I need to be wowed


Next month I'll be starting my hunt for new speakers...new to me, at any rate.
And I will be obsessed...

What I've got:
Arcan Alpha 9
Plinius Integrated 2100i
Analysis plus 12's bi-wire
and shortly HT Pro MK2 IC's
and a *DOUZY* of a room:
http://www.geocities.com/sundaesundaesundae/audio.html
Oh, that room.I think that's the key....I learned early on how much room interaction plays in sound.

I listen almost strictly to classical music....small ensemble/piano/violin/but yearn for large scale to sound
wonderful too. Also listen to acoustical classical/folk/female singers...

What I want:Tonal quality most important....I tend to like laid back/dark sound but needs to be involving and have intensity...
and oh, yes....they must come in black.
What I don't want: Bright tweeters!

Just for comparison I had wanted to hear some stats but have been told there was no way bipoles could work with
in my room....although someone suggested Innersound Isis ....and Gradient(out of my price range)..
I had also been intrigued for a while by Newforms but the fact that most who own them feel the need to do
mods bothers me....I want to own them....not build them...

Any suggestions will be much appreciated!

allegro12

Showing 18 responses by allegro12

and the Sonus GP and Vienna acoustics always seem to be mentioned for my musical taste....
I'd say they definitely must be on my audition list...!
There's a Spendor dealer close by...who also carries Arcam and Plinius....
that'd be the next best thing to bringing them home....
Thanks....you helped me understand when a sub is needed....
appreciate your advice....!
I've exchanged a few emails with John Marks.....he's convinced those speakers are my ultimate ...
however, since I need to be wowed in every way..looks matter....and the SHAHINIAN wood only cabinets
wouldn't work in my room....(I like the hi-tech look...in fact, looks wise Piegas make me swoon)...and unlike most women, evidently, I want my audio equipment to be the focal point of my room..I'll risk stubbing my toe to have them right there..I *love* my music...

I may be missing out on my dream speakers but SHAHINIAN's are out...
appreciate your suggestion, though...thanks!
What B&W models.....floorstander?
I get a little nervous about B&W...have read too many people find them bright.....
I have a friend who says Vandies have that sweet mid-range I yearn for.....I think I must listen to these!
The close-by Spendor dealer has Dunlavy also.....I could make a day of it.....thanks!
SeanD....
Yes...I will! I had never really considered this sub issue before....I'm just a newcomer in all this...
but I've learned a *lot*...and I trust my ears...
thanks!
Nil...it's a speaker I hadn't considered until now...
I will give them a listen...thanks!
How is the ML on strings and horns? I'll be suicidal if I wind up with speakers that have ear-bleeder trumpets again!
Zaikesman....
That seems to be the consensus regarding dipoles..I'm not only locked into 2' from wall to front of speaker..
they just can't be placed *anywhere * other than where my present speakers are....
..so I'd better just not audition them.
It's always a shame to fall in love with something you can't have.

When I bought my present speakers (PSB 6T's) I was replacing 12 year old (gulp) Bose...and pretty much bought
the first speakers I heard. Then I replaced a crappy Sony recever and CDP and realized I was in a whole new zone..
I've been fighting the PSB's ever since (I find *them) objectionable...
bright/harsh...shallow/thin sounding...although imaging is great and piano music is really quite nice...
Thanks everyone for such thoughtful suggestions....(keep 'em coming!)
It'll be impratical for me to home audition so the more ammunition I'm loaded up with, the better.
My man has already moved *these* speakers around 1 too many times (he thinks they are "fine")...so I'm on my own.
I absolutely agree about placement..believe me....I can even hear the difference in an inch or two..
however, if you look at my room photos...there really is no way to alter placement...give or take a feet inches...
As I have the speakers right now the spiral staircase has only necessary clearance..any further out and you'd literally have to climb over the speakers to get upstairs...
.I even thought about reversing the room even though it'd be bizarre, but the only two pieces of furniture
wouldn't fit...
I'm really nor being inflexible for aesthetic reasons....it's just not possible to reposition...
I'd really love to...!
As for home audition....I will try...that's my biggest fear...that with these 22' high ceilings...nothing will sound
the same as in a demo room...
I didn't find the remark condescending...just passionate...and that's a language I understand.
Thanks,Bishop and Will!
Yes...that 22' slopes down to 9' behind the listener couch wall..(me being the listener)
..thank you for explaining that..it makes more sense to me now what happens to sound and why I apparantly have such a big problem...
..ceiling treatment would be aesthetically fine for me to utilize if it'd help....
More to discover