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need recommendations for standmount speakers

Hi guys.

I’m looking for new standmount speakers. Budget is up to 3k but can stretch if needed. 

My current setup in my small bedroom (about 3x3m size) is as follows:

Cambridge Audio cxn v2
Benchmark dac3b
Benchmark hpa4
Benchmark ahb2
B&W 606 on b&w stav 24 stands
Rel t7i

Music is from tidal/roon and I have done REW on this setup. Somehow feels like something is missing.. I can’t pinpoint what exactly, but perhaps lacking some weight in the mids..

I’ve tried the Buchardt S400 for a month before eventually returning them. Although very good speakers, I felt they lacked a bit of high end sparkle. I preferred the top end of the b&w.

Unfortunately, I can’t have the speakers more than 20 cm from the back wall. They’re about 5 feet apart.

Any recommendations for new speakers? I was considering the B&W 705 s2, Dynaudio Special 40 and Focal Aria 906. Home demo is pretty hard to arrange where I’m at.
128x128docroasty

Showing 2 responses by audiotroy

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,625 posts
 
We have currently a lot of monitors in that price range, from ATC, KEF, Dali, Paradigm, Quad. 

The Quad Z2 is one of the best sounding monitors we have ever heard in the $2,500.00 price point. 

All the drivers are custom designed including one of the best sounding ribbons we have ever heard. Most ribbon tweeters have a bit of glare along with their superior speed and articulation.

The Quad's tweeter is a pure ribbon bonded to a thin layer of plastic which damps the metal which stops the normal ringing which occurs in most conventionally designed ribbon tweeters.

The Quad Z series tweeter is also considerably larger than most ribbons which allows it to handle more power as well as having a lower crossover point.

The Quad Z2 throws a gigantic sound stage, the midrange is smooth and full bodied, the bass is also quite deep and tight. 

The Z2 also uses a custom designed Kevlar midrange/woofer which integrates beautifully with the tweeter.

Quad hired Peter Comenaeu the genius behind Heybrook loudspeakers who previously had spent years at Heybrook developing a proprietary ribbon tweeter to spearhead the Quad dynamic loudspeaker project.

They have been receiving rave reviews all over Europe.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Quad dealers
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,625 posts
 
KW64 yes the Quad ribbons are different then an AMT driver. 

The AMT driver is a larger folded diaphram usually made out of some kind of plastic  that use small strips of wire to drive the diaphram.

VS

Regular ribbon a flat sheet of metal in  large magnetic field.

VS

Quad Ribbon a flat sheet of metal in a large magnetic field with a very thin layer of plastic bonded to it, hence a damped ribbon.

Advantages: 

Great power handling as the diaphram is less fragile and more flexibile
Greater power handling and output
The damping layer takes out the sizzle quality of a pure ribbon as the metail is not slightly damped, creating a sweeter but highly detailed sound.

Disadvantages

Less top end extension than a 100K rated ribbon

In our experience for the price of $2,500.00 a pair one of the best sounding monitors we have ever heard.

Considering we sell Dali, Kef, Paradigm, ATC, Elac, which all make fantastic monitors that is a big thumbs up.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ 
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