Looking for Speaker Recommendations


Hi,

I am getting a new system and am looking for speaker recommendations. I will have a ma8950 and will, at least initially, be streaming exclusively. Focal and B & W are too bright and fatiguing. Wilson SabrinaX are good except for the price. Any thoughts? Thanks.

wast314

You're right to stay away from B&W and Focal.  I also think you can do better than Wilson.

As for auditioning, it depends on where you live, but brands you should listen to with deeper market penetration (more stores carry them) are Vandersteen and Sonus Faber.

Another way of going about this would be to consider the home trial/free return route.  Take a look at the offerings of Crutchfield, Music Direct and Audio Advisor.

I highly recommend the Volti Razz. I ordered a pair (to replace my Harbeth 30.2s and REL sub) after hearing them at the 2021 Capital Audio show. Loved my Harbeth’s but love the Volta’s more. Great soundstage, clean sound with wonderful bass. Paired with Rogue Stereo 100 power amp and Prima Luna EVO 300 preamp. I listen mostly to streamed music fro Bluesound Node running through a Chord Qutest DAC.  Razz may be my final pair of speakers. I think they play way above their weight (no pun intended because they are hefty). Good luck 

no mention of the so called BBC speakers? If B&W are too bright, Sterling or Harbeth or Rogers might be right

 

I would suggest the Rockport Atria.  When I was upgrading my speakers I listened to the Sabrina’s as well. For me the Rockports were just more musical and natural. I liked to them so much I bit the bullet and bouts Aviors

Fyne speakers might be a good choice, but be sure to go for the F700 series or the SP models in the 500 series.  They are made in Scotland and have great sound—92 db sensitivity and great imaging and sound stage.  I have the F702s driven by Rogue Audio RP-1 tube preamp and Benchmark AHB power amp.