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Help me spend $2,500 (speakers.. i think)

post #1 of 34
6/3/10 at 5:43pm
Thread Starter 
Ok so I finally got the system I've been dreaming about. And it was great for about 7 month, but I have the upgrade bug and I will be getting a hefty $2,500 at the end of the summer that I want to spend on speakers. This system is music only system, with NO subwoofer, and I would prefer to keep it this way. I listen to music from my computer (FLAC rips using EAC from the audio disk). Pretty much all types of music, but rock is always a staple.

Albums which receive a lot of play time:
Bob Dylan: MTV Unplugged
The Black Keys: The Big Come Up
Ryan Adams: Gold
Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Air: Talkie Walkie

and some newer harder music, which you may or may not appreciate.

A Day to Remember: Homesick
Run Into The Shadows: Don't Even Say A Word
We Came as Romans: Dreams EP

I do listen to alot different types of music including rap, country, hardcore, punk, jazz, ect...


Current System:
DAC: Stello DAC 100 feed via USB from macbook pro
Pre-AMP: Emotiva USP-1
AMP: Emotiva USP-2
Speakers: Paradigm Monitor 7's
IC: Emotiva X-Series
Power Conditioning: a cheap monster power strip



Possibilities so far (add to the list as you see fit):
In no particular order, I will post as I listen to each of these, hopefully.

B&W: 805s(SP: $2,400), CM7 (MSRP: $1,800), CM9 (MSRP: $3,000)
Dynaudio: Focus 220 (MSRP: $3,000), X16 (MSRP: $2,000)
Paradigm: Signature S2 V3 (MSRP: $2,200), Studio 100 (MSRP: $2,300)
Salk: Songtower (MSRP: $1,900)
AudioKinesis: The Rhythm Prisms (MSRP: $2,500)
Usher: Be-718 (MSRP: $2,800)
Revel: F12 (MSRP: $1,300)
Dali: ICON 6 (MSRP: $1,600)
SVSound: MTS-01 Floor-standing (MSRP: $1,500)
Totem: Hawk (MSRP: $2,500), Sttaf (MSRP: $1,500)
Era: D-10 (MSRP: $1,700), D-14 (MSRP: $2,200)

SP: Street Price
MSRP: Manufactures Suggested Retail Price
Prices have been rounded to the nearest $100
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post #2 of 34
6/3/10 at 6:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryrules1 View Post

the tweeters are a little overpowering.

Have you done anything to your listening room with respect to accoustical treatments ?
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post #3 of 34
6/3/10 at 6:01pm
Salk Songtowers would be in your budget. I have not seen a negative comment on them at all. I almost bought a used pair (I should have) but they are really too big for my fairly small listening room. The suggestion of room treatments is an excellent idea as well.

http://www.salksound.com/speakers_so...towerqwt.shtml

Bill
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post #4 of 34
6/3/10 at 6:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by twitch54 View Post

Have you done anything to your listening room with respect to accoustical treatments ?

No, I am renting therefore, I most likely cannot do anything acoustical besides moving furniture around.
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post #5 of 34
6/3/10 at 8:33pm
I'll second the Songtower recommendation. Try to find a local owner to get an audition.
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post #6 of 34
6/4/10 at 1:11am
Are you located anywhere near a major metropolitan area?

The only real way to buy speakers IMO is to spend serious time listening to EVERYTHING you can possibly find anywhere remotely near your budget. Learn what you like, and pick what sounds best to YOU.

People prefer different things, and I could suggest what *I* would buy with that budget, but it would be presumptuous of me to assume you have the same tastes in music and speakers that I do. Some people love speakers that I hate, and vice versa.
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post #7 of 34
6/4/10 at 6:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryrules1 View Post

No, I am renting therefore, I most likely cannot do anything acoustical besides moving furniture around.

Not at all true, there are plenty of options for acoustic treatments that are not permanent in nature.
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post #8 of 34
6/4/10 at 7:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by twitch54 View Post

Not at all true, there are plenty of options for acoustic treatments that are not permanent in nature.

I agree with twitch, you may purcahse Owens Corning 703 panels, wrap them with acoustic fabric and place them in the first and second reflection points, behind each speaker and behind the listening postition for great results with no holes in the sheet rock.

