Thought this could be an interesting topic. There are a bunch I have run across in "show reports" on various sites. This is one http://www.acoustictechnologiesllc.com/Our_Products.html. Devore is another. I actually have a whole list. Oh yes, what about the Onix Strata Mini? This was on my short wish list.
I tend to caution myself listening to other things for fear that I may want "NEED" them. :roll:
Most are just a hair out of my price range, and I really don't have a desire to upgrade as I love what I've got and don't need to upgrade.
However, that being said, the only speakers I really want to hear are the MBL 101-X.
I figure they're stupidly expensive ($250,000) and there's no chance in Hell I'll be able to afford them, so I figure I'm safe hearing them. :rofl:
(http://www.mbl-usa.com/ProductPhotos/Large/101extreme.jpg)
Figure out a way to head out to RMAF sometime Bob - those are there along with all the MBL electronics.
I'd love to Bryan, but it won't be this year. :(
Tell me....Do the rooms do justice to these speakers? Or are they hindered?
Bob
I was thinking more on the lines of affordable :duh Say below ten grand or five. I would be scared to death to plunk down 90,000 or whatever and then not really like them, not want to admit it and have to sell at half price! I am convinced there are wonderful speakers in the affordable, reasonable range. I wasn't thinking about unspeakable lust!
Ohhhhh :duh
Well in THAT case, I'd like to hear the HawthorneAudio Sterling coax.
At $1,400 a pair (complete with passive crossover networks), that's still out of my price range (for now). As much as I like their entry level drivers, I assume I'd like their "hotrod" version just that much more. All that would do is aggravate me since I can't afford them. :lol:
Bob
Quote from: Bob in St. Louis on August 16, 2009, 09:57:55 AM
I'd love to Bryan, but it won't be this year. :(
Tell me....Do the rooms do justice to these speakers? Or are they hindered?
Bob
Gotcha.
They sound pretty good in the room they're in but I'm very very sure that a larger, more symmetric space would really allow them to bloom.
The speakers I'd really like to hear are the big TAD's
Bryan
I'd love to hear (or even read a review) of the Tekton 8.1S that uses the Seas Alnico driver.
A few others would be the new Zu Essence and any of the new Emerald Physics models.
I'd like to hear the new MAXX3 or Alexandria, Rockports, Magico M5.
Of real world speakers, I'd like to hear the new Legacy Audio Focus HD.
The MBLs at RMAF were the single 101s. They are always a favorite of mine. But they usually only play high impact James Bond soundtrack drum solo audiophile demotracks kinda music. Jon Valin says they are one of the most sensitive microdynamics monster speakers out there, it would be nice to get to hear them with some real music. But they were truly awesome.
A more common speaker I have wanted to hear for some time is the Gallo ref 3.1. I emailed a local Gallo dealer if he had a pair a few times a couple of years ago but got no response. Needless to say I haven't had anything to do with that dealer.
Mike
I heard the Gallos a few times when the local dealer still sold audio. The person who convinced the store owner to sell hifi left the company and the motivation to sell hifi went with him, but they sold Gallo and CJ, Sonos. With the CJ tube electronics and self powered sub they were impressive. Much less so on a receiver. They delivered the music, not bad for $3k new. I think the Spendor S8e sounded better overall for the same money on Quad 909. Those Spendors are some nice speakers.
Emerald Physics CS2.3's, Hawthorne Trios, GR Research V-1's all OB coax designs. At least 2 of the 3 will be at RMAF but unfortunately I can't make it this year :(
After owning the L7's, I would love to hear the GamuT El Superiores 9 but they are way out of reach.
http://www.gamutaudio.com/products/details.asp?id=40 (http://www.gamutaudio.com/products/details.asp?id=40)
Another is Zu Audio's Essence. I have some coming and I'm very much looking forward to hearing them!
http://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=73&category_id=1 (http://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=73&category_id=1)
Last one for me is the Totem Wind. I have no idea what they are worth.
http://www.totemacoustic.com/products/columns/wind/ (http://www.totemacoustic.com/products/columns/wind/)
I have heard Zu Def2, but never in a good room, properly setup. That would be a treat.
