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Help with Shortlist of Speakers! (SF vs Devore vs Others?)

Hey everyone,

First time post but long time lurker. I've been aggressively researching and listening to speakers over the past several months and I could use some help with more experienced folks (who are not trying to sell me a product). Here are pictures of my space and dimensions. Essentially 22'X12'x11' but with an open concept into the kitchen and a hallway. A decent size space but the listening distance to speakers is relatively close. Right now I'm using a cambridge audio Azur 651w (amp) and Azur 851N (preamp/dac/streamer). I plan to upgrade the amp in the future so if the sound could be improved but is still enjoyable today I am OK with that.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RL9QojAHog3CjD6HFTToxoat3_i9a4zG/view?usp=sharing, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SO47Y5JEnRY2RGuAlWJsGUI9i8Q42twl/view?usp=sharing, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vNNNCKpn3ywU3ZzE-MxKOT0GjpFu0gF9/view?usp=sharing

So far I know I like a warm speaker with a visceral bass. I like to feel the music and have a very large soundstage. I do not like when the speaker is too bright or thin. The Sonus Faber Olympicas II/III and Devore Fidelity Orangutan 93/96 have caught my attention. A gentleman at the speaker shop recommended the Audio Physic Avanti but I have yet to try them out.

Given my space, what would you all recommend in terms of size? I'm torn between the SF II & III and the O/93 & O/96. I was scared off by a salesman at one of the audio shops here in San Francisco who said the Dynaudio Countour 30i (which I also liked) would be way too big for my space and really drove home the fact a bigger speaker would overpower the room. 

Anyways, would love to hear your thoughts on this and if you have any other speaker recommendations that come to mind for <$15K.

Cheers!


128x128jpearson3131

Showing 5 responses by jpearson3131

jpearson3131's avatar
jpearson3131 OP
10 posts
 
Wow so many great responses here! I'll need to digest them.

@audiokinesis - Yes there is a column that sticks out about 2 inches. I could move the speakers further to the right and avoid it. My current speaker are nice and warm but lack the bass and soundstage. They are Cambridge Audio Aero 2 speakers. I'm currently using a basic Velodyne subwoofer to supplement. The couch is in fact shifted slightly off center with the system due to another similar column on the back wall. The thing you likely see in the center is just a router :)

I think the speakers are a little back in the pictures but I can place any speaker about 24-26 inches from the front baffle to the wall. The larger speaker cabinets will go further back towards the wall but the measurement from the front baffle should not change. Assuming this is what's most important? I could pull the speakers out further during listening if I wanted.

There are lot's of awesome speaker suggestions here. I guess the one thing I'm still unsure about is whether the SF III's or the O/96 will overpower the room? Also, there's a high likely hood we will be moving in the next 1.5 years and so all of this could go out the window. So I suppose flexibility is also part of the criteria. I just love the look of both of these speakers!
jpearson3131's avatar
jpearson3131 OP
10 posts
 
Again thanks for all the speaker recs everyone. I'm taking note and researching.

A few have mentioned the SS amp pairing with the Orangutans and I should mentioned I auditioned both the SF and the Devores using my amp. I was impressed with both even still. In both cases I'm sure they will sound much better with an upgrade in that department. We paired the SF with a Luxman integrated amp for example and I could hear the difference in bass response and depth of soundstage.


@lowrider57  My listening distance is about 8-9' feet so should be alright

@james633 You might be right. I guess I heard the SF Sonetto first compared to a Paradigm equivalent and by comparison the SF was much warmer. I've read that the Olympica might actually be more neutral than the Sonetto so maybe I'm just taking my bias with me as I explore up the SF line. 

I have to say, I'm into cars, watches and all kinds of stuff but this forum is by far the most helpful and thorough I've come across in any hobby!
jpearson3131's avatar
jpearson3131 OP
10 posts
 
One of the audio shops in town also just recommended I come in and listen to the Audiovector R 3 Arrete. There doesn't seem to be as many reviews for these out there but I’d be interested to know if anyone has a take on these as well. Based on some quick research they seem like a good option for near wall placement.
jpearson3131's avatar
jpearson3131 OP
10 posts
 
As an update - I went and listened to the Vandersteens and Audiovector R3 Arrete. I was really impressed by both.

The Audiovectors had a very unique and engaging soundstage. It might have something to do with the rear firing tweeter? The only problem is they didn’t pack the low end bass I am looking for. It was certainly punchy and tight but not something I could feel. The shop owner suggested I pair them with a subwoofer. Now I’m considering this option as well because it would give me much more flexibility in my current space and also down the road when we inevitably move in a couple years. I live in San Francisco where large rooms are hard to come by.

The Vandersteens were also awesome. Especially the Quatro CT, which had a bigger soundstage and deeper bass. Although I can’t say I really like the look of either, which might be a roadblock when I’m paying this kind of money for something in my living room.

Looks like I’ve got an even tougher decision to make now!
jpearson3131's avatar
jpearson3131 OP
10 posts
 
So I ended up getting the Sonus Faber Olympica Nova II's!! The Audiovector R3 Arretes didn't have the visceral bass I was looking for and the O/96's just look too old school for me. I even tried the Audiovectors with a sub but that didn't provide the type of bass I am after. I was really impressed with those speakers otherwise. Down the road I'll have to look into the R6's.

In the end it was a toss up between the Nova II's and Nova III's. My instinct is to just always go bigger = better. But in my San Francisco home, I feared the the III's would overwhelm the space (21X12). At best I could move the III's about 12 inches from the wall (from the back of the speaker). 

Unfortunately the there's a 2 month wait, but I'm very much looking forward to setting these puppies up. Next on the upgrade list is a new amp! 
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