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Speaker suggestions - Pass XA30.5 $3500

Hi all, I've been with Thiel for about 10 years and think I'm ready to try something new. I've got a Pass INT-30A, listen only to digital sources (PS Audio PWDII), and want speakers that image well and can periodically support a loud dance session. Looking at speakers that go for around $3500 used.

I listen to a wide range of music (e.g., Electronic, Pop, Rock, Jazz, and female vocalists) and am open to a variety of speaker designs.

Also, the Pass is probably more powerful than you think. Stereophile measured it as clipping at 135W @ 8 ohms and 295W @ 4 ohms. I preferred it pretty soundly to the X-250.5 on my Thiel 2.4s.

I have a medium sized living room that takes up the entire width of the house when you come in the front door. It's 15' x 21' with 8' ceilings (on a slab) and the stereo (attached to a TV) is on one half of the long wall. The room's a bit unbalanced in that way, but unfortunately that's the only setup option.

Thanks for your suggestions.

- Chris
128x128cal3713
cal3713's avatar
cal3713 OP
388 posts
 
Oilmanmojo: I see that there are various AP's up on Agon, some of which are MKI and others are MKII, and the current line is 25. I realize they make a lot of different speakers, any elaborations on the general differences across generations?
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,626 posts
 
I sold AP for over 8 years of time. They make fine speakers.
But in the world of highend audio a wide and deep stage is
what makes highend audio thrilling. This part is not the best
of AP.

The Pl-200 is superior in speed and has a much wider and
deeper stage. Beside this instruments and voices are a lot
more physical apparent.

These days I sell 3 dimensional sound. I outperform all other
shops in audio all the time. That is how I work. At the end
the best and most convincing sound in audio always wins. That
is why I keep it simple and clear!
keithr
950 posts
 
Zu Soul Superfly or Supreme
loomisjohnson
1,526 posts
 
heard the pass auditioned with dynaudio contour--sounded awfully good
oilmanmojo
468 posts
 
Cal
I cant speak for the different versions. Bo indicated he has more experience. The Caldera II was a late 90's version that got a lot of great reviews when it came out and was noted for its sound stage and presence. The later version did not fair as well (Caldera III) but when i was evaluating my purchase, many people who had owned or still owned the 3 box set of Caldera speakers all echoed the quality of these speakers in their experience. I also understand that since the founder (Joachim Gerhard) left, the newer speaker designs are not loved as some of his earlier lines. I also consulted Nelson Pass concerning what amps would match up with these speakers and he clearly said i would be pleased with the 30.5 or 8. I was looking at one of his first watt products before his comments. He was familar with the audio physics line and said he often talked to Joachim in days past
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