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Post by DavidR on Dec 13, 2021 10:40:21 GMT -5
OK - Let's go back to high end for a moment... Assuming you just got left all of Mr. Bezos' estate, what speakers would you buy? My choice would be the omnidirectional MBL Radialstrahler ones where the two speakers are stacked one atop the other. Omnidirectional launch pattern, almost unlimited dynamics, and on the TAS recommended list. My second choice would be the Magico horn-loaded speakers where the room itself is the bass horn. Not very impressive on paper: Three-way standmount loudspeaker with "Radialstrahler" radial carbon-fiber omnidirectional tweeter and midrange drivers and two side-firing 6.5" woofers with aluminum-membrane cones in a rear-ported enclosure. Sensitivity: 79dB/2.83V/m into 8 ohms, 80.5dB in-room. Crossover: fourth-order Linkwitz-Riley crossing over at 600Hz and 3.5kHz and with a second-order high-pass filter below the port-tuning frequency. Frequency response: 48Hz– 15.5kHz –6dB in-room. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms. Recommended amplifier power: 200W into 4 ohms.
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Post by audiobill on Dec 13, 2021 10:40:29 GMT -5
Who knows?
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Post by garbulky on Dec 13, 2021 10:42:05 GMT -5
I'm probably looking at something handmade or close to hand-made. Something that looks fabulous. But I may not necessarily be looking for the best sound ... surprisingly! The best sound is rarely the best looking thing and if I'm rich enough as Bezos, I can always get the best sound later.
I've loved the looks of a lot of high end speakers. Lawrence audio, oswald mills, BW Nautilus.
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Post by housetech on Dec 13, 2021 11:37:16 GMT -5
B&W Nautilus ($60k) are the best I've ever heard- driven by 8 Classe monoblocks. The imaging was like nothing I've ever heard. (they have speakers hidden somewhere we can't see them)
The imaging is so good, if there are flaws in the speakers, you don't notice. (well, I didn't notice)
I'm guessing that is "high end", maybe.
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,274
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Post by KeithL on Dec 13, 2021 12:33:27 GMT -5
My two cents here is that, with cost no object, I would want speakers that look like speakers... Meaning actual rectangular cabinets, with real wood, or real wood veneer... I personally prefer walnut or oak with a walnut stain on it...
With an oiled wood finish... With actual grain... The kind where you can actually see depth in the grain...
I think B&W Nautilus speakers look cool... and would look great in a Barbarella-themed play room... But to me they look like modern sculpture rather than like speakers... (I don't especially like most modern sculpture but, if I did, then I would buy modern sculpture.)
I've personally never liked shiny black anything... Not on speakers...
Not even on pianos... To me it always looks like really nice plastic...
And I also have little use for fancy speakers whose wood is finished with that super shiny smooth finish... It usually also looks to me like really nice plastic...
And, finally, give me a grill cloth...
Or maybe even a discreet metal grill... I want good drivers but I have no desire to look at them all the time...
And, if I was as rich as Bezos, I could afford to sit back and listen to my music with my eyes shut...
At which point the best possible sound would be the most important thing anyway...
I'm probably looking at something handmade or close to hand-made. Something that looks fabulous. But I may not necessarily be looking for the best sound ... surprisingly! The best sound is rarely the best looking thing and if I'm rich enough as Bezos, I can always get the best sound later. I've loved the looks of a lot of high end speakers. Lawrence audio, oswald mills, BW Nautilus. |
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Post by housetech on Dec 13, 2021 12:47:59 GMT -5
Well Keith, if B&W could make the Nautilus from wood, Bezos couldn't afford them.
I agree with you about super high gloss black finish- looks like plastic. I almost didn't buy the Fluance TT for that reason.
btw- they are also offered in red, white or blue.
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KeithL
Administrator
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Post by KeithL on Dec 13, 2021 13:00:37 GMT -5
I don't think I can entirely agree with you there (about watches).
I absolutely agree that a fine Swiss watch may be an excellent example of fine mechanical craftsmanship. And I actually find some of them quite appealing stylistically (although I was never fond of most Rolex models - which, to me, look clunky and not at all graceful).
However, to me, the big deal breaker is that none of those fancy mechanical watches keeps time as well as a $100 quartz watch. Therefore, even if I were to be in the market for a "fancy Swiss watch", I have no interest in one - unless it has an accurate crystal heart. (And, yes, some of the high-end manufacturers do actually make watches that are finely crafted and actually tell time well.)
That Nagra turntable looks very pretty... And, considering the attention they seem to have paid to detail, I would expect it to be quite pleasant to use. (Although, as many of you probably already know, I consider handling vinyl at all to be a chore rather than a joyful experience.)
However I do find it a bit disquieting to see all the cool descriptions about all of the engineering they employed... Yet then find that the actual specifications - how well it actually works - aren't available yet. I mean, it looks pretty, and they've put a lot of effort into it, but I'll withhold judgment until they can actually measure it...
