I'm interested to hear what your favorite monitors are, both for general reasons and specific reasons. There seem to be a lot of quality monitors out there and it's an easy size to deal with. I'd like to become more familiar with more of them.
For the more specific reason. I'm going to be able to set up a small system in a small room using a modified SS Blue Circle integrated amp and RA Opus 21 CDP. Right now I have a pair of Spendor S3/5 speakers that are very good and this is the approximate size box I'm interested in, but larger are fine too. For this small system are there other monitors that you might recommend, that perhaps have a synergy with BC electronics? With so many monitors available and few available for local demo I would appreciate your critiques of the speakers you like.
I use Audience Au24 speaker cables. My music preference is for mostly classical (not a lot of orchestral), jazz, space music, bluegrass, finger picking acoustic guitar, and some rock music (but don't expect to rock out). I don't like bright speakers. The speakers may not be able to be too far out from the wall; consider this near-filed listening. Since the majority of monitors are not terribly expenisve I'm open to most suggestions price-wise. Thanks.
Go to Tyler Acoustics web-site first. Then call ty who is the owner and builder of the speakers. The Linbrook signature monitors are great speakers and I'm sure once you have heard them you'll agree. These speakers are built by someone who takes a lot of pride in his speakers. I did alot of research before I bought my Linbrooks and I could not be happier. Ty builds speakers the way I would if I was to undertake such a task. Good Luck !
PS.: The upgraded Tannoys are then known as Manley ML10. The upgrade costs $1600 and you can find it all at www.manleylabs.com ( sorry , don't know how to link properly).
Tannoy DualConcentric Reason: Point source Phase coherent since 1946 Time coherent since'89 My Little Reds show no power compression up to 114dB spl (the danger is: they are louder than you think) Efficient at 94 bB 1w/1m. Ilike the sound of paper cones. For classical you might find some SRM/SGM 10b. For those you can get some rather good upgraded boxes and crossover, if you've got the money,I think tey are about 1100$. You have to supply the drivers. These are probably the best nearfields ever made.
I have had some monitors at home, I recall with great pleasure the B&W DM12 and N805, as well as a pair of Mission 731i (yes, the small ones - now out of production) but there must be a replacing model you can gather about.
While they are somewhat colored (bit of bloated mid-bass, the box sings a bit), the JM Reynard Trentes are fantastically musical and enjoyable monitor-sized speakers.
If price is no concern, the Gryphon Sonata is something to behold -- it sounds like a much bigger system. I suppose it is not really a monitor, given that the "stand" is an integral part of the speaker, but it is sized like a monitor speaker. Quite amazing, quite pricey.
Reference 3a Dulcets. Magic in a small room, for quieter music and listening levels. They disappear into a spacious, airy soundstage, provide unwavering images, and let music through with delightful clarity and directness.
Dynaudio 52se Not very big, the highs are very detailed but not harsh. Imaging is first rate. They also put out a good measure of quality bass for a small speaker. So far the best "bookshelf" I have ever listened to for any extended length of time. Matt
Brian, I guess you spoke to Srajan about the Caravelles? You interested in those babies? Come on you can tell us. All my raving,( adnauseam, I realize), rub off on you. Will a killer review open up your wallet for a pair of them? You mean Srajan's word means more than mine? lol..enjoy that new 52 incher.....
Srajan of 6moons.com, herard the Caravelles at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. They freaked him out. He's doing a review on them next month. You can go to the 6moons site to get some of the scoop as to what his thoughts were at the RMAF. I'm looking forward to the review. It's nice to hear someone raving other than myself, about these babies. peace, warren
Has anyone ever had the pleasure of hearing the Duntech PCL 15 "Little Dutchess" speaker. They are no longer in production although there is a brand new pair on ebay for 1600.00. This has to be the most remarkable little speaker I have heard. As well, for the money and sheer musicality, you would be hard pressed to better the Totem Model 1 given the appropriate equipment.
Audix Niles 5 (by the manufacturer of Audix mics). This is THE studio monitor that many top recording execs and studios use in L.A. I've taken these around to a number boutique high end stereo places and they blow away the competition. Custom Scanspeak drivers, front ported and the bass is stronger than most including Revel M20s.
Jayctoy, when you're at the audio show in Chicago, hopefully you can give a good listen to the Harmonic Precision Caravelles. I can't wait for you to get back to us (the 'gon) with your tympanic impressions. Put your order in, at the show, for a pair with the top of the line dedicated stands, so you won't have to wait too long for the sonic bliss I've was raving about adnauseam. lol.. peace, warren
I ended up deciding on the Reynaud Trente's based on a number of comments and reviews. Based on my experience with Spendors and comparisons of Reynaud monitors to them the Trentes should be just what I'm looking for. I also disccovered that Bob Neill at Amherst Audio now owns the rights to the design of the Reynaud stands and is having them made by a local woodworker.
