Need speaker recommendations for Odyssey monos and tempest

pugs · « **on:** 30 Mar 2004, 04:27 pm »

I'm looking to get a new set of speakers for my 2ch/HT system. I have the Odyssey monos and tempest for 2ch and Denon receiver for HT processing.

I currently have all NHT speakers including 2.5i for mains, AC1 for center and three pairs of 1.5 for surrounds. I'm getting pretty tired of the NHTs dryness and borderline brightness for 2ch. I want something smoother, warmer, fuller sounding. Something more emotional and engaging. I like a lot of tight bass also. Preffered listening levels are moderate. My room is about 14 x 16.

I can't really spend much more on audio equipment. so I want to be able to sell all of my NHTs and use the money to buy a new set of speakers for 2ch and HT. I have some other stuff I can sell, and I could probably sell a total of $2,000 worth of equipment.

I enjoy 2ch and HT about 50/50. I think the 2ch aspect of the speaker is a little more important because I think it's more difficult to get good 2ch sound than good HT.

I could spend a little more and get the Lorelei, but that leaves me with only 2 speakers. I need HT.

For about $2,000, what speakers are a good match for my equipment? I need 2 mains with matching center and surrounds.

Thanks

audioslave · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 04:36 pm »

I have the stratos/tempest combo and currently have the paradigm studio 100's. They work great in the system but am looking forward to upgrading at some point. I want to get into some Lorelei's but have to save up. If at all possible, I would listen to them if I were you and decide if you like them. They are a very musically involving speaker and sound fantastic. If you can, try to save up the xtra $'s and get them. Another good match for the odyssey are silverline speakers. I am sure you can find a used pair on audiogon. I would also suggest talking to Klaus as he is most helpful and can give you a very unbiased opinion about speakers that would work with your system. He took the time to recommend my cdp and I went ahead with his advice.

pugs · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 04:44 pm »

What CDP did he recommend? Are the paradigms forward or laid back? What is their best and worst attribute?

Thanks

audioslave · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 05:07 pm »

Another speaker line you might want to check out is the Audes line. Specifically, the 037 from their Gloria series. It has a matching center, cs015 and I guess 111's for the rears. Their website is www.audes.com.
I heard them and was very impressed. They were less bright than the Paradigms Studio 60's I listened to at the time. They should come in right at your 2k budget give or take a few hundred dollars. Of course, you could always get your L,R, and Center channel first and eventually add your rears as finances permit. This is a purchase you have to live with for awhile so I would just get what you really want, even though it is a little out of your budget.

audioslave · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 05:21 pm »

Just got your post after I sent mine....Klaus recommended the Sony ES line of SACD players. I went and got the 555es for a great price brand new at the time and am satisfied with it. I am adding a dac to it as soon as finances permit.

The Paradigms have a funny story behind them. Got them for a fantastic deal and at first, they sounded way too bright in my living room. I was using a different preamp at the time. Then I got the Tempest recently and things started to smooth out. Just two weeks ago I had an engineer friend of mine come in and move my whole living room around and place them properly with the use of a spectrum analyzer. All I can say is Wow!
The sound completely changed. I do not complain about the brightness anymore. I heard them with the Ack dAck! and they sounded fantastic.
They sound a lot more neutral and not as forward and bright as before. Klaus classifies them as fairly neutral speakers slightly on the forward side. Thing is, I am running them with the Stratos/w cap upgrade and they are the power hungry beasts. Do not be fooled by the 91db efficiency rating. Klaus said he heard them with the mono's and it was really great. This should not be a problem since you have the mono's. That is actually my next big upgrade before getting the Lorelei's. Good tight bass response too. Go to the paradigm site, www.paradigm.ca or audio reveloution site, www.audiorevolution.com ( I think)-some editor tried the five studio 100v.3's in his HT set-up and was blown away. You might like them.

listener_111 · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 05:23 pm »

Hi,

I have tempest/stratos and paradigm ref studio 100 V2, Source is modified Jolida JD-100, Room size 22X24X10 .. PAradigms are 3 years old and overall good speakers .. but I am thinking about replacing them for some time as well will be considering Lorelei, DEvore Fidility Gibbons,
Sonus faber or something on that line, meanwhile I will be really interested to know if anyone has any opinions about these speakers with odysset gears.

