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I currently use Anthony Gallo Acoustic Reference 3.5
can I better them in that $8k->$10k space? Any ideas?
I listen to lots of electronic music, also very heavy rock music as well as hip hop and jazz. I don't know if there is a do it all and do it all well speaker. I've been on an endless quest and I need to figure out what to do next, my system is in my profile, not sure if the technology is truly that much better in the $8k-$10k space, would it be a parallel move? I've been gradually moving up, but I'm not sure if I should save up a bit more and get something completely another level up.
Follow Ups:
either would be a step up
My friend just replaced his TAD R-1's for some Yamaha Soavo ns-f901's!!
These Yamaha speakers are right up there with top reference speakers!..
The best speakers I have ever heard are Vivid Audio Giya G3's...at any price!!...
What is the size and layout of the listening room? If there are appropriate corner, corner horns may provide the sought after improvements. My Pi Speakers 6 Pi is one of the best loudspeakers that I've experienced and certainly fits within your budget. The 3Pi or 4Pi with subwoofers provide most of the impact and clarity of the corner horns should more placement flexibility be needed. The JBL 1400 Array would also be a more expensive alternative with similar performance characteristics. Good luck!
They might do Rock music well, but the thought of those big red surrounds and cheaply veneered cabinets standing there next to your other gear, in your NYC apartment, gives me a weird feeling. If I were you, I would definitely consider Duke's advice (below) and look for speakers using high quality pro sound drivers though.There are *better looking* speakers that use high quality pro sound drivers. Try Audiokinesis. Or, Tyler Acoustics for example...
Edits: 01/23/15 01/23/15
Maybe JBL would be better for you? Hip Hop? 10K for Hip Hop? Uh...NO!
dave_b
There is a different dynamic envelope for Rock, Trance, Hip Hop and synthesized bass. Most froo-froo hi-fi loudspeakers utterly SUCK reproducing this music which then should lead people to ask whether the froo-froo hi-fi speaker is even hi-fi at all since a loudspeaker's job is to reproduce electrical signal not take the musician's resume and basically say yup - I'm Mr. Loudspeaker and I can reproduced oboe and flute but sorry AC/DC, I will explode in a fiery mess if I have to try and hit your levels reproducing any music that has any sort of a pulse.
That's why they make Cerwin Vega LOUSPEAKERS! Unnatural synthesized sound needs the kind of inn attention to detail and quality that only a manufacturer of extremely specialized mass produced fuse protected speakers can deliver! It's all about da bass ;)
dave_b
The CLS's don't sound too bad to TAS...
Religion is the world's oldest profession
Edits: 01/23/15
This is absolutely true...I've owned stinkers and winners from both realms!
dave_b
Do you want dynamics or hyper dynamics?
Ever thought of going to an all horn system?
Klipsch Jubilee when using active crossover is something like 104 db/watt. Even if that's inflated.... if the speaker is a mere 100db/watt, yours are listed on their site as 88/watt.
They will pound you if you want to get pounded. If you want to upgrade them further, you can spring for some TAD drivers to put on the top horn.
Being horn loaded it will have a lot less distortion than a direct/radiator system.
Where are you located? You'd be welcome to hear/feel/experience mine if you're anywhere near Knoxville, TN.
nt
Des
g
great sounding speakers, but you need driver area for that music, and the merlin are basically 2 ways
N/T
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
You might consider looking at speakers that use high-end prosound drivers. One of the things you get with good prosound drivers is superb dynamics and clarity because they will just be loafing along even on your loudest peaks. Not that you "need" 10-20 dB of speaker headroom, like you don't "need" 600 horsepower run to the Piggly-Wiggly for groceries, but it does make it more fun.
Whenever I have been commissioned to do a set of custom main monitors for a recording studio, I have used high-end prosound drivers, not because the engineers will be listening at high levels for eight hours a day, but so the system will still be relaxing to listen to at the end of those eight hours. Listening fatigue would quickly take the fun out of the job.
Offhand I can't think if any "mainstream" speaker manufacturers that use prosound drivers, so you may have to get away from the beaten path a bit.
Duke
Me being a dealer makes you leery?? It gets worse... I'm a manufacturer too.
seriously, save yourself some cash, go for the big cerwin vegas and they'll put a big smile on your face, given your musical taste. good old 'west coast' sound is simply better for rock, hip hop, etc.
I find the audiophile stuff also occasionally 'too stuffy' and not enough life in it.
and given that they cost much less than 8-10k, you can keep your gallos for comparison (well, at least for a while)
Hi, What is your room size,construction,and furnishings? Is the actual speaker size and look an important consideration? Have you considered Hi Efficiency Speakers?
