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Your thoughts on my quest for new speakers

I know this has been asked many times on this forum, but I would really like some input on my quest for new speakers.  I am currently running a Hegel 160 with Linn Majik 140 floor standing speakers and a Rythmik sub to fill out the bottom end.  I use the Hegel's built-in Airplay to stream Tidal (Hi-Fi only) to the Hegel.  I tried the Bluesound Node recently and found it actually decreased the sound quality, so I removed it from the system.  It seems the consensus is that Tidal Hi-Fi Plus is not worth the extra $10/month.  I listen to all types of music - with a focus on well produced recordings.

My listening room is a 30' x 13' rectangle with 9' ceilings and pretty good acoustics (I think).  The speakers are on a 13' wall.

Overall I am happy with my system and get a lot of pleasure out of listening to it.  But like many of us, I get the itch every now and then and wonder if I could improve the sound in some way. I think the Hegel is a solid contributor to good sound, so I plan to keep that and replace the speakers (although the Hegel 390 certainly is tempting).

Regarding price, I am willing to pay for good sound, but I subscribe to the theory of diminishing marginal improvement, i.e. $20k speakers are not twice as good as $10k speakers.  My sense is they are maybe 10% better (if that).  But let's not make this discussion about that.  My sense is $10k should get me speakers that are a solid upgrade from the Linns, but that is just a guess.

I am fortunate to leave near John Rutan's shop (Audio Connection) in NJ and spent a few hours with him last week.  He (as many of you know) is high on Vandersteens.  We listened to the Quattros for a while and they are great, but probably more than I want to spend and they would require I replace the Hegel as well.  We also listened to the Magnepan 3.7s and I was very intrigued with them - they really envelope you in the sound.  I am going back to listen to the Vandersteen Treos next week.

I listened to the 8 series B&Ws yesterday and really liked the 805s and 804s (I like the 801-803 as well, but too expensive).   They are also aesthetically pleasing, but that is not as important as the sound (of course).  I also listened to the Majico A3s, but I didn't find the $ worth it for the sound.

I also will listen to QLN, Boenicke, Focal and Harbeth at Park Avenue Audio next week.  The Boenickes really intrigue me.  The Buchardt S400 MKIIs also interest me, but wonder whether they are enough for my large room (even with the sub)?  I like that I can listen to them in my home for a period to be sure I like them.  They would be a nice low cost option.

So I would love to hear your thoughts on a good choice for me.  As I said, I think $10k is enough, but if there are some $15k speakers that would be a quantum leap forward, I would consider them.  I am open to used as well.

Thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

 

 

 

jcs01
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erik_squires
15,647 posts
 

P.S. - Regardless of whether or not you get new speakers, I do encourage you to deal with the room first. The room acoustic treatments will outlast every other piece of gear and will help you get to your final system a lot faster.

jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,608 posts
 

op

a few thoughts

1) using airplay thru the h160 hurts sound quality

2) bluesound node 3 built-in dac is no better than h160 internal dac connected by airplay, but the node has a good digital output (spdif and usb) which most use to drive better outboard dacs, that is the real purpose of the node for knowledgeable users

3) make sure your room is well treated irrespective of speaker choice/upgrade

4) h390 is a lot more $, suggest a more cost effective idea is go to h190 (now roon-ready), which has a slightly better amp section than h160 but a much much better dac, then feed the h190 with ethernet as a roon endpoint (sidepoint -- roon is worth trying, a good value for what it provides...)

5) as for speakers, vandys and maggies are both excellent but obviously load a room very differently with their completely different dispersion patterns... better, new vandys have gotten quite pricey, i would suggest a seriously considering the 1.7i which is terrific and gives you 90% of the performance of the 3.7i for 40% of the cost - but if you go maggies, make sure set up is done right in your room and then get that front end streaming/dac situation cleaned up, stop using airplay

best of luck on your upgrades

helmholtzsoul
111 posts
 

I’m with Erik_squirel. The rooms acoustics/electrical are the first things I always do. I install at least one dedicated 15 or 20A circuit. It takes me about a week to get the placement right after I take my initial measurements.

I would add at least one more servo unit maybe 2 and really start the fine tuning.

After the Helmholtz trap placement and LF tuning is done. I use the width and number of the wideband slots to help with any slight peaks in the 800hz-5Khz range.

You will think you have a brand new system for about 4K and the RIGHT room treatment. After that what do you need any new equipment for?

I’d paint the room before I’d waste money on speakers, unless you want to fill in the blanks in the room. THAT room will need sub reinforcement and servos are the best way to go.  If you only knew of the money I personally threw away chasing "the sound". It was always the ROOM. The color of the room really changes the sound.

I had a person tell me, my system sounded different. I had painted the room.:-) I didn't say a word.

jcs01 OP
20 posts
 

Thanks for the feedback.  Regarding the Bluesound, I tried every option for the output - optical and coaxial to the Hegel to use the Hegel DAC and RCA to use the Bluesound DAC.  All of them sounded worse than Airplay.  I know it does not make technical sense, but that is what my ears told me.  It almost sounded like someone put a piece of cardboard over the mid-range.  It was very muted.  I thought it was some Bluesound setting, but I tried everything.  For $600 if my ears don't notice an improvement then I don't want it - regardless of the technical limitations of Airplay.

Regarding the room treatments, I don't think that would pass the wife test. She tolerates the loud music and the $ spent, but I don't think she would go for corner treatments.

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