I'm waiting for Schiit to release the Eater as a product name.
Dynaudio Evoke 20 vs. Totem Signature One vs. Acoustic Revival Adalante 3
Hello Agon members,
I am getting ready to purchase a new pair of speakers and looking for some advice and first hand experience with a few of my possible choices:
- Dynaudio Evoke 20 - I listened to this speaker at a store in Bangkok. I really enjoyed it, good dynamics and strong bass. Tone was great, but I felt like there was a little coloration to this speaker, perhaps some box resonance? Overall, very musical.
- Totem Signature One - I listened to this speaker in a different store. It was a less than ideal environment, but the speaker had many of the same attributes that I liked about the Evoke 20.
- Acoustic Revival Adalante 3 - Have not heard but will demo next time I am in Bangkok.
I own a Hifi Rose RS520 integrated amp/streamer. My speaker cables are Tellurium Q Black II and the power cord is generic. I am currently using a pair of Vanguard Scout speakers to great effect (especially considering the modest price) until I settle on my next speaker. In the past, I have used Omega Speaker Systems SAM (still own) and did not find this to be a good synergy with the Hifi Rose. I have also auditioned a pair of used Harbeth C7ES and, even though I wanted to love these speakers, there was again poor synergy. So finding a speaker that will play well with the sound signature of the Hifi Rose is important to me.
My room is 16.4 ft. x 19 ft. and my system is against the shorter wall. Speakers will have plenty of room on the sides, but I doubt I will be able to position them more than 2 ft. off the back wall.
My preference is for a warmer sound with a good tone, but I also articulation, dynamics, imaging and soundstage. I generally stay away from bright and forward sounding equipment. Music is mostly centered around rock and indie, with some country, bluegrass, folk, hip hop, reggae, etc. thrown into the mix.
I will listen to all 3 speakers again before I purchase, but demos are much different than actually living with a speaker. Therefore, if you have spent some time with any of these speakers, please share your thoughts.
Thanks in advance - Billy
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- 36 posts total
@grislybutter haven't heard most of the ones you put out there- but have owned the Gato FM15 (and their PM6). Sold both of them last week to make place for 2 other speakers. I have listened to, and bought and sold a few speakers- the FM15 are the only ones I miss. |
Hi everyone, I thought I would post an update. I was finally able to audition the Adalante 3 speaker in Bangkok and the excitement was palpable. They certainly sounded good on first arrival. And even though they sounded great as I played some of my test tracks, it was apparent, these were not the speaker for me. I listen to a lot of alternative, indy, classic rock and I guess what might pass as non-audiophile music. Some of the test tracks that I play are specific to see how the system will reproduce distortion and ambient sounds. An example would be Creep by Radiohead. At about 2 minutes in, the song switches to its chorus with a heavily distorted guitar. This still has to sound good, because it really does belong in the song. Unfortunately, on many highly resolving systems (and less resolving systems), you would never play this song again, it’s too loud and forward. While listening to the Adalante 3, I didn’t necessarily want to turn the music down, but I wouldn’t really want to play this song again. There were more examples of this, from Wilco’s Yankee FoxTrot album, to the background rings, whistles and buzzing noises in Phoebe Bridgers’ Scott Street - the speakers highlighted detail without making it a cohesive part of the mix. I found myself listening to the speaker, not the interested in the music. At a different shop, I was able to listen to the Dynaudio Evoke 20 for the 3rd time. On this occasion, I was fortunate enough to demo with the same amp I own, the RS520. This speaker works for my ears, as well as with Hifi Rose gear. It’s not as detailed as some speakers I have heard, but the body, timbre and naturalness of music is all there. Neil Young’s live Massey Hall has the fullness and intimacy I was hoping for. Micro details aren’t highlighted to the point of sounding unnatural, but presented in a way to add nuance and texture. Even though the top end might lack some airyness, the delivery is blended in a way that makes this speaker enjoyable to listen to. As for the Totem Signature One, I didn’t get a chance to listen this time around. I am skeptical of the aluminum dome tweeter and already kinda ruled them out, perhaps unfairly since a part of me still thinks this might be the better valued alternative to the Dynaudio Special Forty. In the end, I did not buy a speaker. The Dynaudio is only available in blonde and black finish in Thailand, neither of which is my preferred choice. I also decided I want to demo a pair of Mofi Sourcepoint 8 before pulling the plug on a new speaker. I also believe the Wharfdale Linton speakers might be an audition. Thanks again for all the advice.
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- 36 posts total