What else should I maybe consider?

Posted by rhizomatic (A) on October 23, 2003 at 10:41:37

Hi all,

In a couple months or so, I am going to receive a small inheritance. Whatever else I do, I'd like to get a pair of really nice speakers that capitalize on all I like about my Swifts, but go much further. After thumbing through a LOT of info and sites and reviews and what not, it looks to me like Silverline's Sonatina II is the speaker I want. I can't audition a damn thing where I live, and I certainly couldn't audition those.

I plan on buying used, so I would place the peak of my budget at maybe $2500. What interests me about the Sonatinas is that they are a proper four-way speaker, I'd rather have something that can move significantly more air than my modest Swifts. Also, the Sonatinas are recommended for somewhat smaller rooms (not 'large' rooms, anyway). The qualities that I'm looking for are, well, probably the qualities anyone is looking for, but what has caught my eye in descriptions has been the claims of coherence--I really like the smooth sound the Swifts' time-alignment provides--and naturalism.

The Swifts fail to convincingly diappear, and they do sound slightly boxy. The sound is somewhat pinched, if I pay attention. The sweet spot is narrow. I want a speaker that has a wide enough dispersion that the music sound convincing and full from more than just a couple-square feet cube on my couch. And, finally, that just sounds real and fleshed out. I am not an imaging junkie, I don't care if it doesn't have lethal bass, I just want something that has an open, natural, realistic presentation, and conveys the dynamics of music without imparting anything extra. In other words, what we all want, just maybe a little more laid back and less edgily resolved than I feel many people are after. I love my Meadowlark Swifts; I want them, only moreso. The Sonatina II's look like they can be that speaker. Is there any other speaker I might be overlooking, for around $4000 new, $2500 used?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

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Topic - What else should I maybe consider? - rhizomatic 10:41:37 10/23/03 (23)

Carolina Audio JTM - esager 19:44:54 10/24/03 (0)

Re: What else should I maybe consider? - John Potis 16:48:32 10/24/03 (0)

Well, I'll say - tinear 16:41:09 10/24/03 (0)

Re: What else should I maybe consider? - hahax 11:55:02 10/24/03 (0)

Maggies? - Jon L 11:14:55 10/24/03 (0)

If you want of the best try VMPS - warnerwh 17:46:28 10/23/03 (1)

I'll agree with that... - jonbee 20:51:05 10/23/03 (0)

Re: What else should I maybe consider? - Sturgus 14:54:32 10/23/03 (1)

Hey Sturgus... - rhizomatic 14:59:35 10/23/03 (0)

Re: What else should I maybe consider? - fatdaddy 14:35:11 10/23/03 (0)

Save some money... - DAA 12:36:22 10/23/03 (2)

Re: Save some money... - pturn 14:14:51 10/23/03 (0)

Agreed - Drew K. 13:10:52 10/23/03 (0)

Re: I wouldn't get hung up on . . . - Bruce from DC 11:48:02 10/23/03 (2)

I hear ya, Bruce - rhizomatic 12:08:55 10/23/03 (1)

4 drivers may be tougher to get right than 2... - JimIv 13:14:08 10/23/03 (0)

Re: What else should I maybe consider? - Ears 11:12:11 10/23/03 (6)

The Vandersteens don't seem sensitive enough... - rhizomatic 12:59:06 10/23/03 (4)

Re: The Vandersteens don't seem sensitive enough... - warnerwh 18:08:42 10/24/03 (0)

Re: The Vandersteens don't seem sensitive enough... - Rod M 16:47:56 10/23/03 (0)

Re: The Vandersteens don't seem sensitive enough... - racerguy 13:21:37 10/23/03 (1)

Don't get hung up on the ratings either - Drew K. 13:40:17 10/23/03 (0)

Yes. (nt) - racerguy 12:11:09 10/23/03 (0)

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