Speaker suggestions sought for Accuphase front end

[Dave_72]

For a little verve, check out the new (to the US market) JBL Synthesis 4365. They're true studio monitors. I see them paired often with Accuphase in Japan and most of the far east for that matter. Just do a google search and click images. You will see what I'm talkin' about. The rest of the Synthesis line is good as well...S4700, S3900, 1400 Array, K2 9900, Everest 67000.

But from your list, I would choose the Focals. They're a very transparent speaker, imo. Accuphase has used the bigger Focals in past CES shows. I believe the most recent one was either 2012 or 2013.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

The Sony SS AR-1, AR-2's are quite amazing.

+1 I agree with Ivan. Here's a nice review:

Sony SS-AR1 loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

[meltemi]

Originally Posted by One and a Half

Existing speakers are from 1995, KEF Reference 3.

Narrowing down the choices are:

- Triangle Magellan Cello, Quatuor
- B&W 803, 805
- Sony SS AR-1, AR-2
- Focal Elektra BE 1038

For the moment, I'd suggest you keep the KEFs and take all the time in the world to decide upon your new speakers.

The choice is between:

- moderate horn tweeter (Triangle)
- diamond tweeter (B&W)
- silk tweeter (Sony)
- beryllium tweeter (Focal)
- compression horn tweeter (JBL)

An interesting array of different technical solutions.

Personally I do not like horn sound (not on the long run with acoustic instruments). Silk may be a choice, though I do not know the Sonys.
Diamond is harder than beryllium, (the Focal line being too bright for my ears), so I'd go for diamond (B&W).

If you like the Accuphase sound character, then IMHO the B&W would be a perfect match.

Martin
_________________________________________________
B&W 800 Diamond with Accuphase 40th anniversary chain.

[Dave_72]

Originally Posted by meltemi

For the moment, I'd suggest you keep the KEFs and take all the time in the world to decide upon your new speakers.

The choice is between:

- moderate horn tweeter (Triangle)
- diamond tweeter (B&W)
- silk tweeter (Sony)
- beryllium tweeter (Focal)
- compression horn tweeter (JBL)

An interesting array of different technical solutions.

Personally I do not like horn sound (not on the long run with acoustic instruments). Silk may be a choice, though I do not know the Sonys.
Diamond is harder than beryllium, (the Focal line being too bright for my ears), so I'd go for diamond (B&W).

If you like the Accuphase sound character, then IMHO the B&W would be a perfect match.

Martin
_________________________________________________
B&W 800 Diamond with Accuphase 40th anniversary chain.

This new or newer generation of JBLs do not have any horn colourations. I promise you that. The actual drivers are either titanium, aluminum, beryllium, which are then horn-loaded.

[nvp]

I agree with Martin that you should take as much time as possible and audition as many speakers as possible. While B&W speakers are certainly a good match for Accuphase, they are certainly not the only choice. Brands like Focal, Dynaudio, Harbeth, Magico, TAD, Martin Logan, Verity Audio and JBL are paired regularly with Accuphase electronics.

So far I have had great success with the following speakers: Focal Micro Utopia Be (owned for 4 years), Dynaudio Confidence C1 (owned for approximatelly 6 months), Vivid Audio Giya G3 (try it in my system/room for 2 weeks) and Avantgarde Uno (I currently own).

Originally Posted by Dave_72

This new or newer generation of JBLs do not have any horn colourations. I promise you that. The actual drivers are either titanium, aluminum, beryllium, which are then horn-loaded.

I agree 100% Dave. What you say about the JBL Synthesis speakers is in fact true for all horn speakers that are properly design. People often talk about the “horn-coloration” only to ignore completely the “box-coloration” and the lack of dynamic found in almost all driver-in-the-box designs.

[GaryProtein]

Originally Posted by nvp

. . . . People often talk about the “horn-coloration” only to ignore completely the “box-coloration” and the lack of dynamic found in almost all driver-in-the-box designs.

The Martin Logan CLX ART and Magnepan 20.7 would be excellent choices.

[cma29]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

The Martin Logan CLX ART and Magnepan 20.7 would be excellent choices.

+1 from personal experience

[cma29]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

The Sony SS AR-1, AR-2's are quite amazing.

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

+1 I agree with Ivan. Here's a nice review:

Sony SS-AR1 loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

+1

That's right, but I don't think a lot of people can get past the image of the Sony brand as being something they would get at Best Buy. Maybe Sony could have created a new brand for their ultra high-end gear like Toyota did with Lexus.

[John49]

Originally Posted by cma29

+1 That's right, but I don't think a lot of people can get past the image of the Sony brand as being something they would get at Best Buy. Maybe Sony could have created a new brand for their ultra high-end gear like Toyota did with Lexus.

Not sure that would have worked. It would still have come out that Sony was behind the new brand, with associated bias. Not many people realise, at least in UK, that Lexus is Toyota. Then again, Toyota is not a bad brand either...

[meltemi]

Originally Posted by nvp

So far I have had great success with the following speakers: Focal Micro Utopia Be (owned for 4 years), Dynaudio Confidence C1 (owned for approximatelly 6 months), Vivid Audio Giya G3 (try it in my system/room for 2 weeks) and Avantgarde Uno (I currently own).

If you had found your ideal speaker yet, there would have been no need to change that frequently.

Originally Posted by nvp

only to ignore completely the “box-coloration” and the lack of dynamic found in almost all driver-in-the-box designs.

Except B&W 800 Series ?