[lonewolfny42]

Might be time now to listen to a few if you can....your ears will guide you.

[gitarretyp]

Might be time now to listen to a few if you can....your ears will guide you.

Problem is finding dealers around here. Odyssey is mail order only, the local dealer for vmps has no rm30ms yet (should in the next couple? of months), usher is in dallas, von schweikert houston, silverline is mail order?, Focus is Florida.   Also, finding the time for a 9+ hour trip to dallas or houston on a weekend is tough.

So, the more suggestions and help here the better for me. So, keep 'em coming.
 

[mcrespo71]

Given you live in Austin, you may want to auditon Neat Acoustics Mystiques at Whetstone Audio.  They are the de facto standard of flat earth users (i.e., Naim, Exposure, Rega) and though they aren't on your list and don't get much audio press here, they at least deserve a listen IMO.  Brian DiFrank is the owner of Whetstone and let's just say he'd never use Diana Krall in a demo- maybe the Dead Kennedy's or Led Zeppeling, but definitely not audiophile schlock.  I listen to almost 70% rock/electric music and if I ever upgrade, I will buy Neat Acoustics.  

Michael

[soliver]

gitarretyp,

Send me an email as I would love to meet a fellow Austin audiophile, and my speakers may be of interest to your search as I feel they fit your qualifications. Your qualifications are very similar to mine when I was going through a speaker search several years ago, so please email me would love to swap a listening session as you have some gear that I have not heard.

Locally you may want to contact Brian Kurtz at Sound Mind Audio they are having an openhouse this Friday where a couple of folks like Bob Crump should be in attendance.  Brian carries Meadowlark, Proac, and JM Lab in the store.  So I would certainly try to go there for a listening session if you haven't already and maybe RSVP for the openhouse.  I am going to be there and hopefully Bob will be bringing my TG Audio cables with him. www.soundmindaudio.com

Whetstone has a new location that you should probably swing by.  Like Mcrespo, I also enjoy the Neat speakers, but I am not sure if they would be a great match for the PS Audio electronics.  Last time I was there Brian DiFrank also had some Wilson Benesch Arcs on display as well, again don't know how well they would match up with your gear. But still Brian is another good dealer and cool guy that you should definately meet if you haven't yet. www.whetstoneaudio.com

Ne Plus Ultra carries Harbeth speakers and I know the 7ES model falls within your price range.  If you want to hear these I can get you Casey's number as it is unlisted in the phone book. Again while Harbeths are some great speakers, don't know how they would synergize with the PS Audio amp.

Galen Carol Audio of San Antonio would be a short drive away and he carries Totem, Spendor, Reference 3A, and Eminent Tech so he would be familiar with your speaekrs. www.gcaudio.com

There are quite a few other places you could check out locally, but of your list that about covers it in terms of the brands you are interested in along with Sedona Sky Sound and the out of town other places already mentioned in the thread.

[Vinyl-Addict]

I apologize upfront if I am being out of line suggesting a speaker that is not on your list but I feel compelled to recommend the Harbeth line of speakers. The Harbeth Compact 7SE falls in your pricerange, and although it needs a stand, it has an incredibly sweet, non fatiguing midrange. Skylan makes wonderful stands that compliment this loudspeaker if you're interested. Good luck in your search!
 

[warnerwh]

I believe there's a Texas dealer with some fully opted VMPS RM 40's for sale.

[gitarretyp]

I believe there's a Texas dealer with some fully opted VMPS RM 40's for sale.

RM40s are way too big my room and rather pricey for me.

Soliver, check your private messages.

[gitarretyp]

Has anyone compared the sonata I and II? If so, any preferences and why?

It seems to me that the I should image better but might be lacking in bass extension compared the the II. Are the II worth the several hundred extra they seem to sell for in the used market?

[sharper]

gitarretyp,
          My search many years ago for the kind of speaker you're talking about led me to the VMPS Tower II/R. The most recent iteration of this speaker is the RM2 Neo which features a midrange driver originally developed and patented by Bruce Thigpen of ET. These speakers provide a tremendous amount of detail, give a "you are there" experience on a good recording, can play VERY lound and deliver phenomenal bass power on hard rock and heavy metal.

Give them a listen if you can...or if that's too big, try the standmounted 626R. I've not heard another brand of speaker that can play rock/hard rock as well as VMPS.

Scott

[gitarretyp]

I've been doing some more looking, and the gershman avantgarde seems interesting. Anyone have any opinions of it?

[budyog]

Check out "ACI" Audio Concepts, There speakers are outstanding for all types of music and so is there service. Been a fan of the company and products since 1980. I am breaking in a set of "Panoramas"  and all I can say is "WOW". They rock!

[Eric]

I'll second the vote for Audio Concepts:

1. Very musical
2. Great customer service
3. Great build quality

[sharper]

I've been doing some more looking, and the gershman avantgarde seems interesting. Anyone have any opinions of it?

They're made just up the street from where I live. Great speaker. Very musical. A little laid back; not as dynamic sounding as their GAP 520X. Easy to sit and listen to for hours. Sounds great with SimAudio gear like the P5/W5. Gershman and SimAudio used to do shows together a few years ago. I've heard it with Classe CAM-200s as well - and it was excellent - showed off the Classe's ability to unravel complex passages.
Great choice for a speaker.

[bkellyusa]

The post encouraging you to look at the Morel special should be seriously consiered.  I just looked at that speaker and those are really high quality drivers in the mid-range and the tweeter sections.  I am less familiar with the woofer but if it's a Morel unit it should be great.  I might check these out myself.  I can't beleive they can afford to sell them at that price.


Best
Brian

[vpolineni]

those morel speakers normally sell for $995.  Apparently they're having an overstock sale which is why they're being discounted at $595 + free shipping.  there's a 7 day return policy as well-seems like a great deal:
http://www.morelusa.com/misc/sale_items.html

[gitarretyp]

In case anyone is still following this thread or is just interested, i decided to go with a demo pair of usher cp-6311 based on reviews, a few people's recommendations, and two very favorable comparisons to odyssey loreleis. Although they are still burning in and i haven't decided on a final placement yet, i'll offer a very brief preliminary review: they're fantastic, and i'm extremely pleased with them   . I'll try to post a bit more in depth review later .

[marvda1]

where did you get your 6311's? what color are they? do use lead shot. i have the 6381's and am currently trying a krell kav 300il integrated amp and a sunfire symphonic reference power amp.

[gitarretyp]

where did you get your 6311's? what color are they? do use lead shot. i have the 6381's and am currently trying a krell kav 300il integrated amp and a sunfire symphonic reference power amp.

These should answer most of your questions





The color is white, but it's actually a white metal flake. They look really nice. Much better than the photos make them appear.

I added about 37 lbs of lead shot to each today (now they weight about 120lbs a piece). Increased detail and clarity a bit and tightened up the bass a fair amount.