I listened to all sorts of bookshelf speakers in your price range with essentially the same focus on richness, warmth, bass, and jazz. The best I heard, and eventually bought, was a pair of demo Trenner & Fried ART speakers. Exceptional craftsmanship, with warm and rich sound, plenty of bass for near field listening, and a perfect fit for jazz and vocals. The ARTs are the kind of speaker that transports you to the event, and with your listed gear, you would be in for a real treat. I have used various Cardas cables in my system with the ARTs, and they only added to the realism given that the speakers are wired with Cardas. Hope that helps!
Looking for nearfield passive speakers that are warm and rich
I really like my ATC Scm7s that I use at my desk but I want something warmer, richer more bassy. Something that does well with vocals and jazz.
Budget is $5000. They are being driven by arc ref5se and pass x350.8, dac is denafrips terminator. Thanks.
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@kaitainen Have you heard the Harbeth P3ESR or any JMR speakers? Thanks. |
@sliffy I would still need my amp and pre for my ns5000 I also use for mid field listening. |
@mijostyn This is for a desk setup. |
@smodtactical ,No problem. You just put one one each side of the desk, tweeters inside😁 LS3 5As with a sub under the desk. I would elevate them on small stands getting them at ear height. Kef LS50 meta would be my second choice. My desk is towards the back of the media room. It also serves as a work bench. I just listen to the main system. At the desk I am concentrating on other things so music is purely background. All serious listening is done a few feet away in the new Stressless Max recliner that is still hanging out somewhere in Norway. |
@jackd The dealer offered me a Fyne f500 and said it was brighter but a better speaker than the JMR Folia. I don't think ill go for it but just a datapoint to observe. |
Based on your original post Fyne's not the direction you want to go in. And as to which is the better speaker that's debatable period but not in this situation. Maybe he has more margin in the Fyne and since you haven't moved on the Folia just throwing something else. If he's local just go listen for yourself as the people on this forum don't have to listen to whatever you buy everyday. To me based on my experience it would be an easy choice without even listening but I'm not the one listening in your room. Make the trip and get it over with. If you're in the GTA I can't imagine many speakers you couldn't listen to in person. |
Crap website, and I don't even know if they're still in business but I would reach out and inquire. I own a pair of the 1.6 WC and will never part with them. Best bookshelf speakers I've ever owned. If you want detail PLUS warmth...the wool carbon cones are absolutely brilliant. To put in perspective, I also own ProAc Tablette 10s, which are amazing in their own right, but the Source speakers are my go-to's. Fuller, warmer, more relaxed - yet absolutely spot on with details. |
A desk is no substitute for heavy speaker stands. I would only keep that budget if you can get them off the desk (beyond the desk). Find where the speakers sound best in the room off the desk on good stands and only then move your desk to where the best sound is. When the speakers are firing toward you with a desk in between, you might also consider treating the desk to dampen reflections. |
@jackd I emailed JMR to ask if their silk in their tweeter is synthetic or natural since i dont buy natural silk for ethical reasons. This was a solid 2 weeks ago I think and still no response. |
@ddd1 I got the speakers up on metal stands but they are on the desk. Since I am pretty much against a wall the only way to get them off would be some kind of wall mount which I'd prefer not to do. Eventually when I move ill do this properly more like a mixing desk/studio. |