Speaker suggestion time

ZooDog · « **on:** 27 Dec 2002, 07:07 pm »

Hi guys,

I'm giving myself 1 more week to get my RM-1's to sound good in my room and if I can't I'm going to look for another speaker. I'm willing to spend up to $5,000 new or used. RM-40's are too big and too directional for me so they are out.

I listen to mostly rock, electronic and orchestral/movie soundtracks. I'd like a speaker that's not too bright and can really boogie. One aspect I defintitely don't like about VMPS is their narrow sweet spot so I'd like something with good dispersion. I'll consider standmounts or floorstanders. I do like a big sound with a broad soundstage and good imaging. They should also be able to play fairly loudly without strain. Most importantly, they should be "musical" and allow me to get lost in the music. I'd love to hear some suggestions to help get me started.

I'm currently using a Sony SCD-775 changer with an Innersound preamp and norh Le Amps. Cabling is DIY cable and MIT Terminator.

bob82274 · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 07:16 pm »

The Norh speakers have always been known for their wide sweet spot. Plus they look and sound great.

Marbles · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 07:22 pm »

http://harmonicdiscord.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9585

This guy is in Boston too..you might know him.

Anyway his 7.0's seem like they would do the trick. You can always augment the bass with a sub.

Also, Klaus's Lorelie's are pretty much just what you described. They are floorstanders, and they will suck you into the music.

Both speakers use the same drivers, but I like the nOrh marble cabinet better and the Odyssey XO better.

Hantra · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 07:26 pm »

I'm not saying this because I have some for sale. . .

In my opinion, the Michael Green free resonant speakers have all that, and are the best I have heard at any price. They also work with any room because they are free resonant. They work WITH the room as opposed to AGAINST it.

Dispersion is great because the entire cabinet acts as a part of the driver. The studio monitors the guy builds use a 5.5" Vifa driver that is rated for 47 Hz, and the freaking speaker will measure well below that! I have the top of the line Chameleons, and they are absolutely breathtaking! Of course, you can't step into the Chameleon for that kind of dough, but I stepped out of Von Scweikert VR-4.5's for my Classic 60's.

The 60 is a floorstnading model just below the Chameleon, and they are amazing. The best imaging speaker I have heard in my life. They don't lose any accuracy in spite of their all out musicality, and warmth. They are the only speaker I have heard that actually sounds like music.

Anyhow, The 60's retail for $3000 or so, and all MG's speakers are built using super grades of pulp wood, or ply with solid wood corners. They have no damping whatsoever, and if you like the sound of the RM-40's you WILL NOT like these speakers. The RM is a bit sterile, and way too bright for my tastes. This speaker is a different experience.

Where you from? I love to show these things off!

B

ZooDog · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 07:38 pm »

I actually have nOrh 6.5's. I know they are not in the same league as the 7.0's and 9.0's but I am still looking for something new. I like my 6.5's but they are a bit bright sounding and I don't really care for their looks. I should have mentioned this in my post but I still appreciate the suggestions.

rosconey · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 08:18 pm »

get ahold of rick craig and his phast-est design.
the sweet spot is huge, detailed , large stage.
i dont know if i can say this without sounding like a dick- but once a few pairs other than mine get out this is going to be a hot speaker-
the dome mid and tweeter work very well together in this 3.5 way design.
he sells them finished and diy.

Brian Bunge · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 09:04 pm »

I've been very happy with the GR Research A/V-1+'s. I liked them so much that we started selling them as a finished speaker. They also have a new speaker called the Criterion using a ribbon tweeter and a new Eton woofer. I heard the prototypes which had GR's M13 woofer and was blown away by the sound. These might be a good match for you.

ZooDog · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 09:09 pm »

Thanks guys,

Are their any websites or other threads you can refer me to on the GR's or the Rick Craig speaks? Maybe some pictures somewhere? About how much $$ are they?

Brian Bunge · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 09:37 pm »

Here's my own personal pair of the A/V-1+'s. We're selling them for $900/pr. shipped with the Black Hole 5 damping material installed. Add $100 for the Sonicap upgrade.

