I'll tell anyone who will listen to check out Omega Speakers. Their 4.5 inch drivers have a quick and wide presentation and sound great with a sub. Their Alnico drivers have great tone and have a really compelling "layered" kind of sound. Plus, all of their speakers are pretty efficient. Totally worth checking out.
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Depends..... how big is this Giant?? Zu Dirty Weekends at $1000. It may not be your last speaker, but it should maybe be your first or second. I have 3 other pairs of speakers in the $5k range, and I am liking the DWs VERY MUCH! All 4 pairs are full range and of very different designs, and the DWs can hang with them in overall enjoyment. Oh... and they look cool too..... |
"Everyone's favorite is a "giant killer". Has to be in order to assuage the restless ego. Heaven forbid you actually spent money on an average performer!" No ego here... and I think I spent my money on an average performer. "A purported giant killer that can't do under 35Hz +/-3dB? Really? I think not." Maybe a speaker itself won't do that... but with proper placement it's not to hard to make the room go that low. I only use my sub for movies... so something is working for me. :) |
Wharfedale and Quad when you are 2 of the very very few vertically alligned companies in the game with odles of money and R&D at your disposal with Peter Comeau 1 of the best designers ever, it's a no brainier....The Wharfedale D330 is a killer lil Floorstander, the Diamond 11.1 just continues the Diamond tradition, the Heritage Linton and Denton models, and the Quad S and Z lines. The new Evo4 line and the Flagships will be dropped soon, real music at real prices with killer build and technology! |
@douglas_schroeder Absolutely every other poster here has been supportive and encouraging. Does it feel good to poop in the punch bowl? Funny that you are the first to mention ‘ego’. I wonder why that is? |
Everyone's favorite is a "giant killer". Has to be in order to assuage the restless ego. Heaven forbid you actually spent money on an average performer! Audiophiles need to think they hit a home run with their system while others hit a double, or perhaps a triple. Imo, when you ignore major shortcomings in design and performance you have automatically disqualified your "giant killer". A purported giant killer that can't do under 35Hz +/-3dB? Really? I think not. A panel that sounds dynamically dead compared to a horn as a giant killer? Uh, no. Just because you happened to get a speaker sounding terrific to you in no way means it's inherently superior to any given other speaker. :) |
While I recognize most of the brands mentioned, (and realize I'm way out of my league), I got off the merry go round 13 years ago when I stumbled upon some lower end Mirage omnipolar speakers on closeout for $200 each. They sound almost as good as Maggies... and better than any point source speaker I have heard to date. Except for maybe Vienna. The best thing with the Mirage Omni... is that there is no "off axis". The room becomes like a giant pair of 3D headphones. I was going to upgrade to the OMD's, (and bi-amp)... but they are NLA. :( |
To dave123456 and thecarpathian Thank You for your kind response. I have a pair of the CBM170 and that is what inspired me to try the 340's. In my opinion with all things considered with customer service being one of them Ascend Acoustics delivers the best value and service I have ever seen. The products that they offer provide excellent value, and they stand behind them 100%. With a 30 day trial period and bomb proof shipping I don't see how you could go wrong. |
llamalip, the original Ascend cbm-170 was suppose to be the ultimate giant killer back in the day. I owned them in 03’-04’ (when I was 18 years old) and felt they were pretty good, but maybe too good for the equipment I had at the time. They did sound very good with a cheap Fisher turntable and Onkyo tx-8511, but fatiguing with cd’s. I’d love to hear the updated 170se now that I’m into tube amps and have a better digital source (Sangean hdt 20 and Tidal). Maybe I’ll pick up a pair just for the nostalgia. |
I just purchased a pair of Ascend Acoustics CBM340SE and TP24 stands which I filled with 60lbs of kiln dried sand and I am impressed to say the least. For $716 including shipping and $15 for 120lbs of sand I got a bargain! I own Revel, Canton,ADS, Polk, KEF, HSU Research and Fluance as well and I have to say that these speakers are my favorites so far, and they have a terrific midrange response. If there is truth to break in I can't wait for that if they sound this good out of the box! |
