Speakers

I admit it -- though primarily a headphone guy I enjoy drooling over pictures of beautiful speakers. For the artistry, for the engineering, for the lulz. I would enjoy seeing particularly striking examples you may happen to come across. These really struck me today. New Vienna Acoustics Klimt series. Concentric midrange/tweeter units adjustable for tilt and toe-in. Murata supertweeters. Eton spider-cone woofers. 22Hz - 100kHz. The black one makes me think of Barad-d

There is a speaker porn thread, so why not an amplifier porn thread? Gryphon Colosseum VITUS MP-M201 Accuphase A-200

As many of you know I recently came into possession of a nice set of Quad ESL-63 USA Monitors, serial numbers 24783 and 24784. Unfortunately one of the speakers (24784) exhibits a moderate volume squealing noise, with no apparent drop out in the audio. This speaker recently had new panels from Electrostatic Solutions installed by the previous owner. The other speaker is all original parts and functions perfectly. So I shoot Kent at Electrostatic Solutions an email to tell him about the problem. He writes me back and politely says its difficult for him to make a diagnosis without seeing the speaker for himself. I spent a day or so mulling over what will no doubt …

I admit that Wes Phillips' reviews of these two flagship models have got me looking at them, but everything I read seems intriguing and alluring. These are shockingly high cost items, so I am both hesitant to go too far down the rabbit hole of this fixation and yet still very curious. I also admit that the K-XR User Manual's suggestion that a balanced tape out could be used for a headphone amplifier made my heart go pitter-pat. Recognition in the highest of the high end! Anybody else heard the these and/or have any opinions on them or their design? A local dealer reps them, so I hope to get a listen later this week.

World's most 'perfect' speaker gets even better | The Audiophiliac - CNET News Very excited as the 1.6 is one of my favorite speakers.

Adcom GFA-5800 or Adcom GFA-5500 Any opinions on the above (or any other amp) in the $500 used price range, give or take? Looking to power my Paradigm Ref 100 v4s Cheers Pete

I need something that I can move with relative ease yet still give me halfway decent sound, so I guess monitors are where it's at. 1) The room: The red outlines the living room; there is no separation between it and the kitchen. Monitors will have brick in the rear facing towards regular wall paneling/drywall (or whatev). 2) The budget: roughly $2,000. The only thing I've got taken care of is the source. I would need to consider the monitors, possible amplification if passive, stands, and subwoofer/amplification for it. 3) The preferences: Bass is not vital, just looking for some sense of accuracy. Love midrange, that is probably priority. No particular t…

Here's what I've been selling off my high-end headphone gear for. Just moved them in an hour ago. Unfortunately I'll have to wait a bit to give them a listen, as I've got some work to catch up on! Also, mine is the only residence in a block of businesses, so I need to wait until evening to crank things up Uses a 10" dual-concentric driver with all the specs of the TOP end of the Prestige line. That means Alnico (Alcomax) magnets, twin-roll impregnated fabric surrounds, doped paper pulp bass drivers, 2" round-wire wound voice coils, and the special Pepper-Pot tweeter waveguide instead of the Tulip waveguide used on the lower lines. There are separate magnetic motors fo…

I thought this was an interesting read over at an AV forum: Best Sounding Speakers According to Scientific Tests - Audio Video Revolution Forum Random and blind testing with members of the general public choosing their favorite speakers without knowing anything about them (ie cost or looks).

Alright so I'll probably be able to get these beauts sooner than I thought I was eventually going to get one of the "great" 300B amps, either the Frankenstein MKII or Cardinal X2. But for the time being I need a more affordable solution since the speakers will set set me back quite a bit. I've received this design for a 45 amp from a gentleman on SH: I believe as little as 2 watts should be fine with these speakers, but every time I've heard them I recall the 300B blocks putting out 8 watts.

Been waiting for a new space to upgrade from the Quad 12Las (which would move to a desk). New home so starting the hunt. Still need to keep the speakers on the smaller side and due to quirkiness of doorways positions wall mounted (or narrow stand) would make most sense on one channel and bookshelf on the other. Thus looking at both options and then dealing. Gallo Strada 2 & sub being maybe an obvious choice with the positioning, but can't stop thinking of the KEF LS50s. They seem nearly perfect (well, without hearing yet) for the space with the exception on the rear firing port on the one channel. Reviews seem pretty consistent. Am considering the Harbeth P3ESRs &…

Hey guys, Well I am trying to start my research into speakers...again. Last time I went into it kind of half assed, and it actually didn't turn so bad last time. Picked up some moth cicadas that mated with my old moth s2a3 and I thought they were pretty great for the price and the fact they were single drivers - very coherent, beautiful midrange, nice full tone, but obviously lacking the low end registers. I would say down to 50 it was pretty solid. the omega hemps had the bass but they were somewhat sharp on the high end and had nowhere near the midrange magic of the cicadas. Budget is probably under a $1000 (unfortunately). Maybe I could swing a littler highe…

Yesterday I made the trip to hang out with a friend I made this year. It was mainly to hear my NIN- The Fragile vinyl since my analog setup still isn't up I should have taken down more details of his setup, but briefly the speakers were the latest Avantgarde Duo 2.1s, his vinyl setup was a modded VPI Aries3, with I believe SET amps powering the mids/tweeter. The Duos have self powered woofers. Digital front end was some Naim gear (didn't listen to it much). It was in a dedicated speaker room which seemed really well setup. I wish I brought my camera. I've heard his system a few times but this is the longest listening session I've done, I was there for around 8 or 9 ho…