Excerpt from 6moons review:
On absolute polarity: If you feel deaf on a CD player's or preamp's polarity inversion feature, Strada and Reference 3.5 will have you smile. Flip polarity at the amplifier outputs. As Eduardo de Lima of Audiopax mathematically modeled many years ago, harmonic distortion behaviors of amplifiers and speakers interact in unpredictable ways. In one orientation, amp THD + speaker THD will add to more distortion than each produces individually. In the other, there'll be cancellation of out-of-phase THD components.
This is partial at best. On a percentile scale, it could be minuscule. However, with speakers as time-tweaked as these, even a little is audible. Anthony reports that with 70% of amplifiers he's tried, his speakers sound better wired inverted. Better—not necessarily absolute—polarity has more vitality, presence, focus, snap and more spectacular soundstaging. It's a very quick and free experiment. Anyone auditioning Stradas or Ref 3.5s should try them both ways just to be sure. What's right and how audible it'll be depends on the electronics. Chances are very good that you'll no longer feel deaf in this matter. So don't leave performance under the table which only takes a few seconds to optimize. Try both speaker cable polarities at the amplifier.
It sounds good to me either way honestly, I am keeping the speakers I have for the time being. Thanks for your reply :)
Reference 3A Grand Veenas can be had for less than your specified price and are good on any music.
Since you mentioned reversing polarity. Reversing the polarity on power cords to CD Players and Preamps can yield similar results. If it helps it is immediately apparent due to the sound improvement.
I am not sure if they are avaiable in North America or not but in Europe they go for about 7000 euro and are really superb with a high sensitivity (93 db). Great Dynamcis
Another choice would be the Ref 3a Grand Veena or their new model the Nefes.
I chose the Gallo Reference 3.5 as one of the best 5 rooms at CES (based on rooms with speakers under $10,000) a few years back and a large part of that was based on their ability to play hard hitting rock music at high levels with supreme clarity.
Many of the audiophile speakers that seem popular are not really geared to do justice to do rock and don;t do it particularly well.
So I'd struggle to come up with something that for Rock music I would like as much as the Gallo 3.5. You can probably tailor them in numerous ways to get the sound you want - if they're a bit bright - find a way to shelve that down - not bright enough get a more open sounding amp or something - they're pretty darn impressive and the price isn't stupid. Personally, out of the speakers mentioned thus far - I would keep the Gallo for Rock/metal/electronic/thrash. Perhaps that would change a bit with other music but the Gallo was quite good on Eva Cassidy and Sarah McLachlan - it's hardly a one trick pony. It would probably be taken more seriously if they charged more for them - which is kind of a sad statement.
I need to make a correction - I have not heard JanZen - I would have edited the post or deleted it but I am at work and this computer won't allow the word forum and for whatever reason a delete or edit gives me an access deny message. FWIW they look pretty interesting. I'd like to hear them.
I thought about it, I am keeping these until something better comes along. Or maybe just keeping these. It seems I would have to elevate the system another two levels to get better, I don't have the dough for that at this point. nor do I believe it would really be worth it, after awhile there are diminishing returns. I appreciate the response.
I would suggest waiting for a Gallo Ref 3.5 replacement. The company was to announce a Ref 4 (?) near the end of 2014. To date no news is forthcoming. A new product may be near. One can only speculate what the changes and/or improvements might be. However, I am confident the new model will be within your price range.
Not sure if they are better than your Gallos, but for a completely different flavor, perhaps try one of the DeVore Orangutans. I love my O/93s.
I would highly recommend trying to find a way to audition the Thiel CS2.7 speaker . It uses the same coaxial midrange/tweeter as its big brother the CS3.7. I own the CS3.7 and it a phenomenal sounding speaker. The midrange/tweeter element handles frequencies from 300-Hz up and is basically a point source with linear phase. This produces outstanding imaging and a holographic soundstage. This speaker system is well worth considering.
I've got the 3.7's too and I don't think I'd recommend it for what he's listening to. They're very resolving and the quality of the bass is outstanding but I prefer something a little meatier sounding for hard rock. I've also got a pair of ATC SCM110s that are great for rock. They'll play loud, clean and they roll the highs off just a bit. It makes them more forgiving of harsh recordings and the dynamics make them a ton of fun for electronic or hard rock. I prefer the Thiels for smaller scale acoustic music.