Thanks,

Listener_111

Barry · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 06:06 pm »

Quote from: audioslave

Just two weeks ago I had an engineer friend of mine come in and move my whole living room around and place them properly with the use of a spectrum analyzer. All I can say is Wow!
The sound completely changed. I do not complain about the brightness anymore. I heard them with the Ack dAck! and they sounded fantastic.
quote]

I really want to learn about spectrum analyzer and see how it may help me. Can you share with us what spectrum analyzer your friend is using. Is it something affordable and easy to use enough? Thanks!

byteme · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 07:02 pm »

Ok, smoother, warmer, fuller, sounds like the Lorelei to me! However, given the cost constraints I think there are a couple different ways you can go. When I was doing my search I began by limiting myself to a price point. I started by looking for speakers that also matched your sound criteria. On my short list were Meadowlark Kestrel 2, Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home and the North Creek Borealis with the 9500 tweeter upgrade (now they are using a different tweeter) w/ cabinets built by Taylor Audio. Approximate cost was between $1300 - $1800/pair depending on new/used etc.

Now, what do all of those speakers have in common? The 8545 woofer. Same one used in the Lorelei. Tweeters are all different, however, the North Creek also uses a Revelator tweet, just a different model than the Lorelei. The reason I didn't end up going with the North Creek is it's kind of a kit. The speaker guts you get from North Creek, the cabinet from Taylor Audio (check out North Creeks site, the cabinets he makes are phenomenal!!) and Tayor will also put them together for you. Trouble is, I'm pretty sure there is no return policy. However, I've never heard a bad word about them. Those or a pair of used Kestrel 2's would probably leave you about $600-700 for center and surrounds. I'm using (as soon as it gets here

an Odyssey Nemesis center and will continue to use Polk f/x500i side and RT28i rear surrounds.

pugs · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 07:44 pm »

Has anybody heard the Selah Audio RC3R speakers? I just read a couple reviews. They sound interesting and are in my price range.

pugs · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 07:52 pm »

Upon looking at the RC3R's more closely, I noticed that they too have the 8545 woofer

audioslave · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 08:00 pm »

Barry,
I just PM'd you. Let me know if you got the info

earlmarc · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 Mar 2004, 12:40 am »

Don't overlook the Energy Connoisseur line of speakers. You could purchase the C-5/C-C1/C-3 plus the Hsu Research VFT-3 sub for about $2000. I know where to buy these speakers from an authorized dealer for cheap. These speakers are outstanding with Odyssey Audio amplifiers. A match you must hear to believe. I have this set-up and I would put it up against anything. Soundstage in their review of the Khartago commented about the synergy between the Khartago and the Veritas 2.4i. The Connoisseur line of speakers share similar technology with the Veritas. In fact, the C-3, C-9, and C-5 have all won awards from Soundstage, AudioRevolution, and HomeTheaterHifi to name a few. You can't look pass these speakers if you have Odyssey amps. Talk with Klaus and he will tell you the same thing. A must audition for Odyssey amps. I have auditioned both the Veritas and Connoisseur line. They sound alot alike. So much so that it was hard for me to justify spending more for the Veritas.

KarlDL · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 Mar 2004, 01:14 am »

I haven't heard the NHTs, so I can't give you a valid comparison, but ... When I began my system upgrade adventure 9 months ago, I auditioned a lot of speakers at the $2K price point. The "new" choice distilled to Paradigm Studio 100v3s and Joseph RM-25si-IIs, $1600 more but "worth it". I didn't get either. I picked up a pair of Totem Forests used, from a local seller who let me audition them at his home. These were dead-center between the characteristics of the aforementioned finalists, at a price $600 below the Paradigms. Very neutral, warm midrange, surprising low end for their size, no mudrange, excellent imaging across the entire spectrum, superb transients despite a measured time-alignment deficiency (see Stereophile review). Superb WAF. They're overpriced new, but if you can audition a used pair, recommended. They get along very well with my Stratos Stereo Extreme.

pugs · « **Reply #13 on:** 31 Mar 2004, 05:30 am »

Quote from: earlmarc

Don't overlook the Energy Connoisseur line of speakers. You could purchase the C-5/C-C1/C-3 plus the Hsu Research VFT-3 sub for about $2000. I know where to buy these speakers from an authorized dealer for cheap. These speakers are outstanding with Odyssey Audio amplifiers. A match you must hear to believe. I have this set-up and I would put it up against anything. Soundstage in their review of the Khartago commented about the synergy between the Khartago and the Veritas 2.4i. The Connoisseur line of speake ...

