RMAF Loudspeakers?

Green Mountain Audio speakers are not 95+ sensitivity.

I'll listen to the Classic Audio Reproduction T3.3, but at $21,000-$45,000/pair, they are way beyond my price point, as are the Horning offerings.

As I understand, you don't want to reveal your speakers choice yet?
Maril555 (System | Threads | Answers)

I haven't made a choice, so there's nothing to reveal.

I have heard a Tonian model in the past. Considered one of the latest offerings,
but the full range models are beyond my budget ($35k as I recall).

I think it was the Model TL-M1 MKII that was $35K.

Tonian Acoustic's not exhibiting at RMAF, nor is Audiokinesis.

I was interested in the Classic 12.1, but the price is well beyond my budget.

I prefer to keep it under $10k.

The AV-1 has s sensitivity rating of 88dB.

Is there a model 95dB+ sensitive?

Guys, I appreciate your input, but please check the requirements of the
speakers I am seeking.

Great info, Irish65. Thanks!

Tetra 506/505 look interesting. Mixed reviews (positive from Jim Merod and Jeff Dorgay, negative comments from JohnAtkinson, and an appreciative, if not positive review from Paul Bolin).

Not high sensitivity at 92dB (Atkinson measured it at 87+ dB), but flat impedance at 8 ohms nominal and 7 ohms minimum.

Anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Heard some really outstanding rooms at RMAF.

In no particular order, my favorites included:

Classic Audio Reproductions T1.3/Atma-Sphere M-60 (grand, lifelike sound)
Merlin/Joule (Bobby always has his room dialed in. The small hotel rooms lend themselves to the Merlin speakers, IMO)
Audio Note (Both rooms. Rich, alive, dynamic room-filling sound))
Joseph Audio/Bel Canto (both the Pearl and monitor models. Musical as heck. And they look like jewels.)
Sonist Concerto 3/Glow Audio (Very, very good sound from this modestly priced system)
Von Schweikert Unifield 3/Moscode (The VS/Moscode combo has been proving itself optimal for several years)

The Deadalus Ulysses and D-Rma were both driven by Modwright amplification, preamplification and front end gear.

I thought both models were strong overall, however I am going in a different direction with speakers.

Stereodad, I'm going to be using low power tube amps. Daedalus speakers do not fit the profile of a speaker that will be optimal with this type of amplification.

I'd put Klipsch Forte in the cost effective category, but there's nothing wrong with that...

The Von Schweikert/Moscode combo just works for some reason. I once owned Von Schweikert VR4 Gen III HSE and drove them with a Moscode 401HR, and the result was excellent. Wish I still owned that system, in some respects.

IMO, the Daedalus DA-Rma were superior to the Ulysses at this particular show. More cohesive and balanced. The bass went surprisingly deep...no doubt assisted by the smallish room.

10-05-09: Mmike84
I don't mean to go against the grain but I spent some time in the Von Schweikert room and I thought they were not great.

No need to apologize for having a different opinion.

If everyone had the same taste, then there'd be only one room at RMAF.

10-06-09: Swampwalker
Grant- Did you get a chance to hear that new GR speaker w the small Dodd battery amp and battery passive tube pre/buffer?

No. There were many rooms that offered interesting experiences, but if I can't afford the stuff, or there's a barrier to entry (e.g. kit), then I'd rather not spend the time.

I really want to like the Zu speakers. I like the passion of the company. I like the fact they're made in the USA. I like the attention to detail. However, I can't warm up to the speakers for some reason. I think I'm growing tired of uber resolution and fatiguing top ends.

Maril555, I have not made a choice yet, so there's nothing to reveal.

10-06-09: Mapman
Were the Classic Audio speakers at the show the ones using the field coil driver technology?

Yes.

If I had a barn for a listening room, and $100k burning a hole in my pocket, I'd have purchased them on the spot. I don't think they are $100k, but close...

10-06-09: Bjesien
Why 95+dB as a priority.

Because I want to use low powered tube amplification.

