6 Hours and 3 Stores Later: Audition Notes

Shortly after the store opened at 11:00 AM, I arrived at IQ Home Entertainment in Fairfax, VA.

Before I say anything, I want to give a big shout-out to Johnny who demonstrated first-class customer service and patience with me. If you go there, ask for Johnny!

I walked into the store and told Johnny that my budget is about $2.5K for ideally a 2.0 bookshelf system+amp. And that my apartment has about 12-foot ceilings with a living room area of about 15x15 feet. I had identified IQ as a B&W retailer, so we got started with the PM1 speakers connected to an Arcam A18 integrated. I was immediately impressed by their sound for their size, especially the silky smooth treble response. (I took a 15-track custom demo CD with me.) I also auditioned each the B&W 685 and PM1 with both the P1VD and ASW608 subs. Though the room/amp setup could have been better, I more or less came the same conclusion that I have had all along that I want to stick with a 2.0 system. Finally, I auditioned the PM1 again (and CM9 for laughs) through a very high-end Bryston setup.

BUT THEN CAME THE SURPRISE...

On both the Arcam and Bryston setups, I auditioned the Monitor Audio RX8...and WOW! For around $1800, they put the entire lineup of B&W speakers to shame. Oh man, my sound! Fabulous! While fractionally lacking the absolute silky smooth treble response of the B&W speakers, the RX8s just dominated in terms of mid and bass extension. Wow! Wow! Wow! Audio bliss. The only slight put-off is that they are larger (floor-standing) speakers than I initially was looking for.

After IQ, I went and visited Evolution Audio Video LLC in Tysons Corner. I am sorry to say but their staff offered the exact opposite level of customer service as IQ. The atmosphere was so bad that I really just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. But not before I at least took a few minutes to audition the Paradigm SE3. With the memory of the RX8s in my ear, it only took me a few minutes to realize that they were not in the same league in any shape or form, so I just took off.

Finally, it was off to JS Audio in Bethesda, MD. I wanted to save Dynaudio for last. I was helped by David who was extremely kind and knowledgeable. Unfortunately, unlike the other stores, JS feels extremely small and cramped to the point I could barely audition the speakers because I was interfering with a long-time customer who was about to make a $20K purchase. I certainly understood that he should take priority, but it was a little odd feeling. Next time I will make an appointment.

I was also bummed to learn that JS had recently sold their last pair of X16s. I had called about 2-3 weeks ago and they were in stock, so I was HIGHLY anticipating them, so I was quite disappointed to learn they were no longer there. I had to settle for a brief, quieter audition of the x12s with a "plain-Jane" Sony multichannel receiver...

BUT OMG!!!

OMG!

That sound! That size!!!! Are you kidding me?????

WOW! WOW! WOW!

They sounded AMAZING, about 90% of what I am looking for. I just would like A LITTLE MORE bass extension. So I was EVEN MORE floored that I could not audition the X16s!!! GAHHH!!!!

So I left my contact info with David who is going to look into setting an appointment for me in about 3 weeks to audition the x12s, x16s, and....

The XEO 3 speakers!

David said he spent hours with them at CES and was blown away. In fact, he recommended the XEO3s as a better value at around $2300 as they will produce sound that is better than the X12s with an amp that I could afford.

So, where does this leave me?

I will go back to JS to audition the X12, X16, and XEO 3.

But I must say that the biggest thing I learned today is just how important the quality (and quantity) of amplification is.

This leaves me with the following question...

Let's say my budget is FIRM at $2500.

Which option would be best?

A) MA RX8 for $1750 = $750 max for amplification.
B) Dyn Xeo 3 for about $2500 = no need for amplification (nor cables).
C) Dyn X16 for $1600 = $900 max for amplification.
D) Dyn X12 for $1200 = $1300 max for amplification.

Also...

Do you all think that the XEO 3 will depreciate faster or slower than the rest with all of its integrated amplification/wireless features? I was told that they will most likely depreciate slower.

Finally, while I am leaning strongly in the direction of Dynaudio, before it is all said and done, I will probably pay Johnny and the RX8s one more visit....

It's funny. Everywhere I went today, people kept stressing the need for clean power from amps costing $1100-$5000 or more. I even mentioned the HK 3490 to one person and he basically trashed it, saying that HK stands to license their brand only and doesn't care about the quality of their product.

I think the real decision for me at this point is Xeo 3 vs. x12/x16. And then if the latter, x12 vs. x16.

So people think I would be fine with the HK 3490 as compared to the likes of Cambridge Audio, Arcam, Niam Nait, etc.?

This is true...

So perhaps my refined options are as follows:

1) Dynaudio XEO3 (Est. $2500)
2) Dynaudio X16 + HK 3490 (Est. $2050+Cables)
3) Dynaudio X12 + HK 3490 + Sub (Epik?) (Est. $2150+Cables)

Hmmm...Once JS has your 140s, I would be willing to audition them, but I would want to A/B them with the x16s, XEO3s...

It is VERY hard to do this when most people only stock REALLY high end stereo amps. There is never "budget" in sight (<$1K).

Sure, will let you know. But it may be a week or three...

I am usually ZipCar/Metro bound. I splurged $105 today to get "my" Volvo S40 T5 for the entire day such that I didn't have to worry about getting it back on time. Otherwise, I wouldn't give a second thought to demoing your setup at your house...if invited, etc. Since JS is Metro accessible, it is nice middle ground.