakers
MartinLogan Electromotion ESL Electrostatic (x2)
Center Channel Speaker
Phantom Center
Surround Speakers
NSM Audio Model 5 2-Way (x2)
Subwoofers
JBL ES150P Powered Subwoofer (x2)
After the recent AXPONA audio show at the Westin O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois, fellow AV NIRVANA reporter Dennis Young and I accepted an invitation to pop into the shop that serves Mark Seaton of Seaton Sound. Only a few miles from Rosemont, the industrial facility was easy to find.

A visit like this will usually end up either really boring or really interesting to me. This one was the latter, very informative, bordering on fun, especially as a follow-up to the massive demos that Mark tends to put on at a show like AXPONA.

Driver test, product assembly, final test, packing, and shipping are the central business themes one would expect to find in a facility like this. We saw all of these in evidence there, including water-jet-cut foam shipping spacers. The fixtures that hold projection equipment and surround speakers for a trade show home theater demo are also stored on the shelves in this room.

We saw drivers that failed their preliminary test even though they met the supplier’s specs. Mark’s standards can be pretty tight and he sometimes plays the yield with a particular driver, especially in some of his sub designs, to end up with drivers ready for final assembly. We saw prototypes that went no further, prototypes that evolved into current products, and prototypes for upcoming products. We saw crossover boards and DSP/amplifier assemblies and cabinet internal bracing. We saw the smaller labs where assemblies are tested and product designs are verified.

But seeing half-finished rooms and cartons of components and shipping materials is not all that great a time in and of itself. It is a conversation with Mark that ties it all together and makes for an interesting hour-long visit. Every component, DSP/amp, prototype, even the water-jet-cut foam spacers each had a story and some interesting background associated with it. And if you have ever had a conversation with Mark, you will remember that it is wise to mostly listen - even to take notes. In an hour, you will have received the informational equivalent of a minor in acoustics, electro-mechanics, electronics, speaker design, cabinet making, and small business, and you will have enjoyed the process of ingesting it.

Dennis and I have agreed that the sound Mark gets from his powered 3-way Catalyst 8C speakers, and from the new Spark, the same 2-way 8-inch driver with dual passive radiators, is something to be witnessed. We enjoyed seeing and hearing about their background and development, and recent driver design mods that helped lead to the current design point.

Out of the visit came a plan for reviews of the revised Catalyst 8C and new Spark designs. Mark is generous with his time and with his experience and knowledge. Our visit to his facility was a fitting and educational conclusion to a successful AXPONA show weekend.



full?d=1493499164.jpg



Mark Seaton.
full?lightbox=1&update=1493499164.jpg



Rejected drivers. They meet manufacturer specs but not Seaton Sound specs.
full?lightbox=1&last_edit_date=1493499164.jpg



Driver test fixture.
full?lightbox=1&update=1493499164.jpg



Shipping materials.
full?lightbox=1&update=1493499164.jpg



Dennis with a crossover board.
full?lightbox=1&update=1493499164.jpg



Crossover boards.
full?lightbox=1&update=1493499164.jpg




full?lightbox=1&update=1493499164.jpg




full?lightbox=1&update=1493499164.jpg



Upgraded 8-inch driver (left) for the Spark and Catalyst 8C models.
full?lightbox=1&update=1493499164.jpg
 
Last edited:

Mark Seaton

Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2017
Messages
9
More  
Front Speakers
My favorites
Subwoofers
The Best of the Best
Hi Wayne,

It was fun to have both you and Dennis swing by the shop, even as we were in post-show recovery mode. It was great to chat outside of the show and go through all the toys around the shop.
 

Todd Anderson

Editor / Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jan 20, 2017
Messages
9,138
Location
Balt/Wash Metro
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP.24 MK2
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-5
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA Gen3 2.8 multichannel amp
Other Amp
Denon X8500H
Computer Audio
AudioEngine A2+
DAC
THX ONYX
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Kaleidescape TERRA, OPPO UDP-203, Panasonic UB9000
Front Speakers
GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R
Center Channel Speaker
GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
SVS Ultra Surround
Surround Back Speakers
SVS Ultra Bookshelf
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
dual SVS SB16s + dual PSA XS30s
Other Speakers or Equipment
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Video Display Device
JVC NX7
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
Streaming Equipment
iFi Audio Zen Blue
Streaming Subscriptions
Qobuz, TIDAL, Spotify, ROON
Other Equipment
LG Electronics 65-inch B6 OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2
Jealous!!!
 

