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speaker recommendations needed

Hi,

I am looking to swap out my speakers. We just moved in to a new place, and I need something a little smaller and less dominating. Currently I have a set of Tyler Acoustics D1's: they are fabulous but huge, and this will be a multi-purpose room. Amplification is currently solid state (McCormack DNA-125 and ALD-1, both upgraded to REV. Gold). Not opposed to a tube amp, but the last 2 I have had in here, despite the $6k price tags, didn't best the McCormack, at least not on these speakers. Maybe they would on the new speakers. Room is 20x14x9, but the speakers will have to be 8 feet out from the back wall, at least, as there will be a breakfast nook in there as well.

A few speakers I have liked over the years:

Devore Super 8
Merlin VSM
Tyler Decade D1
Various Sonus Faber
B&W 804s

Speakers I did not like:
Thiel CS 3.6
Dynaudio C3 (maybe an amplification mis-match)

As I live in a small town, it is impossible to get speakers home for an in-home demo, so I have to do my research and hope for the best.
dawgcatching
elvis_cash
76 posts
 
If you like the Tylers, why not try some smaller ones?
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
My first inkling from that list would be with the DeVore Fidelity speakers. A lot of those speakers from what I've gathered are geared towards smaller apartment type rooms. The only problem there is that also from what I've seen Devore speakers are meant to be paired with tubes. I don't know if the McCormack gear you have will mate well with Devore speakers. The good thing is that Steve McCormack and/or John DeVore may be able to help you if you have any questions about the potential match or mis-match.

My 2nd guess form that list would be the B&Ws as they match quite well with solid state gear. I had a stock McCormack DNA .05 Deluxe and it sounded wonderful with B&W Matrix 805 speakers I had.

Best of luck with the search.
arcticmonkey
5 posts
 
Dawgcatching,

I would buy the best Harbeth speaker I could afford. Absolutely perfect for what you are trying to accomplish ("little smaller and less dominating").

Or the B&W PM1. But would at least investigate the Harbeth's line first.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,661 posts
 
Check out Harbeth or Spendor. I have the Harbeth P3 ESR'S and have owned the Spendor 3/5R'S. Both are great little speakers. The Harbeths are a little more detailed but you can't go wrong with any of them! BTW Spendors sound very close to Vandersteen(laid back)which I also owned.
vladimir
346 posts
 
If you like Merlins as you said, the latest VSM Masters are the ones I would recommend. Your room has good dimensions and Merlins like being way out into the room. Any recent VSM is better than B&W 804s.
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