It too think you have alot of good speakers on your list. Given your use of low/medium powered tube amps, I would recommend you also consider the Merlin TSMs. Not sure what the British sound is, a mid-bass bump? The Merlins are highly resolving, very tube-friendly, and among the best "book-shelf" speakers I have ever heard. Having said that, the Harbeth's would be my choice of the speakers on your list, but I would think you could live with any of them happily as long as you amps are up to it. If you do move up to 50 tube watts I don't that will be an issue with any of them.
New speaker help. Proac-Spendor-Harbeth-Devore-PMC
Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!
I'm looking to purchase some new bookshelf size speakers. I want to get some newer ones and try to improve upon my 8 year old Proac 2000 Signatures I have now.
I am looking for anyones help in this matter as I have not had the chance to audition many of these models. I tend to like the British style of sound and I have narrowed down my choices to 10 different pairs. :)
Of these models I have only had the chance to listen to the Spendor SP3/1R2. My choices are bit limited where I live. I loved the Spendors and have been leaning towards buying them. But at $2550 dollars a pair I know there are many other good choices out there. I don't really want to exceed $3500 dollars or so in my new purchase.
I really like my current Proacs and I was thinking of staying in the same family for a sound I like and that I am familiar with. I only would assume that speakers have improved slightly in the last 10 years and the newer models are a bit better over my 2000's.
The other 3 choices I have not listened to ever. The Harbeths, Devores, and PMCs. But I have read so many good things about these and think that I might like them as well.
The Devores use soft dome tweeters and from what I read are smooth and clear sounding. Maybe good value too considering they are made in Brooklyn vs England like the others.
I have to say that I am not really big fan of metal dome tweeters so I do worry a little about the Harbeths and the PMCs. I find metal domes to always be a bit too bright and sharp for my taste. But many have said that the Harbeths do a great job in this manner with smooth highs.
The PMC's are a little more of unknown and a gamble at this point for me. Great reviews though.
I will use my new speakers with tubes. I have a Granite Audio 30 watt tube amp at the moment. So they will need to be somewhat efficient. I may purchase a slightly more powerful amp in the near future. But no more than around 50 tube watts.
I have narrowed down my choices between mini and regular size bookshelf speakers. Either size will work fine in my smallish sized listening room. I understand the brands bigger brothers will have slightly more bass and higher SPL output but they will also cost me more money as well. So I will have to take that into consideration if the sound quality differences is worth it or not.
These are the speakers that I have narrowed down. Has anyone listened to any of these or had the chance to compare any of the following to each other?
1. Spendor SA1 or Spendor SP3/1R2
2. Proac D1 or D2
3. Harbeth P3ESR or 7ES-3
4. Devore Gibbon 3 or 3XL
5. PMC DB1i or TB2i
Thanks to anyone with any thoughts on any of these models and/or comparisons. It will help me greatly in my search.
Tom
I'm looking to purchase some new bookshelf size speakers. I want to get some newer ones and try to improve upon my 8 year old Proac 2000 Signatures I have now.
I am looking for anyones help in this matter as I have not had the chance to audition many of these models. I tend to like the British style of sound and I have narrowed down my choices to 10 different pairs. :)
Of these models I have only had the chance to listen to the Spendor SP3/1R2. My choices are bit limited where I live. I loved the Spendors and have been leaning towards buying them. But at $2550 dollars a pair I know there are many other good choices out there. I don't really want to exceed $3500 dollars or so in my new purchase.
I really like my current Proacs and I was thinking of staying in the same family for a sound I like and that I am familiar with. I only would assume that speakers have improved slightly in the last 10 years and the newer models are a bit better over my 2000's.
The other 3 choices I have not listened to ever. The Harbeths, Devores, and PMCs. But I have read so many good things about these and think that I might like them as well.
The Devores use soft dome tweeters and from what I read are smooth and clear sounding. Maybe good value too considering they are made in Brooklyn vs England like the others.
I have to say that I am not really big fan of metal dome tweeters so I do worry a little about the Harbeths and the PMCs. I find metal domes to always be a bit too bright and sharp for my taste. But many have said that the Harbeths do a great job in this manner with smooth highs.
The PMC's are a little more of unknown and a gamble at this point for me. Great reviews though.
I will use my new speakers with tubes. I have a Granite Audio 30 watt tube amp at the moment. So they will need to be somewhat efficient. I may purchase a slightly more powerful amp in the near future. But no more than around 50 tube watts.
I have narrowed down my choices between mini and regular size bookshelf speakers. Either size will work fine in my smallish sized listening room. I understand the brands bigger brothers will have slightly more bass and higher SPL output but they will also cost me more money as well. So I will have to take that into consideration if the sound quality differences is worth it or not.
These are the speakers that I have narrowed down. Has anyone listened to any of these or had the chance to compare any of the following to each other?
1. Spendor SA1 or Spendor SP3/1R2
2. Proac D1 or D2
3. Harbeth P3ESR or 7ES-3
4. Devore Gibbon 3 or 3XL
5. PMC DB1i or TB2i
Thanks to anyone with any thoughts on any of these models and/or comparisons. It will help me greatly in my search.
Tom