SnowmaNick
Well-Known Member
So, I’m looking to replace my Revel F228Be’s. They’re great speakers but I find their bass presentation a bit light without subs, and I’d like to not use subs for my stereo system. This is a music only setup, 60/40 vinyl/streaming.
I was thinking I’d share my thoughts on speakers as I audition them in case anyone else is looking at any of these.
These notes are my steaming hot takes. So please don’t take any offense if I don’t like something you do. I’ll also be getting the demos at the dealers, in their rooms and their equipment. Before I finally pull the trigger I’ll ask for a home demo to make sure the speakers fit my system.
Speaking of, my system, stuff rotates in and out of it, but the speakers tend to stay. I got the Revel Be’s when they came out. I’ve had 5 different integrated amps in that time (Denon, Rogue, Parasound, Margules and my current Luxman), 3 different turntables, 3 DACs, 2 streamers. So, I like speakers that show what is happening upstream of them. As my speakers tend to last, I’m looking at new whereas my other equipment comes mainly from US Audiomart, Audiogon, etc. Speakers are large (I tend to prefer large floor standing models with near full to full range), cost a lot to ship, can easily get messed in shipping, and are very personal tastes to each individual.
These are the speakers on my list (in no particular order):
I’ll do a separate post for each as I audition them.
Some speakers I’ve thought about but decided against due to price, size, aesthetics, wife vetoed, etc. These are going in the living room, so they need to be nice to look at, and get her approval on how they fit in with our home.
Revival Audio Atalante 5: wife veto, size & design. I think their beautiful, wife absolutely doesn’t.
Fyne Audio F1-8: “Minion head” design according to my wife and daughter. They have a very nice finish, good sound, but the odd looks did it in. I feel I would still end up needing a sub with these as well.
Revel Ultima2 Salon: I love how these sound, but they are huge, require a lot of space, and really more power than my L-509x can give them. Great, great speakers though.
**KEF Blade 2 Meta: wife-veto. She just laughed as soon as I showed them to her. ** This just in, the wife likes them in frosted blue. Veto on hold.
Bowers and Wilkins 803 D4- too colored, and fatigue set in fast for me.
Canton Reference 3: I liked the sound, maybe a touch too much bass, I wish these came in more finishes. The piano gloss black was well done, but after owning gloss black speakers for over 5 years, they are finger print and dust magnets.
Dynaudio Confidence 30 - ugly in person. Again, the tweeter lacks some air, narrow sweet spot, doesn’t have that last bit of detail to really sell the soundstage and top end. Overpriced imho for what you are getting.
JBL 4367: Loved the sound, could use a bit more bottom end, which surprised me with their massive size and driver. Wife didn’t like the size, they’re basically small refrigerators, or finish options. I also felt for the money they were a little “plain” to look at and the build quality wasn’t anywhere near the Canton or QLN.
QLN Prestige 3: I’m still on the fence with these. I was only able to find one local dealer, a great guy and shop, but terrible acoustics. They sounded a bit mushy and soft, but that could have been the room. They get universal plaudits in the press, but I was underwhelmed.
Marten Parker Trio: I just can’t find a damn dealer!
Wilson Audio Sabrina X: Great size/small footprint with impressive sound. Bass was strong, physical, but still tight. I didn’t like the upper treble, it started to sound grainy at above average listening levels, the imaging was ok, but not amazing, and I think they may be too small for my room. FYI, Wilson is raising prices 2/15/2024, so these will have a starting price of $21,500, $22,500 for upgraded colors. $25k for the pearl finishes.
Yamaha NS-5000: wife again hated the looks. Never got to audition.
Harbeth M40.2: See Yamaha and Revival.
Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand: Sound nice, “big” sound from a well built tiny tower. The imaging was a little vague, and bass bass was overly plump and wooly.
Dynaudio Contour 30i and 50i. The 50i is huge. Well made and inoffensive design, but I didn’t think enjoy the tweeter. Too soft and lacking air and detail.
The budget is up to $25k. I sold my classic Jag that spent more time in my mechanics shop than my garage to fund this. So it’s kind of a one time shot at some “next level” speakers for me. Before I know it my kids are going to be looking at colleges and my audio hobby will be the first to feel the budget crimp.
