Garebear.. If you decide on the D48R which I think are spectacular speakers if you love music ..PM me as I "may" be able to save you a few bucks. This is assuming that you don't have a local dealer. They can't and won't get shipped into another dealers backyard. But if you are dealer-less let me know.
Erik |
Garebear,
The Sound Organization located in Dallas, Texas is now the distributor for Proac. When I ordered my D-30R's they were shipped from there. I purchased mine from Jay at Audio Revelation(CA) and I can highly recommend him. By the way I did get a chance to demo the D-48R and they really impressed me.
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........but the problem was and I do not know if it has been ''fixed'' ; there was no US Importer for Proac. So who is importing them - and are there any dealers left in the US for Proac ? |
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I cannot offer a direct comparison experience of the Proac D40R and the WB line. I still have the D40R and I continue to be amazed at how they perform in a huge room. I would say the bass is ruler flat to 31 hz and useful bass in the 25 hz range. On a test CD I can hear the 25 and 20 hz tone, but it isn't in the REL category. The D40R bass literally loads my entire house....all floors and rooms. It is quite impressive. I have the VAC 160i integrated 85 watts KT88 and I run shotgun Cardas Golden Cross speaker wire....adding the second pair instead of using a high quality jumper was quite an improvement. Front end is relatively simple: Rega RP8 w/ Ortofon Cadenza Black and a Cary CD300 tube CD player (circa 1995). I still can't find a CD player that beats it and believe me, I've tried. All Golden Cross cables and Shunyata power cables. I've heard a few smaller speakers that do the midrange a bit cleaner, but not as full sounding. Need to move up to YG Hailey or similar AND be able to drive with a high quality tube amp to beat these speakers on all attributes. Good luck. |
Thank You for the feedback. It is helpful to know that, since I do not have a dealer in my area. |
Milpai, the amps my dealer often uses with 48R's are the VTL tube stereo power amps. But they are pricey and on this occasion he used a
Prima Luna Dialogue HP
power amp fitted with KT88 tubes. Surprisingly perhaps, the bottom end was fine, with pretty good control. So a good value combo. To my ear, the bass end on these speakers goes surprisingly deep given their exterior dimensions. Certainly, it is significantly more extended and morre tuneful than the Sonus Faber Cremona M's I used to own.
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Rothwea,
What amps were used to drive the D48R? How was the bottom end on these? I saw the spec and they say that the speaker is rated to 20Hz. Sounds too good to be true for such a sleek loudspeaker. |
Since the thread is revived, might as well add on...
I was a Proac owner, had the D2, and wanted a pair of floor standers with the new ribbon tweeter. When my local pusher put his D30R demos on clearance, I rushed over with cash in hand planning to bring them home. But while there I made the mistake of auditioning the Wilson Benesch Vertex side by side with the D30R. It wasn't close. I couldn't believe how much better a pair of Vertex monitors sounded than the big D30R. But I couldn't swing the extra cost difference between the D30R and Vertex so I went home empty handed.
That was a D30R vs. Vertex comparison - a D40R vs. Square 3 comparison may have gone differently.
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A late post. I have just auditioned the Proac D48R's. They are a fine speaker for enjoying music and one of the best floorstanders I have heard. Over the last 2 years, I have auditioned quite a number of speakers, of highish and medium efficiency, and suitable for valve amps. The D48R's are an engaging listen to my ear, with a natural midrange, nice tone and texture, and a well judged treble. I have not been a fan of ribbon tweeters until now, but these ones have changed my mind. I am seriously considering them. |
Although I am thrilled with the D40R's, I think you should consider a used pair of Carbon Pro 8's. There are two pairs for sale right now for only a few thousand more than a new pair of D40R's. If you have the space, the CP8's should be spectacular with the two 8" bass drivers and the famous 3" ATC midrange. |
Although I am thrilled with the D40R's, I think you should consider a used pair of Carbon Pro 8's. There are two pairs for sale right now for only a few thousand more than a new pair of D40R's. If you have the space, the CP8's should be spectacular with the two 8" bass drivers and the famous 3" ATC midrange. |
Although I am thrilled with the D40R's, I think you should consider a used pair of Carbon Pro 8's. There are two pairs for sale right now for only a few thousand more than a new pair of D40R's. If you have the space, the CP8's should be spectacular with the two 8" bass drivers and the famous 3" ATC midrange. |
Thank you gentleman ......you have to love this hobby as nothing will sound the same when you put in your own room and use your own equipment. |
Are you in the US? Arizona HiFi is the only US store that may have a pair. Soundstage Fine Audio in Canada has a used pair listed. Probably not going to get a new pair directly from Proac. Consider a K6 or Carbon Pro 6/8? You may be able to find a dealer in the UK with D40's in inventory and willing to ship. The D40R's were a high water mark in the Response 3, 3 Signature, 3.5, 3.8, D38 run. I had the 3.5's for about 8 years and loved them. The D40's are in an entirely different category of performance. You can drive them with literally anything of high quality. I'm currently using the VAC 160i. Not that Goldman you referred to. |
Thank you Goldman...looking for a pair of DR 40's but according to Proac there are none left. Which I do not believe as ProAc has a reputation, well at least to me for deals in the past. The WB's are great speakers. You would not be Ron Goldman from Goldman Audio of years past- would you be ??? |
Garebear, I am also a D-40r owner. I wish I had a larger room, but mine is closer to the size of your room (you can see it in my system), and the D-40r work well in that room. I think the smaller D-30r would also work well.
I have listened to the WB Vector and Vertex speakers quite a bit in the same room as I heard the D-40r. I have not heard the WB Square 3. The dealer I purchased the D-40r from carries both Proac and WB. The WB are very fast and to me have more emphasis on the treble area. The Vector speakers have tremendous bass. I think WB makes a great speaker.
In the end I preferred the sound of the Proac speakers (maybe it is familiarity because I have owned many Proac speakers in the past) and bought them.
Goldman, please post your system with Proac D-40r speakers. I would love to see it.
I hope this is helpful. Happy Holidays. |
I own the D40R's. They are great performers and easy to drive with tube amps or class A amps. I also listen to similar music. I listened to some WB speakers and I didn't think they were as full sounding and they didn't quite do it for me. The D40R's need a big space to shine. My room is 3x your size and the D40R's load the entire room...really load the entire house...with dense full range sound. Proac replaced the D40R with D48R recently, but I have never heard the 48, and there are really no reviews or posts on experiences from anywhere in the world yet. You probably have to buy the 48's on brand faith...otherwise go with the 40's if you can still get them. |
