I got into audio about 5 years ago. It all started with a trip to AudioConnection, a meeting with Johnny Rutan, and posting my first thread here on Agon. In the time since I’ve purchased quite a few speakers.
Here is a list of the ones I’ve owned or auditioned in my home:
Vandersteen 1ci (sold then repurchased again/ still own)
Vandersteen 2ce Sig II
Tekton Electron (non SE)
Paradigm 75F
Kef R11
Spatial M5 Sapphires
HHR Exotic TLS 1 hybrid (Ohm F clone)
Vandersteen Treo Ct (still own)
Wharfedale Diamond 12.2
Klipsch RP600m
Fritz Carbon 7 SE
Most have been enjoyable, save for a few that I just knew right away were not for me.
I recently purchased a set .7’s, again from Johnny. I’m running them with a Belles Aria Signature preamp (awesome bit of gear) and Belles Aria monoblocks (112wpc ea). Source is a Lumin T2 streamer/ DAC. Also have a pair of Rel T5i subwoofers crossed at around 45k.
My room is 13’ x 11’. I’m setup on the short wall with the audio rack located in a small nook off to the side. The speakers are positioned 3 ft. off the front wall and about 2 ft. from the sides. I listen in a somewhat near field configuration and my listening chair is positioned in an equilateral tringle with the speakers.
For me, this is the happiest I’ve been in my audio journey. The Maggie’s are wonderful for all the reasons that have been so articulately expressed above. My listening sessions are longer then they’ve ever been and I’m getting so much enjoyment discovering new music as well as visiting familiar favorites.
If you are on the fence trying to decide if planars are for you; I say go for it. It sucks that they raised their prices this year, but at $1,800 I think these speakers still represent one of the biggest values in audio. I don’t think you necessarily need 5’ from the front wall or mega-watt beefy amps to get good sound from these either.
Now my biggest dilemma is what to do with those Treos? ;)
-Joe
