Floor standing or Large bookshelf recommendations - 2.0 channel setup
Greetings, I have a parallel thread in the Amps and Preamps section for this same setup. I trying to build a step up from my existing 2.1 channel system. Recently a major change that has happened is I finally took the plunge and got myself an MC152, so now that my amp is not a variable, I’m open to exploring speaker options. (I like warmer smoother sound, with a little sparkle at the high frequences. Currently quite happy with the type of sound I’m getting with MC152).
I currently have a Rotel RA-12 Pre + MC152 -> LS50 + SB2000 Room dimensions: 17’x13’x12’
The LS50s really came alive after adding my recently acquired MC152. But now I’m in search of a pair of good floor standers or large bookshelf. I intend for this to be a long term setup so I am ready to wait and not in a hurry.
Here are the ones I narrowed down so far. I’m going to be using my local dealer so I wont be able to audition some of these. I understand Crutchfield is an option, but thing is I have very good relationship with this dealer and wish to give them business:
(Budget prefer to stay under $5k, cheaper the better really)
Dynaudio Evoke 50 - Not able to audition, but read these are not as sparkly on the top as B&W D3 series
B&W 805 D3 - Auditioned these, loved the treble, but worried it may be too much over time. However since I’m looking at tube preamps, I suppose that should tone down the sharp highs. Second thing is I feels this model will hold better resale value / easier to get rid of it comes to it ever. Open to thoughts
Focal Aria 936 - Never heard them, but they seem to be on quite a good promotion right now. Heard these tend to be more on the sharp side with less bottom end. These are low on my priority unless someone can tell me otherwise.
Salk Song3- Wife does not approve the looks of that... this is going to be a tough sell
B&W 704 S2 - This one is strictly on the list because I have local listing of a almost new pair for under $2k and I just see that as a great value. But I not sure if its worth looking into these just cause its a deal.
Am I missing any other major contenders? Please share your thoughts on the ones I picked and if anyone of those or other particularly go well with my type of setup. Thanks and Cheers!
Gershman Acoustics Studio II. Organic, natural sound with exceptional bass. Not "exceptional for a bookshelf". Just exceptional. They have a model with an integral stand and an upgraded crossover called the Grand Studio that would be perfect. The stands are incredibly sturdy (93 lbs each) and come in silver or matte black finishes.
I recommend an in home audition of Ohm Walsh 2000s ($2800/pr). They are appropriate for your room size, and I think they will give you what you are looking for. 120 day return option. I have been enjoying mine for about 11 years now. No desire to try something else.
Without a question the SALK Sone3 Encores. Heard them at the RMAF and they beat out speakers costing 6 times more. The Focal 936's are horrible and the BMW's lack a lot of bass. If you talk to Jim Salk tell him Larry Edwards sent you from Denver. He is an incredible guy and he knows what he is doing. He sells direct so he does not have to give up his profits to the dealers and he also does so in order to use the best drivers for the money.
Have you considered Paradigm? Pick up the small floorstanding Prestige and upgrade the pre. I really like my parasound. My friend enjoys his mix of Klipsch with McIntosh.
@OP the B&W 805’s stand mounts absolutely sound much larger than they look. They make many floor standing speakers sound pathetic in comparison. I have the 805d3 stand mounts and I’m often blown away at how massive they sound. Also, it’s one of the most beautiful looking speakers out there in my opinion.
+2 b_limo. Regarding the improving preamp vs. a speaker change question, yes speakers have much to say about the character of a system, more so than other components, however all components share in the quality of said system. You seem to be fairly happy with your system now. At that point an upgrade might best be accomplished using the weakest link approach. You are not in a hurry, think it through and explore your options.
3A Sig are a great speaker better mids and lows then the 2ce Sig II both are time a lined and phase corrected like all Vandersteens are but when you move up to Quatros and above you are getting into a nether league the powered bass with the eleven band Eq can be adjusted to any room and the speaker just open up and the speed from the upper bass through the mids and high is amazing and your amp isn't working as hard Love my Quatros would only change them for Kentos or 7s
I agree with the Dynaudio suggestion regarding Crutchfield---you can audition them and return them if you want. They're super customer friendly. You may also want to look at Tekton speakers. You get a lot of speaker for the money.
I have been wondering how the Quattro compares to the older 3A Signatures. Used 3A signatures are now available at quite reasonable prices given their tremendous reputation for excellent performance.
Have you considered Elac bookshelves or floorstanders? Ribbon tweeters will give you nice, sparkly highs that won't be edgy thanks to your MC. The ProAc K1 is also a nice, large standmount with a ribbon tweeter. Monitor Audio PL series might be out of your price range but the Gold series is highly rated. Of course if you were willing to stretch your budget a little, the Joseph Audio Pulsar would certainly be worth a look. I've listened to the B&W 805D after owning CM5s for years and honestly, they were nice but I didn't hear the step up in performance I was expecting coming from the CMs. With the size of your room, I think your money would be better spent with the best standmount you could swing plus a subwoofer that you can place in an optimal position in the room. And, of course, extensive room treatments. I was in your shoes and I wound up buying a used set of Magico Mini IIs here on Agon. I do not regret it.
didn't see anyone mention Vandersteens on my second pair started with 2ce sig II now have Quatros you can fine a used pair of Treos that would be in your budget
Why so few people know about Ascend Acoustics speakers is kind of sad. They do not advertise but you would be sadly missing out in not researching their products. Their Sierra towers out perform speakers at twice their price. Prices are set up to cover outrageous advertising expenses. Why waste that money?
