|
Post by geeqner on Jan 3, 2020 11:59:39 GMT -5
Yeah - Depending on what I decide that I like (and if I end-up laying-out 3 Large for new speakers) Two Local Hi-Fi shops would probably allow me to do an in-home audition.
One is only a few blocks away and handles Vandersteen, Sonus Faber, KEF, REL, and a few others. (They also get some nice condition trade-ins from time to time.)
The other one is close to where I work - they handle Emotiva, ELAC, Goldenear, JL Audio, Wharfedale, Klipsch Heritage, Bryston, Magnepan
My nephew works part-time for Best Buy - he's a fellow "Stereo-Geek" and told me that they have a Magnolia Audio shop in Madison (good selection of B&W, Martin-Logan, Def Tech, Polk Audio, some KEF)
There are several dealers in the Madison area and the Chicago area, which are a relatively short road-trip away as well. Guess that when the time gets closer - I should check-around & find out who has / can get what makes, then do some serious auditioning. Narrow it down to a select handful, and try to eventually in-home audition those
|
|
|
Post by monkumonku on Jan 3, 2020 12:03:20 GMT -5
Ditto on Ascend. I have the Sierra 2's and love them. The RAAL tweeters are the best I've heard.
|
|
cawgijoe
Emo VIPs
"We made too many of the wrong mistakes." - Yogi Berra
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by cawgijoe on Jan 3, 2020 12:20:13 GMT -5
Yeah - Depending on what I decide that I like (and if I end-up laying-out 3 Large for new speakers) Two Local Hi-Fi shops would probably allow me to do an in-home audition. One is only a few blocks away and handles Vandersteen, Sonus Faber, KEF, REL, and a few others. (They also get some nice condition trade-ins from time to time.) The other one is close to where I work - they handle Emotiva, ELAC, Goldenear, JL Audio, Wharfedale, Klipsch Heritage, Bryston, Magnepan My nephew works part-time for Best Buy - he's a fellow "Stereo-Geek" and told me that they have a Magnolia Audio shop in Madison (good selection of B&W, Martin-Logan, Def Tech, Polk Audio, some KEF) There are several dealers in the Madison area and the Chicago area, which are a relatively short road-trip away as well. Guess that when the time gets closer - I should check-around & find out who has / can get what makes, then do some serious auditioning. Narrow it down to a select handful, and try to eventually in-home audition those You have quite a few manufacturers to listen to. That's great! In the long run it's you who has to determine what speakers sound good to you and what you want to live with. Have fun doing your research!
|
|
|
Post by audiobill on Jan 3, 2020 12:36:27 GMT -5
If on a budget, seriously seek out your choice on the used market, at 50% off. Check out Highfishark.com
|
|
klinemj
Emo VIPs
Honorary Emofest Scribe
Posts: 14,689
|
Post by klinemj on Jan 3, 2020 14:52:42 GMT -5
I was going to say Maggie 1.7's, but I read about the distance from wall requirement you have. Maggies need some distance.
If I were looking in your price range, I would, like garbulky, give the T2's a serious look. If I replaced my Maggies today, they would be the option I'd look to beat.
I also second audiobill's advice to look for used...esp Thiels. Various members here have had them and I've heard some recently. Quite good, as are many of the Tekton options.
Mark
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2020 17:09:30 GMT -5
Sierra Towers have quite a following- Sea tweeter or upgrade to RAAL Ribbon, Thiels are nice I was looking @ Revel F208, Monitor Audio Silver 500 (couldn't justify 2x cost of the Golds with ribbon tweeters). Bought T2+ because of Ribbon tweeter that I couldn't get for the cost/performance in others.
|
|
|
Post by Loop 7 on Jan 3, 2020 17:41:04 GMT -5
People who own / heard them DO tend to like the LS50 series A LOT, but I wonder how much of an improvement I would hear with them over my ELACs. In the KEF Line, I have been curious about their bigger brothers, like the R5, R7, and R11, which seem to incorporate the LS50 type drivers for the upper-mid to highs, with additional drivers to augment the Lower registers. I would expect the sound of the R-Line to be similar to the ELAC Adante Series. I'm referring to the LS50 Wireless which are active. I'm 4-5 months into owning them and it's going to be hard to return to passive speakers. It removes the hobby aspect to some extent but I'm continually amazed at what these speakers do.
|
|
|
Post by geeqner on Jan 3, 2020 17:49:29 GMT -5
Yeah - I can see your point. Having the Enginerds MATCH the Amplifier (and other built-in goodies) to the Speaker = "Instant / Automatic Synergy" (Something that many of us spend a portion of a lifetime in pursuit of it...) But I STILL think that I'll want something bigger / more "full-range" (Even if I DO end up augmenting it with one or more subs eventually.)
|
|
|
Post by geeqner on Jan 3, 2020 17:55:19 GMT -5
People keep mentioning Thiel (and I have heard people LUSTING after them on other posts)
But WHICH ONES? Are we talking about the sloped-front stuff like CS3.6 or their bigger brethren?