Very few, if any, contributors to this excellent question are providing REASONS why a specific speaker is a superior VALUE for the price...IE, “a true “giant killer”. Here are the money reasons why this relatively little known brand IS: 1) they are shipped in a DIY “kit” in between about 4 and 7 packages depending on the model chosen (from 4 different countries, each of which make the specifically selected components) 2) Shipping costs are therefore substantially more cost effective. It’s cheaper to ship 7 “little” boxes that 2 gigantic ones that require a pallet and special handling and delivery requirements. 3) they are shipped from the individual manufacturers of each of the components DIRECTLY to you...not to a retail dealership, who needs to pay costs for retail premises, staff, commissions, insurance, electricity. heating and air conditioning, business taxes, inventory, etc., etc. This is a HUGE cost of buying at a retailer! Ask yourself, what’s the mark- up (wholesale to retail) by the dealer and WHY does that have to be that way? Well, it does have to be that way or the retailer will nor be in business. 4) YOU assemble the components. It’s simple, if you know one end of a screwdriver from the other. It took me 5 hours. Therefore, I paid no one a dime for the cost to have someone else do that. 5) the reason these speakers are so “under the radar”, is because the “manufacturer of the speaker systems”, does not spend vast sums of money advertising in trade magazines. Huge savings in his overhead, making it possible for him to pass saving on to the purchasers while still achieving his required profit. Every speaker company requires profit! 6) So how does this speaker system “manufacturer” sell? Trade shows, and word of mouth...personal referrals, and from the most extensive and informative Web site I have ever seen... smart marketing in the money sense. AND, number one, VALUE FOR OUTSTANDING SOUND!!! Without achieving that, you are dead in the water. (Well, maybe not. It’s surprising what people will buy with such little due diligence.) As an additional bonus, you can customize them with your choice of several different (nearly) full range driver choices, including Voxative models, Tang Bang, Horns, etc. Etc. Additionally, those drivers are exchangeable/upgradable in the future with the easy modification to the crossovers (which you also assembled... with nothing more than that same screwdriver. Therefore, you can upgrade with out selling 80 % of your speaker system. SOUND: the model I selected for a rather large listening room, (PAP Quintet Horn 1 Neo 15) with 4 15” neodymium magnet (very fast) woofers, (in each speaker) NO subs required!!!! .... exceeded IN EVERY RESPECT, the excellent sound of the Martin Logan Montis that I had enjoyed for the past 5+ years. And I mean EVERY respect! So go through the 50 or so words we use to describe sound from speakers, and check off every one of them. This brand offers several models, with numerous choices for “centre” drivers to customize the sound for your preference. One last comment. The model I chose, besides being able to fill my large room, are about 96 dB efficient. I can blow myself out of my chair with my 8 watts, but apparently, 4.5 watts will do the same. That's what they are demoed with at the trade shows. You can save a LOT of $$$$ on not needing huge, expensive power amplification! At double the price of new, these would likely rival many of the “best” out there, and simply blow away the vast majority! You want to know WHY a speaker is a “giant killer.... now you know. Do yourself a favour, if you know one end of a screwdriver from the other, (and can use an Allen wrench) and check this brand out before you buy either new or used. I have no vested interests... just sharing some FACTS to consider, prompted by the question that was asked. I am extremely grateful to the person that l learned about this little known brand from, thank you again, Rachel! PS: AI wish I could post a photo of my pair... I customized the open baffle German white oak in which the 15’s are mounted and these are now( I guarantee) one if a kind, in appearance. Ken |
Helsinki Gradients and a pair of 15" sealed box Rythmik subwoofers; subwoofer integration with DSpeaker X4 (active crossover, room correction); Imaging/reproduction of space, texture, micro-detail, tonality are wonderful; voices, piano, guitar, violin - all sound life like. System is linear down to 20 Hz (and below). No room treatment necessary, no searching for sweet spot - sounds excellent in the entire room (30' x 15', slanted ceiling). Total cost ca. $13k. |
