Someone had mentioned the new PS Audio Aspen FR5 speakers. They are now 25% off, (Axpona Special) and have a 30 day trial period. I've heard them and was very impressed.
Might be worth it to get a pair and try them...
Standmount speaker suggestion
HI
I have B&W 705 s3 Signature speakers paired with a Pass Labs INT-60. While imaging and soundstage are great, I find the speakers a bit bright. What should I try next, and what would be worthy of being mated to the Pass integrated? I will buy used but keeping in line with the value of the amp, the budget is around $5000- $8000 new.
I realize speakers are very subjective. Just want some direction to go.
Appreciate it.
50 responses Add your response
That's the order I put them in as well, but I'm biased from owning the Atalante 3. If I had a bigger space, I'd get the Atalante 5 and if I ever won the lottery, their new Atalante 7. Here's a shot of it:
That's a 15" woofer with a -6db @ 23 Hz, weighing in at 147.71 # each. They go for $10K a pair. I can dream, can't I? All the best, |
I know that You Tube is not the last word in fidelity but with a decent computer setup you can discern differences between models in a controlled setting. Here is a video comparing the Atalante 3, the Dynaudio Evoke 20 and the Totem Signature. Give it a listen and see if there's difference enough to account for the price differences. That, and remember that Daniel Emonts, who designed the Atalante 3 was lead speaker designer for Dynaduio for 7 years and about half a dozen of their award winning designs were his creations. Skip to the 1:54 mark as it's not in English. They used a Moonriver integrated to power all three makes as well as a Rockna DAC fed from what looks like an older CDP. All the best, |
@ullogu1 the Joseph Audio Pulsar, maybe Joseph Audio in general, are musical speakers and one of the few that seem universally liked. Many find B&W too bright. |
Throwing in my suggestion for Legacy Audio "Studio HD" stand mount speakers. |
I have a Pass Labs XA25. Had it paired with Harbeth 30.2 40th anniversary mounted on TonTrager for the past 5 years. Just changed to Dynaudio Contour Legacy. The Harbeth were absolutely fantastic. The midrange and voices in l’articula are second to none. I was really hesitant to let them go. good luck and keep us posted |
I really wonder if you people recommending absolutely obscure brands have ever heard these brands and more importantly, heard them in your own rooms or at a dealer who has attempted to optimize the setup?! Should the OP just take your word for it?! How can he possibly audition some of these WAY out-there brands without wasting his $8K?!…. |
@motown-l plus one ... you cannot go wrong w Revel!! Do not doubt ... |
@ullogu1 they are very similar. They both use the same Scanspeak Revelator woofer but the Rev 7 I have uses a ring radiator tweeter where the Carrera uses a beryllium tweeter. I believe the latest Carrera uses a soft dome tweeter. As far as presentation they are very similar with similar specs regarding sensitivity and frequency range. IMO one of the best price for performance deals in speakers. |
ullogu, first thank you for giving your price range! Joseph Audio Pulsar Graphene, Alta Alyssa, Fyne Audio F1.8, Sonus Faber.....but my first choice would be the Joseph Audios. I've heard them many times, and they've been brilliant each time. I just got the chance to hear a pair of Arendal 1528s, and was very impressed....but need to hear them a few more times and with gear closer to mine |
It's been a while since I heard Joseph speakers. But over the years I have been super impressed that EVERY time I heard them(usually at shows where there are often room problems) I have always found them to sound smooth and yet detailed if you listen for it. I have NEVER been disappointed and that's totally absurd. That kind of consistency can only come from exceptional speakers. |
I tried the same B&Ws with the matching stands. Beautiful and well made but too bright for me too. After trying several different brands I went with Revel M126Be with beryllium tweeters. Smooth top end. Not harsh at all. Good mid bass and kick drums have a great snap. Best standmounts I’ve heard. Retail for $4400 a pair but often on sale or you can buy used. I have a pair in gloss black and a pair in walnut. Highly recommend. |
They are neutral and very natural sounding where nothing in particular sticks out and everything is very refined and balanced. They provide more bass than you’d think given their size with an expressive midrange, and their imaging, 3D soundstage, and ability to disappear as a sound source are among the best. As they’re very transparent and pretty much a blank canvass, sonically I’d expect them to pass through the natural warmth and musicality you probably value with your amp without adding anything of its own while allowing all your amp’s other formidable capabilities to shine to their fullest. There’s a reason the Pulsars are so highly regarded. Incidentally, although the Graphene version does seem to offer some marginal improvements they’re nowhere near as significant as with the Perspectives (and some even seem to prefer the original Pulsars), so if I’m you I’d happily buy the original version knowing you’re not missing much if anything and save $$$ — you should be able to find a nice pair in the $3500 - $4000 range. Hope this helps.
