2. speakers
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Time to change. But to what?

I've had my B&W N803 for a while now. Love them. But have a craving for a different type of sound.

I want speakers that play all kinds of music equally well. Excell at soundstaging, imaging, resolution, are NOT analytical, sound natural(this is very improtant...I hate artificial sound), and do the bass so you not only hear it but feel it as well.

I started building a list of potential candidates.
Here goes it:
1. B&W 803D
2. DALI Helicon 800MkII
3. DALI Euphonia MS4 or 5
4. Dynuadio S5.4
5. Sonus Faber Cremona

from the list I am familiar with S5.4, 803D and Cremona. I have never heard DALI speakers.

Room width is about 14 feet. Length is 18 feet. Speakers are on the short wall. Behind the speakers corners are treated with 8th Nerve Rectangles and Triangles, there is an area rug in front of speakers.

I listen to rock music, jazz(vocal and instrumental but dynamic stuff...no smooth jazz at all), acoustic music, solo, chamber and large orchestral classical(Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Bartok, Shoenberg, Shostakovich, etc). I would like the orchestra to be rendered as large and real as possible within the natural limitations of my room, system, listener.

I like to listen on realistic levels when I can, but since I have a 5 year old who goes to bed early, low level resolution is VERY IMPORTANT. I do a lot of late night listening at low levels and want to hear as much information out of the speakers as possible. My B&Ws excell at playing loud without strain. I want this quality to remain with the new speaker as well.

The speaker upgrade will most likely force me to use my Bel Canto DAC3 as a preamp for a while.

I am selling my BAT VK-51SE preamp right now to raise some funds for the speakers. Once I sell the preamp I plan to sell the B&Ws.

DAC3 isn't that bad direct into my Pass Labs X250.5 and I have a feeling I can deal with it for the time being.
No plans to change the amplifier, or anything else. Just the speakers.

What are my options?

Your advise is greatly appreciated.
audphile1

Showing 11 responses by tvad

tvad
9,467 posts
 
The Dali MS4 I have heard are excellent, but they are analytical, IMO.

Have you considered something really tube friendly, and with an adjustable tweeter like the Audiokinesis Jazz Modules? They intrigue me because they have 92dB sensitivity, and a benign impedance curve between 8-12 ohms.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I understand. I own Pass, too.

What I like about the AudioKinesis speakers (and other speakers with similar specs) is that if one likes the sound of the speakers, then they can stay in a system while amps come and go.

In other words, the Jazz Modules are not limiting, unlike other speakers that require solid state amplification to sound their best.

FWIW, Silverline speakers are voiced with Pass Labs, but IMO they are more analytical than forgiving.

Anyhow, happy shopping.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I should really know better than to make blanket statements.

The Sonata III are more analytical than forgiving, IMO, and they do not work
as well with tubes as others claim, IMO.

Now, having said this, "Blindjim" will write of his completely opposite
experience with the same speakers.

And so it goes...
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I have not heard them, but I'd like to.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Perhaps Zu Audio Definition MK II or Presence might be considered. They play very open, without strain, and the bass is deep, detailed and punchy.

I get the sense you have some specific ideas regarding the cosmetic look of your new speakers. If so, mentioning your criteria could weed out unhelpful suggestions.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Newbee, I hope your not foregoing commentary because of an expected response by me. It seems to me your perspective would be valuable to the thread since you've compared the two speakers.

I've read the Bolero reviews, and I understand the different design goals between the Bolero and the Sonata III.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
OK, Newbee. Primarily, I realize in some of my previous posts about Silverline that I have lumped the Bolero together with the Sonata III, having recklessly forgotten that they are voiced differently. I just wanted you to know I recognized this mistake, and I didn't want it to stand in your way.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Mimberman's description of his MS4 absolutely corresponds with what I have heard in a friend's system. The speakers are wonderfully resolving. Every small system change will be heard, which is a good thing, but it requires extreme care when matching components and wire.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Peter Luger steak. Damn, I can taste it already...
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Oh man, Luger's just 15 minutes away!

I'd have died of a heart attack five years ago.

Nine months since I've eaten red meat, or dairy. Can you tell? :)

BTW, the bartender at Peter Luger's made the best Manhattan Perfect I've ever tasted.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Might as well suggest a couple more brands: Coincident and Audio Physic.
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