Quote from: bpape on August 16, 2009, 10:33:58 AM
The speakers I'd really like to hear are the big TAD's
I had a chance to hear these at Ayre acoustics, driven of course by their electronics. They were demoing the new apodizing minimum phase filters for their digital gear and from where I was sitting they big TAD's were sounding very good. I'm sure it didn't hurt to have good gear driving them but they made it easy to hear the differences between dacs and filter settings.
I would love to hear the Eggleston Works Savoy speakers. They just look the part of audio bliss. At 48k they are waaaay out of my dreams. At 800 pounds, the sub flooring may need some reinforcement!
I have the Spendor S8e speakers. Bought them as demos when they were priced in the 3k range. Now they are 4k+. For the money, they are very good. However, I wish I could have heard them with a good 200wpc tube amp, just for fun.
Henry
I would love to hear Maggies again, especially the 1.6r version, seriously modified.
I'd like to hear the Piega C8 Limiteds with a complete cap and resistor upgrade... mmm, that sounds like a great idea! :)
I'm actually looking forward to hearing the latest iteration of the Von Schweikert VR-5 Anniversary. A good customer of mine bought a pair from me sound unheard. He loves his VR-5se models he bought from me but wanted the latest and greatest... I got Albert to wire his new pair with JPS wire... which seems to be a great upgrade according to Albert...
It's all I can do not to pull the trigger and bring in a pair of Unifield 2 large bookshelf speakers to see what they are like... too many speakers... not enough rooms to put them in :)
Magico M5s and the latest Maggie 20.1. Rockport as well as Vandersteen latest. For a kick the latest Proacs and Totems, they have always made nice music.
charles
Thanks rollo, I hadn't heard about the Vandersteen 7. We can expect a gusher of magazine covers and hyperbole. I have yet to hear one with the bass properly tuned to the room.
Quote from: richidoo on August 18, 2009, 08:25:18 AM
Thanks rollo, I hadn't heard about the Vandersteen 7. We can expect a gusher of magazine covers and hyperbole. I have yet to hear one with the bass properly tuned to the room.
So I'm not the only one who feels that way. The rooms are just too small to reproduce the bass correctly. For that money IMO digital bass correction should be an integral part. However most who purchase the VR7 have large rooms. The Behringer is very affective for bass correction when used just for that purpose.
BTW has anyone here heard Maggie 20.1s set up properly ? Bryston 28, Tubed pre or all Audio Research and Maggies ? Truley in a class by themselves IMO. Gotta love those ribbon tweeters. The only other tweeter that gives them a challenge are the Raven ribbons. A member of our club had a pair of speakers made using four Ravens per side [ open baffle] with two Focal Audiom 8" mids [ sealed] in a Dippolito configuration. Two separate subs using four 12" Focal Audioms each. Driven by VTL 150s and Levinson for the subs using a Marchand tubed crossover. All Mapleshade active ICs and speaker cable. AWESOME!!
charles
I am assuming by what zybar has written about his Vandy 5As that the bass can be finely tuned to almost any room, there are a lot of adjustments. Up top 1st order crossovers, time aligned drivers, easy load, all looks great on paper. But I have not yet heard them setup properly. I look forward to hearing them at full potential.
I've heard exactly one pair of 5A's that were correctly set up and they did sound very good. I think they have like 11 bands of parametric EQ for the bass. Meaning of course that the user is 11 times more likely to screw it up. :duh
Maggie 20.1's are truly something special. A completely different animal than the rest of the line. In a room with some space to breathe, it's amazing to hear speakers of that size disappear like a mini-monitor.
Bryan
I remember you have said that before Bryan, that the 20.1 are a different animal. I would love to hear them. I did hear a set of giant panel speakers when I picked up the servo subs, but I just can't remember what he said they were. My first impression of Maggies was the smallest ones played on Quad 40W tube amp, it just wasn't happening, but still very exciting midrange.
Quote from: bpape on August 19, 2009, 09:26:46 AM
Maggie 20.1's are truly something special. A completely different animal than the rest of the line. In a room with some space to breathe, it's amazing to hear speakers of that size disappear like a mini-monitor.
