2. speakers
  3. 154266-96554

Can you tell me why I didn't like the Reference 3a MM's?

So I recently asked about a new amp on the Amplifier forum.  I got a lot of good advice and ended up with a Pass XA25.  I really like this amp and the sound.  I have been told by Reno Hi Fi, Pass Labs and B&W, all of whom I contacted, that the XA25 is under-powered for my B&W 705S2 speakers.  But it sounds very good.  However a little flat when the volume is low.

So I am looking for some more efficient speakers.  I tried a used set of Reference 3a deCapo MM's, but they did not have the clarity of the B&W's and sounded a bit muddy at times.

I am looking at Omega Super Alnico HO's.  But I am wondering if the full range driver sound is what I didn't like.  

Am I wrong in thinking more efficient speakers will sound somewhat better at a lower volume?  Can you possibly tell my why I didn't like the MM's?  Something about their design or build?

Any thoughts on the Super Alnico HO's?  I don't want to move down the speaker sound chain.

Thanks much!  Any other speaker suggestions welcome!  But not horns.  I am not a Klipsch fan.
128x128jgoldrick

Showing 4 responses by jbrrp1

jbrrp1
423 posts
 
@sounds_real_audio  I'm having trouble understanding what you mean by
"the bass seems to have a bubble sound to it".  It's not a descriptor that I have encountered before.  Could you elaborate further, please?
jbrrp1
423 posts
 
I am a bit surprised at your reaction to the Ref 3 speakers, as my experience with them is quite different than yours.  I ran a pair of de Capo i's for several years with a 35 W tube integrated (Primaluna Dialogue One), and I loved the sound.  They were very articulate IME, somewhat reminding me of electrostatics with their jump factor and delineation of musical lines (attributed to there being no crossover element on the woofer/midrange driver).  Regarding volume, one downside of the amp/speaker pairing in my system and room was that I couldn't get the volume knob up past ~10 o'clock, because things just got too loud.  This made it a challenge to get volume level just right, since the pot wasn't as finely sensitive at its lower end.

I actually tried a pair of B&W 805's in the same system/room and decideldly did not like them.  They just didn't have the life that the Ref 3's brought.  Maybe this is all about amp/speaker interaction?  Or room acoustics and positioning?
jbrrp1
423 posts
 
The high, tight corner placement is likely problematic with the Ref 3A's.  I sold mine because my wife finally insisted that I put them back very close to the wall in our living room, and that was not enough for the rear porting to work.  The upper bass and lower mid's were kind of congested in this setting.  I would look for forward ported speakers or sealed enclosures, if that placement is truly fixed.

Regarding the favorable comments on Fritz speakers, I have only heard them at the shows, but they have consistently sounded quite good to me, too.  They might be worth investigating.
jbrrp1
423 posts
 
That's a fair point regarding the many iterations over a long lifespan.  I have owned three versions spanning from the late 80's into the mid-00's and I never experienced bloated one-note bass, except when my wife insisted that they reside in the bookshelves in our living room.  I only sold them because the bookshelf location became non-negotiable as soon as I got my own dedicated listening room (fair enough trade!).  If you hear such bass from these speakers you aren't using them correctly, I'm guessing.
More to discover