To get 105dB peaks on a 90dB speaker at 10 feet from the speakers requires 156wpc. To get 105dB peaks on a 95dB speaker requires 50wpc. Big difference. Many more affordable 50wpc tube amps than 150wpc tube amps.

For a detailed explanation, click the link about speaker sensitivity reprinted from Musical Fidelity on this Daedalus Audio webpage.

I'd love to hear some good "Porcupine Tree" in a big room on a pair of speaks like the Classic Audios with the field coil technology. That would truly be awesome.
Mapman (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers)

During my visit, Ralph Karsten played a side of King Crimson's second LP, and he played side one of ELP's first LP.

What a treat!

I was so happy to spend time listening in a room that wasn't playing Diana Krall or Rebecca Pigdeon's "Spanish Harlem".

F1a, I did hear the Vaughn speakers. They were very nice, but didn't connect with me enough to motivate a purchase inquiry.

The Classic 8.1 only go down to 43Hz, and therefore do not meet my requirements for a full range speaker.

Regarding the Tonian speakers, I heard one of the Tonian models several years ago. It was very impressive; incredible clarity, grain free midrange, and pretty substantial bass extension for a two way floorstander.

I am presently interested in moving away from the high resolution, very precise presentation that the Tonian speakers, and all of the audiophile speakers I have owned thus far have provided (with the exception of Castle Acoustics Howard II).

When I owned my first stereo in the mid 70s (Sansui, KLH, Pioneer), and then my next system (Kenwood, RogersSound Lab, Sony), the music flowed and rocked without hyper detail. It seemed more natural than virtually anything I have experienced since entering the audiophile realm.

I'm looking for that sound again. I think I've identified a candidate or two.

Frankly, I recently saw a well regarded 80s vintage speaker for under $500 that got my attention.

F1a, I liked the AN-E speakers very much.

I wonder how hard it will be transition from the high rez, precise sound you have enjoyed for a long time. For me, it's very difficult as I find I want both schools of sound. Multiple systems maybe?
Drubin (Threads | Answers)

Honestly, I don't anticipate a difficult transition at all.

I definitely won't have multiple systems.

You will not be able to hear the product before purchasing and there is not trail period so that is the risk.
Bobheinatz (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

Not hearing a loudspeaker before purchasing, nor having a trial period makes it an absolute non-starter for me.

Dmailer, I cannot find any information on the Serious Stereo website about their speakers' frequency response, impedance, or sensitivity. Do you know where this info can be obtained?

This statement from a Serious Stereo webpage is counter intuitive:
"...one always chooses the amplifiers first-- get only the best. Then, choose your speakers to accurately give you what those amplifiers can do. That is the easiest, best way to reach audio perfection."

Thanks for the offer.

Thanks for the info and the offer.

I don't understand a speaker builder who doesn't publish the specs of his product. Maybe I'm too picky, but it seems to be basic to do so.

Ordered Audio Note AN-E SPe HE. It'll be a couple of months, maybe three until they are delivered...

It's impossible to say until I experiment with the speakers whether I'll keep the Pass amps long term. They're without question the best SS amps I've ever owned. However, my intention is to move to tube amps with the AN speakers. If finances allow, I may just box the Pass amps and store them. Or, they may sound exceptional with the AN speakers and stay in the system.

Totonto416, those Verity Finn look very nice. There are no specifics on the Verity website about frequency response or pricing. Do you know where this is available online?

Edit: I found the Finn preliminary specs here.

From a specification standpoint, they are similar to Joseph Audio RM25XL.

Keith,

I haven't heard the Audio Note and Zu loudspeakers in the same system with matching electronics, so I don't think a comparison would be valid.

I hope you understand.

At this point, I will probably just have to bite the bullet and get a few speakers in my room to compare.

KeithR
Keithr (Threads | Answers)

Good luck. That's been the most difficult thing to accomplish for me (as in never). However, I've not demo'd speakers that make a home trial easier (e.g. Zu Audio).