Imagine how boring the internet would be if folks were as civil here as they are in person.
What amplifier are you using? My 3.7's sound amazing with hard rock and everything else. They can play very loud when driven with my Parasound Halo A21. However, I use a subwoofer for the bottom octave.What amplifier are you using?
Edits: 01/24/15
I'm running a pair of Cambridge 840s bridged mono. It's at least 600 watts/channel into 4 ohms. There's no problem with bass extension, texture or punch. The bass quality is fantastic. I just don't think the Thiels are what I'd spend 8-10k on if I listened to his music. I think the high and mid resolution of the Thiels goes to waste. First order crossovers are also not ideal for headbangers.
If it were me I'd be looking for something active. Preferably a sealed box. High order crossovers. I'd probably be thinking Vintage King rather than a hi fi shop.
Imagine how boring the internet would be if folks were as civil here as they are in person.
YES. Thiel CS2.7-
I don't know about the new Thiels but the old one were only good on Jazz, classical, blues like the vandersteen used to be. I'll look fir a pair of Aerial 9
Yes, the Thiel speakers trumps Aerial.
These have a thirty day in home trial.
I have had the JansZens now for over two years. That is long enough to know that I'm not changing them out, unless I get swayed by another JansZen design some day. They play every type of music well.
Also, David Janszen is a wonderful person to deal with.
Well worth following up, and if you don't like them you can just send them back!
Plus, if you don't like the finishes/colours they will paint them any colour you like.
All the best in your project.
Bruce
I've mentioned these before, and I don't want to fall into the "shill" category, but you sound like a good candidate for the Spatial M1 Turbos. Pro-type 15" drivers in an open baffle config. Would seem to fit your musical tastes at half your budget. The Ohms were suggested as well and I'm a big fan of these, but with your tastes in music, I might lean toward those big 15" drivers. Good luck on your adventure.
The Ohms do well with electronic music, and at least the bigger ones do well with hard rock. That said, I don't think he'd like them coming off of Gallos.
Jack
Jack....I'm always surprised at how loud the Ohm 1000's can play and remain composed, but this is with acoustic jazz, folk, etc. I can imagine the 5000 being quite a bit more potent for rock/electronic type music.
i got the subs plugged in, including the two 10 inch gallos got another dual 10 inch sub now, seems better...
that Bass.
Even better....
Arrgh! Looks like RGA beat me to it...
That I saw on youtube last year... from Kate Davis
literally,
You might consider the Aerial Acoustics 7Ts or 6Ts. The 7Ts are just under $10k and the 6Ts are under $7k. They have a beautiful look to them and are highly rated. If you can find them in your area.
ditto. i have owned aerial model 6 (the older version) and heard both the 7t and 6t and they are really fine.
Tom Collins
then you may be moving sideways for a lot of $$. I have only heard your speakers set up well once and they were excellent. It is an interesting choice Gallos and your taste in tunes. The Gallos I heard really shined on acoustic music and imaging. I never heard them on Electronic , Rock or Hip Hop music.
A couple of paths:
- Get big subs and integrate them well. For the music you like bass impact you can feel may be a game changer. Rythmic comes to mind.
- Try a different presentation, like Ohm. The music will be everywhere.
The most impressive big buck speaker set up I heard recently was the top of the line Focals (more $$ than you specified) at a show in Chicago. I have no idea how their less expensive models sound. I would worry that you could spend $10k and not have changed your world for the better.
I think maybe I just have to hook up my subwoofers again, they go down to 32hz. Thanks for reminding me :)
Ever try the Gallo sub-amp for the 2nd voice coil of the woofers/subs? If so, can you comment on its effect? If not, perhaps try that to coax the most out of what you have?
The Gallo Refs are a speaker I'd love to hear, despite concerns of side firing woofers - even if subs.
marc g. - audiophile by day, music lover by night
B&W 803DI? Used probably around $7K
“Somebody was always controlling who got a chance and who didn’t. - Charles Bukowski
Just sold my 803D's.....amazing speaker!! My 802d's are ethereal...they have finesse but can also play loud and clear!!
dave_b
thanks for the reply, I will never listen to British speakers ever again, I made that mistake with Harbeth.
Thinking of a USA made speaker. Not sure what yet, don't even know what is out there.
Somebody already said: It seems like there is more products than audiphiles! :)
Take a look at these:
“Somebody was always controlling who got a chance and who didn’t. - Charles Bukowski
I am thinking new, and thinking I need to save another 5 or 10k before I pull the trigger.
thanks a lot for the link.
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