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Speaker shootout update; aggressive treble eliminating some (fairly?)

I've been trying out speakers in a complicated shoot out, both bookshelves and towers — all in my home with my gear. I'm looking for speakers obtainable up to about $4k but could go up (or down) a bit if the right thing came along.

Basic facts: All speakers were run in at least 100 hours. Room is 27 x 14 x 6.5 ceilings. Powering with all QS tubes, 60w, NOS, tube R2R dac, and decent cables. No terrible reflection points; room not overly live or dampened. REL R 328 sub available but I did most listening without it.

Recent auditions, type:

Klipsch RP 600-M (budget singleton of the group)
Fritz Rev Carbon 7 mk II (bookshelf, 2 way, soft dome)
Focal 936 (tower, 3 way, inverted metal)
Martin Logan Motion 60s XTi (tower, 3 way, AMT)

Coming soon:

Salk SS 6M (bookshelf, 2 way, beryllium)
Dynaudio Evoke 30's (tower, 3 way, soft dome)

Let me speak just to the problems, rather than what was good about the speakers. So far, I've found the Klipsch, Focal, and especially the Martin Logans were all too bright — forward, aggressive, "turn it down" treble.

The ML's were the most impossible to tame and hardest to listen to on more tracks. (I did a lot of hanging of towels and other dampeners and other soft things to try to see if I could bring them to heel. I varied the recordings used. Changed cables/wires. No luck.)

The Focals were occasionally too bright; their bigger problem was a bit too much energy in my small listening space. They were better when I plugged their ports with socks.

I'm looking forward to how the next two speakers sound. The Dynaudio towers, I notice, are 10 inches shorter and half the weight of the other towers; not sure what that might mean, but it could just be right size for my space. I'm looking forward to seeing if the Salks bring more detail to the treble without also being too rolled off or harsh.

Hearing is very personal for physiological and taste reasons. However, if anyone has any thoughts about why I might be experiencing some of the phenomena I am (harsh treble, especially) based on my room or gear, etc., that might help me understand factors I'm not fully appreciating. Thanks.


hilde45

Showing 8 responses by jtcf

jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
Seems the Salks are working well for you.Good to hear:-)
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jtcf
1,620 posts
 
@decooney  today TungSols 7581A (EL34) were in the Quickies running the Harbeths,still using lamp cord.Very lively and dynamic!The transients had some bite to them.There was little bit of a 'gritty' overlay to the presentation which actually enhances string instruments.Tomorrow the KT150s are up.
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
Hilde I hope the Dynaudios work out for you.I had an interesting experience this past week that may interest you.I swapped in a pair of vintage Celestion Dittons with broken wire clips(winter project)for my Tektons and could hardly believe how great they sounded.They gave up a small amount of detail and dynamics being they are only the size of a shoebox.They put me back a few rows as opposed to the front and center of the Tektons.They were hooked up with lamp cord along with my subs and never sounded compressed or distorted or shrill when I cranked them up.These will go the guest room after repairs.What I learned is British monitors are wonderful with the acoustic and electric blues that I like,despite that I've always heard they couldn't possibly be.I'm borrowing a pair of newish Harbeths next week and will see what happens.
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
My last Harbeth post as they go back to their home tomorrow.The KT150s sounded wonderful in the QuickSilvers with the Harbeths - my favorite!Big soundstage,sharp transeints,gobs of micro detail,natural sounding instruments and vocals.The highs were the best ever.Toed in they exhibited some upper mid glare.Firing straight forward and my listening position moved forward a foot,no glare whatsoever.
The Harbeths were very responsive to tube changes.

My ceiling is not quite 8ft.Old farmhouse with a wooden ceiling covered with faux tin tiles(fiber board).I have one GIK panel on the ceiling,the front wall and corners have GIK bass traps and panels.So I'm hoping this helps a little.Looking forward to reading about the Salks and the best of luck to you!
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
Hoping once again that the Salks will work out this round!Also that you gain some knowledge from your sweeps:-)
I've had the Harbeth C7ES here for a couple of days.
First observations are 1.these largish monitors need to be out a couple of feet for smooth bass
2.silky smooth and natural 3.harsh upper mids are handled by rounding them off,sort of 'blunting' them so they aren't excruciating.Less good recording are much more listenable.
They are just as dynamic and detailed as the Tektons but put me back a few rows instead of front row center.And they somehow sound best to me with the damned lamp cord rather than the AP or Clear Day cables.I'm going to pull out my old mid monos and try them out of curiosity.Just thought you'd be interested as your journey continues:-)
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
@decooney  @hilde45 the Quickies are up and running today and I think they are a fabulous match.Part of that is the tube compliment - Baldwin input,Gold Lions for both driver tubes and KT88s.Warm and flowing.No sharp transients but who cares when I can clearly hear the tone and substance(realness?).Bass is not taut but is dimen tional and palpable.Digital glare would pop up from time to time but wouldn't linger for more than a moment.I don't want to bore anyone with a long list of tracks but flute,brass,strings,reeds,piano,male and female vocals were all played today.Good quality and bad.This is also the first time I paired them up with the MicroZOTL2.The Quickies seemed to have more authority than I recall.Anyways hilde,this is just an opinion you can file away while you go on with your search.
decooney tomorrow I will try either EL34s or KT 150s out of curiosity,those are all I have.I will mention one song that I'm feeling warm and fuzzy about - Janis Joplin crooning Summertime.That will make your ears bleed on a bright system :-)Just gorgeous.
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
Hilde they're finally there!Congrats!
@jakd congrats to you too!I'm pretty sure I'm buying the C7ES 3s that I had on loan.He's buying new speakers and was kind enough to let me have them for a few days when my eyes lit up and told him I was interested.Nice that you got the stands too:-)
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
Congrats!It's been an really interesting thread to follow.I'll look forward to reading about how you'll tackle your room later on.Relax and enjoy:-)
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