The most dynamic & transparent bookshelf


I get it when I hear some speakers like Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary, they are musical, detailed, but not on extreme dynamic, it can go pretty low and loud, but still lack a bit more powerful punch. My next aim for powerful speakers, will be something near perfect immune to distortions, must be extreme dynamic, go very loud and does not make the sound quality collapsed, also I insist to stick with bookshelf size, few options in my mind:

Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 (with NrT upgrade, worth?)
Mark&Daniel Ruby
Dynaudio DM 2/8
Proac Response D2
Soundfield Audio Monitor 1

For Dynaudio and Mark&Daniel, I have concern on power and drive efficiency, though I'm using a Class D Audio SDS-400C power amp, it work damn good with my Denton (warm + transparent gear goes really well). My considerations based on factors in this order: price, near full range dynamic, neutral and transparent sonic quality, availability (as I'm from Malaysia, not easy to achieve those speakers), and last your opinions? Any other recommendations? Once again, I'm not looking for speakers with colorations, must extremely dynamic, dead neatral and transparent without snake oil!
wim1983

Showing 4 responses by mapman

When in doubt...Google is your friend.

My Google search on the question indicated that horn based models from JBL and Klipsch are the most dynamic and transparent.

For transparent alone, there are a few similar speakers with plexiglass cabinets that are hard to argue with.
I think you are in good shape with that amp except with teh most inefficient speakers going VERY loud, ie possibly ear damaging.

If there is a model that would fit into your space, if it were me, I'd go with my old standby, OHM Acoustics. Most I am familiar with are floorstanders but they have adapted teh design into some bookshelf models of late that I am less familiar with. You'd have to contact them via ohmspeakers.com.

I can say that all their Walsh models are designed to sound similar and that sound that I know well matches what you are looking for well. I power my smaller OHMS with similar power amps to yours with excellent results.

They are about as neutral and uncolored as they come IMHO.

I like and own Dynaudio as well. Mine are Dynaudio Contour 1.3 mkII. These could be harder to drive and actual sound probably varies more from model to model though all share similar traits and the line is top notch in general.

I also very much like Goldenear Aeon3 as a smaller "bookshelf" speaker. These are very balanced and neutral top to bottom with absolutely no edge on teh top end. If tehy have a limitation is is probably dynamics at higher volumes, in that they are not very big, but very good for teh price.
Sensitivity specs are useful but can be deceptive. Sometimes they do not
apply to the lower frequencies if present or sometimes they are good
because low end extension is limited so take them with a few grains of salt.
Many smaller monitors do not do the lowest octaves much and are much
easier to drive to high volume. It's the lowest frequencies that require the
most power out of the speakers to deliver with flat response. Power
demands increase exponentially with lower frequency as else held
constant. You need more power or larger speakers or both to do it.
Smaller speakers in larger rooms will tend to distort more if asked to play
loud and deep. Small rooms are much easier and the world is more your
oyster there. Also the good news is not much happens with the lowest and
highest octaves with most music so those on a budget can practically cut
some corners there when needed unless you are into organ music or gotta
hear the lowest frequencies that might be synthesized on occasion.