Speakers to beat at the $30K mark in 2012

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by jeffkad

Hi all. New here. Cant post my own thread yet, so here goes. Looking at similar speakers closer to 15-22k range and have short listed Revel Salon2 and Martin Logan Summit X (Myles: our mutual friend Rick Jensen loves your summits and recommended I hear them. Glad I did!). I also like the B&W 802Diamond, but need to hear them at length. Last ones left to hear are probably Wilson Sophia 3 and Legacy Whisper XD (very interested in hearing the Legacy! Sounds like it might be a good choice for me). Local dealer did say the Martin Django is coming soon and that has gotten rave advances, so will try to listen if I can. If I had to buy today, it would be the Revel Salon2. Regards..Jeff

Hi Jeff,

You're also welcome to drop by and hear the ML's over here They sound worlds better than when Rick was over last or I saw you at the NY show PM me if you can--or let me know if you can't.

Myles

Myles

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Green River gives their customers a string device with sticks on the end that you are supposed to put in your ears to get them time-aligned correctly. One of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen.

[Puma Cat]

Yeah, pretty wacky, eh?

I had to refrain from bursting out laughing.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by chessman

Did they also provide a complimentary tin-foil hat?

You'd wonder, wouldn't you...

[jdebonth]

A little update... I have contacted TAD and Rockport dealers here in Europe. The TAD dealer is asking significantly more than the US MSRP and the rockport is around the same here as in the US. This pretty much put's the TAD's out of reach.

My local dealer is big into rockport's however and has all kinds of ex-demo and used deals available on the Mira II, Ankaa, and Aquila. The Avior will arrive in March and I will be able to listen then.

He mentioned he used to stock Wilson and Magico but has dropped these lines as soon as he heard Rockport as these were much more musically involving whilst maintaining perfect transparency to source. He found wilson/magico too much on the analytical side. I.E. extremely good "hifi" attributes but he said the rockport's just pull you into the music.

I'm gonna book an audition in the next few weeks to have a listen to the various Rockport models. I know they check all the boxes however I need to confirm they play well with rock and electronic music...

[joeinid]

Great!

I look forward to your impressions and hope they are what you will be looking for in a speaker. Keep us updated.

[MDP]

Hi Jeff,
Looks like you are going down the same road as I was looking for the speaker that suits you the best.
I auditioned the Wilson line,Acoustic Zen,the Vandersteen line,B&W 802di,Martin Logan,Von Schweikert, and a few others.
I ended my search when I heard the Salon 2's, I've owned them for a few months now and I find them to have the best combination of the virtues that I was looking for in a high end speaker. I haven't looked back, and I'm thrilled everyday I listen to them.
Welcome and good luck.

Mark

[joeinid]

Hi Mark,

The Salon2's seem to be an excellent value and receive nothing but praise. Congrats.

[Ritmo]

Originally Posted by MDP

Hi Jeff,
Looks like you are going down the same road as I was looking for the speaker that suits you the best.
I auditioned the Wilson line,Acoustic Zen,the Vandersteen line,B&W 802di,Martin Logan,Von Schweikert, and a few others.
I ended my search when I heard the Salon 2's, I've owned them for a few months now and I find them to have the best combination of the virtues that I was looking for in a high end speaker. I haven't looked back, and I'm thrilled everyday I listen to them.
Welcome and good luck.

Mark

Mark,

I've had the Salon 2s for a year and half. Very happy with them as well.

Thanks,
Mike

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

I'm familiar with the "head in a vice" sweet spot phenomenon, the Green Mountain time-coherent speakers are like that. In fact, Green Mountain gives their customers a string device with sticks on the end that you are supposed to put in your ears to get them time-aligned correctly. One of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen.

It actually makes perfect sense. I always have someone sit in the sweetspot and have them hold a tape measure to the tip of their nose as I measure the distance to each speaker inside and outside corners to be within 1/8 of an inch for that perfect alignment. That is of course after the speakers are placed in the room for a smooth bass response and best possible imaging. Works great for me. The strings and sticks works similarly I guess.