Friendly, Big, 3-way speakers...

jon_010101 · « **on:** 4 Jan 2008, 12:52 am »

Okay, I usually listen to MTM standmounts (GR Diluceos). But I do have a pair of mid-90s Acoustic Research AR302s, which are basically a modern take on the old AR5 design of the 60s. Now, they aren't the best speakers in the world, but they are truly addictive to listen to when driven by a big ol' tube amp. And, while they don't image in quite the same was a small speaker, they sound good throughout the entire room, with no limited sweet spot.

It seems there are, or at least should be, some modern speakers which follow that classic box design. Besides expensive Harbeth, Spendor, etc. what other 3-way standmounts, with 10-12" woofers, full-range sound, and flat uncolored response, are out there?

Just wondering... seems like a fun and overlooked category.

MaxCast · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Jan 2008, 02:17 am »

I think VMPS' RM1 and 2 would fit that category. I've always wanted to hear a pair.

JLM · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Jan 2008, 11:59 am »

jon,

I found a few, don't know if they all meet your sonic criteria but for the prices some of them surely should:

Usher CP-6381
Rockport Technologies Mira
Focus Audio Master 2.5
Wilson Audio Specialties Sophia Series 2
Verity Audio Sarastro Loudspeakers
Hansen Audio's "The Prince"

But it seems that the age of the straight forward 3-way with large woofers may have passed.

Max,

If you're on the east side of Michigan, Today's Audio (just east of Flint, very easy on/off I-69)sells VMPS and usually has quite a selection. Call ahead to make sure that one of the more knowledgable sales staff will be available.

jmc207 · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Jan 2008, 02:03 pm »

Here's a Seas 3-Way Classic design by Troels Gravesen. I'm also interested to know if there are any decent commercial speakers along the looks of this, though a bigger woofer would be nice.

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/3WClassic.htm

Tweaker · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Jan 2008, 08:55 pm »

I don't think any of the above mentioned speakers other than the Troels Gravesen are standmounts.
I Googled for some time to find a large woofer three way standmount and the only one I could find was made by ATC and is pricey:

http://www.atc.gb.net/scm100.htm

jon_010101 · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Jan 2008, 10:51 pm »

Those Seas 3-ways look awesome. As do the ATCs, but wow they are expensive!!! Makes the Spendors seem all the more reasonable. I also remembered PMC makes some 3-way studio monitors that fall into that category. I do wonder why these aren't more popular. Possibly the negative WAF, awkward geometry, and need for a hefty stand have something to do with that.

Tweaker · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Jan 2008, 12:36 am »

I forgot about PMC. They are also expensive, almost $13,000 for the IB2.
I also really like the idea of a large three way monitor but for some reason they are a rare and expensive beast.

rpf · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Jan 2008, 12:52 am »

Off topic but the AR 5s were the first pair of speakers I owned.

Wonder how they'd sound today.

arthurs · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Jan 2008, 01:01 am »

Dunlavy SCIV-A, SCV, or SCVI....wonderful speakers....

Tweaker · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Jan 2008, 01:26 am »

Quote from: arthurs on 5 Jan 2008, 01:01 am

Dunlavy SCIV-A, SCV, or SCVI....wonderful speakers....

...and all floorstanders.

jon_010101 · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Jan 2008, 02:05 am »

Quote from: rpf on 5 Jan 2008, 12:52 am

Off topic but the AR 5s were the first pair of speakers I owned. Wonder how they'd sound today.

They are supposedly the best sounding of the vintage ARs. They probably aren't quite as extended as most modern speakers, but I'm sure the bass and midbass is fantastic.

My AR302s probably sound a bit more like an oversized NHT bookshelf speaker of the era, vs. the original, considering they were designed by Ken Kantor and not Ed Villchur. I'd love to hear a pair of the originals.

