Bookshelf/subwoofer combo


Looking for a good match, 10K or less. Upstream components will be picked later. I'll do as much research as possible on line as traveling to audition is pretty much impossible for me.

Thanks in advance.

tburdwin

I love my Studio Electric M4.   Such a great speaker.    I use them with a 10" REL in my second system.    

I have a pair of Forte IV in my main system but find myself listening to the M4 about 75% of the time.    

They are voiced perfectly for my tastes.   My brother and Dad are both Sonus Faber owners and have said numerous times how good they sound.   Strong value.  

 

@motown-l +1     @jallan could also be correct.  I ran ATC 40 actives for years without a sub, seemed terrific.  They like Gaia footers and quality XLRs (active).

@celtic66 i have Gaia footers on my SCM40’s! 

I will add that the Joseph Audio Pulsar Graphene’s load rooms of the size in question very well- these speakers are insanely great and have a very substantial feel to their bass. If I owned these I probably would consider running them without subwoofers. 

Before choosing speakers, lets talk about subs. Why I'm placing such importance on subs is because they are indispensable for any type of speaker used in an enclosed space. To keep this short I won't go into room modes which is not debatable, with comments like 'well it depends on the room' Any bass source in a room will produce interference that results in peaks and nulls. There is much info on the net that supports my claim with logical and repeatable evidence. IOW, science. Read Toole, Welti and others on this topic. Many great YouTube videos on the subject.

The 2 posts post above are typical comments that probably stem from not hearing a before and after demo of the huge benefits of properly dialed-in subs. This is not meant to be disrespectful.

I also see the advice to use REL subs and further more to use high level connections to take on the sound of the amp! I strongly disagree with this. Firstly REL has been around a long time and have not caught up with what the new range of subs have to offer, namely variable phase which is essential for ease of placement and set up. REL still only provides, when I last looked, 0-180 degrees phase flip. I no longer take on room set up if the subs do not have variable phase! Regarding taking on the sound of the main amp is not what I advise. Not all amps have great damping factors and in the case of valve (tube) amps consider the less than stellar performance of the output transformer which tends to saturate at the lowest frequencies. Why would you want your subs to take on that handicap and amplify it? Its BS propagated by a company stubbornly producing an outdated product. By the way I own a REL and nothing wrong with the build quality, just a PITA,

Now regarding speakers, Whew smiley

Consider voltiaudio.com  Razz, the baby in the range is a healthy 97dB sensitive speaker with horn loaded mids with room filling sound, exquisitely finished in a veneer of your choice. Used available for about $4500, about $9000 new. Next up the line is the Lucera at 99dB. What this means is a significant increase in suitable amplifiers opening up 20W push-pull valve amps should you wish. This type of sound needs to be heard.