Seeking advise from those who have opinions on speakers < $2,000
Chet1260
Recently sold my Vandy 2CE's and am looking for the most bang for my
bucks in a small room with my White Audio A50 (50 Class A solid state)
amp and Audible Illusions M3A preamp.
Here's what I'm considering. I would appreciate any comments on these
as well as any suggestions for choices not on this list:
Joseph M7si at $1,300
Gallo Nucleus at $1,900
Proac Tablette
Legacy Studios at $800
Sonus Faber Minimas
Epos
Totem Model 1's
?????
All of these are considered exceptional in thier own rights but they
have limitations/weaknesses. If you have opinions, I would be very
interested in hearing what you have to say.
Thanks much,
Chet
Todd Warnke
In <4ml2ph$n...@biosun.harvard.edu> chet...@aol.com (Chet1260) writes:
>
>Recently sold my Vandy 2CE's and am looking for the most bang for my
>bucks in a small room with my White Audio A50 (50 Class A solid state)
>amp and Audible Illusions M3A preamp.
I'll throw out what may seen an oddball suggestion. The Sound-Lab
Quantums. They are "only" 5' tall, but their foot print is not much
larger than that of a good pair of speaker stands. They list for
about $2200, and can be driven by a 50 watt class A amp (I've heard
them with the 50 watt class A Forte, and with the Quicksliver GLA -
both worked surprisingly well).
You'll get deeper bass than with any of the previously listed
speakers, with incredible mid-range, delicate treble, and decent
dynamics (in a small to mid-size room). They are not as hard to place
as you might think, as long as you can get them several feet from the
rear wall. They look gorgeous, and sound even better. If you are
willing to spend $1900 on the Gallos you really ought to give these a
peek as well. And since you won't be buying stands, the $2200 isn't
as high as it sounds.
Todd
Daniel Baker
chet...@aol.com (Chet1260) wrote:
>Joseph M7si at $1,300
>Gallo Nucleus at $1,900
>Proac Tablette
>Legacy Studios at $800
>Sonus Faber Minimas
>Epos
>Totem Model 1's
>?????
Two speakers that I would suggest (and am surprised are not on your
list already, as they were both "fashionable" at least in the past)
are the Martin Logan Aerius and the Apogee Slant 6. I owned the
Aerius' for about a year and still have fond memories of their truth
of timbre, detail and musically involving sound. They did not have
the deepest bass, but I rarely found myself wanting for more. On the
most demanding material, they might run out of steam on dynamics, but
the musical impact is still well projected. Still a bargain at $1995
(unless their price has very recently gone up).
I also owned the larger sibling to the Slant 6, the Slant 8. These
speakers share some similar qualities (again, detail and truth of
timbre, though in some installations the Slant 6 might be a little
bright). Given the choice between the Slant 6's and the Aerius, I
would choose the Aerius, but it is a personal decision.
Of course, all of these are abstract descriptions using audiophile
terminology which may or may not translate into how musically
rewarding you find the products. They are definitely worth a listen,
though. Be aware, however, that both can be tricky to set up -- well
worth the effort when you are done, but be prepared for perhaps
*weeks* of fiddling before you are fully satisfied. Then enjoy.
--Daniel Baker
Tom Sherman
chet...@aol.com (Chet1260) writes:
>Recently sold my Vandy 2CE's and am looking for the most bang for my
>bucks in a small room with my White Audio A50 (50 Class A solid state)
>amp and Audible Illusions M3A preamp.
>Joseph M7si at $1,300
>Gallo Nucleus at $1,900
>Proac Tablette
>Legacy Studios at $800
>Sonus Faber Minimas
>Epos
>Totem Model 1's
>?????
Sadly, I've only heard speakers from two of the *brands* on your list,
so I can't really be of much help in comparing the above mentioned
list. You didn't mention what kind of music you like to listen to, so
I'll just throw out my suggestion. I haven't auditioned very many
speakers in this class, but I really like the Thiel 1.5 for $2100. It
is great on jazz and classical, with a wide, deep soundstage that is
music to my ears =) Also, the imaging is pin-point and realistic. By
accomplishing these two things, this speaker has the kind of sound I
love in a speaker. It's not fatiguing and is simply a joy to listen
to. Also, you might want to check out a Dunlavy SC1 + subwoofer
configuration -- the Dunlavy's aren't quite my style but many others
like them a lot.
Hope I could be of some small amount of help,
--
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
-aLL mY wisheS spiN tO fisheS [ToM]
-tshe...@uni.uiuc.edu -lshe...@prairienet.org
-http://www.uni.uiuc.edu/~tsherman [don't expect anything to work]
Chet1260
The "difficulty in setting them up" factor is one reason I didn't
include planer type speakers in my list. With a small room and one
side wall less than a foot away, I havent been optimistic that I could
ever find the right set up. Does the "small room factor" change any
of what you said?
Thanks again
Chet
Bob Trosper
Chet1260 wrote:
Well, I have Soundlab A1's set up less than a foot from the sidewalls,
but about 6' from the back wall in a 24' long by 16' wide room. I do
have panels on the wall to kill the first reflection - these can be
made cheaply from Mannvile duct insulation. Covering with grill cloth
helps them look better. Do remember that you get a near null at the
immediate side of a planar speaker, so damping that first reflection
means you can get pretty close to a side wall.
I've also heard Magneplan MG1A's and MGIIC's in fairly small rooms
with very good sound. One guy, a sound engineer, put lots of acoustic
foam behind the MGIa's and used them as monitor speakers in a home
studio. It certainly can be done.
-- Bob T.