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It may be time for new speakers

goaliechris

goaliechris

Active Member
So I have had my Dynaudio S3.4 speakers since 2004(?). have been thinking of upgrading for some time but it was never the right time. Do I NEED to change? No, of course not. I just want to.

And it's been a really long time since I've been out auditioning and want to focus my efforts. This would be for 2-channel listening only in a basement main area (larger space). I am listening to a lot of CDs, some vinyl, and a lot of streaming services through a Naim Superuniti (got a good deal from my brother. Awesome unit). I would be looking to sell the Dyns to help with the budget here so looking at around $7-$8k.

Any suggestions on what speakers you might want to audition? Names like Aerial, Revel, Focal, and Totem come to mind as possible manufacturers I've thought about in the past. Of course, Dynaudio as well but they may have priced me out with their new Contour 60 model.

Thanks,
Chris
 
I would recommend you take a diversion and at least audition some high output, super-dynamic speakers. Like the large Tannoys, Klipsch heritage, Westlake Audio, JBL, etc.

http://www.tannoy.com/lifestyle/series/Home-Audio/Prestige-GR/
http://www.klipsch.com/products/klipschorn-floorstanding-speaker
http://www.westlakeaudio.com/Speakers/Professional_Series/reference_series.html
http://www.jblpro.com/www/products/recording-broadcast/m2#.WITTC4WcEsY

Basically, this forum has traditionally be devoted to smooth precision based on the philosophy of very high power-handling small drivers with elaborate crossovers, chassis, and so on. That is a very elegant approach, but it is the opposite of what used to be the pinnacle of high output, super efficient large drivers being forced into linearity through careful design.

Big studios still rely on these large speakers to recreate the real dynamics of what is happening in the live room behind the glass. It would be worth it to check them out for real.

I have a dear friend with Klipschorns and La Scalas in his theater and he made them linear and smooth through converting them to active crossovers and dedicated amps per channel and very careful tuning. In my opinion, he has one of the most enjoyable systems I've ever heard.
 
Thanks, Flint - it's a great idea and I now have space for these kind of speakers. This is not an approach I would have thought of which is why I asked you guys.

These aren't power hungry speakers either, correct?
 
Huge speakers with large drivers and horns tend to be extremely efficient. So, instead of a 400 watt amp, you can use a 50 watt amp, even a tube amp like a SET, in many cases.
 
A lot of the choice depends on the music you listen to also. For instance with rock, jazz, movie soundtracks and other sources, big horns absolutely kick ass and no conventional speaker can ever hope to touch them in dynamics and impact. However with classical music, horns struggle. They can out-perform conventional speakers with classical too, but it is a real challenge to get them to do so - this is an aspect I've been fiddling with for decades with my Altec A-7s.

Speakers which normally sound good with classical music tend to be the "polite" sounding conventional ones. Horns are like a raging bull; its hard to make a raging bull "polite", but it can be done with enough sedatives.....

My solution (as of this decade.....) has been to convert my electronic crossover to 6dB per octave slopes, and make the frequency point of those slopes adjustable over a very wide frequency range. Whenever I listen to classical music, I find myself fiddling with those crossover points a lot depending on the particular recording. When listening to other types of music, all recordings tend to sound best with just one setting I've arrived at.

So what I'm trying to say is, if you listen to classical music, don't expect to just pluck down a JBL speaker and expect them to sound as good as a conventional speaker. If you listen to other types of music, you're golden.
 
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Thanks - very helpful. I listen to a lot of rock (think Rush, Tool, PJ, etc) acoustic, prog (like Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson, Pineapple Thief). Not into classical. Some jazz occasionally.

I need to try some of these out as I have never had the opportunity to hear or see them in person.
 
Flint said:
I would recommend you take a diversion and at least audition some high output, super-dynamic speakers. Like the large Tannoys, Klipsch heritage, Westlake Audio, JBL, etc.

http://www.tannoy.com/lifestyle/series/Home-Audio/Prestige-GR/
http://www.klipsch.com/products/klipschorn-floorstanding-speaker
http://www.westlakeaudio.com/Speakers/Professional_Series/reference_series.html
http://www.jblpro.com/www/products/recording-broadcast/m2#.WITTC4WcEsY

Basically, this forum has traditionally be devoted to smooth precision based on the philosophy of very high power-handling small drivers with elaborate crossovers, chassis, and so on. That is a very elegant approach, but it is the opposite of what used to be the pinnacle of high output, super efficient large drivers being forced into linearity through careful design.

