[Austin08]

How did the SS8 listening session go?

We have a bit of short listening section today. John only listened to about 7 songs (Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones, Pink Floyd, Santana..)He has a goal but does not know exactly how to get there. It is still a learning curve for John. I will leave John to comment on how the SS8 sound.

[SeaNile]

So cool to go to someone's house and listen to speakers.  Loved the sound of the SS8's and am seriously considering them.  Also added the Revel Studio 2 to the mix.  Those speakers get incredible reviews! 

It'll be a few weeks before I am able to pull the trigger.  I'm going to go back and listen to the Aerial 7T and the Focal 1038be over the next week.

[mr_bill]

Keep us posted!  That's a stellar list - salk, revel, aerial, focal.

[SeaNile]

Decided to go with Revel Studio 2 and Hegel h300.

Now i need to figure out how to get my iTunes library to the system.  Would a Mac Mini be the best option?  Connect via USB and then use something like jRiver?

[DEP14]

Decided to go with Revel Studio 2 and Hegel h300.

Now i need to figure out how to get my iTunes library to the system.  Would a Mac Mini be the best option?  Connect via USB and then use something like jRiver?

Studio 2 is a heck of a speaker.  That said, did you have a chance to compare the SS8 to the Studio 2 in similar environments.  Everyone has different sounds they like of course, but I made a mistake the first time and in my case didn't "pony-up" for the SS8 (though if you are buying the Studio 2, budget isn't the issue).  But it took me over a year and someone bailing me out of my previous purchase and I ended up back at the SS8. 

Would be interested to know what you liked better about it (not that opinions are wrong, just interesting to hear)

Good luck with the new system, that Hegel is a cool looking little piece.

[sfox7076]

I found the Studio's to be unexciting.  Not really sure why, but I went to hear them when I was near DC and they did nothing for me. 

[Austin08]

When John did an audition at my house I could tell he prefer more aggressive foward sounding speaker which my SS8s will never be. On top of that his speaker placement is limit and would not optimal for open back. I am very interest in John decision of chosing the Revel Studio 2 which I believe a fine choice too.

[SeaNile]

Was a lot of fun speaker shopping and trying to learn all about streaming music all at once.  I listened to the SS8, Aerial 7T, Focal 1038be and the Revel Studio 2.  Definitely not a bad speaker in the list and ultimately the decisions are just a personal preference choice.  What I am looking forward to is not being married to a piece of equipment and changing out components in the future. 

In the end I got a killer deal on the Studio 2's and couldn't say no.  Thought they sounded like a really well rounded speaker with no weak spots.  Silky smooth highs, noticeable mids and decent bass too.  I can't ask for more really.  I have an HT system with 3 JTR Triple 12LF's and 8 18" CHT subs, so if I ever want the brute concert effect I'll head downstairs to the basement.  What started all this is I just moved and do not have a finished basement right now.  Got sick and tired of listening to music via iPhone and Bose docking system so I went out and put together a decent 2 channel setup.  Also chose the Hegel H300 as my integrated amp.

Plan is to use my Oppo bdp83 via optical cable to the Hegel for a few select CD's that I just bought.  Rather than go the Mac Mini route I am very interested in the Salk Stream and will probably go with that unit to stream music to the Hegel.

That's about it for now  Hopefully all the toys arrive by the weekend and I can have some fun!!

[charmerci]

Was a lot of fun speaker shopping and trying to learn all about streaming music all at once.  I listened to the SS8, Aerial 7T, Focal 1038be and the Revel Studio 2.  Definitely not a bad speaker in the list and ultimately the decisions are just a personal preference choice.  What I am looking forward to is not being married to a piece of equipment and changing out components in the future. 

In the end I got a killer deal on the Studio 2's and couldn't say no.  Thought they sounded like a really well rounded speaker with no weak spots.  Silky smooth highs, noticeable mids and decent bass too.  I can't ask for more really.  I have an HT system with 3 JTR Triple 12LF's and 8 18" CHT subs, so if I ever want the brute concert effect I'll head downstairs to the basement.  What started all this is I just moved and do not have a finished basement right now.  Got sick and tired of listening to music via iPhone and Bose docking system so I went out and put together a decent 2 channel setup.  Also chose the Hegel H300 as my integrated amp.

So how do the Revels and Salks compare to the JTR's with music. If you want to wait for a more direct comparison when you get your new speakers, I'm patient!

[SeaNile]

My HT system with the JTR's and 8 18" subs is hard to describe. Insanely loud, never sounded pushed and would make your chest thump with the bass drum. I loved it!  I'm actually going to sell the JTR's and go with 3 Danley sh-50 for fronts.

Can't compare the difference, maybe like a jeep to a Cadillac, mustang to Ferrari, etc. This 2 channel system should give me goosebumps from the clarity and smooth sound. To just ordered $250 worth of Pink Floyd CD's. Can't wait for everything to show up and I can finally listen to the setup.

[charmerci]

My HT system with the JTR's and 8 18" subs is hard to describe. Insanely loud, never sounded pushed and would make your chest thump with the bass drum. I loved it!  I'm actually going to sell the JTR's and go with 3 Danley sh-50 for fronts.

Yeah, I've heard the JTR could do Loud. So you wouldn't recommend them for music just for HT?

[SeaNile]

Oh I loved them for music.  Had an effortless sound to them and brought every recording to life.  I have mine for sale, only because I just moved and need to finish the basement before I can even think of putting the theater together.  I'm probably looking at 18-24 months before the basement is even started.  So....HT stuff is for sale.