Tweaker: Judging by the prices of these modern behemoths (PMC, ATC), it seems that I should start a company to make high quality ugly 3-way box speakers, and sell them for $6000 vs. $12000. I'd make a killing... mebbe

chadh · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Jan 2008, 02:07 am »

These aren't quite what you were asking about, as they are two-ways. But given the hefty size of the monitors, and the big 12" woofer, I thought it might be interesting. It's the Stormbringer, from Audiokinesis. http://www.audiokinesis.com/product/content_audiokinesis.htm

Chad

jon_010101 · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 Jan 2008, 02:13 am »

Quote from: chadh on 5 Jan 2008, 02:07 am

These aren't quite what you were asking about, as they are two-ways. But given the hefty size of the monitors, and the big 12" woofer, I thought it might be interesting. It's the Stormbringer, from Audiokinesis. http://www.audiokinesis.com/product/content_audiokinesis.htm

I do think those are pretty neat! I'll be moving to Northern Utah soon -- maybe I can check out a pair.

BTW, just so nobody gets the wrong idea... I didn't start this thread b/c I want to buy anything, I just want to drool over some new-production retro-beast speakers, and see if anyone else shares this strange fascination. I still don't fully understand why they aren't more popular.

Sonny · « **Reply #13 on:** 5 Jan 2008, 02:15 am »

How about these!
GeerS eVe II - I have built it with the help of a cabinet maker and some friends...and they are wonderful!

chadh · « **Reply #14 on:** 5 Jan 2008, 02:30 am »

Quote from: jon_010101 on 5 Jan 2008, 02:13 am

BTW, just so nobody gets the wrong idea... I didn't start this thread b/c I want to buy anything, I just want to drool over some new-production retro-beast speakers, and see if anyone else shares this strange fascination. I still don't fully understand why they aren't more popular.

It might be worth asking the question a different way. Suppose you were going to build a three-way speaker, with a 10" or 12" woofer. The speaker would have to be a decent size. And to make use of the big woofer, it would need a pretty reasonable volume. Now, you have to make a choice: do you make it a monitor, or a floorstander? To get the same volume in a floorstander, you need it to have a bigger footprint. Then you have to find (or provide) a stand that will support the thing without it falling over all the time. Even if you felt that there were good sonic reasons to go this route, it's quite possible that buyers would simply prefer your competitor's speaker that uses the same drivers in a slimmer, taller, more stable, floorstanding cabinet. Maybe.

Chad

DaveC113 · « **Reply #15 on:** 5 Jan 2008, 03:21 am »

I'd like to have the Mirage M1-si, if I ever had a big enough space to put them:

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/689mirage/index.html

WGH · « **Reply #16 on:** 5 Jan 2008, 03:41 am »

Quote from: chadh on 5 Jan 2008, 02:30 am

It might be worth asking the question a different way. Suppose you were going to build a three-way speaker, with a 10" or 12" woofer. The speaker would have to be a decent size. And to make use of the big woofer, it would need a pretty reasonable volume. Now, you have to make a choice: do you make it a monitor, or a floorstander?
Chad

The JBL L100 cabinet size (14 1/2" x 23 1/2" x 13 3/4"d) would work if you could live with strong, tight bass to 40 Hz. With a very well braced cabinet the 123A 12" woofer is hard to beat, if you lived close to Tucson I would give you a demo.

Wayne

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #17 on:** 5 Jan 2008, 03:56 am »

Quote from: DaveC113 on 5 Jan 2008, 03:21 am

I'd like to have the Mirage M1-si, if I ever had a big enough space to put them:

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/689mirage/index.html

You could always pick up the Mirage M3si's....they can work just as well in a smaller room...

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Jan 2008, 03:49 am »

I am curious why a floor stander is out of the question. After you put a large stand mounted speaker on its stand, doesn't it take up as much (or more) floor space than a floor stander?

I am curious why the condition of "stand mounted" is important.

Tweaker · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Jan 2008, 04:36 am »

I don't want to put words in his mouth but I think the OP was being a bit nostalgic about the fact there used to be quite a number of large woofer "bookshelf" speakers at one time and that they have gone somewhat extinct. It's nothing to do with floor space. It's just an appealing design to some of us.
Less cabinet baffle tends to mean better imaging and large woofers tend to,well, move larger amounts of air. I'd love to hear a pair of 3-way standmounts with 10" woofers and the smallest possible cabinet, sloped like a pyramid for example, matched with a good subwoofer.