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“House” Character of Popular $20-$30k Speakers

I’ll be upgrading my speakers in a bit (after I add a turntable to my system). I’ve always thought that people two often end up attempting to correct or compensate for a quality they don’t like in one of their system components. My thought is that speakers and amps shouldn’t try to “correct” each other, but rather, they should complement each other, while sharing many similar qualities in their sonic signatures.

With that in mind, I’d describe my Gryphon Diablo 300 with the internal DAC (fed by an InnuOS Zenith MK3 streamer) as being rich, lively, engaging, slightly warm but moderately detailed, with dramatic dynamic swings that can often simulate a live sound. Smooth but energetic and engaging at the same time. My speakers I’ll be upgrading from are B&W 803 D2’s. Big full and bold sound but with finesse and moderate quickness too.

What brand of speakers would be along the lines of the sound I describe above? I’d be hoping to follow this sonic signature in my next speaker purchase, but adding some small capabilities with transparency and detail, imaging, and low end presence.

The speaker brands I have in mind to look into are:

-Magico (would check out the A5’s. I hear the A5’s could be too analytical for some, but have an excellent and clean bass presence.  Bust most rave about the A5)

-Sonus Faber (heard these are too relaxed for some?)

-Wilson Audio (if I can get over how they look)

-Monitor Audio

-Dynaudio: Maybe this brand could be a sweet spot?

-B&W: I’ve tested many and find them lacking in bass presence resulting in a mid forward style. That said the 802 D3’s I auditioned matched the sonic character of their upper ranges very well.

Would be interested in how others describe the house sounds if the brands above…

 

 

 

nyev

Showing 4 responses by jomonhifi

jomonhifi's avatar
jomonhifi
140 posts
 

How Much Fun...! New Speakers for $20k - $30k....!

 

So...

 

My personal experience..? With My Diablo 300...? (I now run ARC separates)

 

Best Sounding - Wilson Sasha DAW $37k

Best Sounding and Best Looking - Sonus Faber Serafino Tradition or Amati Tradition.

 

I've listened to Audio Note, B & W - Dynaudio - Wilson - Sonus Faber - Magico - Focal - Joseph Audio - 

 

My ear always returned to the Serafino's. (Amatis if I had a larger room)

 

Musical - Detailed and Fast - Real 30hz bass - Imaging like electrostatic with a large sweet spot. I actually have mine toed way out lately. and....they are gorgeous...! They party..! Sweet on voices.... I find the Gryphon a little dark and clinical, so I think the Serafino's really rounded that amp out. 

 

I had the Diablo and the Serafino's for about 6 months. DCS Bartok and mostly Nordost wires and connectors.

 

Have a blast...! Im jealous...!

jomonhifi's avatar
jomonhifi
140 posts
 

Do what I did… if you can lift the Diablo. If your dealer doesn’t carry that amp but has the speakers you like, schlepp the Gryphon with you…!

jomonhifi's avatar
jomonhifi
140 posts
 

My speaker dealer didn’t carry Gryphon products, so I schlepped my 90 lbs Diablo to the dealer and auditioned it with a bunch of speakers. There was an ARC 160s lying on the floor minding its own business so we compared it to the Diablo using an Aurender A10 as the solo source. No pre-amp.

 

Oh My Goodness…. That was a mistake…!

 

I came in for a new pair of speakers and walked out with a new amp.

jomonhifi's avatar
jomonhifi
140 posts
 

@nyev  Yes - You can absolutely use the A10 as a pre-amp. There is a setting in the app that lets you enable the volume control using the remote control or the dial on the front panel. There is only one input on the back and that’s a SPDIF input for a CD transport or any other digital source. There is no Phono-In for a TT. You can bring in a proper pre-amp at a later date. Like I said - It’s how I auditioned my ARC 160s side by side with my Diablo 300. (No slouch…!)

 

the 160s with the Serafino’s is really musical and satisfying. Beautiful imaging and soundstage with plenty of party…!

 

enjoy…!

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