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 3 responses by p59teitel

"Yes, i should have mentioned too.. My room dimensions are 25"Wx30"Lx8"H Right now, I am running BAT Tube Monos, with a Simaudio Preamp and an Esoteric front end."

The Salon 2s should be able to fill your room with sound on their own, but in looking at the current BAT tube offerings I don't see any that output more than 150 watts.  Salon 2s are power pigs that thrive on high-current solid state designs, so I'd have to guess that your issues with them - including light bass output - stem from the relative lack of grunt your amps are providing. 

In my own system I found that they worked very well with a Plinius SB-301, and even better with Symphonic Line Kraft 250 monos that have huge capacitance and transformers.  I'd suggest either getting more efficient speakers that your BATs can drive, or getting more powerful amps that can feed the Salon 2s what they need to be at their best.     


jmarshak, every so often a used Plinius SB-301 pops up here for sale at prices around $5K.  It is really a great amp for the price, with smooth highs and the only drawback being that it runs hot.  If I hadn't come across a ridiculously good price for the Symphonic Line monos, the Plinius would likely still be here.