Chad, regular or Wood? never heard either, but just curious which one you're talking about. And what is the diff between the 2. |
Hi Tvad, no I have not considered anything tube friendly because Pass amp stays. Just speaker change this time.
I just arranged to hear MS4. But it won't be until the week after next. |
Tvad, I see your point. BTW, the "Dream Maker" looks totally insane! Weird to say the least. Sort of like a distant relative of Audio Note speakers. Have you heard these speakers? |
I think I'll stick with more or less major, more common loudspeaker manufacturers. This Audio Kinesis stuff is nice, but since the direct sale only, no place to audition, I'll pass. |
Hi Sam, nice to hear my CD player found a good home! Enjoy!
I'll try to give Vandersteen Quatro a listen. I like the look of Quatro W better though. |
Jimcrane, what model Harbeth? |
Tvad, you are right.
# 1 - speakers should not look like coffins(or else I will be packed in one of them and burried by my significant other).
#2 - no electrostatics, no panel speakers.
#3 - I am leaning towards major manufacturers in case the speakers won't work out for me and I need to sell...just don't want to get stuck with something I don't like.
#4 - not as important as 1,2 and 3, but the goal is to get a good sounding speaker of a normal size and appearance. Not the behemoth. The biggest/tallest is the size of Dynaudio S5.4...and if that can be avoided, great! |
I recently heard Thiels, the new models...3.7 may beIwith a round top)? But didn't like them too much. Thought they were a bit analytical for my tastes. No warmth at all. I think it could have been the room they were in, but in any case I don't think this is the sound I am looking for. Thanks. |
Mechans, I agree with you. I totally realize that there is a potential for a system that resolves a lot of detail at lower level, to become unpleasant to listen to at higher levels for prolonged periods of time. I am trying to avoid this scenario. This is NOT what I want the system to do.
Thanks for your advise. |
Adding Silverline Bolero and Sonata III to my list as well. |
hey Pops why don't you call them and find out? |
As far as I'm concerned, I have put both the Sonata III and Bolero on my list.
I'm just waiting for an answer from silverline in regards to dealers in NYC or NJ area. |
OK. Now I am even more curious to hear the Dali! |
How about another speaker. I just forgot to add it in the original list - Opera Callas Divina. Anyone familiar with it? it received a very good review in Stereophile few years ago. I never heard these speakers. if anyone has, please share your thoughts on their sound qualities.
do they belong in a group with B&Ws and Dynaudio - dynamic and powerfull, or are they more like Sonus Faber Cremona, laid back and forgiving?
Much appreciated. |
Thanks Flav. Sophias are certainly something I will consider. |
I think the VK250 with BAT Pack will be a tight competition for the X250.5, but because the speakers are so revealing, I am sure we'll easily be able to pick out any differences between the 2 amplifiers.
It should be fun! |
ha-ha. many choices. yes. but I will not rush. I am going to audition as much as I can and then make my decision.
I know this amp is great. That's why it stays. I haven't heard the Sophias in a good set up yet. I know they are good speakers, but for some reason they're demoed with electronics that highlight their worst qualities.
Flav, what speaker cables and interconnects are you using? |
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Flav, thanks. Exactly my plan - sell the preamp and speakers. Upgrde speakers first and then possibly get a pre. But that is much later. First the speakers. I know the biggest difference would be in the speaker change. Thanks again. May be I should audition Wilsons again. I think the thing that screwed up my last Wilson Sophia audition was the fact that while waiting for the Sophias to be hooked up into the system, I was left in another room with the Alexandrias and all top line Levinson stuff. I was there for a while listening to that before I went into the room with Sophias. That could have done it, don't you think?
:) |
Wow Shadorne!!!! That is gay! |
Mariusz,
Luger's about 15 minutes away from me. Never been there. Don't care much for steak...no matter how good it is. Just not a big fan.
Don't like hot dogs either(geez I can smell them right now).
Will hear Dali MS5 tomorrow.
By the way, there is an excellent Dali exhibition at the MoMA in NYC...if anyone likes Dali's work(not the speakers this time but the artist, Salvador Dali). |
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Called Silverline today. I guess it was Alan who answered the phone, and told me there was no dealer in NY or NJ area that has Sonata III or Bolero in stock.
That's a pitty. I really wanted to hear both.
On a positive note, I heard Dali MS5 today and was impressed. Associated equipment and most likelyh the speaker placement/positioning wasn't ideal, but I spent about 2 hours listening. Liked them. These speakers remain on my list. Their level of resolution is something to get used to though...WOW. I actually heard some things I didn't know were there on the Telarc recording of Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet.
