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Post by LuisV on May 2, 2015 8:05:39 GMT -5
It's been a while, so I posted some updates to the first post... the hunt continues.
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Post by qdtjni on May 2, 2015 8:45:30 GMT -5
If you like Focal maybe you can get them some where else than your local dealer? Or even better get him to arrange for an at home audition and if you like them, buy them elsewhere?  |
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Post by LuisV on May 2, 2015 8:50:11 GMT -5
Agreed and exactly what I'm trying to do, but the dealers that I have called, have all told me that they don't allow in home demos. Not sure why, but that's what I've been told thus far. Today I'm visiting a store roughly 45mins from home to audition the B&W 804D, B&W CM 10 and Sonus Faber speakers. Not ideal, but at least I can listen to them; however, the last question I'll ask is about the home demo. Maybe since I'm showing an interest and visited their store that they will change their minds.
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Post by qdtjni on May 2, 2015 9:02:19 GMT -5
FWIW, I've had 804 Nautilus and now have 804 D and HTM-4, very happy with them.
The 804 D would be your best replacement but it is costly.
Also had various Focals including 1027 Be, 918 Profile and 826, 800 CC and 800 SR.
All of them good speakers, still use the 800 SRs.
I would think that the Focal Aria 900 series would also be a a good choice.
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Post by LuisV on May 2, 2015 19:18:57 GMT -5
My wife and I just got home from an extended listening session at a great store with 2 very nice and accommodating salesmen. I didn't realize they were Golden Ear dealers until I saw them in the same room as the other speakers that we wanted to listen to. Call us lucky as all were in the same room except for the B&W 802Ds. A true blessing in disguise as the 802Ds are simply in a different league... never mind way out of my price range. I updated the first post with our listening impressions. I will be going back to do some additional listening for sure...
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Post by knucklehead on May 2, 2015 23:54:28 GMT -5
Too bad you can't audition Salk speakers anywhere. I'm very impressed with mine. Puts a smile on my face each time I fire them up and play music.
Good luck with the 'hunt' - thats half the fun.
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Post by qdtjni on May 3, 2015 5:40:18 GMT -5
I bough the CM10 before my 804D and was quite happy with them at first but could never get rid of some muddiness in the lower bass region and they were not as clear in the upper range to give make me satisfied, So just a couple of minds after getting the CM10s, I swapped them for a set of 804Ds. Mind you this was not the CM10 S2, that you might have heard. My dealer was very nice and gave me more than decent trade-in price on the CM10s and a fair discount on the 804Ds, so I didn't lose any money. Having had the 804Ds for quite a while now, I'm still very happy with them. So you might save yourself some hassle and money if you get the 804Ds straight away.
As for the 802Ds they are really fantastic in a large enough room but in a medium sized or small listening room they're too much, where the 804Ds shine in a such a room.
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Post by LuisV on May 3, 2015 9:15:09 GMT -5
Thanks again for your comments. During our audition, we were able to hear the difference between the CM10 and 804D and my wife actually gave me the green light on the 804D; however, what I'm not sure of, is if the sound difference is worth the significant price difference between them. I've been more than happy with my 804M for the last 16+ years, so I don't want to compromise; however, it's not a $250 - $500 difference between them, as you know, it's much more. That's my own reluctance on pulling the trigger on the 804Ds; however, right now they are at the top of the list.
Curious... Do you use the 804Ds for HT or audio only?
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Post by qdtjni on May 3, 2015 10:05:26 GMT -5
I know the difference is significant but IMO, it was and is worth it.
I use the 804Ds in a setup for both music and HT together with an HTM-4 D center, Focal 800V (or is it W?) SR side and back, an SVS SB-13 Ultra SW,
XMC-1 as pre-amp/processor, XPA1-g2 for fronts, Project AMP Box DS Mono for center and Amp Box DS for surrounds.
My main prio is music but with the XMC-1 I don't think I compromise anything.
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stiehl11
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Give me available light!
Posts: 7,269
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Post by stiehl11 on May 3, 2015 10:51:07 GMT -5
I'm guess there's no Phase Tech dealers in your area. I highly recommend the Phase Tech PC series. Every review I've found on line that I've found regards them in high regard. Here's my review of my PC-9 speakers from back in the day. emotivalounge.proboards.com/post/412728/thread |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on May 3, 2015 11:30:01 GMT -5
If you can find them listen to Acoustic Zen Adagios.
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Post by LuisV on May 3, 2015 19:45:49 GMT -5
I'll keep my eye out for them... thanks!
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Post by LuisV on May 3, 2015 19:46:31 GMT -5
I'm guess there's no Phase Tech dealers in your area. I highly recommend the Phase Tech PC series. Every review I've found on line that I've found regards them in high regard. Here's my review of my PC-9 speakers from back in the day. emotivalounge.proboards.com/post/412728/thread Hmm, not that I have come across yet, but I'll keep my eyes open. |
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Post by LuisV on May 4, 2015 14:22:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the Acoustic Zen Adagio recommendation, but it didn't pass the WAF test.  |
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Post by restless on May 4, 2015 23:06:46 GMT -5
Have you had a chance to look into the Legacy speakers. I keep meaning to audition them, but the store is an hour or more away, and just haven't got there yet. I was looking to compare to the 803D speakers, as they are approx the same price range. WAF may or may not like the multiple finishes, but I am more interested in the sound.
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jlamo
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Post by jlamo on May 5, 2015 14:43:27 GMT -5
I have the seas Pendragons and for movies they are really good . You could build the linkwitz LX521 and two xpa5 to run them in your budget and are my favorite out of the thiel cs6 and pendragons. You absolutely do not need or want a center with the lx521 because the Soundstage is really that good, best I ever heard.
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Post by 134lrs on May 5, 2015 15:10:16 GMT -5
Are you interested in "semi diy"? I say semi, because you can order flat packs and have a cabinet maker assemble and finish the enclosures to your liking. I think you could come in under budget and blow the B&W's out of the water as far as performance goes.
I have the Clearwave 4T SE and 4TCC for my LRC and they are absolutely incredible. The designer, Jed, has flat packs available and the Cross overs come pre-assembled on their own circuit boards.
These speakers excel at music as well as HT. The center channel is simply amazing for HT duties.
Just a thought
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Post by LuisV on May 5, 2015 15:21:30 GMT -5
Are you interested in "semi diy"? I say semi, because you can order flat packs and have a cabinet maker assemble and finish the enclosures to your liking. I think you could come in under budget and blow the B&W's out of the water as far as performance goes. I have the Clearwave 4T SE and 4TCC for my LRC and they are absolutely incredible. The designer, Jed, has flat packs available and the Cross overs come pre-assembled on their own circuit boards. These speakers excel at music as well as HT. The center channel is simply amazing for HT duties. Just a thought I would, but my previous DIY speakers were problematic and sounded horrible to say the least. Not the fault of the kit, but 100% mine. lol Thanks for the info though. |
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Post by 134lrs on May 5, 2015 15:39:59 GMT -5
To fit within your budget, I like the Audio Physics Classic line. They are VERY musical and with proper sub placement can be extremely capable for HT as well. Another option would be the Monitor Audio Silver line
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Post by LuisV on May 5, 2015 16:27:49 GMT -5
I have the seas Pendragons and for movies they are really good . You could build the linkwitz LX521 and two xpa5 to run them in your budget and are my favorite out of the thiel cs6 and pendragons. You absolutely do not need or want a center with the lx521 because the Soundstage is really that good, best I ever heard. The Seas Pendragons are on my laundry list to audition; however, the LX521 is out of scope for me. Thanks though.... |
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