Speaker Advice

[Olskool]

Hi guys I'm looking for some of that good Audio Aficionado advice and input you provide so well. I am beginning to get ready for speaker investments and have incorporated system hardware upgrades and tweaks. Speakers are the final destination before allowing my wallet and budget to cool down a bit since they have both been smoking of late. Man this is one expensive hobby we have here! My system is ARC based with a VS-115 Amp and LS-27 Pre, NAD M5 CD transport, Project 6 PerspeX turntable - Sumiko Blackbird MC, M2Tec Evo DAC, Nordost Power cords and Interconnects, and currently Definitive 400 Towers featuring powered subs (previously of my surround sound for TV). My listening environment is difficult to describe but I will try: it is 13' wide X 17' deep, carpeted and is 15' tall before expanding to a marble floor open foyer that is 20 ' tall and another 18' behind the chairs of my listening spot and I haver not measured the additional width that opens (the back of the listening area opens up to a cavern essentially). Amazingly I get great audio in the listening area without a lot of whump and boom. I know at some point an investment in treatments and sound analysis will pay handsome dividends though.

I like smooth and traditional Jazz, R & B and Olskool Pop (vinyl mostly - but the DAC has opened my eyes to the possibility of digital performance audio.) And now for the worst part. My budget can only stand to spend in the $3,000 to $3,500 range for speakers - I am willing to cut back on a few non essentials like food and auto fuel to reach for the higher end on the speakers but after that doom and gloom ; - 0. I am partial to good clean bass, and midrange but hate hearing hard edges on the high end. The Def Tec's have spoiled me with powered subs, although some days it is difficult to manage the base so the sound is clean, and not forced but throaty. I have auditioned the new Golden Ear Tritons (and really like them). Before plunking down I would really like to check it out thoroughly because my choice is going to have to last a while. I'm copying essentially this same message to the Wilson and Martin Logan and Magnepan crowd too. Can't wait to see what you all have to say. Thanks.

Larry

[Jeffatus]

Your best option is the B&W PM1's with a JL audio sub. Why? Because its what I have.

In all seriousness, I found a really good price for new PM1's packaged with a demo JL f110 for around your price. The treble in the PM1's simply blew me away. They have great mid and upper ranges. The bass is obviously lacking, but still a very, very musical speaker. Jazz, classical and vocals are awesome. They also take up a smaller visual footprint, if there is such a thing. My wife liked these much better than the full range Dynaudios because the DYn's were so imposing by comparison.

The Golden Ears seem to get great reviews. When I listened to them they did not do nearly as well in comparison to the airiness that the PM1's had. As they say, it's all about what is important to the listener.

Jeff

[Pio]

Larry

Yep, Golden Ears are getting rave reviews everywhere. Personally haven't heard them, but I want to.

Have you considered audiogon? I saw a classified just now for 804's in your budget range.

Pio

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by Olskool

Hi guys I'm looking for some of that good Audio Aficionado advice and input you provide so well. I am beginning to get ready for speaker investments and have incorporated system hardware upgrades and tweaks. Speakers are the final destination before allowing my wallet and budget to cool down a bit since they have both been smoking of late. Man this is one expensive hobby we have here! My system is ARC based with a VS-115 Amp and LS-27 Pre, NAD M5 CD transport, Project 6 PerspeX turntable - Sumiko Blackbird MC, M2Tec Evo DAC, Nordost Power cords and Interconnects, and currently Definitive 400 Towers featuring powered subs (previously of my surround sound for TV). My listening environment is difficult to describe but I will try: it is 13' wide X 17' deep, carpeted and is 15' tall before expanding to a marble floor open foyer that is 20 ' tall and another 18' behind the chairs of my listening spot and I haver not measured the additional width that opens (the back of the listening area opens up to a cavern essentially). Amazingly I get great audio in the listening area without a lot of whump and boom. I know at some point an investment in treatments and sound analysis will pay handsome dividends though.

I like smooth and traditional Jazz, R & B and Olskool Pop (vinyl mostly - but the DAC has opened my eyes to the possibility of digital performance audio.) And now for the worst part. My budget can only stand to spend in the $3,000 to $3,500 range for speakers - I am willing to cut back on a few non essentials like food and auto fuel to reach for the higher end on the speakers but after that doom and gloom ; - 0. I am partial to good clean bass, and midrange but hate hearing hard edges on the high end. The Def Tec's have spoiled me with powered subs, although some days it is difficult to manage the base so the sound is clean, and not forced but throaty. I have auditioned the new Golden Ear Tritons (and really like them). Before plunking down I would really like to check it out thoroughly because my choice is going to have to last a while. I'm copying essentially this same message to the Wilson and Martin Logan and Magnepan crowd too. Can't wait to see what you all have to say. Thanks.

Larry

Will you be making the decision before July?

[dhizzle]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

Will you be making the decision before July?

Bill... Are you talking about those new Secret Fabers?

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by dhizzle

Bill... Are you talking about those new Secret Fabers?

I could tell you the name but you guys haven't come up with it yet.

[Dirigent]

I haven't time to read all these posts, but I'm wondering how B&W speakers rate these days. I bought, in 1985, the DM330 and they're still going strong but my whole hi-fi needs replacing. Fearing that I may not be able to recognize what is quality these days, I'm keen to know from others what would be good for classical music (primarily) in a concrete-walled home unit. I also need good amp, cd player and tuner (possibly), but my FM reception is dodgy.

[Olskool]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

Will you be making the decision before July?

Bill, just now getting back to the site and saw your question to me last month. Mostly been taking my time at the moment on the selection but it is conceivable that July will be the time frame for the final decision. I just this week started working with ASC (Acoustic Sciences Corp) to analyze my listening environment and develop a plan for traps to insure hearing what any speaker I end up purchasing produces.

I have created a spreadsheet listing the excellent suggestions for speakers suggested and will begin a thorough process of detailing important features and benefits of each followed by audition (where possible - this may end up eliminating some choices simply because they can't be heard or auctioned). This could take a while however I am compeletly open to your suggestions of speakers to consider. Here is the current list:

Speaker systems to review and audition for purchase: (some will just be eliminated due to falling outside of my newly adjusted price range of $5,000 to $7,500)

1). B & W 700 or 800 series
2). Magnepan 2.0 or 3.0
3). Sonos Cremona
4). Martin Logan - Spires or Vantage or Summit 10
5). Golden Ear
6). Focal
7). Orangutan
8). Vandersteen Quatro
9). Reference 3A monitors
10. Thiel 2.4
11). Vienna Acoustics

Again thanks. I am anxious to hear what you have in mind?

Larry

[mustang]

Looking for some advise as well, we all have different opinions and taste but all here have more experience and exposure to equipment then myself so your advise would be greatly appreciated. I want to build a good to better then average system for music and the occasional movie with 5.0 surround sound. B&W speakers, the front would be 802's or 803's, the rears 804's. The electronics would be McIntosh; the amp I am looking at is the m8207, it's light for the 802's but it could be biamped for 400 watts. This is the part I am most concerned about. Would also put a MX121 along with a DB1 subwoofer.

Any advise or comments would be appreciated.