Swan Diva vs. PBS Image vs. KEF iQ vs. Polk Rti? Which fronts/center for around $1k?

That is a very good list of floor standing speakers in that price range, please do yourself a favor and listen to as many of the speakers you can (and in your own system if practical). I am a Swans owner and thought i would mention I just got a Swan C3, the height on it is less that 9" ( 8 3/4") and it would in fact be a better match with the 6.1s. A option to consider with the swans would be: you can save money by choosing the vinyl finish over the real veneer, If you are considering the swan's route, note the 6.1s do in fact have pretty good low end extension considering the dual 8" woofers. As mentioned in other threads you could get a pretty crazy deal on the 6.1s + c3 going through oz home theater on ebay with the microsoft live cashback.

Happy speaker hunting

Yep, I'm sure it was mentioned a few times in the Swans thread and I just measured them....


Check the Swans thread here the last few pages talk about it rather in depth, basically set up an account with microsoft live, activate it... then you can go over to ebay and purchase products with buy it now option and pay with paypal and you'll up to 30% back on eligible transactions. you can read how it works here http://search.live.com/cashback/faq


IMO the swans are a very neutral speaker with excellent resolution throughout the frequency range, excellent tweeter midrange integration, mechanically time-aligned tweeter, wide soundstage, aesthetically pleasing, and a very good buy for the performance.... Yes, I compared the Swans offerings to many B&M store speakers, I heard the Divas at CES 2001 which peaked my interest in them.

In your original post, you referenced the Swans C2, which will meet your requirements, as it has an "internal" tweeter. In your 2nd post you referenced the C3, which will NOT meet you requirement, as the tweeter is "top-mounted", and is just over 10". I own one, and measured it, myself, to be sure. I am a longtime audiophile, but have not previously registered here. I did so, just to make sure you make the correct decision.

As mentioned by SAC, the Divas have a wonderfully engaging sound. I've owned mine for several years, and am very pleased with them.

EDIT!

It appears that I must correct myself, as there seems to be a newer C3 with an internal tweeter. Altho, according to the Audio Insider, who sells them, they are still over your requirement, at 10" tall.

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/produ...products_id/49

This is mine, with the pod tweet:

http://www.swanspeaker.com/product/htm/view.asp?id=158

-Pi

pink floyd,

Swans changed the C3 design, they went from a top mounted tweeter to a compact tweeter/midrange faceplate design. The newer C3 design is 8 3/4" tall.

I wondered about that, but the audio insider specs them at 10". Probably just carried over the old measurements (I edited my 1st post, before I realized you had responded). Do you have the new ones, to measure, so he knows for sure? From AI:
Dimensions: 22.9 x 10.0 x 10.4in

I just purchased a couple new items, and spend the afternoon listening to several of my SACDs, and fell in love all over again. I am now sending DSD via HDMI, and having the conversion done on my pre/pro. I love it!

-Pi

I also have the newer style C3 center and it is 8 3/4" tall. So feel confident that it will fit your 9" requirement.

And if you decide to go with the Diva 6.1's + C3 you will not be disappointed. A day doesn't go by that I think to myself they are worth every penny I spent!

I had Infinity Primus 250's and then had 360's. - No comparison, Swans are on a different level.

I tried out Klipsch F2 and F3's- Decent speakers, but I found out that I don't like the sound of horns.

I liked the AV123 Rocket line of speakers, but IMO you end up paying more money for equal sound.

I liked the sound of Paradigm Studio series, but again you're paying even more than the Rockets.



In the end when I considered everything the Diva 6.1's were the way to go for me. I just didn't feel like there was a reason to spend more money for "arguably" better performance. Everyone has their own opinion and you may hear sound differently. My advice is if you can take your time and listen to different types of speakers you'll see what you do and don't like.

I have not mixed my speakers with any others. I am a firm believer that you maintain continuity at all corners of your HT. This is probably why I am so happy with my setup. I have the original 5.1's up front, along with the C3, and R3's in the rear.

Before the Divas, I had Celestions. It's been 4-5 years, and I don't remember the model number. I had the chance to "a/b" them, before shipping the Celestions off to their new home. There was no comparison. I've heard good titanium tweets before, but those in the Celestions were horrible. Harsh and grainy. And that's just the nice things I can say about them It's been a while since I had them, and I don't remember everything about their sound. I just remember the excitement of knowing that I had gotten so much closer to realistic, more organic sound.

Good luck with your purchase,
-Pi

What I would do is to take a pad of paper with you, write down the make and
model of each speaker you audition and what you liked and disliked about the
speakers you were auditioning. Was the bass tight and deep or was it boomy and loose sounding? Were the mids life like or were they hollow or just too pronounced? Was the treble irritating and harsh or were they dark and not revealing or were they smooththat made you want to listen for more? How was the imaging?

Bring music with you that you are very familiar with and know quite well. To
make it easier to audition HT speaker systems, listen to the main speakers in 2
channel mode with music. Music is much harder to reproduce accurately then amovie soundtrack so if the speakers do well with music, then they will do well with HT. Speakers that do HT well may not do well with music. When auditioning the center channel of the same brand and series as the main speakers, pick a difficult source like an announcer that mumbles alot. If you can understand what the mumbling announcer is saying, then you have a good center channel.

I would go to speciality stores first and start auditioning speakers first
instead of going to the internet first. Once your likes are determined, you can
mention them here and fellow members can make internet brand recommendations based on your likes/dislikes. The specality stores are better setup acousticaly then the big box stores which will make auditioning a little easier. It will give you an idea of what you like in a speaker.

Keep track of what amp or receiver is powering the speakers you're auditioning. Try to get a receiver/amp that closest resembles what you have or want to get. It just reduces another variable when audtioning speakers.


One thing to keep note off. When auditioning speakers, make sure the volume
levels are matched between the diiferent speaker pairs because the louder
speaker pair will always sound better. Listen to levels that you think you
would listen to most of the time because thats how you are going to be using
them most of the time. Good luck and let us know how you make out.