IIRC - I believe hearing people talking about how Thiel had a similar design philosophy to Richard Vandersteen: -Having Speakers "Time-Aligned" -First-Order Crossover Circuits, which they felt provided more "Seamless" transitions between the drivers and also had less impact on the "time-alignment"
|
|
|
Post by brutiarti on Jan 3, 2020 17:56:44 GMT -5
You can get a pair of used Dali Helicon 400 for $1500
|
|
|
Post by Loop 7 on Jan 3, 2020 18:34:29 GMT -5
Gosh, I didn't carefully read your starting post.
Even though I'm potentially becoming one of those people who think crossovers should not be between an amp and a driver, I was also a long term Vandersteen fan. I think their speakers are remarkable in every way except looks (which never deterred me).
I had the Vandersteen 2ce Signature (v1) for a decade and thought their only limitation/requirement was they needed to be at least 4 ft from the wall. Like others have said, I agree that Vandersteen speakers can image like ribbon or planar speakers but with all the cool aspects of conventional speakers.
I do miss them but I sold the house that accommodated them well and now live in a smaller house.
|
|
|
Post by chicagorspec on Jan 3, 2020 19:04:32 GMT -5
If you go to AXPONA, make sure to go by the Odyssey room and see Klaus, listen to his Kismets.
|
|
|
Post by creimes on Jan 4, 2020 1:16:10 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Jan 4, 2020 4:45:39 GMT -5
People keep mentioning Thiel (and I have heard people LUSTING after them on other posts) But WHICH ONES? Are we talking about the sloped-front stuff like CS3.6 or their bigger brethren? IIRC - I believe hearing people talking about how Thiel had a similar design philosophy to Richard Vandersteen: -Having Speakers "Time-Aligned" -First-Order Crossover Circuits, which they felt provided more "Seamless" transitions between the drivers and also had less impact on the "time-alignment" These ones. They are really impressive. Thiel CS5i. Hard to find but it's out there.
|
|
cawgijoe
Emo VIPs
"We made too many of the wrong mistakes." - Yogi Berra
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by cawgijoe on Jan 4, 2020 7:12:14 GMT -5
People keep mentioning Thiel (and I have heard people LUSTING after them on other posts) But WHICH ONES? Are we talking about the sloped-front stuff like CS3.6 or their bigger brethren? IIRC - I believe hearing people talking about how Thiel had a similar design philosophy to Richard Vandersteen: -Having Speakers "Time-Aligned" -First-Order Crossover Circuits, which they felt provided more "Seamless" transitions between the drivers and also had less impact on the "time-alignment" I own the Thiel CS1.6. Absolutely love them, but they do require a sub for deep base and to cover the spectrum. Eventually I would like to move to either 2.4 / 2.7 / 3.7. They use a similar philosophy to Vandersteen in terms of sloped baffle for time alignment but IMO are prettier. They are beautifully made. The 3.6’s are older but sound great. I’ll post a pic of mine today.
|
|
|
Post by audiophill on Jan 4, 2020 8:27:03 GMT -5
The Tekton double impacts will not dissapoint. Absolutely the best speakers I have ever heard and own. Simply anazing!
|
|
|
Post by gsand on Jan 4, 2020 8:45:45 GMT -5
The Tekton double impacts will not dissapoint. Absolutely the best speakers I have ever heard and own. Simply anazing! Ditto!
|
|
LCSeminole
Global Moderator
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,473
|
Post by LCSeminole on Jan 4, 2020 9:58:28 GMT -5
The Tekton double impacts will not dissapoint. Absolutely the best speakers I have ever heard and own. Simply anazing! Ditto! The picture shown is of the Electron SE, I find this particular speaker intriguing and would really like to hear them. Different transducers than the Double Impact’s Pendragon transducers.
|
|
|
Post by badsarge on Jan 4, 2020 10:50:21 GMT -5
Absolutely LOVE my Double Impacts. On occasion, so do my neighbors Caveat Emptor! It would be prudent to build a mock up of their dimensions prior to purchase. As I have warned in the past, they are BEASTS! I echo other Lounge members advice to call Eric at Tekton Design, describe your listening room and preferences and determine which speaker might best fit your needs. Good hunting!!
|
|
LCSeminole
Global Moderator
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,473
|
Post by LCSeminole on Jan 4, 2020 11:34:06 GMT -5
Caveat Emptor! It would be prudent to build a mock up of their dimensions prior to purchase. As I have warned in the past, they are BEASTS! I echo other Lounge members advice to call Eric at Tekton Design, describe your listening room and preferences and determine which speaker might best fit your needs. The smaller size of the Electron SE is what caught my eye. If the sound signatures are similar to the Double Impacts, I take it the Double Impact Center would go nicely with with the Electron SE ?
|
|