The Selmer La Voix II is a great choice for a professional-grade alto sax. Although it’s not a Selmer Paris one, as it’s Taiwanese-made, it still plays so well that even pros and well-seasoned saxophonists would commend it and compare it to Yamahas, and Yanigasawas, and actual Selmer Paris ones.
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The Full Selmer La Voix II Review
As a matter of fact, many players compare the La Voix II to the Selmer Super Action 80 Series II, given how crisp it sounds and solid it feels. With that in mind, let’s delve into the details.
Design and Construction
In terms of build, the La Voix II weighs 14.5 pounds and measures 28.1 x 13.5 x 9 inches, which isn’t the most compact but would still make its handling quite easy.
It comes in three variants of finishes: Silver, copper body with yellow brass bell and K, and lacquer finish. The latter, of course, is our favorite as lacquer finishes are well-known for their excellent balance between response and rich tone.
Moreover, the horn comes with some laser engraving on the bell, giving it a nice aesthetic. And although the pearls don’t feel quite genuine, it doesn’t change the fact that the sax feels good to play overall.
This Taiwan-made horn features a brass construction, ultra bell design a high F#, and double arms on the low B & C for easier playability.
Related: The Best Alto Saxophones on The Market Reviewed
Sound
The La Voix II delivers a fluid sound across all registers with an excellent acoustic response. Its neck also offers a degree of resistance that makes it the ideal instrument to develop air stream and embouchure. In other words, if you’re a beginner or intermediate player that wants to step your level up and become a pro, the La Voix II is a very good horn for your purpose.
To add to the already solid intonation, the Selmer La Voix II comes with a Selmer USA mouthpiece. Not only does it enhance intonation but the response as well. Still, you might need to experiment a little with some reeds and mouthpieces before you get the right one that allows you to play all the high and low notes just the way you like them to sound.
Overall, the sound is quite spread and the tone is bright, though it can sound a little metallic when playing top notes, especially when moving beyond the high F#. And in terms of projection, the Selmer La Voix II does an excellent job, and when combined with a bright mouthpiece, there’s definitely an improvement in the sound.
As for the intonation, this horn comes with one of the best on the market. The transition from high G to high A was smooth without any sort of breaking on the notes, although the middle D and E might sound slightly stiff.
Accessories
The La Voix II comes with a lightweight case that protects the horn and provides a storage space during transportation and moving around without being a hassle to carry.
Must Read:
– Jean Paul USA AS-400 Student Alto Saxophone Review
– Selmer AS500 Full Review with Pictures
Pros and Cons In a Glimpse
Pros
- Lightweight design
- High-quality sound and tones
- Offers ample resistance to enable improvement
- Amazing value for money
Cons
- Palm keys in the upper register can be a little hard to play
- More susceptible to wear and tear for the price
Final Thoughts
When all is said and done, I’d say that the Selmer La Voix II is the ideal choice for a beginner that wants pro-grade sound at an affordable price. Or at least, a price that’s more affordable than the couple thousand bucks you have to invest in a high-quality professional sax.
It offers excellent sound, intonation, and response that it’s often compared to professional-grade saxophones, especially the Selmer Super Action 80 Series II. Moreover, it’s durable, aesthetically pleasing, and comes with a durable case.
A little trick with the La Voix II is to know whether you want your horn long-term or if you’ll be selling it after finishing high school band practice. This is because its resale value isn’t all that great, so, you might want to invest in something else if you’re planning to end up selling it.