Speaker suggestions ($2-3K)

EDS_ · « **on:** 9 Nov 2007, 06:03 am »

1. Will be powered by medium wattage tube amp (Cary SLI-80 pp6550)
2. Must be reasonably small, may consider stand mounted speakers

Order of sonic requirements
Detail, detail, detail
Smooth top end
Excellent imaging with speakers no more than 18-20 inches from back wall (back of speaker to wall)
Tuneful bass, can run a sub

Rationale; I've listened through my Grado RS-2 h-phones a lot lately. This has demonstrated that my Spendor S5e speakers are not quite up to the job in the detail department.

Let me know if you think my logic is off.

Zero · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Nov 2007, 06:26 am »

Sounds like you just described a set of Totem's. Great detail, timbre, smooth top end, unreal imaging (the Arro/Hawk/Sttaf pull off the 'boxless' trick real well when done right), can be ran with a sub... or do just fine without. Best of all, they are small and work well with Cary electronics...

TONEPUB · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Nov 2007, 06:35 am »

If you want to stretch to 3400, I suggest the new Harbeth 7, version III.
Heard em at acoustic sounds last month in the showroom, again at
salesman Clark Williams house and just unpacked my review pair
the other day.

Definitely my favorite small speaker. Very tonally correct, great bass
good detail, fantastic midrange and work well with a small to mid sized
tube amp. (Im using a McIntosh 275, but even had great luck with my
20wpc Fatman...)

Call Clark at Acoustic Sounds and tell him I sent you!

EDS_ · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Nov 2007, 01:57 pm »

Zero, Jeff,

I have some listening time with Harbeth's, a local guy has a pair that are fabulous - I'm a bit confused as to the exact model he owns.

I've aways like Totem speakers too.

BTW - The room in question is fairly small, 12x17.4 with a high complex ceiling. The speakers would be placed along a long wall.

Audio-den · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Nov 2007, 02:09 pm »

IF YOU CAN GO LISTEN TO THE NEW USHER 718 TINY DANCER GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ENJOY ALAN

Double Ugly · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Nov 2007, 02:32 pm »

I'm not sure you'll get more detail from a speaker than one specifically designed for pro audio, a description fitting all of SP Technology's line. Bob Smith (SP Pres) had no intention of entering the consumer audio fray until a ETM reviewer (Bill Roberts; 30 years/over 10k hours of mixing and mastering experience) approached him about reviewing the Timepieces. The rest, as they say, is history.

Per this thread, Don Coleman, former president of Clarion Electronics, is driving his Timepieces with a Cary integrated.

The Timepiece's size may be a problem though, as might their price. Bob recently raised prices, but if you're interested in crossing over to a sub anyway, you'll get the same performance from the mids --> up in the smaller - and less expensive - Timepiece Mini.

Shown with 'old' black side panels, now veneered

mcullinan · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Nov 2007, 02:48 pm »

I have a pair of Merlin Music VSM-MX with SuperBam that I would sell for 3K. These are originally 10.5K speakers New/. They do have a few scratches on top front by the baffle due to delivery mishaps. Though they work perfectly and are high efficiency. Im not ready to sell yet, but very soon. These are mind blowing musical speakers.
Mike
OOps I just read that they must be small... They definitely arent small but they arent huge either.

I heard the Opera Callas at the September Rave and these were Amazing monitors. They were around 3800, but I bet you could find them for less. Definitely worth a listen.
Mike

martyo · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Nov 2007, 02:58 pm »

A super deal right now at $1500, the Salk Songtowers. I don't consider them big but you might.

BrianM · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Nov 2007, 03:17 pm »

Quote from: martyo on 9 Nov 2007, 02:58 pm

A super deal right now at $1500, the Salk Songtowers. I don't consider them big but you might.

They have a small footprint, but they could be considered tallish. But for the price I doubt you could do much better. For possibly more detail, try the Ellis 1801s, also under 2k.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Nov 2007, 04:12 pm »

Well worth the audition if you can find them...

http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/maxhemp.html

doug s. · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Nov 2007, 02:44 am »

you really need to audition a pair of coincident victory speakers. the originals retailed for $5k, the latest victory ll's retail for $6k. but they can occasionally be found used for $2k-$3k. they will fit your requirements to a tee. these are really phenomenal speakers, imo. your amp will have no problem at all driving them. at 14 ohms & 97db/1w/1m efficiency, even a 5wpc amp (like the almarro a205a mkll), will drive them exceptionally well. mount them on 10" high stands & cross them over to a pair of subs, & you will have sound as good (or better than?) the $12k coincident super-victory's...

other coincident speakers get fantastic reviews, but i am not familiar with them. i really like the custom ribbon coincident uses in the victory's (and other models as well), sourced from hi-vi research - some of the best treble these ears have ever heard.

here's another model presently f/s on agon, w/conwentional dome tweets (subs may not be needed here):
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1197314494

doug s.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Nov 2007, 04:57 am »

I have the 7's in a 16 x 24 room with a peaked ceiling that goes up to 13'...

