New Speakers for arriving source and other purchases

vapro10s · « **on:** 9 Jul 2003, 02:35 am »

Help! I need new speakers (used or new) and wish to buy for under $1,500. Speakers that I am curious about are: Dave Ellis 1801, new Quad series (L), DIY which can be ordered built, VMPS 626, ... My listening room may change and so may my equipment.

I enjoy speakers that sound great at low volumes to moderately high. I rarely play them party LOUD. I listen to a wide range of music but mostly pop, jazz, and alternative featuring great vocalists (Diana Krall, Chillout series, Roddy Frame, Natalie Merchant, Paul Weller etc...).

I do not know all of the speaker lingo. However, I like speakers that disapear and sound great from various areas of the room (not sweet spot only) soundstage depth and width are also enjoyable.

I have a Stan Warren modified Phillips SACD 1000 machine on the way and some Bolder (Wayne) moddified Le Amps. I have various speaker and other cables (DH Labs Q-10, Miller Sound, Zu etc..) An Outlaw 1050 theatre receiver could also be integrated for the Philips DVD playback.

I need to also consider a Pre-Amp and am intrigued by the Stan schematic design? later I might try the digital amps (PS Audio and Carver Z).

The current challenge is speakers. My Vanersteen 1 B's have been great but it is time for a change.

What is are the current short-list speakers for my needs?

Thanks!

vapro10s

Sa-dono · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Jul 2003, 04:19 am »

If you're considering the 626R's, I would take those out, due to your desire not to have a limited dispersion speaker. The Ellis 1801's should be a great choice. I would also add the Onix Ref 1's and ACI Sapphires to the list.

Tyson · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Jul 2003, 04:34 am »

The 626R's w/ FST tweeters don't have limited dispersion, I've heard both the spiral tweeter'ed version and the FST version - the FST has as good a dispersion (horizontally) as most cone/dome speakers I've heard.

But, w/the LeAmps I would say the 626R's are not a good match. Perhaps a pair of GR Research Diluceo's would be a better match. The 1801's I heard at my house a while back would not be a good match (the 1801's are bright and the LeAmps are a bit harmonically thin). But I thought I read somewhere that the 1801's have a new crossover? Perhaps that would give a better match if it takes care of the brightness.

For the same reason I would warn against using Axiom speakers, they are also a bright (but are fine for a purely HT setup, IMO, that is where I have mine set up).

I think perhaps the best match would be the mini-9.0 from nOrh.

Sa-dono · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Jul 2003, 04:51 am »

Quote from: Tyson

The 626R's w/ FST tweeters don't have limited dispersion, I've heard both the spiral tweeter'ed version and the FST version - the FST has as good a dispersion (horizontally) as most cone/dome speakers I've heard.

While I didn't get to experiment around a lot (and the speakers may have still not been fully broken in), when I heard the 626R's w/ FST tweeters, they still suffered from some dispersion problems. You are probably right that it is more of a vertical dispersion problem vs. horizontal.

Quote

The 1801's I heard at my house a while back would not be a good match (the 1801's are bright and the LeAmps are a bit harmonically thin). But I thought I read somewhere that the 1801's have a new crossover? Perhaps that would give a better match if it takes care of the brightness.

This is rather interesting. I've never read the 1801's described as bright before. I guess all the more reason I need to hear a set of these speakers one of these days.

Mad DOg · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Jul 2003, 05:16 am »

I would have to recommend that you add the Onix Ref 1s to your list of speakers to consider. I've had the opportunity to compare the Ref 1s to many other highly regarded speakers and I still prefer the Ref 1s.

I, too, have heard the VMPS 626R FSTs and would say they are definitely an improvement over the spiral ribboned speaker but still have limited dispersion compared to most other dome/cone speakers i've heard...regardless of dispersion, it's a fine speaker otherwise.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Jul 2003, 03:28 am »

I would recommend GR Research speakers. Just finishing up a home demo of their Criterion,good speaker for the price.Excellent ribbon,woofer 2 way-very detailed-can handle power well-worth checking out !

jackman · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Jul 2003, 03:44 am »

The guy who said the 1801's have been improved was correct. I had the old crossovers and recently installed the new ones. While I wouldn't say the old crossovers were bright, they were very revealing and the bass response had a tendency to get a bit thin when the speakers were pulled out into a room. The new crossover has totally improved that and the resistor option allows you to customize the speakers to your room, preferences, and associated gear.

They sound great at lower volumes and can play loud enough to anger my wife on the other side of the house. I cannot recall hearing better monitor speakers or speakers that "disappeared" as much as the Ellis 1801's do. Dave Ellis has reported some very good results with a modified tube amp (I think it's a low cost Jolida) with about 40 wpc. I use a Van Alstine amp/preamp and really like the sound. The new crossover also allows me to pull the speakers into the middle of the room without sacrificing bass response. The has really improved the depth of the sound and the imaging.

Just my .10 but if you are in Chicago, you are welcome to stop by. It's always best to trust your own ears and to listen to material with which you are familiar.

Jack

vapro10s · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Jul 2003, 03:48 pm »

It seems that the Ellis 1801's are the agreed favorite. I will call Darren and discuss cabinet choices etc.. I am surprised of not many other DIY contenders or used at $ price suggestions.

Thanks!

VApro10s