I have 3 amplifiers:
Marantz PM6005
Class D Audio SDS-400C
Yamaha A-S801
I’m not using any tube gear, DAC/pre is Fostex HP-A3, only playing FLAC/MP3 files from computer
Budget will be roughly less than 2K. I’m thinking to try Dynaudio Exite X18 perhaps, need to check the price though, I'm ok with used item as long as the condition is good |
Guys thanks for all the great recommendations:
Harbeth P3ESR - I heard only good thing about this speakers, but I just wonder how much improvement compare to the Wharfedale Denton I currently own, it can be just not much I get, especially in terms of bass, dynamic and power? The Malaysia price of this is enough to buy a larger monitor
ProAc SC1 or D2 - Actually I'm wainting someone to let go, but I just keep waiting, no news yet...
Omega, Fritz, Reference 3A, Speaker Art, Tekton speakers - I'm afraid I'm not able to audition these great speakers at Malaysia because simply N/A
KEF LS50 / R300 - The price is indeed very high at Malaysia here, they are really famous anywhere I've seen in shops, I feel a bit hesitate to audition KEF LS50 as I think the bass would be quite limited for orchestra music, physical driver size limitation just always happen to me when listening to smaller speakers, indeed I'm looking for medium size speakers, not too small not big like floorstander, something like 6.5inch woofer driver, with almost perfect tonal balance, KEF R300 would be a great option consider that, but then the price is shockingly high, almost absurd if it make sense to me
My best bet would be used item like Dynaudio Focus series, or ProAc D2 which very rare in sale, another option I'm eagerly waiting to audition is Sonus Faber Venere 1.5/2.0, the resell price is indeed very attractive, half of original sale price, but that would be curious to me why? |
@chrisr Marantz PM6005 is a good but not a great match with Denton as I feel the bass a bit color from the amp, initially the Denton has enough bass already, I would say that the Yamaha a better cleaner amp in bass, the Yamaha can provide neutral sound, thus some standmount like Diamond 9.1 the bass will sound just as much as the 5in woofer size, nothing more nothing less |
@seikosha oh, that means Omega speakers are not forgiving type for some less than perfect recording? |
@seikosha I got you sir, that means Omega is not my type of speakers, I love music too much and not willing to sacrifice some of poorer mastering but soulful piece of recording |
I just watch a Z review about Buchardt S200, claimed to go as low as 37hz, interesting, made and designed in Denmark, anybody? I'm interesting how musical, dynamic and powerful is this speakers? The name sound to me like 'Butcher' haha |
There is a used pair of Joseph Audio Pulsar on sale here at Malaysia, USD 3.5K, that’s still way beyond my affordable budget, you see it’s hard to find something good and affordable nowadays, especially my country now suffer a serious drop of currency value |
@toneski Oh my
Haydn Grand Symphony Edition, > USD 2000 a pair!!! |
@soix haha, but still got one thing I dun like about the Joseph Audio Pulsar, the finish is glossy, I prefer something like real wood veneer without glossy finish, as shiny surface looks uncomfortable to me from time to time |
@cb5300 Oh, it looks so small, first glance of it did not draw my interest, I thought it look a bit weird, with the ribbon tweeters? |
@4play The metal tweeters could be the concern for me, as I'm using a Yamaha A-S801, may sound bright on some materials? |
@stanwal I think Spendor speakers is great, but not sure the modern design still keep the bloodline and heritage |
@seanheis1 You are right on that, the Denton really lack dynamic if really need to go extreme sometimes, can be a bit laid back for some |
@seanheis1 Yeah, only read good things about the JBL Studio 530, but I honestly do not like the look and how it is put on stands |
@tak1 Thanks for your suggestion, actually I got take into consideration for the speaker, but I still dun like how it look and need to sound better with the phase plug, and the ribbon tweeters does not look ok to me too, besides that, I'm not able to audition the speakers too |
@shadorne I'm eyeing on ATC SCM11 v2, price is not cheap but at least affordable, I read somewhere claimed that this is a redesigned for home users and more forgiving to listen compare higher end pro series like SCM20 and models beyond that, what do you think? My only concern would be the Yamaha A-S801 amp gear matching, not sure the total package include DAC works well with the ATC? |
@knownothing Actually both Wharfedale Denton & Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 works well with Fostex HP-A3 DAC/preamp + Marantz PM6005, I'm not replacing both, I'm looking for another system for medium room setup. I agree DAC maybe one of the reason you get different sound, but as far as I can tell the DAC within Fostex is good enough to let you hear everything from 50 oldies up until today, no jokes. For amp, I have 3, include the Marantz, the other 2 are Class D Audio SDS-400C and Yamaha A-S801, the Yamaha seem a bit picky on matching, not that it sound horrible, it just sound not great enough if pair with the wrong speakers. As I mentioned from first post, I can hear a hot sizzling effect from System Audio 705 from the tweeters when high frequency reach certain condition, so my gears are fine so to conclude, try this track from Libera - Ave Maria, there are few versions, try the one with high frequency beaming, most British smooth rolled off speakers seem fine for this track, the best I've heard would be Dynaudio Focus, which special in high freq. presentation |
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@jayctoy That's what I heard from someone too, it seem the LS50 need a proper amp to sing, but I still think that driver unit will somehow limited in bass presentation |
Few DAC I had listened: JDS Labs ODAC, Stone Acoustics UD110v2, Fostex HP-A3, along with Yamaha A-S801 built-in SABRE DAC, my favourite is the Fostex HP-A3, more expensive DAC I dare not to try |
@gregfmc Unfortunately, Tyler Acoustics speakers is not seen anywhere, even my neighbor country Singapore, hmm quite a low profile brand here at Malaysia? |
@hddg It looks a bit funky definitely, but the 6.5in woofer suit me well, not too big not too small, but price really not cheap, there is XTZ dealer here at Malaysia, let me see if any used pair on sale |
@soundworksltd The Focal Aria 906 using metal tweeters right? Any problem with gear matching? I feel the build quality can be better if made in wood veneer cabinet, feel very cushion look to me at this price, not cheap |
@audioman58 Any recommendations for normal citizen? The price is way beyond what I capable to pay T_T |
@digsmithd hmm, after some considerations, I can't believe I hate how it look, especially with the grill on, oh my god, I think I cannot stand the "prison break" outlook haha
@ejr1953 Bloody expensive speakers, unfortunately I'm not able to locate any Totem dealer here
Thanks! |
@digsmithd yeah, both speakers need quite some power to sing, I believe ATC will need more? I've a look on the SCM10SE, without grill I think it's sexy in some ways, with grill it looks like a metal dustbin haha. May I ask one more thing about the Dynaudio Contour series, between old, S, and new, which one you prefer in terms of sound? Some people said the Contour S series is no no? Even so, it's so rare to see a pair of old Contour on sale, I guess it's really great, and also the Special 25, hard to be seen anywhere. The new Contour look a bit weird to me, of course also bloody expensive, take lifetime savings earned to buy |
@4play May I know what amp you use to drive the speakers? As I read from review, the Focal Arial 906 is unforgiving to show flaws in recordings, so what music you listen to by the way? I find most speakers sound a bit noisy on this recording Adele - Hometown Glory |