You should have no problem, this is a very easy speaker to set up. 15 min with
a tape measure (or 5 min with Leicas laser DISTO A2...) and you will be in the
zone all the way!

The Usher tiny dancer is also very good, but I haven't spent enough time with
it to give you any real advice.

Good luck on the hunt!

miklorsmith · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Nov 2007, 05:02 am »

Jeff - those Harbeths look as plain as a box can be, as the Brits are wont to do. I'm sure they're a smokin' good speaker though - hope to hear them some time.

satfrat · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Nov 2007, 05:21 am »

Quote from: EDS_ on 9 Nov 2007, 06:03 am

1. Will be powered by medium wattage tube amp (Cary SLI-80 pp6550)
2. Must be reasonably small, may consider stand mounted speakers

Order of sonic requirements
Detail, detail, detail
Smooth top end
Excellent imaging with speakers no more than 18-20 inches from back wall (back of speaker to wall)
Tuneful bass, can run a sub

Rationale; I've listened through my Grado RS-2 h-phones a lot lately. This has demonstrated that my Spendor S5e speakers are not quite up to the job in the detail department.

Let me know if you think my logic is off.

Odyssey Lorelei's,,,, $2700 but there's a set at A'gon now for $1600. http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1197903520

The Lorelei's have Scan Speak drivers and Germain made crossovers, known for their detailed midrange and smooth treble. The bass from this 40" loudspeaker needs to be heard to be believed.

A subwoofer isn't really needed but they will do better when extended a ways further from the front wall. Mine are 40" and the soundfield is expansively wide with spot-on imaging. They are an excellent loudspeaker for a small to midsize room. I've been told that they won't fill a large room with high ceilings as well as a 3-4 way loudspeaker would. Here's apicture of the ones at A'gon, done in cherry veneer:

Cheers,
Robin

fredgarvin · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Nov 2007, 11:00 pm »

I think another great choice for what you are after is the Lipinski 505 monitor. Lauded for their accuracy and detail. An mtm configuration with built in waveguide and I believe under $2000. The spl is 90db at one meter one watt. Do need a sub though.

zybar · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Nov 2007, 11:15 pm »

Quote from: martyo on 9 Nov 2007, 02:58 pm

A super deal right now at $1500, the Salk Songtowers. I don't consider them big but you might.

I second the Salk SongTowers.

Outstanding speakers!

George

EDS_ · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Nov 2007, 03:45 am »

Thanks guys.

I'm researching most speaker mentioned in the thread.

IronLion · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 Nov 2007, 04:21 am »

What about those Green Mountain Audio Pico Executives in the blowout sale thread here on AC? I haven't heard them, but what I understand of the GMA sound from the 6moons Callysto review (or was it Callipso?), they are well worth considering.

twitch54 · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Nov 2007, 09:28 pm »

Quote from: TONEPUB on 9 Nov 2007, 06:35 am

If you want to stretch to 3400, I suggest the new Harbeth 7, version III.
Heard em at acoustic sounds last month in the showroom, again at
salesman Clark Williams house and just unpacked my review pair
the other day.

Definitely my favorite small speaker. Very tonally correct, great bass
good detail, fantastic midrange and work well with a small to mid sized
tube amp. (Im using a McIntosh 275, but even had great luck with my
20wpc Fatman...)

Call Clark at Acoustic Sounds and tell him I sent you!

I'll second Tonepub's recomendation, for I heard the same speakers @ Acoustic Sounds (Clark was playing them with the Funk Firm TT) being driven by the small Rogue integrated amp and thought ....'nice sound from such a vanilla wrapper' !

griller · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 Nov 2007, 09:19 pm »

Audition the Sapphire XLs. Well under $2K and on sale right now. Everyone says they are one of the most enjoyable speakers out there. In fact you could add a pair of Force subs and be close to your range. I own the Emerald XLs and Force and am extremely happy using for both music and movies. The current sale is making it likely that I will convince the boss to let me order Sapphires for a music only system.