I was thinking I’d share my thoughts on speakers as I audition them in case anyone else is looking at any of these.
These notes are my steaming hot takes. So please don’t take any offense if I don’t like something you do. I’ll also be getting the demos at the dealers, in their rooms and their equipment. Before I finally pull the trigger I’ll ask for a home demo to make sure the speakers fit my system.
Speaking of, my system, stuff rotates in and out of it, but the speakers tend to stay. I got the Revel Be’s when they came out. I’ve had 5 different integrated amps in that time (Denon, Rogue, Parasound, Margules and my current Luxman), 3 different turntables, 3 DACs, 2 streamers. So, I like speakers that show what is happening upstream of them. As my speakers tend to last, I’m looking at new whereas my other equipment comes mainly from US Audiomart, Audiogon, etc. Speakers are large (I tend to prefer large floor standing models with near full to full range), cost a lot to ship, can easily get messed in shipping, and are very personal tastes to each individual.
These are the speakers on my list (in no particular order):
- Magico A3 (or A5)
- Focal Sopra 2
- KEF Reference 3 Meta
- YG Acoustics Talus or Ascent
- Spendor D9
- Wharfedale Elysian 4
- Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT
I’ll do a separate post for each as I audition them.
Some speakers I’ve thought about but decided against due to price, size, aesthetics, wife vetoed, etc. These are going in the living room, so they need to be nice to look at, and get her approval on how they fit in with our home.
Revival Audio Atalante 5: wife veto, size & design. I think their beautiful, wife absolutely doesn’t.
Fyne Audio F1-8: “Minion head” design according to my wife and daughter. They have a very nice finish, good sound, but the odd looks did it in. I feel I would still end up needing a sub with these as well.
Revel Ultima2 Salon: I love how these sound, but they are huge, require a lot of space, and really more power than my L-509x can give them. Great, great speakers though.
**KEF Blade 2 Meta: wife-veto. She just laughed as soon as I showed them to her. ** This just in, the wife likes them in frosted blue. Veto on hold.
Bowers and Wilkins 803 D4- too colored, and fatigue set in fast for me.
Canton Reference 3: I liked the sound, maybe a touch too much bass, I wish these came in more finishes. The piano gloss black was well done, but after owning gloss black speakers for over 5 years, they are finger print and dust magnets.
Dynaudio Confidence 30 - ugly in person. Again, the tweeter lacks some air, narrow sweet spot, doesn’t have that last bit of detail to really sell the soundstage and top end. Overpriced imho for what you are getting.
JBL 4367: Loved the sound, could use a bit more bottom end, which surprised me with their massive size and driver. Wife didn’t like the size, they’re basically small refrigerators, or finish options. I also felt for the money they were a little “plain” to look at and the build quality wasn’t anywhere near the Canton or QLN.
QLN Prestige 3: I’m still on the fence with these. I was only able to find one local dealer, a great guy and shop, but terrible acoustics. They sounded a bit mushy and soft, but that could have been the room. They get universal plaudits in the press, but I was underwhelmed.
Marten Parker Trio: I just can’t find a damn dealer!
Wilson Audio Sabrina X: Great size/small footprint with impressive sound. Bass was strong, physical, but still tight. I didn’t like the upper treble, it started to sound grainy at above average listening levels, the imaging was ok, but not amazing, and I think they may be too small for my room. FYI, Wilson is raising prices 2/15/2024, so these will have a starting price of $21,500, $22,500 for upgraded colors. $25k for the pearl finishes.
Yamaha NS-5000: wife again hated the looks. Never got to audition.
Harbeth M40.2: See Yamaha and Revival.
Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand: Sound nice, “big” sound from a well built tiny tower. The imaging was a little vague, and bass bass was overly plump and wooly.
Dynaudio Contour 30i and 50i. The 50i is huge. Well made and inoffensive design, but I didn’t think enjoy the tweeter. Too soft and lacking air and detail.
The budget is up to $25k. I sold my classic Jag that spent more time in my mechanics shop than my garage to fund this. So it’s kind of a one time shot at some “next level” speakers for me. Before I know it my kids are going to be looking at colleges and my audio hobby will be the first to feel the budget crimp.
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