Depends on how serious you are about improving the sound in your room.
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post #9 of 34
6/4/10 at 11:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by K Shep View Post

I agree with twitch, you may purcahse Owens Corning 703 panels, wrap them with acoustic fabric and place them in the first and second reflection points, behind each speaker and behind the listening postition for great results with no holes in the sheet rock.

Depends on how serious you are about improving the sound in your room.

Never thought about wrap, I could defiantly afford some wrap as well.
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post #10 of 34
6/4/10 at 1:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryrules1 View Post

Never thought about wrap, I could defiantly afford some wrap as well.

Take a look at this site: http://www.atsacoustics.com/cat--DIY...ials--102.html

Purchase a 2"x2'x4' OC panel, spray it with 3M adhesive, wrap the piece with fabric (cut to size by you) and stand the panel in the proper location(s).

The price averages out to about $15.00 with the hardward.
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post #11 of 34
6/6/10 at 1:36am
You have to try the new Magnepans 1.7 QRs. Search for a dealer near you on their website. WALL OF SOUND!

SongTowers is also a good suggestion.
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post #12 of 34
6/6/10 at 6:15am
All my panels are freestanding, except for one at first reflection point on ceiling.

I'd go with 4" thick (or more) on reflection points if possible. You also needs lots of volume in the corners (I used 6 and 8" thick panels straddling the wall corners - plus a few larger blocks in the floor wall corner). You can tack together thin panels to make thick panels if needed using spray glue - that holds them together well enough till you get them covered.

You might be able to find the material locally. Call up insulation dealers in the phone book. Tell them you want 3 lb/ft**3 fiberglass panels. It is commonly used to insulate ductwork in commercial buildings, among other things. Brand does not really matter - you could tell them OC 703 or equivalent. This will save on shipping.

It is amazing what a few hundred dollars of fiberglass and fabric can do to your listening room
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post #13 of 34
6/10/10 at 4:28pm
Thread Starter 
any more ideas? speakers I should listen too, because I cant listen to every speaker, Im trying to make a list.
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post #14 of 34
6/10/10 at 6:27pm
Just the usual suspects, Revel, Dynaudio, Usher, PSB, Dali, Focal, maybe PMC. I'm sure I'm forgetting some so check the speaker threads.
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post #15 of 34
6/11/10 at 11:50am
You could also add B&W - just last weekend I listened to a pair of 805S (which are now discountinued so you may be able to find a pair fairly cheaply). Also their CM line is pretty good as well.
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post #16 of 34
6/11/10 at 1:53pm
Thread Starter 
Possibilities so far (add to the list as you see fit):

In no particular order, I will post as a listen to each of these, hopefully.

B&W: 805s, CM7, CM9
Dynaudio: Focus 220, X16
Paradigm: Signature S2 V3, Studio 100
Salk: Songtower
AudioKinesis: The Rhythm Prisms
Usher: Be-718
Revel: F12
Dali: ???
SVSound: MTS-01 Floor-standing
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post #17 of 34
6/12/10 at 6:56am
You must listen to Totem Acoustic speakers in addition to others on your list.

Check out Staff and Hawk models

Also check out Era speakers and ProAc.



Good luck, I'm jealous
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post #18 of 34
6/12/10 at 8:10am
Thread Starter 
Thanks added to the list, also cleaned up the OP.

Possibilities so far (add to the list as you see fit):

In no particular order, I will post as a listen to each of these, hopefully.

B&W: 805s, CM7, CM9
Dynaudio: Focus 220, X16
Paradigm: Signature S2 V3, Studio 100
Salk: Songtower
AudioKinesis: The Rhythm Prisms
Usher: Be-718
Revel: F12
Dali: ICON 6
SVSound: MTS-01 Floor-standing
Totem: Hawk, Sttaf
Era: D-10, D-14
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post #19 of 34
6/12/10 at 11:22am
I like B&W, Paradigm, Totem and Dynaudio. They offer excellent techology, sound quality and re-sale value.

I currently own Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SEs and love them but all of these brands bring something different to the table. You will probably find a brand that suits your musical taste better than the others...When you do run with it and enjoy!

Best of wishes with your speaker shopping!
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post #20 of 34
6/12/10 at 11:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by math-geek View Post

I like B&W, Paradigm, Totem and Dynaudio. They offer excellent techology, sound quality and re-sale value.

I currently own Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SEs and love them but all of these brands bring something different to the table. You will probably find a brand that suits your musical taste better than the others...When you do run with it and enjoy!

