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Opinions: Joseph Audio Pulsar vs Dynaudio Conficence C1 vs Totem Element Fire vs ?????

Seeking opinions on these speakers or suggestions for others....  Recently moved, likely for the long term (down sized) and my previous floor standers just overloaded my new, smaller room despite trying some bass traps, positioning, etc.  The room is  11 X 14 X 8 with a cement floor.  As much as I would like to listen to each of them it is not likely to happen.  I live in west Texas and the nearest dealers are 350 miles away.  Joseph Audio doesn't have a dealer in Texas,  they Dynaudio dealer doesn't stock the C1, and the Totem dealer is a home theatre place that doesn't have anything to demo and doesn't seem to have any real interest in 2 channel audio.Given these obstacles, I am looking for your comments and advice on these or other speakers.  I am in my mid 50s and listen mostly to 70s rock, singer/songwriter acoustic stuff,some  blues, some big band music, but very little classical music (mostly small ensemble type stuff, no orchestral). My equipment is a Hegel H360 integrated, a Pro-ject 9.2 table with Grace F9E ruby, and a Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB/Alpha DAC s2 driven by a PC based server using JRiver.  I don't need huge bass, but it's important to me that voices are right and acoustic guitars and cymbals sound right.  I like the presentation a little more front and center, but not fatiguing.  If you can give me any help that would be great.    Once I get enough info maybe I can make a trip somewhere that has a couple of things to listen to.  Oh, and budget is up to $7500.  Thanks in advance
julian
Post removed 
extravaganza
373 posts
 
No contest,Harbeth SHL5 for voices ,acoustic guitars:) not sure how it would mate with your hegel 
samh
14 posts
 
Take a look at Vapor Audio.  They're a small US company.  They use great drivers, and he will adjust components in the crossover to suit your taste.,  I think either the Cirrus Black or Cirrus White would suit you.  The wood finishes are also beautiful.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,573 posts
 
Julian-

you are off to a great start. Audition, even if a roadtrip is warranted, prior to any purchase on speakers!
avanti1960
1,471 posts
 
I was heavily auditioning speakers for the past year and was listening to everything ~ 6K or so.  I just wasn't happy with what I was hearing- KEF, Harbeth (except the SuperHL5), GoldenEar, Dali, etc.  
Then while at my dealer I wandered into their back room where the Joseph Audio Pulsars were being driven by a Rogue Audio RP-5 and Stereo 100 amplifier.  
It was quite literally a revelation.  I sat down and listened for an afternoon, the dealer associate and myself just listening to music and talking audio.  
The clearest, most transparent, cleanest open resolute sound I had ever heard, and plenty of bass as well.   I am not exaggerating when I say everything else sucked by comparison.  
The last speakers you should ever want.  
Now- about your amplifier- I am not a Hegel fan.  They have a very closed sound IMHO and are somewhat bass heavy if not bass relentless. While the JAs will still sound good, you will not be getting your money's worth with that amp.  I would recommend a tube amp at some point in the near future.  
I also heard the Joseph audio Profile recently (floorstander ~ $7K).  To me the Pulsars sound much better.  
If you are thinking Harbeth- Super HL5, etc- be warned that the combo with the Hegel amp and small room- bass will be excruciatingly overbearing.  
Pulsars are amazing and worth whatever you need to do to get them.  


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