What speakers would you pair with the 30.2 with a $4000 budget?

schw06 · « **on:** 8 Dec 2008, 11:14 pm »

I have just deposited funds for the 30.2 integrated with my Modwright Transporter in a 17x24x10 room. Looking for Red Wine enthusiasts recommendations for a floorstander that would match well. I have been contemplating the Devore 9's (local dealer demo), Zu speakers (big sale coming up Dec.12th-23rd), WLM Lascalas from Vinnie. Suggestions welcome but would definitely appreciate help. Unfortunately, I can not audition the WLM's or Zu's. I mostly listen to rock and roll but have a significant collection of almost every type of music except Country and electronica. Thank you!

IronLion · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Dec 2008, 11:22 pm »

If I were you I would take a long hard look at texendo's Diva floorstander (in the for sale section). Never heard WLM but I'd be curious enough that if I didn't have speakers I loved I'd try them out for that price.

arthurs · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Dec 2008, 12:34 am »

The WLM are very nice, not a mistake that Vinnie chose them to pair with his gear. His room with WLM and RWA at RMAF (just squeezing as many acronyms as I can in) was exceptional IMO...

Mariusz · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Dec 2008, 12:45 am »

There is quite a few good choices out there and non which I (or someone else ) might recommend will guaranty the perfect synergy with your gear, preferences or esthetics. Considering your music preferences (which is not to far from my own) I would say Zu and WLM. Single driver designs might prove locking for "Hard Rock" aficionados.

Omega, Rethem Saadhana (used) or Sachiko are all great ....... actually, they are quite awesome but not the headbangers' dream IMO. I love the Sachikos which I am building right now.........yes even for Rock ("The Wall" sounds just scary) but they aren't the most accommodating when it comes to size and Wife Acceptance Factor (WAF) is not very high.
My wife is OK with my own cosmetic modifications but would not approve the original Sachiko design.

As to Zu and WLM. These are on the opposite side of the spectrum - Zu, sounds like live performance from the 5th row seat while WLM are a bit more laid back and smooth.

Choose you poisson wisely

Mariusz

KS · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Dec 2008, 01:31 am »

Anything from Jim Salk
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=82.0

Or, wait and see the actual price Danny Richie will be charging for his new, fully assembled, open baffle design
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=61023.0
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=62010.msg557471#msg557471

Quote from: Danny on 6 Nov 2008, 07:52 pm

The bass response is as good as anything I have ever heard. It maybe better than anything I have every heard. It plays really low, tight, and clean very much like an LS-9 but has an advantage in that it just doesn't load the room. It hits, it hits hard, and then it's over. There is no delayed decay of room pressure.

These will play really loud, and really clean to really high levels. Dynamics are scary good. They reproduced the drum solo demo better than anything I have ever heard. These speakers do real drums.

The speakers project a nice deep sound stage with solid placements. Nothing really appears to come from the speakers themselves unless something is recorded panned just to one side only. Vocals are solid to the center with good depth and very good body. I am a real stickler for female vocals and so far they pass with flying colors.

The sound of a piano is another something that I am a real sticker for. I think these handle the attack and initial strike of the piano as well as anything I have heard. They just seem to have a really quick response time, like the rise of the transient response is there in spades. The tonality of the first strike of the piano's notes are also as realistic as I have heard from any speaker (and I have a piano in my house). What I am still a little less than impressed with is the trailing edge of the piano notes. It betters what I hear from most dome tweeters, but doesn't seem to let go of the note quite as fast as the planar magnetic tweeters that I use in many of my other designs. The planar magnetics hit the note and then let go of it, returning back to the black background a little more quickly. This compression driver sounds like it holds on to it just a little bit longer. Some of this may go away with more break in time on it though so I feel it is still early for me to make a judgement on it yet.

Acoustic guitars sound great, and putting a little volume on them really gives you a sense for the body of the guitar and the vibrance of the body itself. This is often lost with most speakers.

Then there is what it does with amplified electric guitar.... It's like the performers guitar amp is sitting right in front of you. I played some Jeff Beck at really insane levels yesterday and it was easily the most realistic playback I have ever heard from that track. I think it is called "Space for the Papa", or something like that. These speakers have the real feel of the guitar down really well.

