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The usual suspects: S1, Cirrus, Tempesta, MMM1

Getting back into audio and starting to make the audition/research list... Speakers are always the toughest, especially with the internet brands that have no presence here.

Anyway, here is the current list. I'd love to hear from people who have actually heard these in comparable setups:

1. Magico S1 - yes, it is new. it is also hot. Also too much $$$

2. Vapor Cirrus - tons of good press, but is it just the current audiophile flavor du jour (much like Joseph and Devore before them)

3. Selah Tempesta - seems similar to the Vapor but with lesser cabinet?

4. Evo Acoustics MMM1 - lots of hype on this one being generated by the company - worth it?

I've had Soliliquy's a long time ago. Energy's of various sorts that never did anything for me. ProAc Tablettes I loved (but many, many years ago so rose-tinted glasses now), and a variety of other speakers here and there...
tnagpal
jp1208
502 posts
 
I own Vapor Audio Cirrus speakers and after my eperience I can't ever recommend them.

I have demoed the Joseph Audio Pulsar and I can tell you they won't dissapoint. This would be a better way to go and if you decide to sell they hold there value very well.
jmbatkh
103 posts
 
I've had Soliloquy 5.0 of those you mentioned, and own Selah Tempestas and SSRs now. Both are head and shoulders above the 5.0.
The cabinets on the Tempestas are not built like the Cirrus, but the cabinets as Rick supplies them are very dead. I hear no lower range obfuscation which is the signature of noisy cabinets. They do the job very well, and the optional veneer work is as good as it gets.
The Tempesta is a 3 way, with perhaps the best upper mid driver on the market, the 50 mm Accuton, and the drivers blend perfectly, very hard to do with the superb resolution of the RAAL.
I haven't heard the Cirrus, but a Cirrus owner has been here and heard my Tempestas. He was a bit embarrassed to admit the Tmepestas were notably better, and less $ as well.
Haven't heard the others, and tastes are different, but after 45 years in the hobby and ~275 pairs of quality speakers, after 2 years the Tempesta has taken me off the market, possibly for good. I can afford just about anything I like, but for this size speaker it speaks the truth to me on all recordings. That's the bottom line.
jmbatkh
103 posts
 
I wanted to add one additional bit. The Tempesta is Rick's best selling model, yet to my knowledge there have been no used pairs on the resale market at all. I've been watching for another pair to buy. There have a number of Cirrus and the others mentioned. Owner satisfaction is the goal in the end.
vortrex
148 posts
 
"I haven't heard the Cirrus, but a Cirrus owner has been here and heard my Tempestas. He was a bit embarrassed to admit the Tmepestas were notably better"

Really? I find it hard to believe there would be this level of difference, no matter which one was better. I have both the Cirrus and Tempesta, which I will be comparing this weekend.
david12
1,398 posts
 
Another one to consider, that shoots well above it's price band, Fritz Carbon 7's. I just bought them for my son band they really do sound very good and are well made at this price point.

Fritz is a great guy to deal with and thay are available on sale or return, if your not happy. What's not to like?
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