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New Speaker advice

I'm torn on new speakers...thoguht I would canvass this forum, which I have much respect for. I have done extensive auditioning at hi-fi stores, and am still torn! I do however have it narrowed down to the following:

1. Revel f206

2. Revel f36

3. Focal Aria 936

4. MoFi Sourcepoint 10

Initially, I was all in on the Revels because of how well the measure, particularly off axis, since I have an open concept living room kitchen that is wide. So the majority of my in store demos focused on them exclusively. To my surprise, I actually preferred the cheaper f36 models to the f206, perhaps due to the 1.8kHz crossover  between the tweeter and the top woofer, which is quite low...or perhaps it's due to the slightly higher sensitivity...or maybe it was just paired with a better amp. But regardless, to my ears, the f36 was just a more fun and exciting listen than the f206 which felt a bit bland and boxed in by comparison, despite being the better 'measuring' speaker. 

Being confused by the Revels in this way, I started exploring the Focal Aria line, and really enjoyed the Aria 936. Compared to the Revels, it sounded more 'exciting' to my ears...more forward without being fatiguing, big open soundstage and really nice texture. 

Recently, I auditioned the Mofi Sourcepoint 10 because, like many, I wanted to see/hear what all the hype was about. I was suspicious, even with Andrew Jones as the designer, with it being Mofi's first foray into speaker design...but I was honestly kind of blown away by them. 

At the moment, I am tempted by the Sourcepoints, but they are pushing my budget at over 3,500K with stands. To that end, the Aria 936 can be found in great used condition for around $2,500 and the Revel f36 for even less still.

Just curious if anyone has heard all of these speakers and has any feedback / insight? Or recommend anything at a similar price point. Attributes I'm looking for are: Open, airy sound but not too bright, great midrange (priority), and good off axis response (horizontal).

Current set up for context:

Vandersteen 3A, powered by Audio Research D-300, Denon 4700 as preamp, Topping D90 DAC, Sota Comet TT with Rega Exact cart and Parasound JC3 Jr phono pre.

Thanks 

128x128mattsaunders2000
moose89's avatar
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moose89
170 posts
 

I agree. Room dynamics are key. I’ll always side with low dollar into amps, and high dollar into speaker efficiency without distortion. A good SET 300B, low WPC, and some Klipsch out of the Heritage series. Put some life into the music!

kennyc
1,196 posts
 

+mostly everyone- listen for yourself 

Otherwise, I’m a huge fan of speaker guru Andrew Jones. His MoFi Sourcepoint 10 was the result of larger budget and iirc 3yrs of creation.  I’ve heard the Sourcepoint 10 on several occasions and it sounded great.  I believe it’s a sonic bargain. I’ll probably end up with a pair eventually even though I don’t need them.

The Sourcepoint 8 is less expensive and is cut from the same sonic cloth as the 10. This may serve the OPs need or maybe wait for a used 10
 

szeidman2002's avatar
szeidman2002
20 posts
 

I had the F36. In my room they were awful. I have vintage McIntosh MC2155. It’s warmer rather than neutral. They were so forward and scooped out in the midrange . I could never get them to settle down. I had to move them for .50 after 6 months.

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jbuhl
901 posts
 

I have the Aria 926 and I have compared them head to head in my listening room with Sonus Faber Sonetto III, Quad S series and Now going head to head with Quad Z-4. Finally I think i might like the Z-4s a little better but I still love the "Big Open Sound Stage" the Focal produce. I swear I think the flax driver gets better over time.

 

I also know a person here in Denver who has a pair of Aria 948s for sale for $3.4K locally. If your interested I could ask if he would ship. But your proly look at high $3k range by time you get them in your home.

 

kennymacc
258 posts
 

Several years ago, after extensive auditioning of multiple varying brands of speakers, I ended up with a pair of Revel Salon 2 speakers, and let me tell you something, I honestly don't believe I'll ever let these bad boys go.  They're just absolutely phenomenal speakers in every way!!!  After all these years, they still outclass most of the newer, insanely priced speakers that I've heard (especially for the $$$$).  The Revel Salon 2 speakers were just incredibly and brilliantly designed and imagined speakers from the very start, and still compare very favorably with some of the very best speakers on the market today, which is quite an achievement considering how long they've been around.  My Revel Salon 2s are everything I ever dreamed a speaker should be, and they've made me one extremely happy Audiophile, and  that's what this wonderful passion of a hobby is all about.     

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