the devores and the coincidents are great speakers. i will however mention, given 'your taste' in music and equipment, a killer speaker that rarely gets mentioned on these pages and rarely comes up for sale 'used' is the audes blues. an extremely listenable speaker that would make my very short list. |
Have you considered anything from Reference 3A? I had a pair of the De Capo Is and they were fantastic! |
You might also consider the Audiokinesis speakers- they are highly resolved and easy to drive. Duke is conservative about his ratings, compared to a lot of other manufacturers. |
As much as I love the Devore Gibbon 9's, and since you liked those, I suggest you audition the new Devore Gibbon 3XL's with a good sub-based system (e.g., REL B2). I believe you will find that the 3XL/B2 combination will significantly outperform the 9's for somewhat less money. And the 3XL's are quite a bit more efficient than the 9's. Good luck! |
Agree on Audiokinesis. I chose the Stormbringers (and have since moved up to the Jazz Modules) over the Devore Gibbon Super 8, Zu Druid, and, Audio Note AN-E. In addition to being easy to drive they are flexible as to room placement. |
YES on Audiokinesis. I've heard them at RMAF and was blown away. Very surprising for the money.
Duke is a first class guy as well.
http://www.audiokinesis.com/ |
Audiokinesis - thumbs up.
I would really, really recommend you make an effort to hear both Audio Note and Tonian. The Tonian TL-D1s are an absolutely astonishing speaker - and for the $, crazy. |
Good recommendation on the Tonian TL-D1's. Another fine speaker that somehow stays under the radar. |
Well I am coming to RMAF, swine flu permitting, so I hope to look out some of your suggestions. I like Audio Note, but they like corner positioning, no chance of that in my room. |
Audiokinesis are anything but compact and unassuming. I too was looking at something like the poster and everyone says Audiokinesis, then you look at the things and they are huge throwbacks from the 70's. |
The Devore 9's the OP is considering aren't that far off size wise than the Jazz Modules. I had a similar requirement for something compact and found the Stormbringers were not that much bigger than the pair of Spendor 1/2e speakers that I had. All the Jazz Modules do is extend the cabinet to the floor so no stands are needed. Duke has some new designs in the works so maybe they will be even more compact and available to hear at RMAF. I know each year I have gone his room was always in my top 5. |
The Jazz modules are 10% taller, 20% deeper, and get this, 70% wider than the nines. In my book that is significantly bigger. But jut my opinions, I am really bent on getting something that does not take up my living room.
Despite this I am very interested in hearing a pair of Jazz modules!! |
Check out KCS speakers. Talk to John and tell him what you are looking for. He can also build a custom design for your needs. |
David12,
First of all, relax, your choices are well thought out and will compliment the already fine system you've assembled.
I have auditioned the Da-RMa's, Coincident, Zu and DeVore's. They are all excellent. So now it's a question of taste and what how to 'get something' more.
To my ear, the DeVore's are ever so slightly to the polite side of perfect neutrality while the Daedalus are slightly forward. The DeVore's may image slightly better, the Daedalus have a wider and deeper soundstage. These are very small differences and I would be happy with either speaker. BTW, the fit and finish of both speakers is top notch. Both designers (Lou Hinkley and John DeVore) are great guys and in my experience, more than willing to answer your questions. Drop me an email of you would like...
Good luck and don't sweat this decision...the hard part is over. Let us know how things work out. |
David12,
I agree with Jazdoc's impression of the DeVore 9's as being slightly on the polite side of perfect neutrality. And they image very well as do all of the DeVore speakers. But what sets apart the Gibbon 3XL's from ALL other DeVore speakers is their complete departure from politeness. They are a whole new animal in terms of sound for the DeVore line while at the same time retaining DeVore's wonderful imaging qualities. I think you would be astonished at the difference from the 9's. I even prefer the Gibbon 3XL/REL B2 combination over the DeVore Silverbacks, which retail for nearly $17K per pair! |
I understand you to seek input from people who have experience with the Devore and Daedalus speakers. If you are open to other speakers, you may wish to consider the Escalante Fremonts. They are a true 93 db. efficient - many people run them with 15 to 25 watt/channel tube amps, as they are easy to drive and go really loud with very little power. I owned a pair for a year and traded them to Art Audio, which uses them in the voicing and development of their tube amps (the speaker is aimed squarely at people who own 20-30 watt/channel tube amps). I loved the Fremonts and traded them only because of their aesthetics, which clashed with the new decor of our living room. They're the only speaker I've owned that I truly regret having parted with. Here are two reviews (the reviewer in each case bought the review pair):
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue26/escalante_fremont.htm
http://www.stereotimes.com/speak042106.shtml |
I'm not sure of the exact models that I've heard, but both Devore and Daedalus speakers have impressed me a great deal. I don't think there's a wrong choice between the two, but smooth and refined as the Devores are, my personal priorities still steer me towards Daedalus. They have excellent dynamic contrast and tonal balance, and although I didn't get to spend a lot of time with them, to my ears they have characteristics consistent with long-term fatigue-free listening - something that I did not expect based on casually eyeballing them.
Duke
dealer/manufacturer |
Final choice?How many times have we said that? At least,I
hope you get a chance to try them at home!You sound like
a true audiophile. |
Thankyou all again, particularly the suggestion that Devore is slightly on the polite side of neutral and Daedalus slightly more dynamic. Thankyou in particular Duke, for recommending speakers other than your own. If yous are at RMAF, I will certainly look them out.
I picked out Devore and Daedalus, partly because they both look so good. My wife trained as an artist and interior designer and it is her house too, so I need to keep her happy. |
What about Merlin;don't know which model would work well with your amps but they are some of the best speakers made. |
I am sure Merlin are excellent, but as far as I know, they don't come in wood veneers. That is a deal breaker i am afraid |
David12, Of those you list only the Devores impress me. You might want to add the Reference 3A Grand Veenas also. I don't know which of these I would prefer. |
Raquel, you mention ArtAudio using Fremonts, Art Audio also use the Daedalus DA-RMa, and many other speakers. Their partner Gill Audio (David Gill) uses the Daedalus Ulysses as his reference. I have the Art Audio/Gill Alana pre and Elise DAC here and they are my reference... very neutral, excellent resolution and musical. The Fremont is a good speaker, just a different emphasis than some others. btw the Stereotimes reviewer who did the DA-RMa bought them.
thanks,
Lou |
|
David You may have already selected one of the fine speakers
that have been mentioned.
I can only add that I am somewhat familiar with your outstanding Solista.I heard it driving Sonus Faber Homage speakers beautifully and must say I have never heard this speaker sound as good with any other amp.
DeVore 9's are very good but not the equal of the Devore Silverbacks.Just my thoughts.Good luck in your selection |
Well I went to RMAF and enjoyed it enourmously by the way. Of the speakers I listened to, I liked Silverline, but the Bolero's were too expensive. The merlins were very nice, LSA, Von Scheikert with Moscode, but I ordered the Daedalus Da-Rma's, which hopefully are on the way to being made by Lou. Thanks for all your advice |
David,
Congratulations and welcome to the club! Let us know your impressions. |
