Triangle. Buy the model in your price range. Paper drivers come alive at very low volumes. Tube amp friendly (mostly). Great for jazz and vocals.
Recommendation for low to normal level listening a 13.5' x 21' x 8' room
Appreciate your advice on speaker selection and what I should spend proportionate to the rest of my system. Recently retired and moved to Atlanta, I am restructuring my system, going from 2 systems to 1. Dedicated listening room measures 13.5' x 21' x 8', is carpeted and will have diffusers and absorptive panels. I listen mainly to jazz. I would like to make this speaker purchase my last.
I've owned Bohlender Graebener and currently own Eminent Technology LFT8B hybrid planar speakers, also own Talon Raven C. I like the sound of the Talons and the openness of the ETs. However the ETs aren't as refined a sound as I'd like (the Talons are more so). Neither speaker is particularly alive at lower volume levels, and more engaging lower level listening is one of my goals. I like a natural sound that is non-fatiguing. While imaging is nice to have, it is less critical to me than the overall sound. I want openness and as I age, the top end needs to be present and not rolled off but not over emphasized. I also like enough base response that the sound is balanced. Finally, I want a enough of a dynamic sound to accurately portray the music as it has been recorded.
The rest of my system includes:
Chapter Audio Chapter 2 amp
Cary SA_200.2 Moon version amp (with volume control)
SAS Audio hybrid tubed line stage preamp
Classe CT-SSP processor
Eastern Minimax phono stage
Musical Fidelity A5 CD
Metronome tubed CD player
A number of mid-fi turntables including Technics SP15, Yamaha PX2, Lenco 75. I also have a very cool massive 16" transcription turntable from the old CBS radio station in Chicago that is a future project. Cartridges are on the low end (Denon103 and Hana) and I plan to upgrade.
Mosscade Saturn 12 subwoofer
I intend to sell off what I won't keep to help fund my purchase. My budget is $5K - $10K and I prefer pre-owned to get the biggest bang for my buck. I have my eye on a pair of pre-owned SoundLab Majestic 845, but I have never heard an electrrostat and there doesn't seem to be a dealer within a reasonable drive of me. Also I'm not sure if my room would be too small to optimize the 845s and I will do most of my listening within 8' -12' of the speakers. I also am considering Maggies and I will be auditioning an Acoustat 2+2 locally.
I recently listened to Klipsch Forte 2s and Belles. I liked the Forte's base and the midrange of the Belles. I did not care for the top end of either as it seemed recessed and lacking air.
My electronics (except maybe the Chapter 2 amp) aren't the highest caliber so I'm open to any suggestion to maximize my sound. I don't have unlimited funds to churn thru equipment until I find what I like and I am frustrated with the lack of opportunity to audition the equipment I've researched that seems to be what I'd like. So, your input will mean a lot to me. Thanks in advance.
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I have a similar room and tastes. Focal Aria 906 speakers have been just fine. I did find that the preamp and amp mattered. With the wrong ones, for example, the top end was too bright. But I finally landed equipment that gives me the sound you describe. So I take it that the Focal Arias do a good job of presenting what they are given.
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@lorenc1 How much room can you afford to give between your speakers and the wall? If 5’ or more, your thought on Magnepan is not a bad one. If less, consider Scansonic MB-5B. They have the tonal balance and openness of a Raidho (both were mostly designed by Michael Borresen) and cost significantly less. The challenge with these speakers is that they require excellent electronics, and as you pointed out, your amps are not of the highest caliber. If I were you I would sell in or trade both of your amps for something that can meet the current delivery needs of both speakers. Both Maggie and Scansonic can sound bad if not done properly, but they can also be the best speakers for the money and shine as well as their paired amps allow them to. In full disclosure I am a Scansonic dealer, but before I became one I purchased an MB-6B, which replaced my previous Wilson Yvette. I since upgraded to Borresen Z3 Cryo. I also personally own a pair of Magnepan 1.7i. |
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