Just noticed that Emotiva has some reasonably priced powered speakers ($399, $599, and $799/pair). Any thoughts? http://emotivapro.com/products/powered_monitors/airmotiv5.php

Hey- So I want to enter the world of speakers, and the Quad 22Ls that tkam has for sale have caught my eye. Of course they are visually very attractive, and all the reviews I've read say they are a good neutral speaker at their pricepoint, and even a better deal used. Basically I would just want a speaker that is decent across all genres, and doesn't really try to do anything except portray what is on the recording pretty well. My initial application would be in a small quasi-office room where my headphone rig is. I forget the room's exact measurements, but I sit 8 feet from the wall, and so would be 5-6 feet from the speakers. Far from ideal, yes, but eventually I…

Could be a decent Audioengine A5 alternative, but I'm really not sure about those finish options! Purple lilac?

Well Mikhail told me I would have some kind of balanced preamp as a loaner if my Maestro was not done before turkey-day. I get home today and here's a box with the Transparency SS balanced preamp in it. It detroys the Musical Fidelity cold out of the box. just so much more of everything. Not on the level of my Ayre K-1xe, but close. Not quite the detail or air in the top end. Better bass, and midrange is a little fuller with the SP. Overall a very smooth and relaxed preamp. A little soft on top, awesome midrange, and great bass. I can live with this until my Maestro gets here. Some photos in system and the mandatory vinyl shot. Photos attached of: The current system..…

Well, as I transition out of headphones and into speakers, I'm starting to think about the possibiities with the home theater so a bit of help/advice would be most welcome. I'd like to replace my old receiver and add some nice speakers for both 2 channel listening when the mood strikes me and if possible, use those as the front channels in a home theater speaker setup(I think this is the best way to go but correct me if I'm wrong). Is there a receiver that will do justice to the speakers and be compatible with the latest technology or do I really need to think dedicated amplification? At this point, I just don't think monoblocks or uber amplification will be in the car…

I'm going to be re-arranging my HT/speaker rig pretty soon and I'm going to need different length speaker cables than what I have now. I don't have a budget in mind but I'm not going to spend a ton on this. I'll be needing two 10ft runs for the main speakers, a short 5ft cable for the center channel and two 25ft runs for the rear channels.

Hi All- I've been using the following setup in a 10 x 13ft room now for the past several months: Quad 22L Cambridge Audio 840A Cambridge Audio 840C Technics SL1200MK2 Cartridges used include DL-103, AT440MLa, KAB/Ortofon ProS30 Phono's used include Hagerman Bugle (60db gain 100 ohm loading for DL-103) and Bottlehead Seduction (for MM) SVS 20-39 PCi Cylinder Subwoofer Blue Jeans LC-1 interconnects I only recently added the subwoofer to combat bass issues I was having due to what I guess is room compression. The bass from the 22L floorstanders has always been a bit boomy and unsatisfying in the lower regions. Adding the SVS and keeping the crossover at 40hz …

My old ass Harmon Kardon AVR-85 is losing it's channels one at a time. The surround channels are all but dead. But all the Pre outs work. So, I was thinking of using it as a Pre amp until I replace it. And get a Multichannel amp to power the 5 speakers I have now. (NHT Super Zeroes). My Velodyne HGS10 sub is still working (knock on wood). I plan on getting the Smyth Research Realiser as well, so single ended amp recommendations only, please. Eventually I'd like to get a better Pre Amp/processor (maybe the Emotiva UMC-1), but as of now, I'd like to keep my speaker related purchases as small as possible. (Around $500 hopefully, maybe up to $800) While it w…

I've mentioned in the past how good I think the D-Sonic's are and how they use the exact same ICE Power modules that the Bel Canto Ref1000 and other amps use. Well here's some proof: Bel Canto Ref1000 pic taken from 6moons: D-Sonic Magnum 500M: Notice that everything except for the rca/xlr connectors and binding posts are completely identical. Right down to the aluminum bracket/heatsink that the boards are mounted to .

Seems there's a very high chance I'll be getting into my first choice hospital for my residency which means I can buy a house in the neighboring town. I'm looking for a full range set of speakers, that normally sell for under $4500-5000 used. Mainly listen to all types of jazz and rock. I listen to pretty much all types of rock, but if I had to place emphasis it would be classic and prog rock. What I'd really like is exceptional imaging, soundstage, midbass and midrange performance. I don't need the absolute authority in bass and treble extension. I'd prefer to keep this strictly 2 channel; no subwoofer. Basically something fun to listen to that still have all thos…

I have the Abbys, and have been scouting around for subs off and on ever since. The Bailey sub almost never comes up for sale at a good used price, and though I know I could pick up a perfectly good sub for less, since the Bailey was made for the Abbys and is a beautiful match, I'm hopeful. I might be shooting myself in the foot by playing price games with the seller, but so far, he's been responsive. Anyway, as I await the next email, here's a pic of what I hope will be mine (as if posting it will make it come true). My modest speaker set up will finally be complete (for now): Exemplar Denon 2900>SP Extreme Platinum>FirstWatt F1>Abbys/Bailey.

I'm just about done building the Leach amplifier (~100Wrms / channel). I was hoping to get some suggestions for first speakers to match with it, probably in the price range $200-400. All I've got now are some no-name bookshelf speakers. Some floor-standers might be nice, but I really don't know too much about speakers. Thanks, Evan aka bperboy Here's one channel completed. I haven't finished building the other channel yet. Forgive the messy wiring; I will tidy it up nearer to the end of the project.