In one word I'd have to sum these speakers up as really "FUN" speakers.

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Dec 2008, 02:03 am »

Hi schw06,

For even more ideas, here is an ongoing thread of RWA owners and the speakers they are using:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=50808.0

This might be more suggestions than you wish to (or have the time to) explore

Quote from: IronLion

If I were you I would take a long hard look at texendo's Diva floorstander (in the for sale section). Never heard WLM but I'd be curious enough that if I didn't have speakers I loved I'd try them out for that price.

YES - Here is the link:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=61738.0

That is a very good deal on a great pair of speakers - Although for rock n' roll, I think you'll love the La Scalas even more! Here is a link to a special we are running until the end of the year on WLMs for RWA customers:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=61586.0

Quote from: arthurs

The WLM are very nice, not a mistake that Vinnie chose them to pair with his gear. His room with WLM and RWA at RMAF (just squeezing as many acronyms as I can in) was exceptional IMO...

Thanks, Arthurs! Glad you stopped in to listen at RMAF!

Best regards,

Vinnie

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Dec 2008, 10:06 am »

Looks like a good match in the Trading Post.....

sts9fan · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Dec 2008, 04:16 pm »

I hear Zu speakers work great with them

miklorsmith · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Dec 2008, 04:35 pm »

Oh yes, they do. George's set looks killer too.

OrJazzM · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Dec 2008, 02:50 am »

I haven't heard any speakers from this company but they seem like a no brainer as a match, their statement speaker is over your limit but the specs are crazy!

http://www.vaughnloudspeakers.com/Home_Page.php

JerryM · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Dec 2008, 04:57 am »

Quote from: KS on 9 Dec 2008, 01:31 am

Anything from Jim Salk

These, from Jim Salk, would be sweet with a 30.2, IMHO. These speakers are still under development. However, at 93 db efficient, these would be a great match.

Have fun with your quest,
Jerry

saisunil · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Dec 2008, 03:00 pm »

I'd highly recommend that you listen to the speakers you intend to buy.
Ex: Zu has a good following and I have heard them at shows a couple of times and both times - they were just not my cup of tea.
At the same time, Zu are known for Rock, while I listen to mostly Jazz and Classical.
I heard WLM mated with The Sig's that Vinnie brought at Hogg's Rave in CT - they sang quite well. As someone suggested - I'd seriously look at the WLMs offered on sale - used or new.

Devore 9's are excellent speakers too.

You have some good choices at hand.
Good Luck!

HT cOz · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Dec 2008, 03:09 pm »

If I had that budget. I would wait for Danny's new OB speaker. I would also want a nice tube pre-amp to go with the package.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Dec 2008, 03:17 pm »

Zu has never done well at shows, the company owners would agree. And, to say they are "rock" speakers is a complete mischaracterization. I've owned four models and listen to everything under the sun except Country, they're quite well-rounded.

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Dec 2008, 03:34 pm »

Quote from: miklorsmith on 11 Dec 2008, 03:17 pm

I've owned four models and listen to everything under the sun except Country, they're quite well-rounded.

As much as I hate country, there are worse things to subject the human ear to.

I'd have to second HT cOZ recommendation for Danny's forth coming OB. But if you handle the DIY route, Hawthorne Audio has a new killer OB driver. From what I understand, properly implemented it's up there with the best of the best. A member here by the name of DOAK, compared it to the infamous Emerald Physics CS2 and stop short of saying saying the HA Sterling wasted the CS2 in every regard.

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 12:23 am »

As much as I hate country, there are worse things to subject the human ear to.
[/quote]

Really? Thats a tough one and im sure there are those who think there really is nothing worse. Lets try a few:

1) The recorded conversation the fbi picked up from the ill. governor
2) the pompous sound of announcer in a movie preview saying "academy award winner ______ ________"
3) the opening intro to "entertainment tonite"
4) "honey lets see that new movie with meg ryan"
5) A child saying "im not tired"
6) anyone who starts a tv interview with the first word "basically"
7) Anything by Styx