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Aerial 7bs or Proac Response 2.5?

I've been scuttling around the state of NC listening to speakers, as I'm thinking of upgrading from my Vandersteen 2ce Signatures. So far, I've heard the Revel F30s, a set of B&Ws floorstanders (didn't catch the model number, but they ran about $2500) The ProAc Response 2.5s, the Vandersteen 3a Signatures, the Aerial 8b, 7b, and 6s, with the Sonus Faber Grand Pianos and Vienna Acoustics Beethoven to come. That's about it for the high-end pickings hereabout, and so far the ProAcs and Aerial 7bs are my favorites. Any opinions? I'm looking for a more resoved, clearer, speaker than the Vandersteens, but that will have low listening fatigue. I'll be running them with Audio Research equipment, likely, although I might be willing to rematch electronics to a speaker I love.
swklein
tswhitsel
126 posts
 
I am a real fan of Aerial products, but I have to disagree on the model 8 as the bass can be overwhelming in most rooms. I'd go for the 7B if I were choosing between the Aerial and the Proac. That said, I'd look for a used pair of 10Ts for around $4000 give or take. These remain one of the very best loudspeakers, especially for the money, and are much better than the other Aerial mentioned.
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drubin
3,267 posts
 
I am in the throes of making a switch from the ProAc 2.5 to (probably) the Thiel 1.6 Strange, I know, but there you have it. After living with the Thiels, I have come to find the ProAcs unacceptably confused sounding and unresolving. Your Vandy's are time and phase coherent, like the Thiels. You may find the absence of those design elements in a speaker like the ProAc a tough pill to swallow.
rrroberts
21 posts
 
I had a pair of 7b's and liked them but now own the 10T's and would recommend them...better bass and all around better sound quality...I purchased a used pair for 3200 and sold the 7b's for 2600...
hockeyyo
2 posts
 
When I looked to upgrade from the Aerial Model 5's, I auditoned the 6, 7 & 8 and decided on the combination of the Model 6 with an REL sub. I will probably upgrade to the Aerial sub in time.

I think the room will play a big part in your decision. My room is around 175 square feet and I had alot of problems with bass loading from the 7 & 8. I don't have the room to place speakers 3 feet out from the wall and the Model 6 can be within 1 ft from the wall without any change in dynamics. It also images better than the 7 & 8.

I auditioned a number of speakers including Pro-Ac, Totem, JM Reynaud, B&W, and the room decided who was the winner. I also believe that audio reviews do not take into consideration room dynamics when recommending speakers.

I would also suggest you contact the manufacturers/distributors direct and pick their brains.
tomryan
796 posts
 
I also love my 2.5s. I took a year to buy them after bringing 11 different speakers into my home for auditions. I've not heard any ARC/2.5 combos but know a couple people who have. They say it's as if the 2.5 was designed for ARC. I, however, drive them in a small room (11 x 13.5) with an AirTight 300B amp and get satisfactory volume and dynamics. The 2.5s are music a lover's speakers, not a "device for the transfer of an electrical signal into a mechanical impulse". I've not heard any Thiels in 5 yrs (tried a pair at home, drove me and my wife from the room!) and I also tried the floorstanding Aerial three way at home. Univolving and a bit artificial sounding, to my taste. Wonderfully built, though, and fairly priced. The ProAcs are overpriced - buy 'em used.
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