Best of wishes with your speaker shopping!

This is a great point IMO...I just made a move in my listening room, I have a pair of Usher Be-718 with a sub. Love the result but things are always changing for me. So I always look at speakers that I am able to off load (sell) easily.

I've also owned Salk SongTowers on your list. Tough call between the 718's and ST's.
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post #21 of 34
6/14/10 at 4:58pm
Thread Starter 
Heading down to Denver to audition the Dynaudio's and the Paradigm's. Will post my opinion when I get back. Hopefully my bias done not play a big role, I am really excited to audition the 718's and the ST's.
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post #22 of 34
6/15/10 at 5:55am
I personally liked the Dali Ikon 6 better than the B&W 683 & 684. I drove around and listened to all of them before I bought them. I now have the whole Ikon set minus sub...love them.
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post #23 of 34
6/15/10 at 5:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by K Shep View Post

Take a look at this site: http://www.atsacoustics.com/cat--DIY...ials--102.html

Thank you! I've been wondering where to buy rock wool.
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post #24 of 34
6/16/10 at 12:18pm
If you are feeling adventurous, check out Elemental Designs EL8.3t, it is right around your price point and look like solid speakers.
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post #25 of 34
6/16/10 at 12:30pm
Have you considered Vandersteen 2ce signature II? They sound beautiful and if you like their sound they are hard to beat for the price! You really should be auditioning any speaker you buy since each person has a particular taste and style of music they like.
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post #26 of 34
7/27/10 at 2:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryrules1 View Post

Thanks added to the list, also cleaned up the OP.

Possibilities so far (add to the list as you see fit):

In no particular order, I will post as a listen to each of these, hopefully.

B&W: 805s, CM7, CM9
Dynaudio: Focus 220, X16
Paradigm: Signature S2 V3, Studio 100
Salk: Songtower
AudioKinesis: The Rhythm Prisms
Usher: Be-718
Revel: F12
Dali: ICON 6
SVSound: MTS-01 Floor-standing
Totem: Hawk, Sttaf
Era: D-10, D-14

I would add Focal to your list as well. The Chorus 826 V retails for $2500, but can be had for less.
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post #27 of 34
7/27/10 at 6:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by carver5.2 View Post

Have you considered Vandersteen 2ce signature II? They sound beautiful and if you like their sound they are hard to beat for the price!

a while back i went to the local HIGH end dealer...listened to a few tracks in the $250k treated levinston/wilson room, then went to the 'i can afford it' room and listed to the same tracks through the same (bryston) electronics on probably 10 sets of speakers. B&W, linn, totem, ariel, linn, martin logan, perhaps others...it has been a while.

i bought the vandy 2ce (sig 1) and still use them in my 'reference' 2-channel room. they are without a doubt the single most satisfying piece of a/v gear i have *ever* purchased. don't over think it...go listen to the vandys and see what they do for you.
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post #28 of 34
8/2/10 at 6:11am
You should really check out some Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands. I have loved the sound of Viennas for many years but never bought them. After dealing with some receiver madness, I found myself in Magnolia and thought, "What the hell, I'm going to audition some speakers."

I asked to hear the largest Vienna floorstanders they had that weren't fugly (like the Musics). I thought I was hearing the Baby Beethoven Grands at first ($4000 MSRP) but in actuality they were the Mozart Grands ($3000 MSRP). We switched to all of the Vienna speakers in the room, going one step lower (slightly worse), one step higher (louder, but I didn't like the sound), and a couple steps lower (again slightly worse).

Just for chuckles we also tried some of the Martin Logan electrostats since my sales guy there sold me a ML Motion system for my basement a while back. These to my wife and I sounded muffled and terrible compared to even the least expensive Viennas despite being $6000 MSRP.

After a bit of haggling we pulled the trigger on the Mozarts.
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post #29 of 34
8/2/10 at 6:20am
Have a listen to the Totem Model One Signatures, same cost as the Hawks and I think they sound better.
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post #30 of 34
8/2/10 at 5:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by K Shep View Post

I agree with twitch, you may purcahse Owens Corning 703 panels, wrap them with acoustic fabric and place them in the first and second reflection points, behind each speaker and behind the listening postition for great results with no holes in the sheet rock.

Depends on how serious you are about improving the sound in your room.

Thank you so much. This is the link I've been looking for! Ordering now, will place them then order the burlap wrap according to WAF.
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