I love what my Vandersteen 3a signatures do for string sounds. Gorgeous, but...what is your front end? I know that this is controversial, but they couldn't do what they do without a turntable, the latter being the #1 most incredible improvement in massed string sound, including replacing the air around not only the instruments, but also the string choirs. It's amazing. I've gone back to vinyl after 20 years of CD. I have a VPI Scoutmaster but I've also found such string magic even from a Technics TT.
Classical speakers that do violins well??
All my serious listening is classical.
I hate nothing more than steely shrillness on violins or a glare on a soprano's voice.
I love nothing more than the faithful reproduction of the tone colors of unamplified instruments (the wood body of the violin and cello, the felt pad excting the sinewy strings of a piano).
YET, I hate bloated, indistinct, overly warm, billowy lower mids and upper bass (what I gather some think of as "musical").
Do you have any experience with speakers that might meet these needs for $2K, give or take (new or used)? Can be either floorstander or monitor, but with at least enough bass to perform decently on orchestral music. THANKS.
-Bob
I hate nothing more than steely shrillness on violins or a glare on a soprano's voice.
I love nothing more than the faithful reproduction of the tone colors of unamplified instruments (the wood body of the violin and cello, the felt pad excting the sinewy strings of a piano).
YET, I hate bloated, indistinct, overly warm, billowy lower mids and upper bass (what I gather some think of as "musical").
Do you have any experience with speakers that might meet these needs for $2K, give or take (new or used)? Can be either floorstander or monitor, but with at least enough bass to perform decently on orchestral music. THANKS.
-Bob
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- 81 posts total
Thanks so much to all of you for your thoughtful responses. I will definitely take them into consideration. A few of you have addressed some good points not strictly related to speaker brands, and I have either addressed or considered them. And yes indeed, Jdaniel13, I do love my vinyl (via an Oracle Paris table). Thanks again, I really appreciate it. -Bob |
Vienna Acoustics' Bach Grand fits your bill. See: http://www.sumikoaudio.net/va/prod_bach.htm I've got the Beethoven Baby Grands which are exceptional with strings. I've also heard the Bachs and they have similar mids. I'm an orchestral trumpet player (hobby, but serious) and I listen to a lot of orchestra and string music. For instance, last night I was listening to Janos Starker and Josef Gingold play the Kodaly Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7. Man-alive that was stunning. Incredible string tones on 180 gram vinyl. The Bach is going to roll-off around 45 Hz, but I think it's got one of the best midranges in your price range. Compare to the Sonus Faber, also distributed by Sumiko. Most dealers that carry one carry both. As a musician I think you'll find the VA have more accuracy in the mids. Also, the VAs have great cabinetry. They're not as flashy as the SFs, but the quality of construction is equal. Dave |
Consider the Linkwitz Orions. They are full range and excel at revealing the inner detail of complex classical music. You can hear the wood vibrate. http://www.linkwitzlab.com/orion_us.htm |
- 81 posts total