The price is definately right. Do you have any experience with the C-7 or C-9? Can you describe the sound a little? What kind of music do you like? I like alternative rock, jazz, reggae, and hip hop. The C-5 are really inexpensive. It makes me a little skeptical. They are very easy for me to audition, so they are worth a try.

Thanks for the advice. If you can give me any more details, I would appreciate it. Anybody else have experience with these speakers.

BTW-I don't need these to be the last speakers I own. I just need something more musical and a little more laid back than my NHTs. Financially, my dream speakers are 5-10 years down the line. Right now, I have other priorities.

satfrat · « **Reply #14 on:** 31 Mar 2004, 07:57 am »

Pugs, have you considered Klaus's other loudspeaker selections? Either floorstander with the bookshelf rears and a Nemisis center would run $2000/$2300. I've heard real good things about all these speakers and I love how my Nemisis blends in with my Lorelei's. You mentioned maybe purchasing the Lorelei's down the road. Well a combination of any of these speakers would match well with the Lorelei's down that same road. Better yet, just add the Lorelei's and you have a 7.1 system!

Just a thought,,, Regards, Robin

MaxCast · « **Reply #15 on:** 31 Mar 2004, 12:34 pm »

Hi Pugs, just a little recommendation about your last statement. Don't settle for an "in-between" speaker unless your really 10 years away. I would suggest taking a long period of time to listen to these recommendations, listen at shops, go to audio-get-togethers, get on demo lists, etc. Plus save money along the way. IMHO it is better to wait and go two to three steps up rather than just one step or a sideways step.

There are too many good speakers in this price range and it will come down to system synergy and personal preference. I would own the Loreleis right now if they had a grill

but I'm not about to spend that much taking a chance with my kids finger poking the drivers.

pugs · « **Reply #16 on:** 31 Mar 2004, 03:26 pm »

Quote from: MaxCast

Hi Pugs, just a little recommendation about your last statement. Don't settle for an "in-between" speaker unless your really 10 years away. I would suggest taking a long period of time to listen to these recommendations, listen at shops, go to audio-get-togethers, get on demo lists, etc. Plus save money along the way. IMHO it is better to wait and go two to three steps up rather than just one step or a sideways step.

There are too many good speakers in this price range and it will come down to system ...

Yeah, I know what you're saying. My problem is that I can't spend any more money on audio gear. I have a kid, my wife doesn't work anymore, and priorities have changed. A sideways step isn't bad if I can find a speaker that is more enjoyable. I just don't want to take a step backward.

I think I'll check out the Energy speakers earlmarc recommended. Good Guys is only a mile away from me, so picking up a pair for audition is easy. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the options found on this website. Sure, I can try most of them for 30 days, but then I have to deal with shipping which is a hassle and costs a lot of money.

I really like my NHTs for HT, but 2ch is different. They are just too forward, and can be fatiguing. I put on some Metallica the other day, and it was unlistenable. Reggae, hip hop, and some jazz sounds pretty good on them though. I don't want my speakers to limit want I can listen to.

You're right, I need to get out there and start listening.

tvyankee · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 Mar 2004, 03:43 pm »

Hello.

Take a look at the VSA's

I have a pair of the new Vr-4jr and they sound great.

http://www.vonschweikert.com/

Happy hunting.

Don't waste your breath to save your face if you have done your best.

pugs · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 Mar 2004, 03:52 pm »

Quote from: pugs

The price is definately right. Do you have any experience with the C-7 or C-9? Can you describe the sound a little? What kind of music do you like? I like alternative rock, jazz, reggae, and hip hop. The C-5 are really inexpensive. It makes me a little skeptical. They are very easy for me to audition, so they are worth a try.

Thanks for the advice. If you can give me any more details, I would appreciate it. Anybody else have experience with these speakers.

BTW-I don't need these to be the las ...

Whoops, they're not a inexpensive as I thought. The price I saw ($337) was per speaker. Still very affordable.

Earlmarc: Can you please tell me where you got yours?

rosconey · « **Reply #19 on:** 31 Mar 2004, 03:59 pm »

i have a pair of rick craig designed speakers-not the rc3r, but the same mid dome-
he has a nice ear and is a pleasure to deal with

there was a pair of rc3r out for demo ,contact rick