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Perhaps you recall me complaining about brightness in my system. Well, I appreciate the suggestions I got, and tried most of them. In the end, they didn't get me there, so I am now looking to consider alternative speakers. Therefore, I would like your input.This is what I got now:
Fisher 500C, restored, NOS tubes
Totem model 1 sigs
linn/aro/dynvector 10x5
Audio note 3.1x cdp
marigo 8.8 ints and spk cbl
I need someting that will work with what I got. I am intrigued by SETs. I do not know when I would be able to go down that road, and as such, I am not sure if I should try and get something efficient now and have that out of the way, or cross that bridge when I get there.I listen to all kinds of music, but mostly rootsy-bluesy-twangy 'pop/rock', some acoustic, some not -- not much classical/jazz. Room is 12x18x10. Speakers on long wall. 20's apt building w/wood floor. Very solid construction. Don't listen too loudly (neighbors).
I would welcome more bass, but what I have will do. I must have smooth/warm/lush. I am (perhaps because of the Totems) very sensitive to harsh/bright/edgy. I am not worried about audiophile tricks, musical is key. I am after PRaT, dynamics, decay, tonal accuracy, transients etc.. Not too hung up on 'neutral' or 'accurate', as I am not sure I believe in such things. I do not need anything mercilessly revealing of my less than good sounding discs. I am after a speaker that is not fatiguing.
I like 'moniters' for apt/space/WAF. I am open to suggestions. I am open to used. Budget up to $5K new, although I am hoping to find something I love for closer to $3K
This is my current 'short list': opinions, descriptions of sonic character, other pro/cons appreciated to save time/trouble auditioning the wrong things (or even finding them). I am not looking for you to tell me what speakers to buy, but which you think I should track down and drag home for a listen. I have not heard these, comments below based on reviews/archives.
Higher efficiency options:
Ref 3A De Capo i: This seams my best option. Good efficiency, allows
flexibility for amps, good size, good bass for size. Is this a smooth
speaker? Is this overly revealing? etc. I have seen in the archives this
listed as bright sometimes, and smooth others.Audio note K/spe: I can't put them in the corners, probably need to have them 2 feet off
wall too. Too crisp for my tastes? Not good for my placement limits?Spendor 2/3: 1/2 too big, 2/3 is pushing it. I know these are lower efficiency, but
they are easy as far as impedance, no? All I have seen says musical,
warm, non fatiguing, true? SET friendly?Galante Rhapsody: Out of production, should I be concerned about buying used? Wife
likes the looks a lot.ZU Druid IV: I know these are floor standers, but they have a small foot print, the
wife likes the simple Mod look. Everyone who has actually heard
them seems to love them, people here seem to be irritated by them.Omega: I find the model #s more confusing than Spendor. Which model? why?
Less efficient options:
Focus FS 688: This seems perfect apart from 85db efficiency. Perfect size, bass is
good for size, reported as smooth sounding, forgiving of poor
recordings, etc. Are these so good I should forget SETs? Some Asian
mag has them as best small speaker of all time!JMR Trentes: Reported as musical, warm, lush. Stereophile lab test reports the 500C
does not like 4ohm speakers. any other drawbacks?Dynaudio 25: Awesome bass for size, some say can get bright? same for 1.3SE?
As always, thank you for your help
Follow Ups:
Are you sure the brightness comes from your speakers and not the room or other components?
the first place I investigate. I have tried some room adjustments, but the options are limited, as I do not have a dedicated listening room, but I do have a wife. I will not be selling my speakers until I find something that works better. If it pans out not to be the Totems, I will look elsewhere.I have read extensively through the archives, and there are a number of posts indicating the Totems can be aggressive or bright, in certain rooms, with certain equipment. This all makes starting with the Totems seem logical to me, but I like a lot of what Totems do, and I will not just dump them unless it turns out to be the thing to do.
thank you
The Dynaudio Special 25s and the Contour 1.3 SEs are the only speakera you list that I have heard, and I own the 1.3 SEs so I'm in a reasonable position to comment on them.You're worried about speakers that are harsh/bright/edgy. The 1.3 SEs aren't any of those things but you can get that sort of sound out of them. They are quite transparent and show what's upline of them so if there's a tendency to those sorts of things elsewhere in the system you'll hear it. Also you can make them that way by putting them too close to walls. People tend to worry about too much bass reinforcement and that can be an issue, but getting the 1.3 SEs well away from walls produces a much sweeter and airier top end as well. They are definitely voiced for a free standing placement at least a metre away from any wall, and preferably more. Ignoring that recommendation from Dynaudio can result in excessive bass boost, but it will also adversely affect the top end.
I think the Dynaudio Special 25s are a little sweeter and smoother in the top end, but they are also prone to the same issues - they reveal what is upstream and they also need space around them and distance from walls.
Your room is not much different from mine which is around 18' by 14' in the main area with a 10' square opening off it, though I have 8' ceilings. I use a long wall placement based on the Audio Physic method so the driver centres are almost 7' from the front wall, half way between front and back walls, and about 5' from the side walls. From that you will guess that it's a dedicated room - that centre of the room placement will probably never work in a normal living room, but the 1.3 SEs are rarely bright with that placement in my system, the only exceptions being some rare, incredibly bright discs that will produce bright sound on anything. I've heard the 25s in my room in the same locations and my comments on them were based on that hearing.
If you're going to have to place the speakers closer than 3.5' to the wall behind them, I'd definitely recommend hearing either of these Dyns in your room first to see just what an effect your walls will have. The wall behind mine is largely glass window so the top end really peaks with the reflections though I would anticipate some hardening and increase in brightness with proximity to most walls.
David Aiken
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