2. speakers
  3. 153040-19029

Best speakers out there for Midrange and Highs

Hello Everyone!

I would like some advise about what are some of the better speakers out there for a 2 channel system - with use of subwoofers.

I currently use a pair of significantly large - full range speakers (Revel Salon2), that go down below 20hz. Even though my speakers go down so low, I still desired more air movement / sound pressure in the room - to make the sound as palatable as possible.

I found that combining the Salon2 with an external active crossover (JL Audio CR-1) and 2 Subs (JL Audio F113s) sounds excellent. Soundstage is close to like being at a concert, and surprisingly to me, was that imaging has not been lost. Furthermore, adjusting the phases on the subwoofers basically made the speakers and subs act like a singularity and helped the system sound even more exciting. I cross over at 90hz with a 24Db decay.

However, can’t help thinking about the obvious - that I am waisting all that available bass capability on the Salon2s. So I was wondering what speakers out there could be even more appropriate for my configuration. These speakers need not go down so low - Down to 55HZ would be more than enough. On the other hand, Salon2s also have a very strong midrange and highs, so I would like the new speaker to be either:

1) Better in the mids and highs (whether same price as the Salon2 or possibly more expensive), or
2) As good in the mids and highs as the Salon2s but less expense

Very much appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you in advance!

jmarshak

Showing 2 responses by newtoncr

newtoncr
151 posts
 
@jmarshak 
i use a similar configuration to what you have , a pair of  jl audio f113v2 placed center to a pair of kef blade2, with cr-1 crossover at 90hz, 24 dB slope, run by ayre Mx-r twenty and kx-r twenty electronics.
i had the same question about a year ago and I tried and talked to a ton of people . Magico was the name that kept popping up . Focal I tried didn’t like it. But even magico did not make any positive improvement. So here I am . Finally upgrading to the blades from blade 2 just for a change in visual impression lol. Thanks for posting the question . I guess the answer is if u have a system that works for you don’t change . Grass is not always greener on the other side .
another point of note is crossover set at 90hz and a crossover and sub . omg that made a lot of “audiophiles “ upset. A straight short path they said, lol. But the fact is no one knows  how good it sounds when u have a good sub integrated with the main speakers with an awesome active crossover like the cr-1 when it’s done right. Key word “done right” . Love your choice of word “singularity “ . Barry Oder aka the Sounddoctor is the one who integrated it for me.
happy listening and glad you got the subwoofer settings right 😊
newtoncr
151 posts
 
Interesting why everyone is trying to get you to buy monitor speakers. You really seem to like the dynamic sound of the floor standers with the added deep bass, the combination that gives you real live music sound with excellent dynamic range and presentation.
in the place of the blade 2 I tried the ls50 and the ref 1. They all share the same midrange , tweeter driver unit. So theoretically with the subs  the sound should be similar to blade 2 with subs. NOT EVEN CLOSE. Big speakers with added subs integrated well sound so much better . Hence I am going for the bigger blades for the mid and highs . The kef guys feel that the bigger speaker would have more presence even when not doing bass duty. I sure hope so.
With regard to electrostats I have only tried Martin Logan’s and own a pair of cadence electrostats in my second system. They don’t match the blades when it comes to dynamic presentation and sound pressures which are important to me and the dipole nature of the speaker imo loose the focus that the blades provide . The blade 2 with the jl audio subs have a deep, wide, clean , stable and powerful soundstage . The electrostats sounded very pleasant but lacked the palpable presence of these big speakers mated with subs. To make the mid and high better , as you like your speakers and amplification I would recommend tweaks and essentials like sound treatment ( I love asc tube traps and they are very helpful if u call them ) , cables( in my system kiMber was too bright I use all cardas now and they made the sound much more to my taste), power conditioning, isolation feet etc Things to add everyday to make your system sound better a fraction at a time .

More to discover