I think for your tastes, Sonus Faber is a very good choice. You might look into their TOY model, and if you want more bass, their TOY tower. If you can find them used, the Liuto is a great option. Another option is PSB Synchrony B monitors, or Imagine T towers. Both nicely musical and under your price range. |
Why 7 years? Why not 6 or 8? I like you amp and preamp and liked them both. (Especially the amp). What have you heard so far that you like? |
Sorry, but I forgot to ask about the price. It looks like you are trying to fit into a certain price range as opposed to finding a speaker that works well with your equipment. Personally, I find quite often, that price is not all that relevant when choosing equipment. |
Thank you all, folks.
To Manitunc - you are correct, I did look at Liuto.
Though while I was looking through posts here I saw a couple stating that the GPH being an older issue somehow had more sweetness to it then the new ones like Liuto. Have not heard that related to TOY line though, need to check this out, I have not heard neither by the way so far, just trying to build an opinion in terms of price if this is at all possible before I look for the dealer place to audition.
To Xxqq250 - very well may be 8 or even more. On the price - looking for something that will make reasonable return on investment given the setup that I have. If $1.5K will be enough - great, if $5K will make more sense - so be it. For now I am pretty happy with these CJ babies though. I did go to a couple of dealers on Manhattan, ironically nothing I heard I didn't like, I didn't find any Souns Faber though to audition, still looking. Regards, Anatoliy |
The reason I brought up price is that, in many cases, there is no correlation between price vs sound quality. I find that quite often, a less expensive component will outperform a more expensive one. My system is a good example of what I am talking about. Currently I have a Wadia CD player going into an Aesthetix (I might have spelled that wrong) preamp into 2 Ayre V5's that drive a pair of Vandereteen 2cesig2 in a vert biamp. Cables are Audioquest and I have 2 Vand matching subs. So if you add up the cost of all the components in my system it's going to be about $ 25,000 to drive a pair of $2000 speakers. Even though there is a huge price difference, the speakers are not at all outclassed by the electronics. The point I am trying make is that it would be foolish to dismiss a component because it doesn't cost alot.
For your system I will list some speakers you might like. I would urge you, though, to not buy anything without a good demo, regardless if I or anyone else makes at recommendation.
Vandersteen 1 or 2 (I bet you could have guessed that one), Devore, ProAc, JM Labs (Focal), Used Meadowlark, Spendor, Aerial.
I know I'm forgetting a few. When I remember them I will post them for you. |
If you have the room I would look at the dunlavy scIII and IV's that are for sale. |
Avs9,
I have the Sonus Faber Concerto Domus floorstanders.
These have a Vifa ringtweeter I like very much.
I think these sound great on piano & female vocals.
I also belive they are a good match for your CJ amp.. |
Thanks, folks, I think I have a much better starting point right now with your feedback. Looks like I will need to backup a little and do some more legwork and do the same I did with pre-amp and amp - bring another pair of speakers to my place and listen then make a choice.
Another thing I forgot to mention - the room is only 14x11 ft. The Dunlavy ones that Rleff mentioned look great but like he said - I need to do the room upgrade first :) Gonna spend this week walking around Manhattan and visit some audio dealers...
Best Regards to all |
Dare I suggest you try to find someone who can demo a pair of Tonian Labs TL-D1 speakers? They are musical first, and can be detailed or even analytical second, depending on your set up. They excel at chamber, piano, violin and small ensemble works as well as vocal. Anything acoustic. Symphony can be done provided, again, on your setup. Just don't expect thunderous, thumping bass, which by your tastes, I don't expect you desire.
My room is similar (10' X 15') and my set up is along the shorter of the two long walls (12') and they work very well. With every advance I make with my front end, they have no trouble keeping up and in fact, welcome the improvements, leaving me wonder just how much potential these speakers have. |
Audio Connection in Verona,NJ is 30-40 min. ride from NYC (bus stops right at their door) and you will have an experience unlike any you can get anywhere else.
I've been a happy customer for 30 yrs.
They're heavy into analog and tubes and should you need any service or set-up their turntable Guru,Nick, is purported to be the "finest set-up guy east of the Mississippi!!"
Check out their website for all the brands they carry. |
For whatever reason, no one has mentioned the placement of your components. Are you actively listening or just enjoying background music? |
I would be checking out the new devore gibbon 88 or a used pair of devore nines. Might also try to audition some tannoy glenair 12 or 15 as well. |
Tabl10s - yes , just sit down and listen, nothing else at this time. No background at all
Thank you |
Devore nines would be perfect. I had a similar system - still wish I had it. |
Wonder what could be said about the Zu Audio Essence?
30 Hz lower range seems attractive, 97 Db won't be too much for CJ MV60SE? 60 days return policy should buy some ease of mind. People say they are better suited for classical, though I heard some responses stating they can be on a bright side. Strongly thinking about them at the moment. |
With that size of room, you might consider the the Zu Omen ($999 on sale right now, 60 day return policy). I have the Omen Defs and they are fantastic, but I have a pretty large room. Zu's are high on musicality. The Tekton Lore's have been getting some rave reviews on Agon, but run a little more than the Zu omen right now. |
Zu Audio Essence is the least favorite in the Zu line up for me. I have owned the Essence and the Omen Defs and if you have $5000 to spend, call Sean at Zu and ask him about the Definition mkiii's. Maybe he has a B Stock pair that he would sell you for a good price. That would be a much much better speaker than the Essence IMO and in the opinion of many Zu owners. Even the Superfly's would be preferable to the Esence if you prefer musicality. The Essence are more "hi-fi" sounding, whereas the rest of the Zu line up is more musical, more engaging, and just all around a better speaker.
If you would like to spend less, the Tekton Pendragons are spectacular for the price. They are very similar to the Zu's.
Both of the company's have great owners and both Sean at Zu and Eric and Tekton are easy to talk to and will spend all the time with you that you need to make a decision. You can't go wrong with either nor will you find more musical speakers out there IYAM. |
I have owned several Sonus Faber speakers and found that the Grand Piano Domus towers are a great speaker for the money. Maybe $2600-$3200 used. I owned them as well as the Concertino Domus monitors (also very good). I currently have the orig. (and best) Bremona towers. |
Thanks for the response, Morganc. Yes, you are correct, I like it more musical. I like the freq range with Zu and their driver seems impressive, let me look at options as you indicated
Regards
Anatoliy |
To Audiofreak32 - yes, I like the way Sonus Farber, I have not heard them though. May be a bit less sensitive |
Avs9, Do you plan on keeping your speakers close to the front wall like in your system pictures? If so, maybe a front ported or sealed speaker might be a good option.
Todd |
Hi Todd, I moved them about a foot and a half from the wall, just forgot to update the pics, thank you for the catch
Anatoliy |