To me, true high end does not mean "pretty", or "expensive"... it means "work well"... So, to me, at this point, that turntable is still "a candidate for the title of high end".
If you've ever owned a Swiss watch you know about their attention to detail and fine precision engineering. And you know that they cost a lot more than a typical consumer watch, especially at the high-end. Audio is no different. Here's a new turntable from Nagra that defines high-end audio. www.nagraaudio.com/product/reference-turntable/Boomzilla this is high-end audio. And not just because of the cost, although if you have to ask how much you cannot afford it.  |
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 13, 2021 13:04:04 GMT -5
...I think B&W Nautilus speakers look cool... and would look great in a Barbarella-themed play room... You can keep the speakers - I want the playroom - WITH Barbarella...  |
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DYohn
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Posts: 18,494
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Post by DYohn on Dec 13, 2021 13:30:16 GMT -5
I don't think I can entirely agree with you there (about watches). I absolutely agree that a fine Swiss watch may be an excellent example of fine mechanical craftsmanship. And I actually find some of them quite appealing stylistically (although I was never fond of most Rolex models - which, to me, look clunky and not at all graceful).
However, to me, the big deal breaker is that none of those fancy mechanical watches keeps time as well as a $100 quartz watch. Therefore, even if I were to be in the market for a "fancy Swiss watch", I have no interest in one - unless it has an accurate crystal heart. (And, yes, some of the high-end manufacturers do actually make watches that are finely crafted and actually tell time well.)
That Nagra turntable looks very pretty... And, considering the attention they seem to have paid to detail, I would expect it to be quite pleasant to use. (Although, as many of you probably already know, I consider handling vinyl at all to be a chore rather than a joyful experience.)
However I do find it a bit disquieting to see all the cool descriptions about all of the engineering they employed... Yet then find that the actual specifications - how well it actually works - aren't available yet. I mean, it looks pretty, and they've put a lot of effort into it, but I'll withhold judgment until they can actually measure it...
To me, true high end does not mean "pretty", or "expensive"... it means "work well"... So, to me, at this point, that turntable is still "a candidate for the title of high end".
If you've ever owned a Swiss watch you know about their attention to detail and fine precision engineering. And you know that they cost a lot more than a typical consumer watch, especially at the high-end. Audio is no different. Here's a new turntable from Nagra that defines high-end audio. www.nagraaudio.com/product/reference-turntable/Boomzilla this is high-end audio. And not just because of the cost, although if you have to ask how much you cannot afford it. Yep, like I keep restating: the high-end is about luxury and exclusivity, it is not necessary about function. That's why it is not for people who care primarily about function. It is for people who value luxury and prestige first. |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Dec 13, 2021 15:30:31 GMT -5
My, my you boys have been busy.
I won't join in the debate over what is and is not "high end", but when I was in college - I had a decent system. Basically it was what a starving college kid could own with his limited resources, but it sounded better than most were used to hearing. A new friend in the dorm had a "stereo" which, to him, was "high end". Meaning - as high as he could afford (which was about $150 in 1981). It didn't sound as good as mine, and upon hearing mine he asked "what are those speakers? They sound really good." They were DCM QED's, but before I could answer an audio buddy said "They are Phallics...Phallic Symbols". Our new friend had led a very sheltered life and didn't get the joke. He thought we were serious. We later learned he went to the local hifi store and asked if they had any Phallic Symbols.
Now that, my friends, is a true story about "high end" audio.
Mark
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ttocs
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I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with. (Elwood P Dowd)
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Post by ttocs on Dec 13, 2021 15:36:19 GMT -5
Yep, like I keep restating: the high-end is about luxury and exclusivity, it is not necessary about function. I can live with this explanation. It's just like Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman. He only wanted the best, didn't care about anything else. He lived an empty life until he recognized quality. It is for people who value luxury and prestige first. In who's mind? Owning something for the glory of what others' determination of what luxury might be is a club to which I'll never be a member. In this vain I'm more like Del Griffith as opposed to Neal Page, even though I live near Neal's house. Now stand that statement on its ear. Owning an item because it's one's first choice - but "happens" to be something others might think is a luxury item is altogether different. Bath towels can be luxurious. Prestige is something someone can have, possibly due to accomplishment. But it's an uphill battle to convince me that a thing can be prestigious or bring prestige to its owner. Empty suit comes to mind. |
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Post by 405x5 on Dec 13, 2021 16:14:42 GMT -5
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Post by monkumonku on Dec 13, 2021 18:23:11 GMT -5
That's a pretty cheap, generic-looking dime a dozen certificate! |
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Post by 405x5 on Dec 13, 2021 20:31:52 GMT -5
That's a pretty cheap, generic-looking dime a dozen certificate! Oh yes! My sincerest apologies. This is a temporary certificate…The Platinum DeElegance is in process! |
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