|
The best I have heard in your price range are:
My ears like the Vivid. Yours may differ. Any of the three near world class bookshelf/stand mounts sound quality at or near your budget. They all have a different palette. Add them to your audition list. |
Thanks for your replies.
Room is treated. Room is skinny 11ft. Long side is more than 20'. Speakers point the long way. I sit about 7ft from speaker and the speaker is 3ft from wall. I have tried Alyssas. Sound great but bass overpowered the space. Had Dynaudio Confidence C1- may be a bit dark but that was with a different amp Many are recommending Pulsars. What kind of sound do they produce? Or better asked, what would the Pass + Pulsar produce? |
| Post removed |
Revival Audio Atalante 3 monitors.
Like you, I've been through speakers trying to find one that isn't bright, that sizzle or etch the sound, drawing attention to themselves and these fit the bill, for me. They're well under your cost limits but don't let the price fool you. All the best, |
Alta Alyssa seems to be a leader in the standmount passive speaker class. If I were in the market at $5000 or so, I would start with those and force myself to justify spending more. The JBL 4349 is a "standmount," but not in the conventional sense. It is heavier than most monitors and the stand is a riser frame that lifts the speaker up about 9 inches. The NPP is at the higher end of your listed range, but new-condition pairs are easily had toward the lower end of your price range. I am assuming you plan on using a subwoofer. |
| Post removed |
Hi @ullogu1, I am familiar with the B/W speakers, having owned quite a few some years ago. I recently acquired a pair of Dynaudio Contour 20i stand mounts. I am blown away and smitten! In fact so much, I am already moving up to the Dynaudio Confidence 20s. But the Contour 20i's, with their new Ester 2 tweeter, are resolving and SMOOTH. Dynaudio was never on my radar, as I just did not the look of their older speakers. But I think the Contours (and Confidence) are beautiful. I am running them with high end gear in a large room, and their ability to scale and play loud astonishes me. My wife is super excited that they will be the new speakers in our family room! The Contours are right in you price range, the Confidence a bit more. Yes, B/W are bright, ever since they 'upgraded' their tweeters from the old and wonderful N or Nautilus line. |
There is a dealer listing here for a mint pair of Harbeth Super Hl5 XDs for $4250.00. I own those and I doubt you would go wrong with them. BTW, the dealer is also selling matching TonTrager stands. Review! https://www.stereophile.com/content/harbeth-super-hl5plus-xd-loudspeaker |
Absolute best sound speaker - Wavetouch audio Antero speaker. Compare Antero sound to Magico A-1, Focal Sopra No. 1, TAD Me1 below Alex/Wavetouch audio Antero https://youtu.be/LlYlIvmmg3c?si=EB_m8Mi5PRDD2vcJ&t=152 Magico - Jay’s voice is perfectly natural. So, this is honest A1 sound. https://youtu.be/iLQMNJi8JAs?si=7V-pIRiieDqu1_1B Focal - People’s voice sound great in recording. So, this is real Sopra sound. https://www.youtube.com/live/Msaq4kCYclw?si=lJMZFA1mufR9DUxM&t=830 TAD - Accuphase + DCS. |
