[dmcs414]

Hi all,

I recently picked up a Rega RP3 turntable with Elys2 cart and am now deciding on amp+speakers in what will be my first "real" hifi system. I'm planning to spend about a grand on speakers, and have looked at all sorts of different options, including full-range, monitors+subs, floor-standing, bookshelf, everything basically.

I've finally narrowed my choices down from the endless possibilities, but am really torn between Magnepan MMGs plus the DWM bass panel, or some variety of high-effeciency/full-range driver speakers like Zu Audio Omen/Omen DEF or Tekton Lore/Lore-S/M-Lore, either used or second-hand makes no matter to me.

I'm hoping you guys can help me narrow my choices further. I'm in a small apartment, so quality low-level listening is very important to me, but I want to be able to crank it and enjoy the sound as well for guests and on weekends. My musical preferences are varied in the extreme, from Rachmaninoff piano concertos to Malian kora music (Toumani Diabate, et al) to Flying Lotus, Aphex Twin, Dead Can Dance, Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Grimes and all sorts of stuff in-between.

I'm waiting to choose my amp(s) + phono stage (if necessary) based on the speakers I select, so I'm going to decide on speakers first and let the rest of the system follow suit.

One other speaker option that tempts me in the extreme is the Sjofn hifi (the clue) speaker, just because it's a monitor that also happens to be full-range, and bass is very important to me. I'd rather not mess with a super-expensive sub and trying to match bookshelves to subwoofer, which is why I eliminated most bookshelves from contention. I consider the Maggie DWM panel an exception to this rule since its designed to compliment MMGs and other panels and is the same manufacturer.

Your thoughts? Any amp and fellow electronics advice to suit speakers + turntable recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I'd really like to end up with the basis for a system that can gradually be upgraded a piece at a time going forward as I can afford upgrades, whether that be the speakers, electronics or turntable/cartridge.

Many thanks!

Best,
Dave

[geowak]

I'm a huge fan of MMGs. But really.. can you find a place/store to hear them? That is what I would try to do. I think Magnepan offers a trial period if you buy direct from Magnepan. But you would have to pay to send them back...if you did not favor them.

Although I have not heard the bass panel, I have MMGs in one system and I do love them for my kind of music. I listen to jazz, instrumental and vocals. For low level listening, with the proper amp, the MMGs sound very, very good. An after market stand helps bring out the music for MMGs. I would not describe this speaker as a Rock speaker. But some here might disagree. I am running mine with a Parasound A21 and it pushes them very well. To me the MMGs are the speaker to get, to break into Hi-Fi, if classical, jazz or instrumental/vocal are your thing.

Don't know much about Zu or Tekton. But Magnepan is a classic. Kinda like ARC, McIntosh, Vandersteen or Marantz gear. Many, many people have bought these products and like them.

I'm sure others here at AC can chime in.

[2gumby2]

Based on what you've described, I would go with the Sjofn speakers. It's amazing what those speakers can do when set up properly. The Zu speakers are pretty nice as well, but having heard both, I think the Sjofn would suit you well.

[neekomax]

How does a standmount with a 5" woofer go down to 28 Hz in-room?

 

[Vapor Audio]

How does a standmount with a 5" woofer go down to 28 Hz in-room?

 

It doesn't unless you take great liberties with your 'claimed' specifications.

For under $1000, I'd look at the Carnegie Acoustics B-Stock Danny has listed right now in the GR circle ... great deals on some solid speakers. 

[roscoeiii]

How does a standmount with a 5" woofer go down to 28 Hz in-room?

 

IIRC, this speaker is designed to be placed close to walls to get some bass boost from the room. But still 28Hz is a head-scratcher.

[rooze]

I've finally narrowed my choices down from the endless possibilities, but am really torn between Magnepan MMGs plus the DWM bass panel, or some variety of high-effeciency/full-range driver speakers like Zu Audio Omen/Omen DEF or Tekton Lore/Lore-S/M-Lore, either used or second-hand makes no matter to me.

When you say that you're 'torn' between your list of options, I'm assuming that you've actually heard them, right? There's quite a big difference in the presentation of MMG's and say, for example, the ZU's.

So which did you prefer?

If you haven't heard them, it's pointless asking people what they would do.....you'll end up with a system that somebody else really likes.

Rooze

[roscoeiii]

When you say that you're 'torn' between your list of options, I'm assuming that you've actually heard them, right? There's quite a big difference in the presentation of MMG's and say, for example, the ZU's.

So which did you prefer?

If you haven't heard them, it's pointless asking people what they would do.....you'll end up with a system that somebody else really likes.

Rooze

+1 +1 +1. Very different sounds indeed. I'd go so far to say on opposite ends of the speaker spectrum as far as their sonic presentation goes. Both quality choices, but quite different.

[Rclark]

Paired with a sub, mmg's play anything. I rock out all the time. The sound is phenomenal.

[roscoeiii]

dmcs414,

Meet Rclark. A major fan of Maggies on this forum.

Not sure how much he is on the forums these days due to a new baby girl, but our boy Gopher is a huge Zu enthusiast.

