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Shopping for new speakers-need ideas... Selling old DQ-10's...

As I get older my Dahlquist DQ-10’s are simply too bright and give me an earache. I’ve tried different amps so that is not the issue. I just bought a Marantz PM-KI Ruby amp to pair with them. They sound great, but after some time the ear issue comes up.  However, I am looking for new speakers to match with my new amp. These are my desires:

-Not as bright as my Dahlquist DQ-10’s, but not as distant sounding as my Aerial 6s. I do like speakers on the warm side nowdays, but not muddy of course

-Great separation of sound so you catch the detail

-Bass not too punchy as I’ve always had ear trouble with this

-I love midrange

-I don’t like too sharp highs anymore unfortunately

-I love an open sound even airy sound.


What I may be describing is something that is between the DQ-10s and the Aerial 6s. Not in my face, but not behind a wall sounding like the Aerials. Something smooth yet with texture and good separation.

I always loved the phased array design of the DQ-10s and my DQ-8s since I have had since 1993. They are open and airy with tons of soundstage potential.

I listen to a variety of music from ‘60’s and 70’s folk to ‘90’s hard rock like Collective Soul. I’m a 70’s guy and love classic rock, but I lean in the Steely Dan direction. I love progressive rock like Rush and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. I’m also fond of Sade and similar artists in that genre. Jazz is an occasional venture to the likes of Joshua Redman and older stuff like Ramsey Lewis.

Now that I have this magnificent Marantz amp I’m ready to pair them with something that is more of a fit with it and my now limited ears. Earaches suck when you are trying to enjoy some music. This is a lot better now with the Marantz amp, but I still feel a slight ache at medium volumes.

I’ve watched a lot of YouTube videos reviews and I’ve started reading some things.

My budget is $3,000 or less. Hopefully less...

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
georgethedog
nsm1979
14 posts
 
I moved on from a pair of ADS L1090’s to the Spatial Audio M4 Turbo S models.  No fatigue after very long sessions.  Bass is very nicely presented, even in a smallish room, 15’x13’.  Highly recommended.  
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,272 posts
 
Those look like awesome speakers too nsm.  I was looking at the turbo s about a year ago too. 
Im sitting here listening to music this morning and even after almost a year, these Carrera BE’s are so juicy.  They just sound really nice.

George, I wouldn’t sleep on those Carbons... you ought to pick them up if you like the walnut finish.   They’re a good deal at $2500, this pair at TMR is $1299.  That pair or walnut veneer looks awesome.  All of Fritz’s speakers are beautifully made and they are all book matched.  The left and right speakers match as well and the veneer is continuous from one side to the top to the other side.  Point is, they’re built like little tanks and handcrafted by someone who really knows what he is doing.


Anyhow, good luck!

georgethedog OP
9 posts
 
@b_limo  I see these are bookshelf two-way speakers.  What advantage would these hold over speakers like the Tannoy Revolution XT 8F or the Vandersteen 2Ce Signature III which are around the same price considering the requirements I listed in my first post?  I am only curious because I would like to learn and I had not considered bookshelf speakers in my room that is fairly large (26x16 est. without measuring).  These speakers would also double as theatre speakers in that room.  Thanks for any teachings you can provide!!! 
giantsalami's avatar
giantsalami
208 posts
 
I must be the only one not impressed with the Fritz. I had a pair and to my ears, the highs were completely sucked out. I did sell them.
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,272 posts
 
Thats a tough one.  The 2ce is a great speaker.  In my oppinion, the 2CE will sound larger and have a fuller sound.  The 2ce will probably fill that space better.  The price difference between the Carbon 7SE at TMR and the 2CE is substantial though and with that $ you could buy a pair of subs with the Carbons...

I think that the Carbons are going to offer more precise imaging within a soundstage but the 2CE will have a larger soundstage.  The Carbons may have a slightly more natural and warm tone to them.  The 2ce will sound full, slightly laid back but still have good detail.  
I had a pair of 2CE’s and really liked them too.  I’ve always kind of longed for another pair to be honest.  
Tough call on that one George.  I do like the idea of being able to easily replace a driver “in the field” though if you ever blow something.  The drivers in the Carbons would be something you could get pretty easy.  
Im not sure how much room you have behind the speakers to work with but you should check out those Spatial Audio Turbo S’s as well.  Those should fill your room nicely too and I beg the sound great with Rock like Rush etc.
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