Speakers for string Quartets

I have two friends who are professional classical musicians, playing in orchestras (one being the Philadelphia Orchestra), and both have

Vandersteens, and love them.

I also have an older series 2

Vandersteen. They have beautiful tonality fitting for violin and piano. My top priority in speakers choice is 1. violin, 2. piano, so this recommendation might be useful for you.

And Ann Akiko Myers has the model 7 (I believe) in SoCal.

 

Well, I agree that I don’t think you buy a speaker for a genre of music, as a good speaker will play all well…..but….

Another vote for Vandersteen. I play a lot of classical both orchestral and quartets, and love the tone and timbre Vandersteen’s provide, especially with quartets….listening to a quartet as I type this.

I have Vandersteen Model 1’s, Model 2 Sigs, and now Treo. The Treo are a step above, especially for classical/quartets. I would highly recommend the Treo, Quatro or above.

I play a bit if everything (rock, Punk, Folk, a smaller amount of classical and Jazz) and like piano and vocals… and especially woodwinds.

My 2C pair play everything pretty well. They are 35 years old, and I expect that the newer ones are no worse. 😀 (I have heard some and they do seem to be better… but even a used pair the really are hard to beat.)

If you are going to shove them against a wall, then the Treos are probably a better choice than the 2C.

You probably would be well advised to also consider their subwoofer for the cello “body”, as well as it frees up the Pass amps from servicing the lows..

But I have also heard Maggies that sounded good, and some others.
(The Devore and the Harbeth seem to have cabinets that possibly sing along with the music?? - to me some of those more boxy speakers loose something in piano and strings.)

What shops are near you?
Or what area of the country are you in?

Highly recommend Martin Logan ESL 15A’s. They are power hungry. I had mine paired with McIntosh Monoblocks (1.25kwh). Luxman is a better choice for an amp based on my experience. Good Luck and keep us posted!!

Well, I agree that I don’t think you buy a speaker for a genre of music, as a good speaker will play all well…..but….

Another vote for Vandersteen. I play a lot of classical both orchestral and quartets, and love the tone and timbre Vandersteen’s provide, especially with quartets….listening to a quartet as I type this.

I have Vandersteen Model 1’s, Model 2 Sigs, and now Treo. The Treo are a step above, especially for classical/quartets. I would highly recommend the Treo, Quatro or above.

Maggies or ML electrostatics but you might need a more powerful amp.

Thanks for the perspective, suggestions. I understand the argument that speakers reproduce sound, not just specific types or instruments.

currently have modified Klipsch Cornwalls,(mods make them similar to Cornwall 4)

they sound great with most music, but give stringed instruments a steely, metallic timbre. Looking for a second set for strings only. Room is pretty well treated, I use REW to take measurements.

As some said I’m looking at British, and Magnepan, investigating electrostatics.
I’m just trying to get some perspectives from other stringed music lovers. Orchestras do very in well, but solo violin/ chamber doesn’t get the tone.

thanks for all the help.

I love string quartets. The early and middle Beethoven quartets are fabulous, Dvorak is not bad but I can listen to Cherubini all day long.

As for speakers, only ESLs will do. Nothing, and I do mean nothing else comes even remotely close. My daughter plays violin and the sound of a rosin loaded bow stroking those strings is as frissonous as it gets.

Without question - the Quad ESL 57’s are the best for the acoustic music that you like.

The ATC’s would be also - but they’re expensive.

Next choice would be Harbeth 30.1’s / 30.2’s / etc.... which sound very much like the Quad ESL 57’s.  If you want something for near field - the Harbeth P3SR sounds very much like the 30.1's / 30.2's...

But... if you can accept the look of the restored ESL 57’s and have the room and matching electronics - nothing really comes that close, except possibly the 30.1’s / 30.2’s...

In fact... I’m seriously considering the ESL 57’s myself.

I have two friends who are professional classical musicians, playing in orchestras (one being the Philadelphia Orchestra), and both have Vandersteens, and love them.

I also have an older series 2 Vandersteen. They have beautiful tonality fitting for violin and piano. My top priority in speakers choice is 1. violin, 2. piano, so this recommendation might be useful for you.

;

I’d suggest British BBC-heritage speakers such as Harbeth, Spendor, Stirling, and Graham. These often are reviewed by Robert E Greene (a violinist) in TAS.

Another choice would be electrostatics. The low distortion is, I believe, good for string music. I find my Janszens quite good for string quartets.

An additional investment might be an equalizer, such as the Schiit Loki Max. The variance in tonal balance among SQ recordings can be extreme. An EQ will let you make more of them pleasant to listen to.

Before I gave up listening to speakers and going on to headphones I used to Have ATC SCM 40 speakers and they were ideal for string quartets. I truly love chamber music with Quartets being my bread and butter and The ATC's being absolutely brilliant being a very accurate speaker and able to handle any amp put to them.  

I wish i owned them... Great choice!

Even if i am in heaven with my Mission Cyrus 781 vintage  and low costs... The cello bass is good in my room...

But the Quad will be a complete different animal to work the room for, i  will love them....

Quad 57 Electrostatics.

 

What do you have now and budget please.

Quad 57 Electrostatics.

Also one of my favorite...

But if you look for speaker ONLY DEVOTED to quartet music i am pretty sure you dont need my recommendation at all... 😊

My deepest respect to you....

If using the first three amps, I'd look at Audio Note AN-E or Devote O/93 or 96,

If using the higher powered one, Harbeth 40.1 or 40.2, or Spendor SP100 Mk II.

Speakers must be chosen for a specific room...

Also adapted to a specific amplifier...

Not for a genre of music why?

Because timbre, dynamic, imaging soundstage, listener envelopement and all other acoustic factors emerge from the speakers/room relation...

Then when listening to violins any good speakers/room relation will do the job...

For sure you can own small speakers and listen to near field in a very small room but even there it is the speakers/room relation which will give you an optimal timbre instrument experience...Not the brand name of the speaker by itself...

There is plenty of choice in speakers design for example and to answer your inquiry i will look myself about the small Harbeth which are supposed to be good for mid range especially... But his relation to your room will be decisive for sure in my experience...Room acoustic play a role even in near listening in very small room especially...But there is too much possibilities to recommend ONLY ONE speaker not knowing your room especially...

There is no speakers specialized in violin quartet though ....

my best to you....

This is my favorite haydn interpretation... Tacet sound is magical....