Opinions and Help Needed - Which New Speakers?

[LuisV]

May 4, 2015 23:06:46 GMT -5 restless said:

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.

I've considered Legacy in the past, but my local dealer (just over an hour away), is appointment only yet never returned my call.     

[LuisV]

May 5, 2015 15:39:59 GMT -5 134lrs said:

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

I haven't come across Audio Physics, but will keep my eye out for them.  Someone else recommended the Silver 10, so I'll try to check them out.  Thanks!

[134lrs]

May 5, 2015 16:48:26 GMT -5 LuisV said:

May 5, 2015 15:39:59 GMT -5 134lrs said:

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

I haven't come across Audio Physics, but will keep my eye out for them.  Someone else recommended the Silver 10, so I'll try to check them out.  Thanks!

The silver 10's are nice, I think the Audio Physics are much more refined though. 

Where are you located?

[LuisV]

PM sent.. I've been visiting stores within the NY tri-state area.

[restless]

I have not tried contacting the Legacy dealer near me (CT), but it may be the same one you are trying to contact!! I may have the same issues you are having!! And he is only open on appt.

I have been putting off a visit, waiting for some money to magically appear. I am also waiting to see if Emotiva will ever get out their non-powered speakers. Been a long wait, but I assume the Legacy folded tweeter is somewhat like the Emotiva AMT folded tweeter. The RIAL tweeter also looks tempting.

You may also like the Maggies, but the WAF factor may prevent those. I have found the 1.7i (newest model of 1.7) to be very enjoyable, but a different sound from the B&W 704. I still use the 704 as dual center channels, since I like the clarity of the dialog.

[LuisV]

Unfortunately the Maggies won't pass WAF otherwise I would love to hear them as I've read nothing by good reviews. I'm torn on Legacy as I fear the "by appointment only" dealer will turn out to be another snooty, "my brands are the best and everything else is garbage" type of experience. Have you had any success with such dealers?

[novisnick]

May 13, 2015 10:53:38 GMT -5 LuisV said:

Unfortunately the Maggies won't pass WAF otherwise I would love to hear them as I've read nothing by good reviews. I'm torn on Legacy as I fear the "by appointment only" dealer will turn out to be another snooty, "my brands are the best and everything else is garbage" type of experience. Have you had any success with such dealers?

I've had a terrible experience with a dealer that had appointments only.
i had a trip planned and made an appointment a month out, called and confirmed two weeks and again 3 days out.
set up, gear needed, gear made available,,,,the whole 9 yards. ( ask me later and I'll explain where that phrase came from )
 so , the day comes and I reconfirmed my appointment. When I show up, on time, they didn't have a clue and weren't prepared for me at all. I had brought CDs and hiRes, which they claimed they could play. ,,,,,,,unavailable when I got there!!

The speakers I had asked to review weren't even set up, he asked if I wanted to hear a set of speakers that were $20,000.00 over my discussed budget. WTFiretruck!!!! 

After waiting for the Studio 100s to be plugged in, not setup, a tweeter blew 10 minutes into the audition!!! Again, WT&)5)&€#}|,,,,,,,

There out of business now, and most of you know them,,,,,they had this huge liquidation sale.

Good Luck to ya!!  

[LuisV]

Wow... that's my fear and that must have been horrible.

[jlamo]

The goldenear triton 5 should be at the dealers next week . Worth a look.Passive design .

[Deleted]

how important are the looks of a speaker to you?

JTR
PSA

are a couple of INCREDIBLE sounding speakers...super high efficient, incredible imaging, dynamic....just industrial looking...PSA offers free in home trial 30 days free shipping both ways if you want to audition...not sure about JTR

[LuisV]

Although not a fan of horns, I have considered speakers such as those; however, the wife has already voiced her concerns about such speakers, so they unfortunately failed the WAF test. In a dedicated room, I would consider Seaton and or JTRs for sure.

[Deleted]

makes sense...

just FYI though I hate horns...had reference Klipsch for 12 years...and learned to hate them.

the PSA/JTR are anything but horn sounding... but yeah WAF kills that anyhow

[LuisV]

If they had wood veneer options, I would be more than happy to take advantage of their free shipping in home trial offer. 

[LuisV]

Here are some pictures from my journey thus far.  It's been a lot of fun, but somewhat difficult to dethrone my B&W 804 and HTM Matrix speakers.   The Ascend Acoustics came close, but something wasn't right after extensive listening / testing so they were unfortunately returned.  The SVS Ultras were great speakers and definitely the best bang for the buck, but they left me wanting more audio wise.  They were the best speakers HT wise... tremendous sound output without strain. 

I'm still deciding between the B&W 804 Diamonds and the CM10 S2s towers, but my dealer said that the CM Center 2 S2 would be a good fit for either one, so I figured to audition the center while I try to decide on which tower I prefer.  Thus far from what I recall based on my notes and memory, it's on par with the Ascend  center and in direct comparisons to my B&W HTM it sounds fuller with a similar sound stage.  The HTM seems to have better high end extension, but the CM 2 S2 is no slouch either.  I have a projector and  thought the gloss black would cause reflection issues, so we took a gamble on the Rosenut color as no one had it in stock.  My wife isn't found of the color so if the center is a keeper, I'll swap it out for the gloss black model in I decide to go with B&W towers. 

SVS Ultra Center vs Ascend Acoustics with RAAL:



SVS Ultra Tower vs my 16+ Year Old B&W 804 Matrix:



Ascend Acoustics Tower with RAAL vs My 16+ Year Old B&W 804 Matrix:




B&W CM Center 2 S2 vs my 16+ Year Old B&W HTM:

   

[knucklehead]

A speaker with high WAF and excellent sound quality is Salk. You won't be able to audition them which is a shame. You might find someone from AVS near you that gives in-home auditions of their personal speakers. FWIW I've had both of my sisters give a thumbs up to my song towers. Not that I care about that but it does give an indication of the level of appearance they have. The song towers are quite thin from the front view. Pictures always make speakers look more stubby than they are. Women don't mind speakers so much as they dislike large hulking black speakers. I doubt there are many guys that can get away with 3 JTR 8 or 12's in the house unless they are located behind an AT screen.

[guzz46]

+1 on the Legacy's, I would definitely try for an audition, I assume you're talking about the Classic HD's? which I haven't heard, but I did take the gamble and brought the Signature SE without hearing them first, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made, my previous speakers were Paradigm Studio 100's, and Jamo C809's, which both were great speakers, but the Signature SE was in a different league all together (my opinion of course) that air motion tweeter is something to behold, loads of airy detail, the midrange is silky smooth too.
They're pretty sensitive to placement though, particularly toe-in, as that tweeter is fairly directional, well they are in my room at least, so if you do get to audition them make sure you play around with toe-in.

[teaman]

No offense to anyone, but that will be the day my wife tells me she is not happy with my audio video gear. The WAF is non factor in my house.

[LuisV]

None taken... after numerous acoustic panels, dark painted walls, etc it's a give and take as it's not a dedicated room.

[134lrs]

While I offer no value with this post, I must say B&W makes a sexy looking speaker. That CC in your picture above was simply gorgeous.

I'm a DIY guy myself and have had the wood cut and ready for my next build (giving my Clearwave 4T SE's and CC a facelift) but can't decide on a finish, lol. I have often looked to B&W and Sonos Faber for inspiration.

[knucklehead]

Take a look at some of the finishes Salk puts on their speakers. You might find something you like. I love that bamboo look but I'm 'stuck' with the fireburst curly cherry. Some how or another I'll 'suffer' through this!