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Which speaker for my system?

Right now the speaker I've had for the past 5 years is an almost unknown speaker company here on Audiogon. The company is AUDES (from Lithonia). The particular model is the well reviewed BLUES. I heard this speaker at a local audio store in NJ. and was very impressed, especially its mids and highs. At $2000 I thought it was a good deal. I feel its time to move away from the Audes speakers to another brand with a higher level of sound reproduction. I'm not sure what I need to spend but I will go used if needed.(that will keep price down)

My system: Origin Live "Aurora" TT with a modded OL-1 arm and a Shelter 501 cart. My amp is a Pass Labs X150.5. I also have a Pass Xono phonostage. My preamp is the Aleph P (I really like Pass Labs). On the digital side I'm playing CDs on a modded Denon 2900. All components are sitting on Maple platforms. Cabling is from Nordost and AZ. Room size is a bit small (10X20 with a vaulted ceiling). Room is treated with acoustic panels and bass traps behind speakers.

What I listen to: Mostly early 70's rock. (Beatles,Bowie,Elton John,supertramp,Billy Joel,etc....)
Also Female vocalists, Kate Bush,Heart,Beth Orton,Holly Cole....

Recently I was able to listen at a local Audio store these speakers. Vandersteens Quatro
Sonas Faber Cremona
Audes Orpheus
Martin Logan ?
I personally liked the Quatros the best. I really appreciate any feedback. Again, I'm not quite sure how much money it will cost to reach a higher level(detail,wide soundstage,fast tight bass,great midrange for realistic sounding vocals and highs to die for). The speakers I listened to were between $5000 and $12,000. I would like to stay at the lower end of the scale. Possibly used ones are OK.
Thanks Ziggy
ziggy333a
9 responses Add your response
tweak1
3,524 posts
 
Think ooutside the monkey coffins- MAGGIES!
racamuti's avatar
racamuti
362 posts
 
Check out Reference 3A Grand Veena. I don't own them but I have heard them and thought that they were very good! Listen to as many speakers as you can before making a decision. Good Luck!
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
I've not heard your Audes...so take this with a pinch of salt.

If you like the Audes design (which looks like a very sensible use of the drivers - although the midrange might be crossed over a wee bit too low for clean low distortion at higher SPL's - something you may not even care for - I just thought it worth mentioning).

Given your taste, then I'd continue to audition designs with a smallish midrange driver (4.5 inch or less) covering the essential 3 octaves of midrange (roughly 300 to 3 Khz).

Quattros are definitely on the right track - a little laid back for my tastes but a great speaker.

One word of caution, the Quattros have a crossover at 900 Hz which is in a rather critical spot for a crossover (your hearing being at its absolute best and most sensitive/discerning at this frequency - and a crucial range for vocals). Since it uses a first order crossover you are probably going to find they are rather sensitive (presentation will change) according to the height of your listening position with respect to the speaker. An in room check might be wise before a purchase - just to see if it works for you in your room. Good Luck with the auditions!
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
believe it or not...the quatro(a nice speaker) is only going to be a small step up given the money you'll spend. the blues play way over their price.
musicnoise
377 posts
 
I agree that most speaker manufacturers tailor the speaker to a particular genre and I am not convinced that one set of characteristics are best suited to all types of music; even the volume level which can be achieved and the amount of distortion desired or unwanted comes into play. I find listening to a string quartet at low spl's completely satisfying. However, sympathy for the devil or my generation just seems to lose something when heard at 70 db. Anyway, while auditioning a wide range of speakers for many months, I came across the Monitor Audio GS60's. I did not find those speakers suitable for my needs. My impression of the speakers were that there was nothing wrong with them. They seemed accurate, sounded fine, added nothing to the sound, could produce acceptable spl's in a medium size room, etc. In short, there was nothing special about the speakers one way or the other to my listening. I heard other speakers that worked well for vocals (classic spendors driven by low powered tubes for example) rock (the largest paradigms), classical (B&W 800 series, Genelec monitors and Dali floorstanders). The GS60's would be a serious option for me if I regularly listened to music of more than one genre.
xti16
1,525 posts
 
Try and check out the dynaudio line. I have the confidence c1's and the esotar2 tweeter is to die for. The bass is tight and the mids sound the most natural I've heard. The c1's are rated to 45hz but I have as low as 32 (with a test cd). I have a REL B3 for a sub but hardly use it (only when playing at very low levels) because it really cant keep up with the dyns. BTW the REL did fine with SF the creamora 'm's. Soundstage is huge and has pinpoint imaging. The c2's or 4's used are in your range but try and listen to them first. The creamora 'm's came in second but the tightness wasnt there for me.
lapierre
547 posts
 
Zigg the Quattros sound pretty good.

I audition them with Ayre PRE,POWER,and CDP.

What I remembered was a deep soundstage and details. The speakers where positioned 6 feet from the back wall. I don't remember focusing on the bass too much but the sound was outstanding.
plato
1,543 posts
 
Nice turntable... a cartridge upgrade may make a very nice improvement...
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,362 posts
 
I am using 5A's. Both the Quatro and 5A's have built in powered sub-woofers which thereofore take a big burden off of your amp..which makes the amp perform better as well. The quatros are set up to match the accoustics of your room by your dealer as well, so that in real terms you will hear what Vandersteen intended. Also note that the wood Quatros are better than the cloth ones. You should listen to all speakers in this price range however and be happy with your purchase
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