If you like the speakers you have now have you tried running a good sub with them for that lower end your missing?? I started adding subs to both of my listening systems and fell in love with my maggies all over again. Just a thought
Speaker recommendations, budget $10-15K
I am looking to upgrade my speakers. In particular, I am looking for better low-end extension than my current speakers, Sehring 703s, which the specs say go to 38Hz but seem to roll off above that. I primarily listen to rock. I have to say, I prefer a bit of warmth over ultimate transparency.
Ancillary equipment is a Pass Labs X150.5 power amp, Mystere ca21 preamp, Perfect Wave Mk2 DAC & Transport. Room size is 13x25. Speakers are facing out from the long wall. The speakers will be in my living room, so they cannot be too enormous or push the envelope aesthetically. I would prefer to buy new. While open to buying used, I am wary of shipping damage.
The speakers I plan to audition are:
Marten Django
DALI Epicon 8
Acoustic Zen Crescendo
Aerial 7T
Tannoy Kensington
I have also read good things about Vapor Audio Joule Black, but would have a real hard time auditioning them before hand.
I would appreciate any other recommendations of speakers to audition, as well as any thoughts about the speakers on my current list. Thanks.
Ancillary equipment is a Pass Labs X150.5 power amp, Mystere ca21 preamp, Perfect Wave Mk2 DAC & Transport. Room size is 13x25. Speakers are facing out from the long wall. The speakers will be in my living room, so they cannot be too enormous or push the envelope aesthetically. I would prefer to buy new. While open to buying used, I am wary of shipping damage.
The speakers I plan to audition are:
Marten Django
DALI Epicon 8
Acoustic Zen Crescendo
Aerial 7T
Tannoy Kensington
I have also read good things about Vapor Audio Joule Black, but would have a real hard time auditioning them before hand.
I would appreciate any other recommendations of speakers to audition, as well as any thoughts about the speakers on my current list. Thanks.
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I've had a few different customers in the past 3 or 4 months looking at similar speakers at your price point (Epicon/7T/ etc). I would add the Joseph Audio Perspective to your list. If your purely looking for more bottom end, then the Dali's may be your best bet. **Tannoy and Joseph Audio dealer disclaimer** |
I would suggest that you consider the Daedalus Ulysses, which I own, although I believe that their current pricing puts them a little bit above the price range you specified. They are rated to 28 Hz, which I have found to be a realistic figure. They provide a warm, natural sound, but with surprisingly little compromise in transparency, detailing, and "speed." They are much more sensitive than all of the speakers you mentioned, and while the power capability of your amplifier is likely a good deal greater than what you'll need, they can certainly handle that much power. If you search the forums you'll find quite a few comments from very happy owners of Daedalus speakers. Aesthetically, I don't think you can do better, as they are beautifully constructed with solid natural hardwoods, with many choices of woods available. They are a bit less deep than some of the speakers you mentioned, and when viewed from the front they appear significantly less wide than their modest 11 inch width, due to their curved edges and the narrower width of the grille (assuming you leave it on). Daedalus offers 30 day in-home audition privileges, less two-way shipping and a $300 restocking fee. Owner/designer Lou Hinkley might also be able to put you in touch with a customer in your area who may be willing to demonstrate them for you. That said, I would have two concerns with most of the speakers on your list, as well as with the Ulysses, both of them relating to the short 13 foot wall-to-wall distance of the direction in which you are listening: 1)Your ability to sit far enough from the speakers for all of the drivers to blend properly, while at the same time providing adequate "breathing space" behind the speakers. 2)Cancellation of certain bass frequencies due to reflections from the wall behind you. Keep in mind that a null will result from those reflections centered at a frequency (in Hz) equal to approximately 281.5 divided by the number of feet between your ears and the wall behind you. Good luck! -- Al |