Bryan
Agreed Brian. As you stated they need some space. When done so correctly they are IMO in a class by themselves. I still have a pair a Maggie 3As with the 3.6 ribbon tweeters. Except for the midbass and bass performance they are clones of the bigger 20.1s. I used an M&K sub to great affect, now a Sunfire sub. If the Pipedreams weren't in the house the Maggies would still be my reference. The only other panel speaker besides Soundlabs would be the Analysis panels from Greece. Bring some voltage cause those babies will suck it up. Your utility company will love ya.
charles
Event Opals, for sheer performance per dollar and per unit size:
http://www.eventelectronics.com/
Google for ecstatic reviews.
Any listener reports on the Emerald Physics CS 2.1s??
I would sure like to hear the Classic Audio Field Coil Speakers T1 or T3
I recall they were at this years RMAF and well received.
I'd like to hear my own speakers. :(
A week ago I shipped my babies (Fostex F200A extended range drivers) off to Bud Purvine for EnABL treatments. So I'm living (barely) with the living room speakers in the main system and worrying about my babies that are so far from home and under the tender mercies of Bud and USPS.
" Event Opals, for sheer performance per dollar and per unit size:
http://www.eventelectronics.com/ " Funny accent...must be from the Bronx!
(no offence Aussie's)
Yeah, those Opals look sweet. As a single driver fan, I'm also a big fan of active speakers.
Years ago I auditioned Paradigm Active 20s versus Studio 20s (the passive version of their small 2-way standmounts with the same drivers). It was no contest, no kidding. Frequency response was flat, dynamics were amazing, but the bass was unbelievably deep and full. Concerns regarding microphonics or not being able to shop the amps yourself are just plain secondary to the advantages of going active.
And as a nearfield listening fan, I'm also a big fan of studio monitors.
Nearfield isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it sure removes a lot of the room effects. The challenge for speaker selection is to look for coherency. I do wonder about that 8th order crossover.
Would like to know more about those variable impedance bass reflex ports (but I'm sure that's their secret).
Opals look cool and a very slick website.
Anyone ever hear them? How much?
M
Quote from: Deton Nation on November 17, 2009, 11:54:52 AM
Opals look cool and a very slick website.
Anyone ever hear them? How much?
M
(http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/750/Opal-large.jpg)(http://www.sweetwater.com/images/closeup/750-Opal_amp.jpg)
HERE: $1499.97/free shipping (demo pair available -$100) (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/manufacturer/Event)
This is a very attractive price for an active studio monitor. :shock:
Cheers,
Robin
Yes, a good price considering the matching amp is included and you don't need speaker cables.
Unfortunately that price is for one, not a pair. And studio monitors tend to be very analytical, so a good long audition would be in order. And being active, they could be harder to re-sell to audiophiles.
Ahh, I knew there had to be a catch, that was an incrediblely cheap price considering the work that went into this monitor. I would go back and modify my post but I guess that's not available here after someone else has posted. $3K for a pair is much more in the ballpark, especially considering the cabinet itself w/dual porting is all CNC milled metal. :shock: Pretty amazing the work that goes into just that facet of this monitor. Just checking thru the amp specs makes me want to audition these bad boys. :drool:
Cheers,
Robin
I read some reviews and they were lukewarm. Midrange issues and treble was just ok.
Mike
QuoteI would go back and modify my post but I guess that's not available here after someone else has posted.
No need to edit previous post...just post a follow up, 'on further thought'... :thumb:
What happens when people edit their posts after several other posts is that a lot of the responses make less sense for someone reading it for the first time... There is a 2 hour limit on post edits.. I'll change it to 8 hours so at least you have all day to edit... but please make it clear when you edit.. I suggest using a strike-through or something so people can figure out what was changed. (this is one of the edit buttons while posting, like bold, italic or underline.
The only reason I really care is we often talk about very technical and specific situations at AN so it's easy to lose the integrity of a thread.... which is the main reason there is a limit to editing.
MAGICO M5s and the Magico ultimate horns.
charles
Just in time for Christmas...
(http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2009/11/30/fabio-ognibeni-baffle-speaker_DaAXW_65.jpg)
http://www.bornrich.org/entry/opere-sonore-brings-out-the-hard-to-guess-speaker/
Those are the goofiest speakers I've ever seen. :roll:
Are they a sun umbrella, an end table, or a waste basket?
I can begin to understand the purpose of the box, but certainly not the price.
hah... mostly they seem to resemble an incredible money pit.
They look like a pair of owls... Maybe they only play 'The Who'.. ;)
They look like one of the animated characters in "Pink Floyd, The Wall"