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Best speakers out there for Midrange and Highs

Hello Everyone!

I would like some advise about what are some of the better speakers out there for a 2 channel system - with use of subwoofers.

I currently use a pair of significantly large - full range speakers (Revel Salon2), that go down below 20hz. Even though my speakers go down so low, I still desired more air movement / sound pressure in the room - to make the sound as palatable as possible.

I found that combining the Salon2 with an external active crossover (JL Audio CR-1) and 2 Subs (JL Audio F113s) sounds excellent. Soundstage is close to like being at a concert, and surprisingly to me, was that imaging has not been lost. Furthermore, adjusting the phases on the subwoofers basically made the speakers and subs act like a singularity and helped the system sound even more exciting. I cross over at 90hz with a 24Db decay.

However, can’t help thinking about the obvious - that I am waisting all that available bass capability on the Salon2s. So I was wondering what speakers out there could be even more appropriate for my configuration. These speakers need not go down so low - Down to 55HZ would be more than enough. On the other hand, Salon2s also have a very strong midrange and highs, so I would like the new speaker to be either:

1) Better in the mids and highs (whether same price as the Salon2 or possibly more expensive), or
2) As good in the mids and highs as the Salon2s but less expense

Very much appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you in advance!

jmarshak
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,563 posts
 
I heard the Kaiser's at Rhapsody Audio in Manhattan.  Rhapsody and Singer are still listed as dealers.  They are also both Raidho dealers.

I heard the Wilson Benesch's at Singer in Manhattan.  It looks like he doesn't carry them anymore.  My demo's were 4 years ago I think.   

At that time I ultimately settled on Raidho X-1s which I picked up for a really good deal.  I spent quite a bit of time listening to the Revel Studio's (not the Salons), Wilson Sabrinas and the Magico S1s.  At the time I was stepping up from Performa3s.
jmarshak OP
157 posts
 
Hi @soix , Thanks!

Definitely happy to try more sophisticated room corrections although I have spent some time on that already. I’ll read about the DSpeaker… was not aware of this product. Thank you for pointer. Again, I am enjoying the set up right now, but you are correct that there is always more one can do.

Regarding the cross over frequency : In the past, I used to think exactly as you describe...If the Salons2 have so much to offer at the bottom, why would anyone cross over any higher than 40-50 hz? - and so, I’ve tested at 100 down to 30hz at 10 Hz increments :). Between 100, 90, 80 - started liking sound more..I can confirm is that the ’relief’ on the Salons below 90hz had a much greater positive effect on the overall sound than any minor directionality (which I could not really recognize) which could hear from the subs. Music sounds more engaging, better dynamics, just has more fidelity. I believe many have found the same to be true.

My subs are actually positioned on the inside of the speakers. Further, at lower frequencies crossover, I felt less room sound pressure - not sure if this effect is caused because the subs have less leeway of operation. Again, surely the main amps have alot to do with choosing the optimal cross over frequency...I am using tube amps right now. The combination works nice. Just want to see if I can use the ’unused bass’ money to finance better mids/highs ’if possible’
jmarshak OP
157 posts
 
@verdantaudio thanks for the pointer.  Rhapsody is a cool place to visit
geof3
1,130 posts
 
For clear mids/highs have you looked at anything in the Wilson Audio realm? Sasha’s, even Sabrina’s (smaller) or used Alexia’s all would fit the bill. The mids will smack you in the face without being harsh (depending on source of course)... of course, speaker placement and room can make all the difference.
jmarshak OP
157 posts
 
Hmm.. and non harsh smack in the face?... I like that that in my music :)

Basically, yes, I heard the Willson in many different reincarnations for as long as I can remember. I love all of their speakers.  

But I guess to summarize my objective... it's to get look for fanatically large bookshelves like the TAD CR1s … but the TADs are really,really expensive... so hopefully cheaper.
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