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Which allround speaker ?

I listened to a pair of Thiel CS2.4 yesterday, linked up to some fine gear (Pass Labs pre and poweramps and Musical Fidelity DAC and CD player), but I found them harsh and too revealing. But I loved their imaging, their punch/slam and detail.
But I'm looking for a speaker that would have me listen to all my cd's, and with the Thiels I'm afraid I won't be able to listen to 80% of my collection anymore.

Any suggestions for a speaker that would be more up my alley? I want an allround wonder that is fast, direct, detailed, with lots of bass punch, slam, but a little on the warm side, not too revealing and definitely not too bright/harsh.

P.s. I know lots of you don't find Thiels to be harsh, esp. when linked to first rate gear. But let's not get into that discussion. They're just too bright for me, and even if they're just nutral, the fact remains that many cd's could be tossed out the window, since I wouldn't be able to listen to them anymore...

Thanks.
hulskof

Showing 13 responses by hulskof

hulskof OP
70 posts
 
God, you're right. Sorry about that. ;-)
hulskof OP
70 posts
 
P.S. The Cremona are cheaper here in Europe, maybe that gave you the idea of 10K. I'm sorry for the confusion.
hulskof OP
70 posts
 
Forgot to mention my budget. It's around 7.000 euro's for a pair of speakers. Lets say it's 10.000 US dollars max.
hulskof OP
70 posts
 
@ Stevecham: I don't know how new they are. I will ask next time I'll be in the shop. We decided to try a tube pre amp ten, to soften them up a little, maybe that will help. But to me they sounded harsh on some recordings I had with me, not all, but enough to know that I couldn't bare most of my cd's on them.
hulskof OP
70 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions, but many of the mentioned speakers are (don't wanna nitpick here)not the most pleasing for the eye (WAF). I like the looks of:

Sonus Faber Cremona
Dali Helicon 800
WLM Diva
Wilson Benesch Discovery (but too expensive)
Focal Electra 1027/1037 be
Audio Physic Scorpio (bass too boomy)
Audio Physic Virgo V (too much midrange)
Usher Dancer series (but too big, except monitor BE-718)

Any other suggestions? Or experience with these speakers?
hulskof OP
70 posts
 
@Gawdbless: That's why I won't go for the Thiels and I'm looking for an alternative ;-)
hulskof OP
70 posts
 
Thanks for these new suggestions. Although I like both the PBN and the Silverline models, I don't think I will be able to find them here in Belgium, Europe. I tried to find who distributes them, but there simply is no distributor... Which is a bummer, 'cause I'd really would have liked to hear them both. Same goes for Merlin, btw.

It;s funny. Lots of people in the audio business over here tell me that US speakers are the best, but lots of US brands are simply not available here.

The (French) Focal Utopia might be an option, but I'll try the 1027/1037 Electra first.
And I will definately listen to the Sonus Faber Cremona, one of the best looking speakers out there imo, but I doubt whether it will be good enough with rock.
hulskof OP
70 posts
 
These are all great suggestions, but as I said before, most of them are not available in Belgium. Vienna Accoustics might be something to try, although I suspect the Mahler will be too big for my room. The Strauss might be better, but is no longer available and it is said that the Beethoven Concert Grand is no good for people who like bite and punch... But I'll give it a try anyway.

What do you people think of Sonus Faber Cremona in this respect?
hulskof OP
70 posts
 
Well, I went back to the dealer yesterday and listened some more. To make a long story short: I will try the Thiels CS2.4 at home, with an McIntosh 6900 amp. I'll give it a go for a week and will see soon enough whether it works for me. If not, then I'll try Sonus Faber Cremona, Vienna Acoustics Beethoven, WLM Diva and Dali Helicon 800 MkII. The winner has to be among them... ;-)
hulskof OP
70 posts
 
@Lightminer: I'm not fond of the looks of electrostats and I don't have the space for them either, so that's a no-go. And who gave you the idea I have more than 10K to spend on speakers alone? Just because I'm auditioning the MC6900, doesn't mean I'm willing to spend the money on that amp (new that is). Just testing the Thiels, that's all.
hulskof OP
70 posts
 
Well, the Thiels are definitely off the list. Too harsh, too bright, too agressive in the higher frequencies.

Next I will try the Sonus Faber Cremona (old and new model) with solid state and with tube gear. What will be the biggest changes with the Thiels? My biggest fear: the Cremona doesnt like rock...
hulskof OP
70 posts
 
Well, I heard both the old and new Cremona's today on various amps and cd-players and I still haven't found what I'm looking for. The new Cremona is quite good, I love it's warmth and smoothness. It's totally without aggressive highs, no harshness whatsoever. But it's not as dynamic as the Thiels and it's bass response is way worse. It has no punch, no bite and the bass is a bit less detailed too. If only it were possible to compare the low end, dynamics and detail of the Thiels with the smoothness and warmth of the Cremona's, then true magic would be upon us. But I've never heard such a speaker. Does it excist???
hulskof OP
70 posts
 
What about Hyperion HPS 968? Would that be a good choice?
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