Best speakers out there for Midrange and Highs


Hello Everyone!

I would like some advise about what are some of the better speakers out there for a 2 channel system - with use of subwoofers.

I currently use a pair of significantly large - full range speakers (Revel Salon2), that go down below 20hz. Even though my speakers go down so low, I still desired more air movement / sound pressure in the room - to make the sound as palatable as possible.

I found that combining the Salon2 with an external active crossover (JL Audio CR-1) and 2 Subs (JL Audio F113s) sounds excellent. Soundstage is close to like being at a concert, and surprisingly to me, was that imaging has not been lost. Furthermore, adjusting the phases on the subwoofers basically made the speakers and subs act like a singularity and helped the system sound even more exciting. I cross over at 90hz with a 24Db decay.

However, can’t help thinking about the obvious - that I am waisting all that available bass capability on the Salon2s. So I was wondering what speakers out there could be even more appropriate for my configuration. These speakers need not go down so low - Down to 55HZ would be more than enough. On the other hand, Salon2s also have a very strong midrange and highs, so I would like the new speaker to be either:

1) Better in the mids and highs (whether same price as the Salon2 or possibly more expensive), or
2) As good in the mids and highs as the Salon2s but less expense

Very much appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you in advance!

Ag insider logo xs@2xjmarshak

Showing 2 responses by audiorusty

Hi J

About a year ago I was looking for some bookshelf speakers to pair with my SVS SB4000 subs. I listened to the bookshelf versions of (sorry I don't remember the models) Focal, Spendor, B&W (805D I believe) and the little larger than bookshelf Vandersteens. None of them in my opinion were great. The midrange was fine but the highs were off a little bit, just not clean or as clear as I would have liked them to be. I was resigned to the fact that the B&W's were probably as close as I was going to get to the sound I wanted until I stumbled onto a pair of Wilson Audio's Tune Tots. Never in a million years did I think that I would own Wilson Audio but the mid/hi combination of these speakers was exactly what I was hoping to find.

I to, use a tube amp and an active crossover and actually crossover higher that you do. I built a couple of small tables for the Wilsons to sit on that straddle the subs so the drivers are aligned along the "Y" axis with the Wilsons about a foot more forward

As a previous poster mentioned, I would love to a have pair of Magnaplaners in my system, I just don't have the floor space for them.
Hi J,

Excellent, thank you @audiorusty. Very interesting and coincidental!
btw, I suggested a friend of mine get 2 SB4000 into his system...he did absolutely loves them.

Wondering if you are still running the same configuration in your system?

I'm assuming this question was directed to me. I am currently using the system as described in my post and have no plans to change it. I like the way it sounds and the control I have over how it sounds.

Thanks