Duette Series 2

[akfaulkner]

Originally Posted by enatai252

If I recall, you just combined your two channel room into a hybrid music/theater room and bought a watch center and focal's for the rears. My recommendation, as an audiophile who lived through the transition of single-married-no kids-three kids-high schoolers, is to build a room that is comfortable for you and your kids to hang out together in. Keep it simple, include music and movie capability (there will be lots of cartoons and kids shows) and while maybe not optimized...you can still enjoy music. I lived with Thiel power points for several years and a lot of toy story/ice age sessions

I also believe you already have a Classe sigma 3. I personally would get a sigma 2 to go with the three channel amp and you would have a simple, easy to operate system that would not give you ultimate resolution and extension but still provides enjoyment....it also runs cool in case the kids leave the system on all day. I have the sigma pre and two sigma monos in my exercise room driving some B&Ws....for that room the simplicity of this system really makes sense

For your speaker question

I have three systems with WA speakers in them. Main room has Alexia, mezzo and Alida with two JL212s. KXR/MXR/VXR twenties power the system....

My cabin has Duette2 with Ref40/Ref150....and it is a magical system that makes you disbelieve that a speaker that size can deliver this scale and weight. I originally had the V1 duette which I really enjoyed but the V2 is an significant improvement in low end definition and mid range fluidity. Not an Alexia but you can easily get lost in the presentation

My study has a kx5/vx5 twenty with Alidas as the main speakers(so hung on the wall) I was surprised how well these speakers performed given the placement and driver size limitations. Not the scale or weight of the Duette...but very fast and detailed without being harsh and they get the midrange right.

So for the most kid proof setup...put some Alidas on the walls up front. Will work with your watch center and are cheaper than the duette. The duette v2 does now bolt to its stand so not a danger of kids knocking off like the V1 but with kids and kids friends....I find that speakers out of reach work well. If you are ok with risk get the duette. They sound great. You will lose some low end compared to Sasha....but when listening to a performance the duette's are good enough to pull you in to a full sized sound stage....just lacking the depth and scale and low end punch the Alexia (and Sasha) would give. And they can flat out play within there frequency range

If you really wanted an integrated than I would chose a Ayre ax5twenty over a Devialet but since you already have the sigma....and its flexible enough to get theater and 2 channel together....don't see why you would change

I am near you in Bellevue...at the other FANG...I expect several local dealers or Ivan have the experience to set you up with a system that works with young kids

Btw. I used the simple system stage in life to load up and focus on music selection purchases

Good luck

This is awesome feedback. Thanks for taking the time. I am planning some demos tomorrow and next week to narrow down steps so this is great timing!