Speakers to beat at the $30K mark in 2012

[bart]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Uh, BTW, you won't need a sub for TAD CR-1s...

I agree.
They impressed me in the bass area!

[Face]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

You really think so? About needing a sub, I mean? They pretty dang big for stand-mounts

Yes. Don't get me wrong, they're not bass shy, but they felt as they were missing out on the bottom octave. In a small room this can be a blessing, as they're less likely to load up and sound boomy. But integrate them with a pair of DSP subs and I'm not sure you'll find anything that sounds better, at any price point.

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by Face

Yes. Don't get me wrong, they're not bass shy, but they felt as they were missing out on the bottom octave. In a small room this can be a blessing, as they're less likely to load up and sound boomy. But integrate them with a pair of DSP subs and I'm not sure you'll find anything that sounds better, at any price point.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Face

Yes. Don't get me wrong, they're not bass shy, but they felt as they were missing out on the bottom octave. In a small room this can be a blessing, as they're less likely to load up and sound boomy. But integrate them with a pair of DSP subs and I'm not sure you'll find anything that sounds better, at any price point.

Pehaps for the bottom-most octave. Personally, I'm a big fan of REL subs.

My Dyn Contour floorstanders will actually go flat to 30 Hz in the right room config, but I did find adding a REL sub not only helped the bottom octave but smoothed out modes and nulls up to about 200 Hz.

Above that, and the sub doesn't do much. My Contours are suprisingly flat from 800 Hz on out, measured as real-time, in-room response.

I agree the TADs are probably the best speaker I've ever heard....that Andrew Jones guy is a fr**kin' genius when it comes to loudspeaker design. Turns out he has a twin brother who is also in audio, but not in loudspeaker design.

[Puma Cat]

Per the OPs suggestions for recommendations in this price range, here would be my personal short-list.

1. Dynaudio C4 Signature
2. TAD CR-1
3. Sony SS-AR1
4. Evolution Acoustics MMOne
5. Avalon Acoustics Indra

Hmm...not a Wilson or Magico to be found...

[djwhog]

Can we add any of the B&Ws to the list for under 30k?

PS I think all speakers unless they are monsters need a sub.

IMOP

room 32x26 feet

[-E-]

Dynaudio's play very well with electronica, so do the Focals, and so do the B&W 8xxD's.

[hkval]

Joe: I know of a nice place in Naples, with a great guest room for a couple of days, for you to audition the C4'S.

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by hkval

Joe: I know of a nice place in Naples, with a great guest room for a couple of days, for you to audition the C4'S.

Hi Howard,

Thank you for the kind offer. That would be a lot of fun!

[jfray]

Amati Futuras and never look back!!!! They are awesome