$3000 stand mounted speakers?
The Dynaudio Special 40 is a fun speaker at this price point. Not the most neutral and I found the mid bass to be under damped (cello wolf tones were a problem), but dynamic and engaging with a nice full sound. Maybe not the best match for an SET amp though. I’d also check out the Silverline Minuet Supreme ($2k) - not a looker, but remarkably refined and musical, and should be very tube friendly. I have comments for both on my blog (TAWW.co) Cheers, TAWW |
Another +1 for Fritz Carrera 7 BE. I think they run around $3.5k now. My favorite so far in my 15.5 x 10.1 ft room. Here's a binaural recording of them which may give you a 10% sense of how they sound in real life. https://youtu.be/6QkXYPAVUNY?t=125 |
I have always had EL34 amps and stand mounted monitors, since 1978 when I had the original Rogers LS3/5a and a Marantz 8. Have been through many combinations through the decades and some years ago settled in on the ProAc Tablette Anniversary driven by a Primaluna HP Amp. About three years ago, I entered a similar quest thinking that I could take a step up from the ProAc. I listened to the Harbeth P3ESR and liked them at the dealer, but side by side at home, I thought the ProAcs were better, primarily in soundstage, imaging and tonal quality of female vocals. I then decided that I would have to go beyond the $3k price point to get a step up. I listened to the Joseph Audio Pulsars, and was really impressed, then they came out with the graphene version, which I heard, but not side by side to the original. I knew I could live with the original version, so I went on a quest to find a used pair of pulsars. Joseph audio does not have a big dealer network, but I was impressed enough with them that I was willing to buy without a home demo. Over the period of ~3 months, I found two pairs in the 4K-5k range, but missed out on them to other buyers. So how does the story end? I listened Maggies and bought them. But, you know the audiophile story: talk to me again in 2-3 years and I might be looking for a good stand mounted monitor in the $5k range. What did Harry Chapin say? “All my life’s a circle....” |
Thanks Meiaflask. Your story of your journey has good information for me. Looks like my initial choice of the ProAc Model 10 or upgrade to the Model 10 Anniversary is still a solid choice for me. Its 10 ohm rating is easy on tube amps and slightly better bass is a better match than the Harbeth P3 I thought about. I’ve used my Seas Froy mk3 speaker kit w/ 3 different EL34 amps over many years and it has worked quit well, but it’s time for a change. I like the look of the Tablet 10 very much and would like to ask what you get w/ the Anniversary version. BTW Meiaflask, My amp is the Mystere IA-11 by PrimaLuna. It’s more dynamic and punchy than a PL w/ the glorious EL34 midrange. So you comparison is important to me. Thanks Taww. The other speaker I’m most interested in from this long thread is the Dynaudio Special Forty. I’m wondering if it may work w/ tube amps, and it seems like it may be a better speaker for Bryston amps or similar according to your assessment. |
Tekton Impact Monitors. Incredible speaker and value. $2k delivered. Check out the review. https://hometheaterreview.com/tekton-design-impact-monitor-bookshelf-speaker-reviewed/ |
1. http://www.wavetouchaudio.com/antero.html 2. Proac Response D2 3. Fritz 4. Maggies Wavetouch because of the value and most natural sound, as well as the universal positive reviews. |
I went through a similar Journey a year ago. However my room is much smaller @ 13 x 15 . My list had a number of speakers already listed. Including Dynaudio Special Forty ( loved the Contour 20 much better Maybe used $3500). ATC SCM 11 or 19 , Proac Response D2 or D20R ( not sure if bookshelf) , Legacy Studio, Fritz Carrera BE. I also included Acoustic Ariel 5T, PMC IB1S Studio Monitors or the Twenty 5, Focal Electra 1008BE , Selah Tempesta. My goal was to replace an older (20 yrs) Sonus Faber Concertino . I was also looking for a great price on the SF Olympica 1 ( used) . Only heard a few of the speakers live when a used pair of Monitor Audio Platinum 2 became available locally . It has incredible highs and an outstanding firm base response. The base was so good I no longer needs the SUB for the music I play . I am shocked at how big they sound and fill the room . They soundstage is very wide. Literally blew the old SF's away - not surprisingly given the age and cost difference . I use a 36 watt Tube amp and maybe max at 11oclock on the pre without them being much too loud yet still sounding very clear . I thought I would need more power . With a large room I think you will need to be much more selective . Even with a SUB it will be hard to fill the room . I know you are looking for a Bookshelf Speaker but there are some lovely and great sounding floor standers with a small footprint . Maybe a used Totem Forest Signature for a room that large. |
Mjcmt- sorry can’t be of any help with the different tablette versions. Think you might be confusing the anniversary and signature versions, which are different. I only listened to the tablette anniversary at the time I purchased them. They have since been discontinued. I did not compare them to other proacs. The anniversaries I had were rear ported, so a bit sensitive to room placement to get the best bass. I believe the 10 is not, so you can place it nearer to the rear wall if that is an issue. Not sure the sonic difference between the 10 and the 10 signature. Many years ago, I had Proac response 1, which were better than the original tablettes (just seemed more musical in the mid). So you might consider looking at the current response line as well as the tablette 10. |
@mjcmt yeah I think Dynaudio tends to work better with high current solid state amps, and i think the Special Forty would benefit from higher damping factor. The Silverline I meant was the Minuet Grand. Much more musically accurate than the Dynaudio IMO. Probably on par with Fritz, though I only heard them briefly. I have a full review on my site. |
Second the falcon ls3/5a’s. I have a pair hooked up to a pair of audio note l4 monoblocks which are 40 watt el34 amps and the falcons are really spectacular in my small room. The Devore o/93’s have not turned from facing the wall since I got the Falcons. I also have the Stirling’s and they are good also, but the falcons edge them in transparency and details. The Stirling s are also the excellent at both, just not quite... but they do playa bit louder without strain. Ok, get both! i would not sell either. |
Ok I have to step in hear. I had the Dynaudio Special 40 and the Fritz Carrera Be side by side... it’s not even close. The special 40 has one of the worst midranges you will find for a speaker > $2500. It’s almost criminal how bad the crossover design was for the speaker. Everything else is great but what all the reviews referred to as warm is nothing more than a congested mishap in the crossover. I have a pair of $120 diy speakers that have a more expensive, better designed and more coherent crossover then the $3000 special 40. On to the the Fritz... Most musical and detailed speaker I have heard. They have loads of detail like a pair of Merlins but make everything sound great and their is a real sense of weight. I guess the only step up would be a pair of Joseph Pulsars. Honestly the Carrera has one the most magical midranges you will ever hear. The Fritz Carreras can be driven with almost anything.. the Transducer tweeter ads so much tone and texture to the crossover region, and combined with the series crossover it sounds like a single full range driver. One could say the only neg of the Fritz Speaker is they are not the end old for speed and dynamics, but music... yea music |
