The Radiant, with Dynaudio drivers. www.paragonacoustics.com |
I would highly recommend the Legacy FOCUS, Signature III, their new "Empire" (mini-Whisper), or even the "Classic" at $2,500. I own the baby Legacy, the Studios, and am constantly amazed at the amount of bass they can produce from such a small box. Joysjane is right - with your requirements on "feeling" the music and your large room, a Legacy speaker with a 90+ dB sensitivity is the way to go. Trust me, when you get them in your room, you will not be disappointed! Use their 30 day in-home test policy and try them in your system. I bet you won't be sending them back! And your wallet will be happy too. I think you get alot of value for your hard-earned money from Legacy. Why not give them a try in your home and go out during those 30 days and compare them to the Dunlavys and Hales? Heck, you might even be able to get the Dunlavys or Hales on a loan for a few days for direct comparison. Either way, please post your findings and decision on this thread - I am curious to see what you ultimately decide! Happy listening! |
Just replaced my Infinity Kappas with a pair of Legacy Focus speakers.Absolutely fantastic,I would highly recommend them.Their sensitivity is 95db.Doesn't require a ridiculous amount of power to fill a room with sound you can actually feel.Bass is awesome(no sub needed)midrange is incredible.If you can audition a pair I recommend it.Get their literature and reviews and make up your own mind,that's what I did.Address is LEGACY AUDIO 3023 E. Sangamon Ave. Sprinfield, Il. 62702 Phone is 800-283-4644 e-mail www.legacy-audio.com I'm not selling jack sh.. just found an awesome speaker and love listening to my stereo system.Good luck and go with your ears. |
I have the same problem with a big room. I think our listening rooms if smaller and well treated would save us thousands of dollars. I have owned the DunlavyIV,IVA and now the V's. The V's are a 4 way speaker which sound night and day better than the IVA. |
No one has mentioned Aerial Acoustics nor Revel. In your price range, the AA 10T and Revel Studio, along with ProAc Response 3.8, are worth a listen. |
I'd like to suggest that you consider VMPS speakers. They are similar to Legacy and Dunlavy speakers in design (large, multi-driver speakers), with excellent dynamics and bass, and very good sound-staging ability. Also, they are very reasonable in cost compared to most speaker brands. They have a website (Stereophile.com links to it) and there are dealers around the country. I have a pair of Super Tower SE's upgrading from the Tower II SE's. Anthony Cordesman who has written for TAS, Stereophile and Audio magazines has championed them for years. Good luck. |
Dynaudio CONSEQUENCE period. I've had B&W all my life and never thought I'd switch but after seeing a pair in the flesh I had too buy them. First of all, most of the premier monitors available today utilize dynaudio drivers { wilson, eggleston, dunlavy, totem to name a few}. Second of all, since 1984, 1700 pairs have been made and would you believe I've never seen a pair for sale on all the mediums available. Thirdly, based on the size of your room would you believe that these monsters would fill it with 20hZ-30khZ. The only thilng I caution is that they require lots of juice-at least 200 watts with tonnes of current. They're only 83dB which means they'll only sound good if you can provide the juice. Also, they are simply to die for asthetically. Cllick on Dynaudio.com and observe for yourself. Mine are rosewood which look so good freinds who don't know anything about audio stop and inquire. I've just spent 2200.00 replacing all four 12" drivers and did so myself because the only person I trust is ME. My room is 13*27 and the sound amazing. Your room is the size I'd love but can't negotiate. By the way, my ceilings are only 7' which creates another obsticle. What are yours? Furthermore, I'm a McIntosh fanatic and the amps I use are 1000 watts a side. Call me and we can discuss further: the reasin I'm selling them is that I'm losing interest in audio and gaining interest in CHILDREN. |
Definitely the Dunlavy. I own a pair of SC-4 latest edition pre 4A. These speakers are absolutely fabulous. I have auditioned B&W N801, N802, Hales T5 and T8, Wilson Watt Puppy 6.0 with much better equipment than mine. No doubt I like them all BUT the DAL SC4 has something which all the others don't have which is soul/life in the music. The others sound just fine but lack the realism and scale/ size of the performance. Sounds more real too. Properly setup the SC4 does not have shortcomings like many describes ie. no bass and bright upper mids. If you have more coin to spend, go for the SC4A's. I have not heard them personally but they are an improvement over the SC4's. Email me if in doubt. I stand by my word. Let me know what you decide. mansenglai@yahoo.com |
|