IIRC, the Criterions are $850/pr. just for the kits. If you wanted them we could do the cabinet work for you as well.

jackman · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 09:47 pm »

Brian,
Those are some nice looking speakers. I have listened to the AV1's and was very impressed with the sound. Your cabinet work is very good. I get lots of calls from people who want Ellis 1801's but are turned off by the long wait. Can you make cabinets for the 1801's? If so, what would be your estimated price in light oak (cabinets only)? Also, what would your price be for a finished pair of AV1's with Sonicap upgrade?

Thanks!

J

Tyson · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 09:53 pm »

Here would be my rec if you can find space for them -

Dunlavy SC-IVA's

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrfull&1045236353

Oooh, while browsing Audiogon I also saw these, which are a steal - Hales Transcendant 8's

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrfull&1046200301&class&3&4&

Tyson · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 10:00 pm »

Just as good are the Dynaudio 3.3's -

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrfull&1044124955

In fact the Dyn's might fit your preferences better - they are smaller than the other 2 and a bit more laid back.

eico1 · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 10:24 pm »

I'm very impressed with silverline audio speakers. Don't know why there isn't more talk about them here with their bang-for-buck ratio. The most noted feature is their ability to sound great with varied musical styles, when I once called the designer he had been listening to Gamelan or some such. I used modern acoustic jazz of a show I had just been to and some rock and couldn't ask for more.

steve

ZooDog · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 10:25 pm »

Those Dyn's are defintitely more the size I am looking for. The Dunlavy's are way too big. I have heard the 1.3's, 1.8's and 3.0's at a local dealer and have been impressed by all of them. Everything just sounds "right" through them. The problem is every speaker sounds good in that store because they have perfect listening rooms. I think I need to get a pair on loan and see how they do in my room with my gear. Have you heard any of the Dynaudio's Tyson?

hairofthedawg · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 10:26 pm »

I was going to recommend the Symphonic Line Bel Cantos and it still might be worth a call to Klaus to see if he can get you a deal. They are perfect for the type of music you listen to. I've really enjoyed hearing all the weird stuff that goes on in the background. Like Marbles said, the Lorelei's will get you close.

I'm kind of curious though...do the RM-1s not sound good unless perfectly dialled in? I'm pretty sure that I've read there's a big difference between being set up right and not and sometimes wonder whether I've got mine set up right, the BelCantos that is, but they sound so good now that I can't imagine them sounding bad no matter what.

cheers,

Dick

Tyson · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 10:30 pm »

I've heard almost all of them, including the Evidence. I love Dyn's - they are more about good sound than about "impressing" audiophile's or their friends. I agree with you, they do "just sound right". The 3.3 is a very good speaker, better than the 3.0, IMO. If you are looking for a speaker that can have a big sound while not sounding bright or in your face, the Dyn's could be the ticket.

One word of caution about wide dispersion designs - the less directional they are, the more they will tend to interact with your room. Dyn's also need a bit of space from the back wall and any corners, or they can turn boomy.

Brian Bunge · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 10:34 pm »

Jackman,

The A/V-1's are $825 shipped with the Sonicap upgrade. And I'd be more than willing to build the 1801's. I'm just guessing here, but I'd say roughly $200 each for the cabinets, assuming we did the veneer wrap like we do on the GR speakers.

ZooDog · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 10:59 pm »

Hair - The problem with my RM-1's is in the bass. There is such a chestiness that it makes them unlistenable. I am going to try my damndest this week by re-tuning the passive radiators using some extra putty I bought but if I can't get them to sound right I have no choice but to try another speaker. It's a shame because I really wanted them to work. I'm sure people get great results with VMPS but I have not had success with mine.

Tyson · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 11:02 pm »

Based on speaker size/height/listening window, etc. . . I personally would only own the 626R's or the 40's. The 626R's because they can be easily placed and also very easily integrated with a sub, and the (much) smaller (and per Brian, much better) woofer does not give them a chesty sound at all.

thetruth · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 11:20 pm »

Quote

They also work with any room because they are free resonant. They work WITH the room as opposed to AGAINST it.

ROTFLMAO............