Speaker recommendation $10-20K (with some requirements!)


Recent lessons of the developing audiophile:


  • Don’t buy speakers without demonstration

  • Speaker break in is real...but will not fundamentally change DNA

  • Really appreciate the wisdom of this forum!


I recently changed my old B&W Matrix 803 Series 2 with new Dynaudio Countour 60i’s. A number of you helped on my: How important is speaker break-in? post - thanks! The Dyn’s are not fully broken in, but I think I can see where this is going: They have great soundstage, detail, and bass. In comparison, the B&Ws sound smaller, thinner, slightly less detailed overall, and do not throw big bass. (The B&W’s are supplemented nicely with a quality subwoofer, but that still sounds a little more like component parts stitched together, than the way the Dyn’s deliver an integrated output).  


The problem? The Dyn’s are hard in the mids and highs, and my (aging) ears are very sensitive to that. I have some tinnitus that I usually don’t notice...unless a hard or ringing sound sets it off, and these speakers are doing it big time. Immediately fatiguing (unless the recording is just somebody plucking at a bass guitar). The B&Ws are pretty sweet in the mid-range and most recordings don’t trip my hard/edgy line. So, I WILL go demo before buying this time, but I am hoping this group can help narrow the search a bit, and I am letting budget drift up if that helps get it done. Here are constraints and goals, and equipment:


*Absolutely must be smooth and silky - not hard, edgy, ringing, brittle, etc. - in the mids and highs. Ironically, I tend to listen mostly to heavier music, but I care mostly about sweet and detailed delivery of delicate sounds, like vocals and piano. For say, heavy metal, I don’t care if the system reproduces it perfectly, only that it tilts away from ragged, ringing tones as much as possible.


*After that, I want a big, authoritative sound with meaningful bass, detail - everything one would want in a speaker, but compromises can be made.  


*Room Treatments. Room is medium size, does not have treatments, and it is what it is. It is not a dedicated audio room, so I can’t start throwing stuff up on the walls (WAF). (The room does have the benefit of being wood floor applied directly to concrete (with a rug), so at least the floor doesn’t resonate. And it has 2 layers of sheetrock in places). I will live with my room compromises, but the sound coming out the speakers themselves does matter and I want to focus on that.


*Prefer tower style for aesthetics and fit, but open to boxy (e.g. Harbeth) if that’s where I need to go.  


* Equipment: All digital inputs to ARC DAC 8 -> ARC Ref5se preamp -> Bryston 7BSST2 monoblocks (600W). I get that the whole system matters, and that Brystons are supposed to be a little hard. But this problem really started with the new speakers, so that is where I am focusing. If you really think different amps or something are going to turn the Dynaudio’s silky sweet in the mids and high, please say that with some conviction and support.


As always, really appreciate the greater knowledge of this community!



mathiasmingus
Audition, IN YOUR ROOM, every speaker listed here and then, when you have done all that, have your dealer install a pair of the latest Magneplaners and write the check.  You are done.

Cheers!
In the "New Today" listings, there is a pair of Sonus Faber Extrema speakers. They are asking $11,500. Seems high relative to their age (1990s) and original MSRP (around $10K). However, if you make these your own, you will never need to look for an upgrade. Believe me! You might also check out other models of Sonus Faber. They are well-known and respected, and have a wide distribution network.

P.S. I am not affiliated with the seller in any way. I own the Sonus Faber Electa Amators. As good as they are, the don’t come close to the the Extremas. I only wish I had the foresight to buy them back in 1992. You can read some reviews on the Sonus Faber Extremas on this forum.


Wow some of these suggestions are perfect ideas and others are 100% the wrong solution. Can't see how you will discern that. 

The part about room treatment as a starting point in key.
If you can't address that keep your money in your pocket.

You say the forum helped you in your decision to buy the Dynas
yet you are back for more???

Can you join a local A/V Club for counsel and actual listening sessions
that will help you decide?




Merry Christmas all. I still vote for first trying different components first. You can always sell the speakers but since you already have them eliminate them from your list first. Either decide you’re keeping your components and unload the speakers or ask your dealer to loan you some different pre/amps. I sold my salon 2’s because I didn’t want to go down the component rabbit hole and I knew I could break even reselling the speakers, if I could have afforded some Mark Levinson separates I probably would have kept the salons. No regrets here since I made a decision based on my budget.