Stradivari - Need help deciding on the speaker

[joey_v]

Hello,

I am hoping that some can help me with this important decision of which speaker to get.

Just to give some background, I have been into this audiophile thing for about a decade now and I took a hiatus for the past 6 years. I got as far as Martin Logan Summits paired with a Cary 306/200 SS CDP, Cary SLP05 tube preamp, Plinius SA-102 SS Class A Amp. Then I sold it all.

I went back and was trying to re-accumulate the components to set up a new 2 channel audio system and after some pretty extensive auditioning, my list went from:

Wilson Sophia 3
Wilson Sasha 2
Wilson Alexia
Martin Logan Summit X
Martin Logan Montis
Magnepan 3.7, 20.7
BW 800 Diamonds
BW 802 Diamonds
Sonus Faber Olympica III
Sonus Faber Stradivari
Rockport Avior

And my list is now:
BW 800 Diamonds
Sonus Faber Stradivari

This is my problem, the SF Strad dealer is many miles away - I had to travel from Dallas, TX to Chicago, IL to audition my first and only pair. I did this 2 weeks ago.

When I heard the Strads, the reviews were right - Michael Fremer was right - it was a fantastic speaker. I would not say the last word in detail, but in terms of overall presentation (sound stage, emotional response, vocal prowess, center fill, density of images), it was superb. This was running on a full Chord system that is probably of similar caliber to my upcoming upstreams.

I also enjoy the BW 800 Diamonds, so much so that even after a direct A/B against Wilsons and Rockports, I still find them to be more accurate sounding and have a cleaner midrange (probably due to that Marlan head). It is also very revealing of the upstreams. Easily telling me if the source is subpar.

---

Now here is where I need help. Since I can't keep going back to the SF Dealer to A/B against the 800 Diamonds, or just to simply listen to the Strads....

... but in your experience, is the Strad a revealing speaker or does it simply sound good regardless of the components upstream? I don't really want a speaker that just sounds good regardless of what I have up top, I'd rather a speaker be revealing of the components I use. Say, I change a tube in my power amp or if I change the source, I'd like to be able to hear it. If a speaker has a certain flavor to it and regardless of the upstreams, it sounds the same, then perhaps it is too colored.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am afraid that I liked the sound of the Strad but don't know if it is a ruthlessly colored speaker or if it truly is a phenomenally sounding speaker that is still revealing and transparent to the source.

I'm not asking if the speaker is colored since I believe all speakers are colored... I'm asking if it is transparent enough.

Thanks! Hope someone can help me.

[joey_v]

Also, I added a poll.

I will be adding pics also to help the visualization.

Of note, my system thus far is:

Source - to be determined, but likely Esoteric K01 or K03 or Cary 306 SACD Pro (used)
Preamp - Cary SLP-05 tube
Amp - Cary 211 Founders Edition tube PP monoblocks
Power - Dedicated 20 amp outlets

Dedicated carpeted, 2nd floor stereo room (completed) w/ treatments (in progress), approx 17' x 15'. Speakers will be positioned along the shorter wall probably 8' apart (tweeter to tweeter), and I will be sitting about 10' to 12' back (tweeter to ear).

[joey_v]

And btw, I heard the Aidas in a/b listening - and kept going back to the Strads during my audition, if that helps you with an idea of what I like in audio reproduction. Aida's to me sounded a little bit more airy, but did not elicit the emotional response mainly because the presentation/staging was not to my liking as it was on the Strads (relatively).

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by joey_v

And btw, I heard the Aidas in a/b listening - and kept going back to the Strads during my audition, if that helps you with an idea of what I like in audio reproduction. Aida's to me sounded a little bit more airy, but did not elicit the emotional response mainly because the presentation/staging was not to my liking as it was on the Strads (relatively).

Clearly the Aida's were not set up properly.

[joey_v]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Clearly the Aida's were not set up properly.

I knew you were going to say that.

I think they were set well. But I know they are very tweaky and have all those rear firing atmospheric elements, so I don't know for sure. But the dealer did have them in that same spot since they came and were installed. Room was good.

I'm not saying they sounded bad - they just didn't connect.

Or maybe I was just afraid to fall in love with a $120,000 pair of speakers. Hahaha... but they were gorgeous.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by joey_v

I knew you were going to say that.

I think they were set well. But I know they are very tweaky and have all those rear firing atmospheric elements, so I don't know for sure. But the dealer did have them in that same spot since they came and were installed. Room was good.

I'm not saying they sounded bad - they just didn't connect.

Or maybe I was just afraid to fall in love with a $120,000 pair of speakers. Hahaha... but they were gorgeous.

I own both the Strad's and Aida's which are set up correctly. The Strad's sound absolutely wonderful; however they are no where near comparable to the Aida's.

[joey_v]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I own both the Strad's and Aida's which are set up correctly. The Strad's sound absolutely wonderful; however they are no where near comparable to the Aida's.

I have read and followed your posts... I know, Ivan.

Since you have had the Strads - did you find that they are transparent enough with changes you made upstream? You're probably one of the best to ask because of your extensive experience.

Flaws of the Strads?

Pros of the Strads?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by joey_v

I have read and followed your posts... I know, Ivan.

Since you have had the Strads - did you find that they are transparent enough with changes you made upstream? You're probably one of the best to ask because of your extensive experience.

Flaws of the Strads?

Pros of the Strads?

At the price point of the Strad's, I find them to be quite amazing. Yes, they are transparent enough to easily detect changes made upstream.

I find no flaws at all with the Strad's, clean used pairs can be found for $22-$25k.

Pro's speak for themselves; SF couldn't even improve upon them, hence no upgraded version since their introduction. You are welcome to visit me in the Cape, and hear them along with all my others.

[joey_v]

Ivan,

One day soon I will take you up on your offer.

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by joey_v

Ivan, One day soon I will take you up on your offer.

do it

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