theJman

Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
68
Location
New Joisey
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
AVR - Sherbourn
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Player - OPPO BDP-103
Front Speakers
Speakers - Various
Subwoofers
Subwoofer - JTR S1
Video Display Device
TV - Panasonic plasma
Todd, if the opportunity to stop by Marks shop every presents itself be sure to do so. I did a few years back and ended up staying over an hour. He's not afraid to discuss anything about his products, including the stuff in that little skunk-works room off to the side. ;)
 

Todd Anderson

Editor / Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jan 20, 2017
Messages
9,138
Location
Balt/Wash Metro
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP.24 MK2
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-5
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA Gen3 2.8 multichannel amp
Other Amp
Denon X8500H
Computer Audio
AudioEngine A2+
DAC
THX ONYX
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Kaleidescape TERRA, OPPO UDP-203, Panasonic UB9000
Front Speakers
GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R
Center Channel Speaker
GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
SVS Ultra Surround
Surround Back Speakers
SVS Ultra Bookshelf
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
dual SVS SB16s + dual PSA XS30s
Other Speakers or Equipment
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Video Display Device
JVC NX7
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
Streaming Equipment
iFi Audio Zen Blue
Streaming Subscriptions
Qobuz, TIDAL, Spotify, ROON
Other Equipment
LG Electronics 65-inch B6 OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2
I hope I can make there sometime... looks like a curiosities shop!
 

tesseract

Senior Admin
Joined
Nov 12, 2016
Messages
1,266
Location
Lincoln, NE
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Emotiva XMC-1
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA-3 Gen 2
Other Amp
Dayton SA1000
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony BDP S590 & Pioneer DV-610AV
Front Speakers
JTR NOESIS 210 RT - L/R mains
Center Channel Speaker
Chase SHO-10 - Center
Surround Speakers
Chase PRO-10 - Surrounds
Subwoofers
Chase VS-18.1 x 2 - Subwoofers
Video Display Device
Vizio E550VL
Streaming Subscriptions
h/k TC35C/Ortofon Super OM10/Pro-Ject Phono Box S
Todd, if the opportunity to stop by Marks shop every presents itself be sure to do so. I did a few years back and ended up staying over an hour. He's not afraid to discuss anything about his products, including the stuff in that little skunk-works room off to the side. ;)

Oh yeah, the Skunkworks room! We were sworn to silence on it's contents, but I did get a good look and was allowed to take some photos of a desktop Seaton Sound speaker.
 

tesseract

Senior Admin
Joined
Nov 12, 2016
Messages
1,266
Location
Lincoln, NE
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Emotiva XMC-1
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA-3 Gen 2
Other Amp
Dayton SA1000
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony BDP S590 & Pioneer DV-610AV
Front Speakers
JTR NOESIS 210 RT - L/R mains
Center Channel Speaker
Chase SHO-10 - Center
Surround Speakers
Chase PRO-10 - Surrounds
Subwoofers
Chase VS-18.1 x 2 - Subwoofers
Video Display Device
Vizio E550VL
Streaming Subscriptions
h/k TC35C/Ortofon Super OM10/Pro-Ject Phono Box S

Todd Anderson

Editor / Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jan 20, 2017
Messages
9,138
Location
Balt/Wash Metro
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP.24 MK2
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-5
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA Gen3 2.8 multichannel amp
Other Amp
Denon X8500H
Computer Audio
AudioEngine A2+
DAC
THX ONYX
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Kaleidescape TERRA, OPPO UDP-203, Panasonic UB9000
Front Speakers
GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R
Center Channel Speaker
GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
SVS Ultra Surround
Surround Back Speakers
SVS Ultra Bookshelf
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
dual SVS SB16s + dual PSA XS30s
Other Speakers or Equipment
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Video Display Device
JVC NX7
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
Streaming Equipment
iFi Audio Zen Blue
Streaming Subscriptions
Qobuz, TIDAL, Spotify, ROON
Other Equipment
LG Electronics 65-inch B6 OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2
I'll bet. Seaton speaker just ooze a cool factor that I love. You're lucky you got to take a peek!
 

AudiocRaver

Senior Reviewer
Staff member
Thread Starter
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
974
Location
North Carolina, USA
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Onkyo TX-SR705 Receiver
Main Amp
Crown XLS 1502 DriveCore-2 (x2 as monoblock)
Additional Amp
Behringer A500 Reference Power Amplifier
Front Speakers
MartinLogan Electromotion ESL Electrostatic (x2)
Center Channel Speaker
Phantom Center
Surround Speakers
NSM Audio Model 5 2-Way (x2)
Subwoofers
JBL ES150P Powered Subwoofer (x2)
Mark's' designs all look first rate.
 
Top Bottom