Big studios still rely on these large speakers to recreate the real dynamics of what is happening in the live room behind the glass. It would be worth it to check them out for real.

I have a dear friend with Klipschorns and La Scalas in his theater and he made them linear and smooth through converting them to active crossovers and dedicated amps per channel and very careful tuning. In my opinion, he has one of the most enjoyable systems I've ever heard.
Click to expand...


Don't want to hijack, but if I ever win the SuperMegaPowerLotto that is the system I will have.
 
Go audition the Power Sound Audio speakers.

They are right there in Ohio. They may even still have their 30 day free trial.

Way under your budget.

I really enjoyed them. My musical taste is very similar to yours.

I can't wait to see what you end up with!
 
So many fun choices!

Heeman - good suggestion as I have never heard of them. Edit - arent they the old split off from SVS?

This will probably take some time. Shopping for this stuff is fun so that's good.
 
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I mentioned when I got my C1's that they did not sound as dynamic as the PSA speakers. There were quite a few comments that the are dynamic......... Flint/Rammis; do you care to comment??

I have however gotten the C1's to scream, but in A much different way then the PSA's. Hard to explain??

PSA has since released a tower version of the MTM-210's. They have a 60 day free trial!!
 
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I'll never forget that day 12 years ago when I heard the C1s in Bethesda, MD. Dealer had them hooked up to Accuphase gear and it was just awesome. Loved that sound.

If the PSAs are anywhere near that level for THAT price?? Sign me up.
 
My first exposure to the Dyn's I listened to the Dynaudio Special 25's at Music For Pleasure in St L and it was one of a handful of experiences in my lifetime I felt I came clos to audio nirvana.
 
goaliechris said:
I'll never forget that day 12 years ago when I heard the C1s in Bethesda, MD. Dealer had them hooked up to Accuphase gear and it was just awesome. Loved that sound.

If the PSAs are anywhere near that level for THAT price?? Sign me up.
Click to expand...

The Dynaudio C1s are indeed very good speakers regardless of the gear they are hooked up to. They do like lots of power to make up for their lower sensitivity AND their ability to handle lots of power, so a good large amp is a bonus for users. But it ultimately doesn't matter what gear they are used with as long as it meets the proper minimums for performance, which nearly all decent gear does anymore.

I recommend going balls to the wall with the brands and models I shared above and giving them a good listen. You may very well decide that type of sound isn't for you, but until you've heard the really good powerful high efficiency multi-way speakers, you don't know what you are missing. There is an effortlessness to reproducing dynamics which just isn't experienced the same way with any traditional smaller driver multi-way speaker. When you experience true dynamic range at that level, it can be a true eye-opener as to what is missing with other speakers.
 
AndySTL said:
Are you open to buying used speakers? I would think you could get a pair of C2's within your budget if you are willing to wait for some to hit the used market. Or what about something like these in the link below? Indianapolis is a short drive from SW Ohio!
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/f...800-2017-01-08-speakers-46220-indianapolis-in
Click to expand...
For the right price I might be willing to sell my option for "Drop shipped Heeman brand new in-box C2s" when he upgrades yet again, from C1s to C4s. I figure everyone wins bigly when we make Heeman's HT Great(est) Again!

:)

Jeff
 
AndySTL said:
Are you open to buying used speakers? I would think you could get a pair of C2's within your budget if you are willing to wait for some to hit the used market. Or what about something like these in the link below? Indianapolis is a short drive from SW Ohio!
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/f...800-2017-01-08-speakers-46220-indianapolis-in
Click to expand...

My personal opinion, which carries about the same weight as it does when I post in the political threads, is that is too much money for those speakers. I have never paid more than 1/2 of new for speakers in pristine condition and those admittedly have some minor damage/ flaws. I know they are B&W 800's but still.

Just my humble opinion.
 
JeffMackwood said:
For the right price I might be willing to sell my option for "Drop shipped Heeman brand new in-box C2s" when he upgrades yet again, from C1s to C4s. I figure everyone wins bigly when we make Heeman's HT Great(est) Again!

:)

Jeff
Click to expand...


:nope::nope::nope:
 
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