Pretty impressive. |
Mmakshak, thanks but unfortunately that is not an option for me. However, with the Dyns I get pretty good resolution at low levels now. Better than what I had with the B&Ws. |
Most likely Cremonas are off the list.
1. they go down to 40hz, which isn't low enough
2. do not like to be played as loud
3. for what they cost I feel I can get a better speaker.
Silverline are most likely out as well because I can not hear them anywhere in the area. I'm unlikely to buy speakers without audition. Market is not that great right now and things just don't sell as well. It isn't exactly the perfect time to experiment by buy and sell.
Dali MS4 or MS5 remain;
Wilson Sophia added;
Dynaudio S5.4 remain;
Dynaudio C2 added;
B&W 803D remain;
I think all these speakers have in common is they are resolving, dynamic and should excell at low level resolution, except may be for the 803D since I know B&Ws like to be played as loud as possible.
All hang in approximately same price category.
I haven't heard the Focals. Not familiar with their sound. If they have same sonics as JM LAB speakers, which I found pretty lean, it isn't exactly what I'm looking for. |
I just heard my friend's system with the Dynaudio S5.4 today, and again, I was very impressed. I have a major feeling I will end up with either the Dyns or the Wilsons. Dyns are cheaper and sound awesome. Wilsons are more expensive and sound great as well, but are they worth the price difference? Are they really better? I will have to hear the Sophias again to know what they pack that the Dyns are missing. I find the Dyanudio S5.4 to have a great balance top to bottom. Excellent detail retrieval, soundstaging, imaging, clarity, bass. Everything is there.
2-ears, the reason Ushers aren't on the list is that I never heard them. |
The Dyns are easy for me to listen to and evaluate in my friend's system. I do love the Dynaudio sound.
And I have been a fan of Wilson speakers fo a long time as well, but the Sophia are not that easy to audition in a properly set up system. As I said, last time I heard them wasn't really with the electronics of my choice and everything else wasn't set up correctly either.
Dali are very good as well. Their resolution is like nothing I have heard before. Absolutely crazy. Danger in that is that it can work for and against you. But they give you the clearest view on the recording. I am still shocked at how much information there was on CDs I was familiar with, the details that were faint or even inaudible on other speakers. Really, you got to hear it to beleive it. It's outstanding. |
Hi Keith
it isn't clear from your post which speaker was better sonically in your system, the C4 or the Sophia. Aesthetix aside.
Also, C2 is almost full range. Low frequency is specified at 28hz. That's deep. C1 goes down to 45hz. Not even reaching the lowest note on acoustic bass. I realize it rolls off and may still go into the 30s, but it won't dig as deep as C2. At least basedon the specs.
C2 also has 4 times the internal cabinet volume of C1. Just that should be enough to make a substantial difference in the performance of the speaker. |
Keith, I see. Thanks.
As I said, I do realize the bass goes deeper than specs(same as with my B&Ws, which reproduce 28hz test tone but specified as 42hz low, they gently roll off the bass), but still, a mini monitor is what it is. Doubt it competes with a large floorstander such as C2. If the C2 isn't much better than C1, that would be really surprising. If the design is properly implemented, I wouldn't worry about 2.5 way vs 3 way speaker. Dynaudio usually doesn't screw up.
I haven't heard the C2 or the C1 and I can not back it up with facts. So we are probably discussing something we both are not sure about(it seems you haven't heard the C2 either).
I have heard 2 different Dynaudio speakers, at 2 totally opposite ends of the product line, the Evidence Master and Contour S5.4, and liked both of them a lot. |
Hi Keith,
I pretty much decided it will either be the S5.4 or the Sophia. C2 are great but I doubt they will have the bass I want.
BTW, review of C4 in Stereophile indicates the bass to be too much of a good thing, to the point it is hard to get right. I wish I could shoot straight to C4 but at this time the room and budget allow for a lesser speaker only. |
yep. I think so. S5.4 should be just right! |
Update:
After listening to several speakers(Dali MS4, Dali MS5, Totem Wind, Verity Fidelio, Dynaudio S5.4, Dynaudio Confidence 5, Audio Physic Virgo, Merlin, Usher), I've made up my mind and made the choice - Dynaudio Countour S5.4.
Dali MS4 and MS5 were on top of the list along with the Dynaudio S5.4 as well, but unfortunately I couldn't land the Dali speakers in the right condition for the right money.
The Dyns are supposed to arrive in few days and I am looking forward to some listening.
Thanks all for contributing to the discussion! Your help is appreciated. |
