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In Reply to: RE: Bookshelf speaker recommendations? (upgrade fr: Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home) posted by Sterlo on December 07, 2009 at 04:18:53
Well, the SF Cremona Auditor is a smallish standmount so one would not expect either a lot of bass or very deep bass. I heard the previous version in a fairly large room, far away from the walls, and they sounded very good indeed. I did not listen to them very long because I had already heard the Paradigm Signature S2 and they seemed to have no advantage for me except for the looks.
I have never seen measurements of the Cremona Auditor. The specifications show a 150 mm. woofer crossed over at 2500 Hz with a 6 dB per octave crossover (for phase coherence). Assuming the specifications are reasonably accuraee, I would suspect the off axis dispersion is not very even. So it would be less room friendly and more placement sensitive. I suspect they would be best far away from walls, and in your room, fairly close up. I would suggest trying them out at home--this is good advice for any speaker, of course. But in the right set up, they can sound excellent.
Of the other speakers you mention, I would look very hard at the Dynaudio Contour 1.3 in either iteration. The ones I heard sounded very good. Check out the review at Stereophile.com.
For an excellent monitor with good bass response, there is the PSB Synchrony One B. I thought it was a nice speaker and it had good bass even in a large room. Audio Ideas Guide reviewed it and liked it. Also, you can see the excellent measurements.
"Probability is the very guide to life."---Cicero
Follow Ups:
Thanks Pat.
Interesting your recommendation on the Paradigms.
My first speaker years ago were the little Paradigm Atoms, and I heard the Paradigm Studio 100's some years ago, although I will confess the latter didn't exactly blow my mind (I thought there were better speakers for the money out there.)
But, I know Paradigm have a high end series.. Is this the Signature series? There is actually a dealer very close to me for Paradigm so I would love to have a listen to the S2's..
How much are they and how do they compare to similarly priced (and regarded) bookshelf options?
Thanks!
The Dynaudio Contour 1.3 has very good bass response and is a very nice speaker. Another excellent monitor speaker with very good bass response is the PSB Synchrony One B. The measurements indicate both these speakers have useful bass down to the low 30s. I wish I had taken time to listen to the One B more, but at the time, I wanted most to hear the big Synchrony One, which is as good as everyone says it is.
We have the first version of the Paradigm Signature S2. It has useful bass down to around 40 Hz, as do a number of other monitor speakers. We have a big subwoofer for them. I auditioned them at some length before buying them and found them to be a first class speaker and an excellent value. They are very neutral, slightly laid back, have very even off axis dispersion and don't call attention to themselves.
As for reputation, the Signature S2 achieved a Stereophile rating of Class A, Limited Low Frequency Extension (it's a monitor speaker, after all!). It has useful bass to below 40 Hz, which is pretty good for a small speaker. Soundstage's Doug Schneider liked the S2 very much and Andrew Marshall of Audio Ideas Guide liked the Signature S4, which is the one he happened to review.
I haven't heard the second iterations of the Signature Series. The even smaller S1 has received excellent reviews and measures very well, but the measurements indicate it only has useful bass to perhaps a bit below 60 Hz. Soundstage uses the National Research Council to measure speakers.
http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/measurements/speakers/paradigm_signature_s1_v2/
The other models in the Signature line probably measure as well for frequency response and dispersion but with deeper bass. I think the Signature S2, v. 2, lists around $2300, more with exotic finishes.
I can't tell you what speakers to like. The Dynaudio, Paradigm and PSB monitors discussed above are all very fine speakers. They don't get much better than that. They don't sound exactly the same, mostly slight differences in balance. With good speakers, you should be able to just relax and listen to the music.
You mention the Paradigm Studio Series. I haven't heard the latest versions of the Paradigm Studio Series. I liked some of the earlier versions as I recall, but I didn't keep notes on which ones. I didn't like the version 3 as well but have never heard versions 4 and 5.
"Probability is the very guide to life."---Cicero
Hi Pat,
Thanks for your extensive reply.
This is most helpful because I live in an area where there aren't a mass of bookshelf brands/speakers I can try. Paradigm is one I can try which is good!
This is the biggest issue I'm facing. I've had so many good recommendations as part of my post here but, speakers like Penaudio, Totem Model 1, Proac Response 1SC etc.. these speakers are nowhere close to me to audition! So, I literally would have to buy them on recommendation or spec (guesswork.) It could work out OK but in liklihood it could also end badly, and be expensive. This is what I like about the Dyn Contour 1.3mkii - it is a speaker I have heard (years ago) and I loved them. Most people would probably recommend if in doubt, going with a speaker I have physically heard, rather than taking a chance. (Sure, one of the others may be better but.. is it worth the risk if I can't listen to them?) I'm thinking probably not.
My room is 16x11ft and, I'm wondering if I'd have any bass problems with the Dyn's in that room (I've heard that these little speakers can have pretty strong midbass for their size and in a small room it may be problematic.) However, I have Sonus Faber Grand Piano Homes right now in that room, and I don't have any bass problems. So, I think my room should be OK.
I've never owned a bookshelf speaker before and am completely in the dark with regard to the concept of stands. Which one sounds best, should they be filled, etc etc. (Argh.. another area of complication.) Which stands do you recommend/use with the Paradigm S2? And, how much are the stands? I imagine the stands may come with the speaker or something but, to be honest I'm not sure if I'll be looking at a brand new pair from a store anyway.. There seem to be a few around 2nd hand at pretty good prices so, I would likely have to buy my own stands separately anyway..
Thanks for your email!
Andrew
It's in the nature of things that you can never be sure that you have the very best or even the very best you can afford. One cannot even be aware of all the different high fidelity speakers in the world much less listen to them. There's no use obsessing over it. However, with a little care, it is quite possible to get very satisfactory speakers.
I would be very reluctant to buy speakers without having auditioned them, unless I had return privileges. It is always best to be able to audition speakers at home.
I am somewhat puzzled by your thanks for an email, as I had not sent one to you. However, I have now replied to yours.
"Probability is the very guide to life."---Cicero
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