Cabasse iO with the Thor sub, firing straight ahead powered by Diva electronics. I quote a friend who heard this combination :
"Now I'm thinking of changing my speakers after listening to the Cabasse. The mid-range of that pair of speakers is still lingering in my mind. It's got such amazing depth, clarity, speed and presence. The technology in those speakers is another great engineering marvel to relish."
Just thought I'd let you guys know. Spoke to Robert over at Starsound. They are going to exhibit, in the Fall, at the Chicago Audio Society,( in September) and at the Rocky Mountain show in Denver, in October. Will be a chance for many of you guys, if you're geographically situated, to hear the Sistrum lines, the Caravelles, and their electronics, as well. Can't wait to hear the buzz...and there will be one.....
Ky. is my home state..What are you trying to get at now Warren?... 21.5 feet wide and 9 foot high is the visual stage presented to me by my Caravelles that replaced my almost still Dunlavy SC4's. I sometimes suffer from whiplash while listening to these monitors..my minds eye tries to focus on the instruments, voices and air that travel in boundless yet coherent 3d form. These speakers are an extension of the Sistrum concepts. Its almost spooky, the visuals that is. Tom.. I am happy to be a Starsound dealer.
Scotty, I await your review. The 'gon does too. They are sick of me and my Caravelle rap. I'm sick of me. Please, I beg of you. Be fearless. After your Caravelles have broken in, and your tympanics have gone wild, please get on the 'gon with your honest impressions. I know what you're going to be hearing. Also, don't mention anything about the Europas unless you have plenty of KY. It'll be lonely and dark in the barrel. I'll try and save you, but the ubiquitous Green Mountain Europa following is tenacious and thin skinned. Don't rave too much. You don't want to be called a shill. Starsound gives a good kickback, however, so it might be worth it. lol..... You're in for a real tympanic treat....peace, warren
Currently, I am running the Diapasons - adamante's. They go down into the 30's and image very well. Depth is also outstanding. I have replaced the stands they come with, to the sistrum stands which was a big improvement. But for everyone out there....I have a pair of Caravelles on order. I will let you know how they stack up. I have owned..spendors sp-100's, Hales ref 5's, maggies 3.6, tesla's, and of course now the diapasons. I have VAC equip. upstream. It will be a while until I can get you a review or feedback as I will be out on business for a couple of weeks. But after they have broken in I will give feedback on them. Probably late June at the earliest. Feel free to email me as well with questions...I can tell you this. The sistrum stands have made a very big difference in the total sound of my system. If you really want a full system upgrade I would try the stands, both speaker and racks.
But, until I review the Caravelles, I would have to say for monitors the Diapasons are really nice.
If you like the S3/5 I strongly suggest you find either a pair of s3/1p (6.5" woofer, vented) or, interestingly, a pair of the now-discontinued SC3 center channels set on edge as a l/r pair (TWO 5" woofers flanking that tweeter, vented). Both these designs have a full +5 to 6dB increase in sensitivity due to the bigger/more drivers, and far better bass extension than the baby S3/5. Thus you won't have to get a bigger amp. I use the 1p as a stereo pair with the SC3 as a center as a front trio in my secondary HT system, and the stage is completely seamless. Either setup lists for $1400/pr, not much more than the S3/5, and are a MUCH better choice than the new lower efficiency S3 SE (too bright!). Cheers.
Hey Songwriter, after you AB these two babies which do you think?
Well I've got to say, Warrenh was dead on, about the Caravelles. To think, I, as well as many of the Europa owners verbally beat that poor guy up. Everything is just as he said in his review and more. Top to bottom, one amazing monitor speaker. My Europas were humbled, but then again, the Caravelles do cost 4 times as much, so price wise the Europas are still a good deal. If I had the bucks, I'd go for the Caravelles in a jiff.
or this?
well I finally heard those "babies" that Warrenh, the shill, has been rambling on about, adnauseam, for months. Hey, they're great speakers, but they cost $4k, and that's without the stands. They better sound better for that kind of money.
or this? I don't know what Warrenh has got in his ears, but the Europas blew them away. To think that they're trying to get $4k for a speaker that cannot hold a candle to my under $1k Europa. True, the Caravelles phase coherencey is drop dead amazing, and the bass goes where no monitor I've ever heardl; goes, and the upper end?-- Wow. But the Euopas, still, go beyond the beauty of the Caravelles. I know that's hard to believe that an $800 speaker can do that, but hey, they're better than the MG 20s, and the Jmlab Altos. What can I tell ya? The Europas for my money are the deal.
or this? don't worry...I'm over...couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd ramble on a bit 'til I got tired. good night my fellow audiophools.
Hehehehe.......Warren and the Caravelles.....myself and many others with the GMA Europa's. One has to wonder if anyone has listened to them side by side? I'd personally love to and will this summer if I visit Colorado. Anyone heard the two neck and neck? Huge price difference...
Any time phase aligned monitor with solid build quality and first order crossovers will be a good monitor and superior to most other designs. These include the green mountain audio europa (I own and love them), Vandersteen, Theil, and Dunlavy.
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