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Post by Cogito on Nov 7, 2016 19:25:29 GMT -5
While I have enjoyed my fantastic Wharfedale Jade 3s for about a year and a half, I've got the urge to try something else for a while. My current budget is around $2000 or less (I simply can't justify spending more on a bookshelf system). So far I've auditioned KEF's R300, Monitor Audio's Gold 100 and Martin Logan's Motion 35XT. While all were very nice performers, I wouldn't consider any of them to be an upgrade to the Jades.
Two system I would love to check out, but don't a local dealer to try out, are Legacy Audio's Studio HD and Philharmonic's BMR Philharmonitor (Which really intrigues me). I'm hoping a few of you folks have some experience with either one of these or have some other suggestions?
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Post by garbulky on Nov 7, 2016 21:36:29 GMT -5
I think I'm in the same spot as you. Still haven't found a speaker that brings a real worthwhile difference. Have you considered towers or stereo subwoofers?
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Post by Loop 7 on Nov 7, 2016 23:31:00 GMT -5
If you're okay with ugly speakers with a very low Spousal Acceptance Factor and a willingness to bi-wire or bi-amp, I would recommend a used pair of Vandersteen 2ce Signature Mark II's. Properly set up (at least 4 feet from the front wall), I think they are astoundingly good and offer some of the benefits of planar or ribbon speakers with all the benefits of conventional speakers.  |
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Post by knucklehead on Nov 8, 2016 1:05:25 GMT -5
While I have enjoyed my fantastic Wharfedale Jade 3s for about a year and a half, I've got the urge to try something else for a while. My current budget is around $2000 or less (I simply can't justify spending more on a bookshelf system). So far I've auditioned KEF's R300, Monitor Audio's Gold 100 and Martin Logan's Motion 35XT. While all were very nice performers, I wouldn't consider any of them to be an upgrade to the Jades. Two system I would love to check out, but don't a local dealer to try out, are Legacy Audio's Studio HD and Philharmonic's BMR Philharmonitor (Which really intrigues me). I'm hoping a few of you folks have some experience with either one of these or have some other suggestions? I have a pair of Philharmonic bookshelf speakers - the really cheap ones. The trouble with them is they sound so damned good - good enough to replace a pair of Emo ERM-1's! The reason they replaced the ERM-1's is because they can't play as low as the Affordable Monitor - which goes down to (and past) 47hz. And no - they're not as good as the song towers. I'm able to move my 12" sealed sub out of the bedroom now! No more stubbed toes! Did you know that the guy that owns Philharmonic Audio is the same guy who designed the original song towers & crossovers for Jim Salk? Guy's name is Dennis Murphy and he's a real wizard with crossovers and such. He sells the Affordable Monitor from a Parts Express speaker kit - assembles them and installs his own crossovers in place of the PA crossovers. If Dennis can get a sub $250 set of speakers those BMR's should be quite something. I think Salk does his cabinets. If they are anything like the song tower's fit and finish then that's a hell of a deal for $1600. FWIW I've been eying those BRM's too. Nice looking and there is quite a following for Philharmonic Audio over on AVS. I think I'd rather buy a used pair and let the original owner take the depreciation hit. |
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Post by yves on Nov 8, 2016 1:14:48 GMT -5
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Post by Cogito on Nov 8, 2016 19:59:04 GMT -5
I think I'm in the same spot as you. Still haven't found a speaker that brings a real worthwhile difference. Have you considered towers or stereo subwoofers? I have looked at some towers, but I find that they are too big for my listening space. In fact, I traded in a pair of Maggie 1.7's for my Wharfedales since I had to move them back and forth from the idle spot to the listening spot. That got old quickly. Anyway, since the bass output on the Wharfedales is so extended, I find myself shutting the sub down for most of my music listening. So buying an extra sub has little appeal to me. I guess with my self induced budget, I can't expect huge improvements over my existing system, but I'm hoping to find that gem in a bucket of rocks. |
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Post by Cogito on Nov 8, 2016 20:00:46 GMT -5
If you're okay with ugly speakers with a very low Spousal Acceptance Factor and a willingness to bi-wire or bi-amp, I would recommend a used pair of Vandersteen 2ce Signature Mark II's. Properly set up (at least 4 feet from the front wall), I think they are astoundingly good and offer some of the benefits of planar or ribbon speakers with all the benefits of conventional speakers. 4 feet from the wall is a deal breaker for me. I have heard several Vandersteens over the years and really liked what I heard. |
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Post by Cogito on Nov 8, 2016 20:06:33 GMT -5
I emailed Philharmonic a few days ago asking about warranties, delivery times, etc. No response yet. Can't say I'm very impressed so far.  |
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Post by garbulky on Nov 8, 2016 22:02:07 GMT -5
