Best speaker brands for transient response
Hello all, first post / longtime lurker on here. I have really appreciated all I've learned from following threads on here -- much appreciated.
I've had three speakers in my house for a few years, and have learned that transient response is the quality I value most. I'm researching upgrade options and would appreciate recommendations on brands.
Currently I have KLH Model 3s, JBL 4305Ps, and JBL Studio 590s. The sealed KLHs are far superior in transient response / speed / attack. The 4305Ps are pretty good (I'm assuming because they're active) and the 590s, while they do a lot of things well, are relative laggards.
I am assuming that on average a sealed design at any given price point will outperform a ported speaker in this area of performance, but I'm sure there are important exceptions.
I'm also curious if more expensive ported horn speakers (Klipsch heritage line, or the JBL 4349 for example) may deliver equal or better in transient response compared to a lower cost sealed speaker because they're using better drivers, crossovers, etc.
Thank you for any feedback / ideas you have.
@helomech thanks I am getting a lot of Borresen recommendations and the X2 is in my price range. Only found a dealer in Jacksonville so far, long drive for a demo ;) I definitely need to research more.Also have gotten strong endorsements for Spendor K series and Maggies. |
For a "normal" speaker, Monitor Audio speakers are quite fast. Not electrostatic level of speed, but they sound noticeably fast to me. A quote from a Stereophile review of the Silver 300s rings true to me: "What these speakers said was spoken with a clarity and expressive ease. . . . Dynamic and transient-fast, it sounded almost hornlike." though the Gold series might sound even faster with greater precision to its sound. |
Tommyuchicago I would look at Volti speakers, the Razz is certainly in your budget at $5,500 a pair unfinished, or $7,500 in nice veneers. I have a friend that owns several horn speakers (Forte IVs, La Scala, Volti Razz, and the new Volti Lucera). I find them superior to Klipsch Forte IVs in most every way, and maybe even better than the La Scala. They are hybrid speakers with a traditional 12" cone bass driver, and horn loaded midrange and tweeter. My next set of speakers will likely be a pair of Voltis, but the next up in the line which are the Lucera.....though that is possibly out of your price range at $11,500 per pair. The only downside is that Volti do not have a return policy, so you buy them....you own them |
