2. speakers
  3. 164250-459

Low power- transparency, dimension, dynamics and bass, or...

I've built several mature and immature systems over the years. That’s part of the fun for me. I’m exploring the possibility of getting the three dimensional sound of a monitor, with the tectonic plate shifting bass of a high quality sub. Can anyone speak to an integration point of say 50-80hz where it made more sense to focus on a high quality smaller speaker (in a medium sized room) vs a "full range" (35hz) speaker? In my experience the full range speaker can have more slam but not necessarily the imaging or quality of drivers. The monitor can struggle with dynamics. This also has me considering smaller horns or dual concentric drivers, but would they be difficult to integrate with a traditional sub or two? I’ve always been a fan of class a and tubes presentation but open to ideas.
I recently had a pair of O/93’s with great dynamics and bass to 30hz but disliked the dimensionality and upper mids of that speaker. I value dimension, image, dynamic ease, transparency, warm side of neutral. Trying to keep this speaker adventure under $6-8k used. I’ve talked to a few people that have said forget low power, increase speaker budget and go for Treo’s or a set of bigger Tannoys. Speakers would be 9 feet apart could be 2’ out 2’ from corners/open floor plan to larger space.

Some ideas- would like to hear bigger Harbeths with subs
Try the Soul Supreme with subs?
Arden, or Autograph mini with dual subs never heard Tannoy
Treo- owned older Model 5, 12 years ago for a limited time- tech seems to have really improved.
Horns but feel like the integration of technologies will be a challenge.
Single driver same issue as horns right?

bjesien

Showing 1 response by fsonicsmith

fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
938 posts
 
You can get good soundstage depth and width and imaging with the O/93's if you have 1) a good front end, 2) good electronics, preferably tubed, 3) Auditorium 23 speaker cable (there is no substitute) and 4) move the Orangutans out into the room and use Jim Smith's grid system until you look things into place. Monitors are without a doubt easier to place for soundstaging and imaging. Good monitors will always do better on imaging, but not soundstaging. With my DeVores I get startled by sounds unexpectedly coming at me from space. It can be done. There is no free lunch. Want a seamless broad array of musicians or vocalists in front of you with life size dimension? Very few monitors will give you that. Try the Mapleshade release "Arc Choir" with monitors and then with the O/93's. 
Without a doubt, there is a slight "dark hole" combined with what I will call a furry quality in the upper midrange of the O/93's. It can be minimized with proper placement but yes, it is there and if it is deal breaker, move on. 
More to discover