Started with $1k speakers … what now?

@balooo2 Great to hear! Well done! Please report back about the Carbons.

There are big names with a lot of buzz and then some others who offer very high value. These folks sell direct, have a lot of experience, and don’t advertise much. Two examples: Fritz and Ascend. In my view, spending 2-3K with these folks is like spending double or triple with other makers who have a lot of overhead, marketing, etc.

That said, everyone has their favorites and their tastes. What I think is hard to dispute is that the more $$s that go to the speakers’ parts and design, the better. Glossy ads and lots of overhead just divert your money to aspect which won’t pay off in your actual listening.

OP, in case it’s helpful:

On Ascend -- here.

On Fritz -- here. Video here and here.

@balooo2 Thank you so much for your nice comments. There are many elements of a proper review that I'm unable to do, as a hobbyist, but I can do a few things which make the commentary useful. Those include keeping key variables stable, using language transparently and consistently, trying different combinations of gear and music, and not making claims for which I lack evidence or proper controls. Because I am doing these for myself, I think of them as journal entries about my experience. I'm trying to be honest to my future self and for anyone else who watches, listens, or reads. Cheers!

@lanx0003 It's in the comment below: 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/started-with-1k-speakers-what-now/post?postid=2650000#2650000

OP, @benanders recent post about identifying what sound you want is paramount, I think. Brand shopping is an endless chase, or can be.

@balooo2 I had the Salk SS6M for a while. I had both it and the Fritz simultaneously for many months. I kept the Salks because initially I loved the finish better and the clarity of the Be tweeter. But, in time, that Be tweeter could not be tamed and since I had sent the Fritz back by that point, I went with Ascend (RAAL) towers, eventually upgrading them to the ELX level. These are the speakers I have now. I like them a lot but still miss the Carbon 7 SE Mk. II's. I may get those Carbons to have as alternate speakers. There's a magic there which I have not heard in any other speaker. (Of course I feel that way about some girls I knew in college, so let's be honest about our memories, eh?)

@lanx0003 : While both Nemo and Dave mentioned that the bass from the Carbon is tight and agile, focusing more on quality than quantity, some users have commented that the bass may not sound as dynamic. I’m not an expert on crossover design, but it seems there’s no free lunch after all.

I think this is an accurate comment. These are stand mounts that have made a conscious decision to have good bass with excellent midrange and highs that are clear without being super precise. These will lend themselves more to some kinds of music better than others -- there's no free lunch and this is not a "does everything speaker."

I find myself questioning why the overall price remains relatively high (forgive me for saying that). Perhaps I should not be misled by the unassuming appearance of Fritz and refrain from passing premature judgments on the cost.

I think there may be a couple of reasons for this:

1. Boutique, handmade product with home trial means a bit more $$. Then again, one is getting a better speaker than, say, a more mass produced speaker. E.g. the Dynaudio Special 40 lists at $3600, so the Carbon 7's really blow that out of the water.

2. The price may be more negotiable than, say, dealing with a store (not sure). Perhaps Fritz is leaving himself some room.

All that said, I suspect the speaker might sell better at a somewhat lower price-point, but I am not sure if Fritz sells enough of this to take that risk.