I'll throw out the Anthony Gallo Acoustics Reference 3 series (.0, .1 and .5) for discussion. These speakers were/are highly regarded by hobbyists and the audio press alike. The MSRP was ridiculously low given their capabilities and these speakers are an absolute steal on the used market today. My 3.1's have been my reference since buying them more than 15 years ago. Someday, I hope for them to be the weak link in my system holding me back from the next level of performance so that I can justify buying something else. ;-) I drive the second set of voice coils in the woofers with a dedicated amp which allows for the speakers to nominally reach down to 22 Hz. I am sure there are better performers out there (and some don't care for their aesthetic), but I would love for others to chime in with a list of contenders at a similar price point. If other such gems are out there, I'll put them on my short list and would love to hear them. Here is a blast from the past review that is typical of the fawning elicited from the audio press back in the day: http://https//hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_1/gallo-reference-speakers-1-2007-part-1.html Good topic, OP. Thanks for suggesting it. |
+1 for Magnepan .7, but them new, they’re a nightmare to repair. I swapped amps but today they’re running with a mint B&K 2220 I bought for 250$. Ordered in the same color that my room’s walls to get WAF. But depends on your music and the source, mine being Bluenode 2i with Tidal straight into the amp... |
I believe they’re from Lithuania. Several reviews out there, including this one: https://www.tonepublications.com/review/the-audiosolutions-figaro-m-speakers/ Pity that there only seem to be four dealers at the moment in the USA https://www.highendbyoz.com/ |
Absolutely without a doubt the new Sonus faber Sonetto 5's. I've owned Focals, B&W 702's and 705's (originals) and Sonus faber Venere 2.5's. For $4,999.00, these speakers far outperform their cost, and compare very favorably to others at twice the price or more. Designed and built in Italy with new woofer design and trickle-down tweeter design, the Sonetto's sing beautifully. Imaging, detail, separation, and easy placement are strong qualities. And their look speaks for itself. |
Vandersteens - all of them. I honestly prefer the 2s to the 3s, even though the 3s are more accurate, and the 2s with a pair of the subs over the 5s, for the same reason. 2s are a bargain classic, but I like the later larger models which have better tweeters as well as what is basically a subwoofer built in. My 4As have stood up very well and the 5s are just a refinement of them, in a sense, and should be available used now for a decent price (c. $7K) |
Audiofool1....no joke about those Amphion speakers. They are actually somewhat popular in the pro audio world as mix and some mastering speakers in recording studios. I see them all the time at my music instrument trade shows and in some studios. another speaker that will blow away consumer speakers is Barefoot Audio. These like the Amphion speakers are self powered and have become one of the top rated recording studio speakers. They are accurate, detailed, wide listening sweet spot. |
I have auditioned many speakers over the years from $3k-$300k and IMHO I was blown away when I heard a little known speaker in the USA that was reasonably priced retail $6k that crushes many speakers more than 5x,10x their price. The speaker is made by Amphion in Finland. The price performance is oof the charts. I spent approximately two years auditioning speakers and amps before investing. When allocating a significant amount of money for a high end system, after all that testing, I bought the Amphion Argon 7L on the spot. They are quite efficient at 91db. When paired with a good amp you will be delighted. I actively continue to audition speakers and amps and thus far have not found a speaker that outperforms at this price range. Worth a listen if you can find a dealer. |
In general dipoles play nicer with your room than box speakers, hence Maggies, and my current home built Fostex 103/Eminence Alpha 15s. Quad ESL 57. For me the 63s and their derivatives throw too much treble and midrange energy into all but the largest rooms. Vandersteens - all of them. I honestly prefer the 2s to the 3s, even though the 3s are more accurate, and the 2s with a pair of the subs over the 5s, for the same reason. |
I find that the Dutch and Dutch punch well above their weight, in particular due to their acoustic design. I wouldn't describe them as being necessarily cheap, but when you consider that they have all of the electronics already on board (amplification, dacs, dsp, room eq, and eventually roon), the value proposition starts to become very strong. |