Oh and one more thing to add to this. I’ve always been curious how the Klipsch Heritage line compares? Like the Heresey or Forte III I’ve never seen them in flesh, non of the local dealers/bestbuy has them. Also the JBL L100, which I believe falls in the same category.
I always imagined horn loaded speakers would have a more of a shouty mid range like you hear in live concerts. Not sure about their bass response given they seem to use paper surround cones than rubber long throw types. I assume the sheer diameter probably more than compensates for the throw.
Would be great to know you all’s thoughts on these in comparison to the ones on my list and whether they would pair well with the MC ?
@davidvanderbilt I agree, the treble from the B&Ws is second to none from what I’ve heard so far. It’s just the price is holding me back a little and whether for the price of the 805 bookshelves I could get some floor standers from other brands.
@hild45 Just wanted to keep my Amp and speaker discussions separately. Also since I bought the amp now, my focus has changed and the old thread was headed in a different direction.
@b_limo It’s a little complicated, so the dealer I’m working with does mostly installation projects and doesn’t readily stock stuff, he doesn’t have a show room, so its difficult to get demos. My second local dealer has a showroom (he caries B&W and Paradigm) is located in my old city which is 6 hours drive away, so I deal with him over the phone and have bought equipment from him before. As for Salks, of course those I was thinking of ordering from their own website, so no local dealer involved. Hope that clarifies it, sorry if it was confusing. Yea I’m the type of person who values B&M still and want to give my local businesses priority, especially given the current times we live in. And yea, I know my trusty Rotel is still coming along for the ride, I literally just got the MC152, so haven’t had a chance to look into preamps. MC was a deal so I had to pull the trigger.
@decooney You are right, after hooking the LS50s to the MC, I’m actually quite surprised at how well they sound even with the SB2000 off, I couldn’t believe the mid and lower mid bass these produce with such as small driver.
So is the over consensus pointing towards prioritizing a Preamp? I haven’t heard other preamps yet, but honestly I feel fine with Rotel for now. From what I read the Speakers would make the biggest difference rather than a Dac or Pre, which is why I was going to prioritize speakers. But let me know if I’m wrong in thinking that way. Thanks again for all the inputs! Appreciate it
@b_limo And whoa, $5000 amp? Might want to look into a new preamp first. I’d say that the Rotel is holding you back more than the LS50’s at this point.
+1, what b_limo said. Agree.
A few years back there was a member over on the AA forum who selected a Hegel P20 to mate with a MC152 amp. He originally started going for a Rouge preamp, and landed with the Hegel. He claimed to like the P20 better than a same brand MC47 preamp. Running a really nice preamp in front of my own mono amps makes it really nice to listen to. I too would not be so quick to jump away from the LS50s since you have a SB2000 sub. Open up the front end some more, it all starts at the source and preamp upstream No need for big floor standers in that size room imo.
“I’m going to be using my local dealer so I wont be able to audition some of these”
Im confused. Your using a local dealer but aren’t able to demo? And you have a good relationship with them? Hmmm.
Then you mention Salk... is your dealer brokering the deal with salk?
Just to let you know, there are many people who will be your friend if you are trying to give them $.
I do respect though that you are getting your advice from us to go buy at a B&M. Most people do it the other way. Waste the salespersons time then buy here.
I think I participated on the other (parallel) thread. Was that one running dry or unhelpful? Why start another one, here? Just curious what's missing for you.
That makes sense! Out of those on your list I’d gravitate towards one of the b&w sets. I had the focal aria 906 bookshelves for an in home trial and found them to be too fatiguing in the top end. The bass also seemed to be too much. I have the b&w dm604 s3 floor speakers and really like them. I assumed b&w would be fatiguing but they aren’t at all - very nice treble and detail without being harsh. I’m still surprised at how clear they are. Not sure if the newer models are this way. I am running them with an NAD receiver which is on the smoother side. I’d probably lean away from dynaudio only because I prefer metal based tweeters, eventhough I’m very sensitive to sibilance.
@davidvanderbilt I have considered them, but since I already have LS50s I was trying to explore other options. I understand the sound will be different, but still not all that attracted to the R series. Now if you ask me I would get the Reference-1s in a heart beat but they are just way outside my budget haha. And yes I have an SB2000 sub that I am more than happy with. If needed I might add another one. I also have a PB4000, but it ended up being overkill for my music only setup so its doing HT duties
Have you checked out the KEF R series floorstanders like the R7? Or the R3 bookshelves? I haven’t tried them myself (I am a KEF fan though) but to me it would make sense if you like the KEF sound those would be on your list. This is also assuming you have a good pair of subs in your system already.
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