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If you had to choose...

Hi everyone, I am researching my next little “step up” in my audio journey after 3 years.   Upgrading from my current ATC SCM11 v2 speakers to ??

These are my current top 3 contenders.  I am sure there should be others on this list…

Anyone have any comparison experiences between any of them, etc? If you were choosing…. which ones would you be going for? (-:🤔

I have been eying the Alyssa for a couple of years now, but they are out of my budget range, unless I could ever find a great deal and leverage a trade-in opportunity.  Fritz seemed the way to go for me, but then I was just turned on to the Revival.

Based on what everyone has written about each of these, I am very confident that I can’t go wrong with any of these three.  Just curious as to your thoughts and experiences. 

 

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

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FWIW, below is my environment:

I have a small 8'x10' room/home office/music equipment pit, with 9'ceiling. I sit at my desk about 7 feet from the speakers.  I am relegated to this room for at least the next 4 years…

Mostly low volume listening (65db or lower) with occasional turn it up sessions.  So they need to do well at low volume.

Music is alternative e.g. Radiohead/Smile, Mazzy Star, Echo, D. Mode, Simple Minds, Cure, etc.   Classic rock, progressive rock, Bowie, TOOL,  60s psychedelic and acoustic/folk.  All over the place…

Equipment:

  • Black Ice F35 integrated amp w/KT170s and Tungsol 12ax7s
  • Black Ice Audio Glass FX Tube DAC w/Dynamo Telefunken 12ax7
  • Black Ice SS-X Sound Expander
  • Rythmik L12 subwoofer
  • Streaming Qobuz via Sonore orendu and SGC i5 ROON server.  The server also contains my ripped cds.
  • CAT 8 hard-wired ethernet to switches and router
  • Verizon FIOS 1 gig internet service
bogbeat
elliottbnewcombjr
5,263 posts
 

I always recommend limiting your selection to efficient speakers.

Think long, think future amps, think ease of trying tubes: get/keep yourself in a lower power needs situation which has the advantages of: more competition/availability new or used; less cost/weight/size/heat and more placement options (consider remote signal path also).

i.e. efficient enough to need lower power but still get enough power for instantaneous peaks. That's also why I chose the Furman P-1800 with 45 amps ready in a split second

Furman P-1800 PF R

 

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,928 posts
 

@elliottbnewcombjr 

Efficient speakers are a good way to go. It's sometimes hard to know when a speaker is efficient because the numbers need to be accompanied by the impedance curve. Fritz speakers work well with lower power.

Fritz: "Very easy load on any amplifier including low powered tube amps. See Impedance & fantastic phase curves below."

soix
8,996 posts
 

You’ve zeroed in on some great choices.  The Fritz and Revival monitors are very likely “can’t possibly go wrong” choices, and I’d just go by which seem to exhibit the sound characteristics you’re looking for most.  The Alyssa, while no doubt a great speaker, has gotten some mixed reviews and seems to be more “voiced” to a certain sound and may potentially overload your small room with bass so I’d wanna hear those first before buying if I was you.  Given you do a lotta low-level listening I’d add the Reference 3A MM de Capo BE that, like the Fritz and Revival, are likely can’t miss speakers sonically but may play better at lower volumes given their relatively high 92dB sensitivity.  But of those three, again I’d go with the ones that seem to really nail your personal hot spots most.  FWIW, and best of luck.

knotscott
843 posts
 

All well regarded choices, but it's such a personal choice.  I'd be sure to at least hear them, preferably in your room before parting with the ATCs. 

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,928 posts
 

All well regarded choices, but it's such a personal choice.  I'd be sure to at least hear them, preferably in your room before parting with the ATCs.

Deep truth. 

Fritz has a money back guarantee. I believe he found a way to reduce the cost of shipping by a fair amount. It won't cost a lot to try them.  My two cents: call him.

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