“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

one dealer that has the A5’s, Dynaudios, Paradigms, AudioVectors, and Sonus Fabers, and Monitor Audios. 
 

You are VERY fortunate.  Bring your Diablo to audition - best to give dealer time to set up which brand/models you want to demo.  Also, if dealer doesn’t have the particular brand+model, maybe demo the brand anyway to get an idea of the brand house sound.

This dealer is about a three hour trip from where I live. I might break it up into multiple days when I go and leave the Diablo at the shop if they let me. I find that intensive listening can be a mind game where you can easily fool yourself. I’ve found that in many cases your first impressions can either improve or degrade after time, once your ears and mind are given a chance to adjust. When I was amp shopping a few years back, I was dehydrated and had been rushing around. Resulted in a very useless auditioning session. I find it quite stressful as I tend to perpetually second guess my conclusion until my conclusions eventually stabilize. It’s a lot of work! Also I tend to find some sort of intolerable fault in 95% of what I test. I almost gave up before I discovered the Diablo 300. As someone said, the Diablo isn’t totally neutral and it’s slight coloration is part of the reason I love it so much. Although, one recent pro review claimed they coloration came from the intrernal DAC module and not the amp. Either way the sound is great, but I probably would have saved a ton of cash if I hadn’t found it!

Going to have to start getting in shape so I can lug that thing to the shop without tweaking my back…. Not even joking.  Although we’ll probably make it a family trip and get a hotel for a few nights, so I will have help!

The Sound Environment in Kansas City carries Rockport, Focal, Wilson and Gryphon.  You could likely hear several from your list in the same place.  

I have owned Focal and they can be analytical depending on the Amp.  I traded Sopra 2 for Wilson Sasha 2 and as much as I enjoyed the Focal's, I like the Wilson's better.  That said, I did not care for Wilson Yvette with Gryphon.  It was too warm for my taste, but you may like the sound.  

I have a friend who just got a set of Paradigm Persona 9H. I haven't heard them yet. He is super picky and says they are phenomenal. I'll try to invite myself over soon for a listen and will report my findings. 

Been using the Focal Sopra 2's for 6 years now with the Esoteric F-05 and K-03XD. Sopra 2's are stunning. Wide deep soundstage, great imaging, tight articulate bass. They don't seem analytical to me at all. I auditioned them against several of the aforementioned speakers. It was like buying a puppy. Take the one that jumps out and comes to you.