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open/energetic but not harsh? what am i describing

hi guys, long story short, i loved the energy and openness of the b&w n805's but i couldnt stand the harshness of the metal tweeter after extended listening... so i need to replace them with something that is equally airy/open but a lot smoother

i've been demoing speakers but its been hard to find something similar.. i think the fact that the 805's have the tweeter out in the open like that, contributes a lot to their great imaging and open sound

i need some guidance as to what speakers i should look into... most of the speakers ive tried so far do sound smoother, but have that boxy/recessed sound and are not nearly as airy as the 805's

any advice is appreciated, thanks
koven
sufentanil's avatar
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sufentanil
782 posts
 
Koven,

You might be a candidate for planar or electrostatic speakers. At the risk of generalizing, they tend to have a very open sound without harshness.

Just something to think about.

Michael
xti16
1,525 posts
 
Koven I have only heard the 'D' series not the nautilus. I still prefer the Dyns especially in the mids and high end. Also the B&W's for me lacked some dynamics.
jlamb
150 posts
 
Some years ago, the only local hi-fi shop in town paired them with classe gear. They (along with the other nautilus's B&W in the lineup) sounded outstanding in a very well treated demo room. At the time I couldn't justify the coin for new 805N's, so I eventually went with a used pair of Joseph Audio monitors. Have never looked back. Very neutral speakers, require good upstream gear. YMMV.
bondmanp
1,790 posts
 
I thought my Vandersteen 1Cs were harsh because of my electronics. I replaced almost the entire signal chain, adding a tube preamp, new amp, cables, power cords, etc. Things improved, but I ended up realizing that the speakers were the culprit. Either the metal tweets or the roughness in the crossover range was to blame.

I am now trying Ohm Walsh 2000s. These speakers are a bit different, but in no way harsh on almost any material I throw at them. Very open, dynamic and lively, but only when the source material is as well.
rackon
301 posts
 
I would strongly recommend that you check out the Nola speaker line - very open, unboxy, coherent, yet very dynamic. They have a lot of that airy sound I like in planars and stats but they are more dynamic. Pleny of detail but without any harsnhess or treble tilt. Huge soundstage, and they disappear.

The Ohm Walsh line is another option for "unboxy" sounding speakers. Their presentation is a bit different than most conventional box speakers but it is very airy and compelling.
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