Ken, I spent a lot of time listening to Dunlavy's and Hales. Both great speakers. I have decided on a pair of dunlavy SC-III's. The thing I love about the Dunlavy's is that they are so natural. I can listen for hours at a time without a hint of listener fatigue. There are other speakers out there that will have more thrill factor when auditioning but the Dunlavy's simply make glorious, natural music. The soundstage and imaging is unbelievable. As my friend likes to say, it's like taking a bath in the soundstage. For your size room and budget I'd give the SC-IVa's a listen. I have'nt looked back 1 second after my purchase of the Sc-III's, they are a great speaker. |
i recently underwent the exercise/agony you're going through. after auditioning the dunlavy, b&w, wilson and about 5 other lines, i was stunned with the performance of the dunlavys. the sc IVA's and V's are incredible! listen to as many speakers as you can, and if you like the dunlavys, get in contact with brian at hellohifi and see if he has a demo pair for you. good luck! |
After months of listening and asking similar questions, I decided to forget what other people said and just listen to the my music. I used 5 CD's from my collection that I had heard many times. I finally purchased the ProAc 2.5 Speakers and love them. They sound good to my ears on all types of music both loud and soft. I am using a Meridian 508.20 and the Jeff Rowland Concentra Integrated amplifer with ProAc 2.5. Good luck. |
I'm going through the exact same thing you are. I have a list of about 7 to 10 speakers and the legacy's Hales, and Dunlavys are all on my short list. I heard the Dunlavy 4A's and was floored. It seems they have taken the best of dynamic speaker design and perfected it. It put my Nestorvics to shame. I wasn't as much impressed with the Hales 5 or the Dunlavy Athena. I'm intrigued by the Transcedance 8 and would like to audition these speakers. My advise: hear the 4A's and if you like them, don't despair over the price. You can always pick-up a pair used for the price range you are looking for. Would appreciate it if you E-Mail me to let me know how you made out (Rhoogasi@rcn.com). Good luck. were both good. |
Ken, I compared Dunlavy to Hales and I thought the Dunlavys were much better, I also preffer them to the Dynaudio stuff. I bought a used set of SCIVs for 2700.00 and have been very happy with them. I however have not heard the Legacy line of speakers. I think the excellent reviews that the Dunlavys always seem to receive says a lot for them. In many cases the reviewers actually purchase the speakers they are reviewing. Good luck |
I really don't think you can go wrong with a pair of the Legacys. Check out their wewsite and call them. You can try them at your home on your equipment and if you don't like them, return them. You will not be disappointed! E-mail me if you wish for specific discussion at: pbhs_st_lk@noeca.ohio.gov Larry |
Either Dynaudio speakers, or speakers with Dynaudio drivers. I own both. Scanspeak drivers (as in Nova, PBN, etc.) are great also. However, you'll never fill that room with the deepest and smoothest quality bass without augmenting with the best active subs. I SUGGEST YOU GET ASC TRAPS ALSO, OR FORGET ABOUT QUALITY ALL TOGETHER. (There's a reason 99% of show exhibitors don't go without them...Even the AES "standard" room model assumes that ALL first reflections are damped). And in-home auditions are a must...I do hope in waiting so long that you've already auditioned a few contendors. |
Ken, given the size of your room, I don't think you can go wrong with Dunlavy SC-IVA's, even the IV's are a bargain used and woth seeking out. With the IVA's you won't need your sub unless you have an lfe out on your pre-amp. I've owned the SC-IV's and now own V's. Seek out a local dealer to demo these. hifigy |
Get a pair of Legacy Focus or Signature III's and you will get everything you want. No sub needed. As you go they will take them on trade so you can eventually get the Whispers. |
Ken, I'd consider Thiel 1.5 set on dual Velodyne 15" remote controlled subs. EVERY review I've seen praises the Thiels (about $2200/pair). Also, there is so much variation in bass mixes these days that you should have control from your chair. Try to borrow this combo and audition before you buy(make sure the Thiels are broken in). I think you'll be pleased. Regards, Ken (auidophile for 30 years) P.S. Ever notice how the coolest guys are named Ken? |
ken, you may call AVMS toll free 888-803-3770. send your address to tonyscimemiavms@worldnet.att.net for literature. i can help you avoid costly mistakes! thanks,tony. |
ken, obviously there are many choices among speakers. since i am in the business of selling speakers i would love to talk to you about speakers(mine AND others'). i believe i can help you go in the right direction! Regards, tony scimemi, pres., audio video multimedia solutions. |
For waht you are describing the Legacy Classics,signatures or Focus are incredible at loud with plenty of bass.can be a bit aggressive,and not the last word in bass definition, but they quality rock, play loud and clean and are efficient.find a pair used and have fun. |
