Looking for new speaker to use with my SP3

mca · « **on:** 4 Aug 2005, 03:07 pm »

As others have mentioned, the SP3/Ref 1 combo is a great deal for the price.
However, I do find the speakers to be a little bright and unforgiving of poor recordings. Dianna Krall sounds supurb, Barenaked Ladies is not so grand.

I would like to try out either another standmount or smaller floor speakers.
My ideal speaker would have a warmer, more laid back sound, higher sensitivity, soft dome tweeter and have a pretty good bass response.

A couple speakers that I am interested in are Von Schweikert VR1 and VR 2, Silverline standmount or something from Usher. Sure wish Silverline made a small floorstander, whatever happened to the Panatella?

Anyone have an idea on a good mate?

JohnnyLightOn · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Aug 2005, 03:20 pm »

Supposedly this brightness will lessen after 100 hours. How many hours do you have on your SP3 and Reference Ones so far? Have you noticed any change in its sound during the time you've been listening to it?

From the third post in this thread:
http://forum.av123.com/showthread.php?s=80bfe619bba9133eb48da61597bb52bb&threadid=98&highlight=100+hours
"...they sound incredible right out of the box. Not perfect mind you but incredible. The tweeter is a tad edgy even for my tastes( and I love NHT's) and the midrange is a bit forward and honky. I spoke to Sean [from Onix] and he assured me this will take care of itself in a few hours (about 100) of use."

From the second page of this thread (by Mad Dog):
http://archive.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=c1e71208067f622c8f08c1e63e058900&threadid=224003&perpage=20&pagenumber=1
"Onix Reference 1: approx $1,500/pr
...this afternoon, I found out just how AWESOME these Ref’s are. Simply put, regardless of price, these were the best monitors IMHO on this given afternoon at store 1. All the monitors sounded so good, but the Refs had the tightest, lowest bass and cleanest, clearest sound which I took to be the best accuracy. The soundstage was HUGE. Imaging and depth was amazing as well. They were brighter than the Dyns, but not fatiguing to listen to at all. I did feel they were too bright earlier in the break in period but they have really toned down."

Two counter-arguments to this "it will smooth out" notion: First, our own Mad Dog has stated on AC that the Ref 1s require the components upstream to be their utmost best. So if your front end or cables are not as good as the SP3 or speakers, they may be contributing to the sound you're hearing. Second, while some owners have said the Ref 1s sound great with everything, others have said they're ruthlessly revealing. I only have 5 hours on mine, but they seem to fall into the second camp so far (they're also more forward than my last speakers, which I'm adjusting to). So it's possible you will have to look for speakers that sound good with more recordings, as you posted here. I haven't heard the Von Schweikert VR-1, but the owner reviews I've read seem like they'd make it a good candidate. Same for the Green Mountain Audio Europa, although these are taller, more unusual-looking, and supposedly sacrifice some bass response for a stellar midrange.

Edited to add: Just saw another post which supports your experience of the Ref 1s. From:
http://archive.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=221800&highlight=onix+ref
"These speakers are very well balanced. They are very detailed without being harsh. The highs are natural and true to the source. Many of my CDs that I used to like now are made to sound bad because of these speakers."

Steve · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Aug 2005, 04:21 pm »

Hi MCA,

Here is a little trick you can try that might help, if not too bright. Place a 1,000 ohm resistor (1/2 watt should be ok) directly across the tweeter terminals, to start. From there, one can adjust the value to suit your needs.
Of course, as one goes lower in value, crossover problems increase, but one can always stop or raise the resistor if need be.

For example, "8 ohm" tweeter, 800 ohm resistor changes crossover freq about 1%. 390 ohm about 2% etc.

Hope this helps.

murphy11 · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Aug 2005, 06:23 pm »

I've read a lot of nice things about the ACI Saphire XLs. Here is a comparison to the Ref1s. (Btw I own Ref1s and I have found that they sound much better over time) http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=19458

mca · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Aug 2005, 07:39 pm »

I figure I have over 100 hours on the Ref 1's. I have never been one to hear drastic differences when breaking in equipment, but I'm sure that's just me.

Maybe I will set them up to play hard all weekend as I will be out of town. Try and make sure to get a good listen before and afterwards.

You also mention upstream components. I think the weak link in the system is probably the Onix XCD-88 CD player. I am also using all Onix cables that came free with the package deal and really have no idea of their quality.

Can one still buy a simple resistor at Radio Shack these days? Last time I looked, it was all remote control toys and junk

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Aug 2005, 07:50 pm »

So far I'm of the same opinion of the Ref 1's, MCA. I can't say that I care much for them- too forward, too bright, hooty on vocals and spitty on transients...I don't have a lot of hours on them, so perhaps they'll mellow out.

I'm loving the amp, though!

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Aug 2005, 07:51 pm »

Funny you mention the VR-2s; there's a pair on A-gon right now that sounds nice. I've been interested in the VR-2s for quite some time. After buying this combo I can't afford more toys yet, but the VSA's are on my list of things I wanna try.

mca · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Aug 2005, 10:05 pm »

Hey Rob,

What are you using as a source with your new setup? What about cables?

You had to go and mention the VR-2's on A-gon, eh? I like the looks of that African Hazlewood finish.

I would love to hear them and have contacted Von Schweikert twice to find out if there is a dealer in my area with no reply

mca · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Aug 2005, 05:06 am »

Quote

I've read a lot of nice things about the ACI Saphire XLs

Sounds like a great speaker, but my concern with them is the low 85.5db sensitivity.

I have never really looked into ACI speakers. I think I will have to give Mike a call to discuss something that could mate with my little amp.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #9 on:** 6 Aug 2005, 05:19 am »

mca :

Quote

I like the looks of that African Hazlewood finish.

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Rob Babcock · « **Reply #10 on:** 6 Aug 2005, 05:57 am »

I haven't really messed around with them very much (busy week at work). I've just used Zu Disco cables and some old Monster Z1 speaker cables I had laying around. Source is a Denon CD player and a Pioneer DVD, nothing "hi end." But neither sounded strident or forward with any other speakers I've used with them, so the only variable is the Ref 1's. It sounds weird to even say this, given the price disparity, but I had a few people listen to them and all preferred the Bronze 3's to the Ref 1's!