Large mid/bass, soft-dome tweeter, high(ish) sensitivity


Hi everyone,

 

I’m looking for speakers with the above characteristics. By "large" mid/bass, I mean at least 8 inches, though less than 15. I mostly listen at low volumes, below 70db, so I want something that can come on song with ease, hence the larger driver and higher sensitivity. My room is also pretty reflective, with the rear wall almost entirely windows, so I’m looking for something with a forgiving treble response. I should also add that I'd prefer to keep the price ~$2000.

 

Wharfedale Linton seems to check most of these boxes, but I’m wondering if there’s something else out there that I’m missing. Let me know!

 

Thanks.

miwatk

@audionoobie one more thing—do your Vandersteens play nicely at low volumes? Steve Guttenberg said the 2Ce wasn't so great for low listening.

Many speakers OB or not benefit from being 4+ feet from front wall. IMO more important is to clear the space between the speakers as much as possible

@audionoobie my room is 20x15ft. I like what you’re saying about the Vandersteens, and they’re a good price. Their looks are so-so, but I think the Linton’s are kind of hideous!

 

I also have a KEF KC62 sub that I'll be using.

One more thing to add, I know you said you listen at relatively low volumes, but I’ve cranked the Vandys to ridiculously high volumes at times and they hold together. I’m not sure the same can be said about the Lintons. Also I felt the Vandy’s had more “meat on the bone.” Not sure how to translate that into audiophile terms.

I had the Linton's, but unfortunately I returned them because the highs were too rolled of for my liking... I was in love with the cabinets on them though... Beautiful looking speakers with their stands!

 

Vandersteen and Linton I would both consider warmish. Amazing mid-range, polite slightly rolled off highs. I think my Vandy 1ci's put out satisfying bass to where I don't need a sub. What are your room dimensions?

Please take this advice with a grain of salt. But I’ve heard the Lintons a couple of times. My impression was that my Vandersteen 1ci’s did everything the Lintons did but better. But those are two good speakers to put on your audition list.

I should add that I heard these speakers in two separate rooms with different gear driving both. I believe they were using the Rogue Pharoah to drive the Lintons. They were very pleasant sounding.

 

The Fritz speakers use around 7" Scanspeak woofers but they have excellent low frequency performance.  Highly recommended.

My room is also highly reflective, both front and back wall lots of glass. I love my Emerald Physics 3.4s are truly amazing, There is also a version of it adding a 15"  and another with 2 @ 15". If you're patient they come up from time to time. Very efficient, open baffle. See my Virtual Systems for a picture: scroll down to the bottom of any forum page, or click on my UN/Avatar