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First round of auditions disappointing

Well, I finally got out and did some actual listening over the weekend, and I can see that I have quite an adventure ahead of me.

I listened to the Focal Profile 928, Polk LSi15 and a couple of Martin Logan's (Vista and Vantage). The Focal was by far the worst of the bunch; as a matter of fact, it was downright awful, and at a price of $5K for the pair?????????? Good grief...

The Polk LSi15 was better, but far and away from what I expected, given the good press. I use to own Martin Logan Sequel II's, and liked them for their midrange qualities. The newer Logan's were pretty nice, but far too dead in the dynamics department. Very nice rendition of vocals though, and great soundstage presentation.

The more I listened to the typical box speaker, the more I believe that design won't satisfy me. My wife, who is really not "in" to music, commented to me that the Focal sounded "like a box," so there you have it.

I'll probably have to wait until CES, because there is little in the way of "high end" in my area.
seadweller
tvad
9,467 posts
 
You might research the Shahinian Obelisk loudspeakers. They are known for sounding "unboxed". There is a pair for sale today. I have no relation to the seller

Also, the Oskar Heil Kithara loudspeakers are known for their lack of boxiness.

The Zu Audio Definition loudspeakers present an image I find unboxy.
undertow
1,032 posts
 
Yeah well what I am gonna say does not matter at this point, but as stated above I could make a pair of 50 dollar sony bookshelfs in a bedroom sound better than anything you probably witnessed at dealers, showroom, or hotelsÂ… You need to find one you are serious enough about and get them home on your equipment and setup according to the way you intend on using them. Its always a big hassle and lots of trial and error work especially with speakers.
hifisoundguy
630 posts
 
I like vintage speakers better than what's on the market today. I have some JBL L150A's that sounds better than anything on the market period! I think these JBL's were the best that they ever made. You can find these speakers cheap sometimes, I found some for only $190 ! Good Luck
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,550 posts
 
Looking at the range of speakers discussed in your threads suggests that you really need to get out and listen to MANY speakers in order to narrow the field a bit.

Like most people, you will probably come away from CES with a sense that 2 or 3 systems connected, and the rest did not. But if you can, listen in people's homes, because they have taken months, if not years, to hone the sound and the room. Where are you located? Perhaps there are folks in your area who would welcome a visit.
newbee
4,093 posts
 
Tvad and others,

Tvad, I noticed the Shahinians - a big caveat, note that they use a driver which may not be obtainable to a user if one (or more) needed to be replaced. :-(

Re comments of Seadweller's wife that the speaker sounded boxy. Am I the only one who finds this term too ambiguious to be useful. Are we talking about a coloration in tone due to resonances in the wood and construction used in the box. If that is all we are talking about then wouldn't the set up of panels/electro's/dipoles be just as likely to introduce tonal variations due to set up issues which many folks cannot overcome?

I've been able to set up box speakers with minimal resonance issues more easily and as successfully as any panels or electrostat's in my home(s). I'm not suggesting that one sounds better than another, its horses for courses as always.

BTW, Tvad I bet you don't hear any boxiness in your set up! :-)
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