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Bryston Vs Theta

G'day all. I've just purchased a pair of Dynaudio Contour S5.4's (to replace my KEF Ref 3's) as part of an upgrade and looking for a new amp to drive them. Tossing up between a Theta Dreadnaught 2 and a Bryston 6BSST(LCR)/3BSST(rear) combo (price almost the same here) for my system which is used 50:50 HT/music. Customer service at dealers is a major problem here in Hong Kong (they expect you to buy a $6000 piece of equipment without even listening to it!), so the best I've been able to do is hear these amps with Focus Audio speakers (Theta seemed to have bigger soundstage, but Bryston had better bass control). Must say the Bryston Rep here has been extremely helpful, but can't organise a direct comparison. Any comments welcome.
busdriver
mick3af0
7 posts
 
G'day Busdriver

I have auditioned the S25's but have found the bass boomy. I cannot place them too far out into my room. The treble from the Esotar 2 was great! In contrast, when I heard the S3.4 in a similar placement, there was no boom at all. The dealer then placed the S25's far out into the room and it was a great sound.

How much are the S3.4's in HK? Also, how much do you feel I am missing out by getting the S3.4's instead of something with the Esotar 2? I am currently using speakers with metal dome tweeters which I find fatiguing. I have heard others mention that the Esotar 2 may be too revealing on less than fine recordings. I listen to a lot of harmon muted Miles Davis and do not want ear bleed from shrill treble, which was why I asked for your opinion on the S5.4 vs. the S3.4.
sutts
700 posts
 
Busdriver- great choice! I am jealous, and really miss my Dread I sometimes...
busdriver OP
3 posts
 
Hi Mick

You've heard both tweeters yourself in the S3.4 and S25. If you don't have a large room with space to move the speakers away from the walls don't buy the S5.4's, as they produce a prodigous amount of bass and need plenty of room to breathe. They also look big in my 20x15x9' room (I'm hopefuly moving to a larger place soon, but that's primarily to get a balcony to fire up my barbie on: another story).
I was quoted HKD33,000 (USD1=HKD7.78) for the 3.4's a while ago, but that was before a rumoured recent price rise. Some serious haggling may knock 5-10% off any initial price (I've found having the cash actually in your pocket always helps in Hong Kong).
As I said earlier I bought the 5.4's for my large (by Hong Kong standards!) room after hearing the 3.4's and I'm very happy with what I've got. I continue to be amazed by all the extra details I'm hearing on CD's that I've listened to many times on my old KEF Ref 3's. Yes, you'll hear more faults on some onpoorly recorded material (not all at the higher end of the scale either), but this is more than made up for when listening to good recordings. By losing the sub (for stereo) I'm now hearing lower end details and layers that I previously wasn't even aware were on the CD (this no doubt is also in part due to my new Dreadnaught).
There's a good review on this site by Mfish comparing the S25 and the S3.4.

Cheers
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