jmarshak, every so often a used Plinius SB-301 pops up here for sale at prices around $5K. It is really a great amp for the price, with smooth highs and the only drawback being that it runs hot. If I hadn't come across a ridiculously good price for the Symphonic Line monos, the Plinius would likely still be here.
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!
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!
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- 90 posts total
To me if you like the sound of the Revel Salon2 in your system the obvious choice is their TOTL Gem2 bookshelf speakers. -3 dB from 70 Hz to 45 kHz ±0.5 dB from 75 Hz to 18 kHz ±1.0 dB from 72 Hz to 20 kHz https://www.revelspeakers.com/products/series/series-ultima2/Gem2-.html?cgid=series-ultima2&dwva... |
Interesting why everyone is trying to get you to buy monitor speakers. You really seem to like the dynamic sound of the floor standers with the added deep bass, the combination that gives you real live music sound with excellent dynamic range and presentation. in the place of the blade 2 I tried the ls50 and the ref 1. They all share the same midrange , tweeter driver unit. So theoretically with the subs the sound should be similar to blade 2 with subs. NOT EVEN CLOSE. Big speakers with added subs integrated well sound so much better . Hence I am going for the bigger blades for the mid and highs . The kef guys feel that the bigger speaker would have more presence even when not doing bass duty. I sure hope so. With regard to electrostats I have only tried Martin Logan’s and own a pair of cadence electrostats in my second system. They don’t match the blades when it comes to dynamic presentation and sound pressures which are important to me and the dipole nature of the speaker imo loose the focus that the blades provide . The blade 2 with the jl audio subs have a deep, wide, clean , stable and powerful soundstage . The electrostats sounded very pleasant but lacked the palpable presence of these big speakers mated with subs. To make the mid and high better , as you like your speakers and amplification I would recommend tweaks and essentials like sound treatment ( I love asc tube traps and they are very helpful if u call them ) , cables( in my system kiMber was too bright I use all cardas now and they made the sound much more to my taste), power conditioning, isolation feet etc Things to add everyday to make your system sound better a fraction at a time . |
I'M A "CONEHEAD", and all I can do is recommend what I had in my own LR- the Egglestonworks Andra-2. BUT The current version-3's use much faster midrange drivers than before. They are easy to drive (200W/ch SS) and easy to position. They sound like a real piano and that's good enough for me. They also extend down to 19Hz with ease with two X 12 inch drivers in each speaker. My room is 14X20 so you might want the next largest model. But they're quite similar to Sonus Faber speakers for naturalness if you like them also. Subs are OK, but I don't "get" the importance of bass down to 15Hz, unless you want the impact of Van Halen played at concert volume. I like pipe organ recordings and the Egg's outperformed Wilson's Maxx-2. Wiring up subs and crossovers (and even EQ) sounds like a lot of work. A full-range speaker that is designed to accurately (but gently) reproduce every kind of music there is would be where I could be satisfied. Von Schweikert speakers are also full-range champions, and reportedly have bass that descends down into the teens. Plus they have level controls on the rear panel already included that you can tailor the sound with. The newest series are quite expensive, though. As for monitors, 50Hz Is (as far as I'm concerned) already excellent bass, and other than sheer volume, provides 90% of the illusion of being full range. I've sat too close to too many rock bands in concert, one of which I just had to leave early rather than lose my hearing, and that WAS back in the "good old days". |
- 90 posts total