Well.....this is way out of your price range ($5k) but.... legacyaudio.com/products/view/calibre/The idea is to pack a whole bunch of drivers in to a bookshelf. Another more affordable choice: Yes...it's technically a tower...but not really. It's takes up a very small footprint and more of a tube.  It's supposed to bring the magic of its bigger brother the LX 521 in to small spaces. It falls within the price range.www.linkwitzlab.com/LXmini/Introduction.htmJoseph Audio Prism Still very pricey at over 3k www.josephaudio.com/prism-technical-specificationsOther things to think about ....at around 2k, you could get a very nice headphone rig. Now it won't have the imaging of a speaker but a GOOD one coupled to a really good amp can bring you some magic. And...it'd be different. I'm thinking of say a Sennheiser HD 800S coupled to a Emotiva Mini-x (or a Schiit Mjolnir for balanced drive) or an audeze lcd-3 headphone. |
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Post by Cogito on Nov 8, 2016 22:47:04 GMT -5
Well.....this is way out of your price range ($5k) but.... legacyaudio.com/products/view/calibre/The idea is to pack a whole bunch of drivers in to a bookshelf. Another more affordable choice: Yes...it's technically a tower...but not really. It's takes up a very small footprint and more of a tube. It's supposed to bring the magic of its bigger brother the LX 521 in to small spaces. It falls within the price range.www.linkwitzlab.com/LXmini/Introduction.htmJoseph Audio Prism Still very pricey at over 3k www.josephaudio.com/prism-technical-specificationsOther things to think about ....at around 2k, you could get a very nice headphone rig. Now it won't have the imaging of a speaker but a GOOD one coupled to a really good amp can bring you some magic. And...it'd be different. I'm thinking of say a Sennheiser HD 800S coupled to a Emotiva Mini-x (or a Schiit Mjolnir for balanced drive) or an audeze lcd-3 headphone. Yeah, the Calibre is certainly an exciting speaker system. But at $5000, I can't possibly justify it. The LX 521 is way too damn ugly and reminds me of a garage experiment. The Prism looks interesting too. A headphone setup is out of the question as I find them too uncomfortable for any period of time. And the whole band is inside my head effect is too artificial sounding. |
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Post by teaman on Nov 8, 2016 22:50:34 GMT -5
Personally I would be grabbing a pair of Klipsch RF-7 II speakers. If it must be a bookshelf speaker I would hunt down a pair of Klipsch RB-75 or a bookshelf from the Palladium line.
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Post by Cogito on Nov 9, 2016 17:40:34 GMT -5
Personally I would be grabbing a pair of Klipsch RF-7 II speakers. If it must be a bookshelf speaker I would hunt down a pair of Klipsch RB-75 or a bookshelf from the Palladium line. Horn loaded tweeters kill me |
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Post by gus4emo on Nov 9, 2016 18:39:37 GMT -5
Never thought of it until now, I think this speaker is invisible to radar, lol... |
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Post by Cogito on Nov 9, 2016 19:44:50 GMT -5
Never thought of it until now, I think this speaker is invisible to radar, lol... Too bad there's not a passive version. |
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Post by yves on Nov 10, 2016 1:48:54 GMT -5
Never thought of it until now, I think this speaker is invisible to radar, lol... Too bad there's not a passive version. It's called Emotiva Pro for a reason I guess. |
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Post by saru on Nov 10, 2016 6:29:55 GMT -5
Have you considered the Sonus Faber Venere line? Both the 1.5 and 2.0 bookshelves are within your price range. They sound excellent and look great to boot; I'm very happy with my 2.0 pair.
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Post by simpleman68 on Nov 10, 2016 8:34:15 GMT -5
Lots of good suggestions above.
Surprised nobody mentioned Revel. Haven't heard a pair of their book shelves in almost 10 years.
I'm assuming their quality and sound is still excellent for the $.
I was blown away by how much accurate and clean sound came through such a small speaker.
And a used set can come under your budget for sure.
Scott
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Post by audiosyndrome on Nov 10, 2016 19:45:14 GMT -5
Andrew Jones will be releasing some "higher end" but relatively inexpensive new speakers after the beginning of the year. I was mightily impressed hearing the ELAC Uni-Fi B6s at a NY club meeting hosted by Andrew. I'd hang in there for a few more months.
Russ
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Post by Cogito on Nov 10, 2016 21:35:35 GMT -5
Have you considered the Sonus Faber Venere line? Both the 1.5 and 2.0 bookshelves are within your price range. They sound excellent and look great to boot; I'm very happy with my 2.0 pair. I don't know of any local dealers unfortunately. |
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Post by Cogito on Nov 10, 2016 21:38:21 GMT -5
I emailed Philharmonic a few days ago asking about warranties, delivery times, etc. No response yet. Can't say I'm very impressed so far. Still no response. They are officially off my list. Disappointing. |
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