Perhaps this thread could turn into the Rclark-Gopher death match 

And you haven't mentioned how you are powering these new speakers. For the Zu/Tekton speakers you have a number of nice flea-watt amp options. Maggies, on the other hand require some power.

As for your interest in quality sound at low levels, this is something that single driver/minimal crossover efficient designs excel at. Often speakers that need a lot of power only "wake up" and really shine at certain volume levels. But I don't have any direct experience with Maggies at low volumes to comment on whether that is the case for them or not. 

[dmcs414]

I wish I had heard these speakers, but sad to say I've not had a chance to audition any of them.  I was really hoping for constructive feedback about how these different speakers compare and contrast.  In what way would you say they are on opposite ends of the spectrum?

Lastly, I'd jump at the chance to demo any of these.  If anyone is in the Dallas/Ft Worth area and happens to have any of these, I'd really appreciate the chance to audition them.  Thanks!

[Rclark]

Granted I don't run stock Maggie's, but with the right kind of power they are pretty astonishing at very low volumes. I've actually got a thread on it. Either called Ncores and Low Volumes or Maggie's at low volumes, something like that.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

What size room do you have?

MMG's with a nice sealed sub like one of these-

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk4.html

http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/sealed-box/sb-1000#.UWRN2aJr1Gg

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MLDYN700

Check www.audiogon.com for used subs like the Velodyne SPL series subs, Martin Logan Abysss  and Grotto I subs, the original Martin Logan dynamo sub which is better than the newer ones,  ( I bought one for $285 used and it is a great match for my 1.6's)  I would rather have a real sub rather than one of those bass panels

Also consider the larger MG12's.

I have heard Zu speakers and I was not impressed.  Forward sounding and not in the same league as the MMG's.  I know a few people that bought them and got rid of them.  It seemed like they were the rage for a while but that has died down.  I also like PSB and Thiels.  You may be able to find a nice pair of used Thiels.

You can probably find a good pair of used magnepan 1.6's right now.  Just make sure that it does not have a bass rattle.

What is your budget for an amp?  I run a Class D audio CDA 254 amp with my MMG's with a Grant Fidelity hybrid tube preamp/dac with a vintage 1962 Holland made Amperex 6DJ8 tube that gives a warmer tubey sound that is very musical with deeper punchy bass and a liquid midrange. 

Without knowing your budget and staying in the $1000-$1500 range- consider a Parasound A23 ( I run an A21 with my 1.6's) the Peach Tree Nova which was well review on the planar circle, Vincent Audio, Odyssey amps, AVA audio amps to name a few.  The Peach Tree is nice because it is a hybrid tube design that is an integrated amp and DAC.  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=115197.0  NAD makes some nice integrated amps like the 356BEE.

[Rclark]

Forgot to mention. I run a battery ldr to control my volume and one of its features is low volume clarity. On a side note, Tekton is on my list for system 2.

[roscoeiii]

Yes, forward sounding is a good way to describe Zus and similar designs. Which is a matter of preference.

But as I think about it, if bass is important to you, as you mention in the first post, I am not sure that I would go with either of these.

Instead, based on your desire for great bass, I think I might go for a more conventional multi-driver floorstander.

Now you may hear from both the Zu and Maggie lovers alike the shortcomings associated with multiple drivers and complex crossovers, but there are always trade-offs to be made (especially around the price points you are considering).

Are you located somewhere that you can audition any speakers locally?

[roscoeiii]

Forgot to mention. I run a battery ldr to control my volume and one of its features is low volume clarity. On a side note, Tekton is on my list for system 2.

That would make for a nice yin-yang combo of systems. You could have the POWER of ncores throbbing thru the Maggies, and then get a nice little fleawatt amp for the Tektons (Decware and the MiniWatt N3 would be nice inexpensive options for that. Or the low powered LM integrated).

[cujobob]

Forgive me for being brief but here's some ideas:

Maggie 1.6 instead of mmg (used)
Anything gr research
Chase home theater's ms-10 that is due out paired with a sub. Good polar response is key in a small room. Maggie's may not be the best choice for a smaller room.

[Rclark]

I wouldn't go that far. Ran N1x's in here vs my Maggie's and there was bloat and room interaction with gr monitors (at volume). Small room is what mmgs are made for.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I agree, for small rooms, maggies may not be the best but they can work.  If you love deep punchy bass and like to feel the pressure wave then other speakers may be the way to go so you do not have to mess with integrating a sub.  The problem with subs are that many people turn the up too high or do not calibrate them.  My martin logan sub just disappears and integrates well.  I have the cross over set at about 40-45hz with my 1.6s.

If you go the MMG route, consider a used Velodyne SPL sub.  They come with a remote to change settings and I believe they may have an equalizer.

Also consider NHT Classic 4 speakers, Monitor Audio Rx-6's, PSB T-6's, B&W 683's, Wharfedale, Focal to name a few.  But speakers are a personal choice and are very subjective.  Give a look to Salk speakers-

http://www.salksound.com/songbird%20-%20pricing.htm

http://www.musicdirect.com/c-610-towers.aspx

[TF1216]

How about these if you're in the Huntsville, AL area.
http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?236980-For-sale-Zaph-ZRT-2-5-Scanspeak-Towers