Have the itch yet again. $5-6k budget for floorstanders.


Well I've owned around 20 floorstanders over the last 30 years. Ridiculous I know but for me that's the hobby: trying new gear every 1-2 years. Anyhoots currently have Zu DW6 Superfly in my main rig, Wharfedale Evo 4.4 in the small TV room. Have both tube & SS amps I rotate. Yesterday I sold my SVS Ultra Tower (the prior version) ergo gots me thinking, so fun to go shopping, no? I listen to mostly jazz, on vinyl & via Qobuz. Some beats also (downtempo/chill). I used to rock out  but nevermore. Prefer to stay under 100lbs; not getting any younger. I do have a SVS sub the SB 2000 pro btw.

Here's my short list:

  • SVS Ultra Titan
  • MOFI 888
  • Dali Opticon 8
  • Cornwall IV (rich buddy downsizing)
  • Goldenear T66 (owned the orig Triton One way back 2013, dug them, had to downsize for a move)
  • Dyn C2 (wildcard, never heard em, wish I could audition)

Anyhoots, who wants to chime in? 

 

zufan

@stere5 - The neat thing is the OP can listen for himself and decide what he likes.  But you are right, the GE I heard were not exactly bright so much as the opposite of smooth performers. If you are generally attracted to B&W style treble they’ll be just what you want to hear.  

Breaking news. Auditions today at Hifi Sound in Mpls. Didn’t have enough time but got to 2 on my list and a new one. I played 2 cuts I know well from their Roon setup: opening track to Greg Foat, Interstellar Fantasy. Also a Poll Winners cut. Those 2 cuts on 3 speakers / 2 rigs.

  • Dali Opticon 8. In the smaller room. Way too nearfield for my usual setup. Rotel gear. Rich sound. Disappearing act. Def livable.
  • MOFI 888. Next to the Dali. Rich bass, tight. Needed more time (I had to get home bc the window guy was coming to do a replacement, gak).
  • Now the unexpected curveball. In the ’big room’ which has the sweet Mac gear, treatments, everything dialed in, Sonus Faber Sonetto V G2. Fab to look at. More fab to listen to. So meaty the sound I was dazzled. However, everything was optimized: the amps, room, etc. 
  • Back in the small room I noticed big Klipsch in the corners, not setup, not even really accessible to listen to. Yup, Cornwall IV. The sales bloke said they need to be in the corner which I know for fact ain’t so. Klipshorn yes, not CW. Sidebar: I bought Heresy back in 1988 and they’re still kicking; gave them to my poor public service buddy who’s grateful. Along with a Yamaha stage monitor amp I bought on eBay during a drunken blackout (never drink & eBay. That should be taught in schools). Let’s focus.
  • Ergo when the owner is back from holiday next week gonna tell him a) I need to demo the CW & b) get them out in the big room, or preferably my house, where I can demo them proper. 
  • The Dali & Mofi wanna hear again when I’m not 6 ft away, my main room is more spacious than that.
  • Actually, I want to demo all 4 at my house. I'm going to tell him that, and pinky promise that I will buy one of the four, which I will. Maybe 2 at a time for a week or two. Hopefully he goes for that. He does know me, been buying from him since the late 90s.
  • Oh and, talked to separate dealer today on the blower, they have one remaining pair of T66 in red. They're way across town, but wanna hear them also. So many choices!