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Hello inmates... I'm shopping in the $3-4,000 range for a new set of floorstanders, and believe I have it narrowed down to:* Dali Helicon 400
* VMPS RM30 (or possibly base-level RM40... their pricing is screwy)
* LS6 from AV123 (would be a pre-order)My current system consists of a Rogue Audio integrated tube amp (55 w/chanel) fed primarily by a Music Hall MMF-7 turntable. I'm using Sonus Faber Concertino bookshelf speakers now (with a Sunfire sub), but find them to be lifeless and lacking in detail. They're also pretty inefficient. But my wife is very sensitive to high frequencies, so they've been ok. Personally, I like ribbons (I used to own Maggies), so that's where I'm leaning for new speakers. Need something that straddles the line between detail and musicality/smoothness, and also something with a high WAF.
What would you guys recommend? Any experiences with speakers from any of these companies would be appreciated.
Follow Ups:
All very nice choices, but....AV123 LS-6 in a heartbeat. Especially if you have a largish room.
sized room/system. That includes the WAF, which in the rosewood is breathtakingly beautiful. They are a planar/ribbon over most of the range, from 280 hz. and up, which the Dali is not. If you like the planar/ribbon sound, I think they're the ticket. They are also very refined and relaxed sounding; no one would ever call them bright or forward. That assessment is only for the latest version; earlier versions did have a tipped up midrange.
Thanks for the insight, Jon. I was wondering about the "tipped up" aspect as I had read about that in a few VMPS reviews. But it sounds as though that has been cured.I noticed the new units can be had with "MLS" cabinets... is that "MLS" referring to Mark L. Schifter of AV123 by chance? I knew he and Brian had talked at one point, so I was just curious if that's where the new cabinets were sourced. Do you like the fit and finish on yours? That's another area that will be critical for me (need high WAF!).
is the most beautiful cabinets I or my very picky wife have ever seen...bar none. The wood is perfect, the finish glorious, but the cabinet construction (solid hardwood edge inserts, etc.) remind me of the back of a great Martin guitar, and are miles better than anything I've seen. Take a look at the picture in the link, then imagine them looking about 50% better in the flesh, as it were. The piano black is just as flawless.
Thanks Jon. That's good to know... I had seen pictures from what I suppose was an older review of another VMPS model, and the fit and finish was sub-par versus the price point. In particular, the drivers didn't sit flush with the cabinet, etc.Do you happen to have any pictures of your RM30s that you could post? Most of the pictures I've seen on the web aren't great, and/or they're from too far away to really see any detail.
but the color is deeper that the picture I posted, and the finish is a very high gloss. As I said, I think the MLS cabinets are on a par with the very best I've seen- Avalons, etc. The MLS cabinets are also better constructed that the other VMPS cabs- thicker baffles and sidewalls, more internal bracing. It's hard to imagine anyone being disappointed, considering the price. I posted another pic from VMPS, that is a bit closer up. My speakers are a bit deeper and more saturated, color-wise, than the pics.
Well, the only one I've heard is the Dali Helicon 400, a very nice speaker, quite neutral with a typical solid state amplifier.However, due to a hook up mistake in the store, they blew the fuse on the Cambridge Audio integrated amp and so we tried a Conrad Johnson tube amp. The effect was rather colored sound, though not unpleasant, much more difference than I expected. So, I would strongly suggest auditioning the Dali Helicon 400 with your own amp as they seem not to do well with amps with a high output impedance.
The other two speakers are unknown quantities to me.
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"Opposition brings concord. Out of discord comes the fairest harmony."
------Heraclitus of Ephesis (fl. 504-500 BC), trans. Wheelwright.
I have Dali Helicon 400's... and like them alot. Not seen or heard the others that you mentioned but my speakers get the thumbs up from the females that I know.... very pretty.
They do go high having a sort of ribbon top end and they are very smooth in the upper frequencies. I have a sensitivity to dodgy treble and these have never upset me...
Thanks for the reply. I'd agree that the Dalis are probably the lookers of the group, and I found a dealer that is willing to sell them at a good price. But since I haven't heard them, and I've seen a review or two mention a tipped-up treble balance (as Stereophile noted with the Ikon 7), I had hesitations in that regard. Also, do you ever notice a supposed mid-bass hump with your Helicons?
I audtioned the Dali's and found them to bright for me. The Vandesteen 3A Sigs in the same system were not bright. As always listen for yourself. Reviews don't mean a lot because one man's bright is another man's musical heaven.
I have been told about the treble lift... but I didn't really notice it. I use a Lyra Argo cartridge which also has an apparent treble lift. You can notice that vinyl can be very clear at the top end but I would not say its bright.
I did change interconnects from Nordost silvers to Kimber Timbre and this really fleshed out the already fantastic mid band on the Dali's. The bass hump, well, I think that will depend more on whats driving them. I originally used a Meridian 557 which was a great amp, but the bass could sound a bit vague under close scrutiny. That may also be due to the real transparency of the mid and top. I don't think the Dali's are hard to drive but maybe need a bit of power for real control of the low end. I have since changed to an Ayre V-5x power amp and they have huge reserves of grunt...
They also box up slightly if too near the rear wall, as they are rear ported from both halves of the enclosure.
I shopped about and got mine real cheap, so I have been very happy with them.
I have got this idea about removing the cross overs from the lower cabinet and then filling that with dried sand, not that they are at all light at the moment. Stick the cross over under the amp and tri wire direct to the drive units...They get listened to by quite a few people and so far, nobody has mentioned them being at all bright.
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