Speakerquest (so far...) - Page 34

Any idea on when the HTX is due to see the light of day???

PAD
I honestly haven't heard anything better yet. Taking price into the equation, well holy crap...

I bought the PS Audio digi link III, level 4 moded. I'll set it up when I"m back home. It should be there today, and I'm in Orlando. Doh!

Not really. I'm not in the loop. But tales of what may come are very exciting.

I wish I'd known. I may try an AVA DAC here soon to compare to my Level 4. It doesn't appear I'll be getting an MW TP any time soon so I'll play with more DACs in the meantime.

I made the order while you were in China. I wasn't planning on going with the level4 but Underwood Wally made me a nice deal. I heard the AVA Ultra DAC during my HT-3 audition, nice stuff.

I was thinking of going with that, but didn't want to add a tubed DAC in the chain...yet!

Was considering the Insight SS version as well. I'll see what Frank recommends.

I'm finally going to get to hear the HT3s on Aug. 2. But I would love to hear tales of what new may be coming!

I'm in the process of searching for speakers as well. I auditioned the Avalon Acoustics Evolution NP2's and I thought they were absolutely beautiful, in every way. They looked great and they sounded better. While I can't afford the speakers you are looking at, I'd highly recommend anyone searching in the $2k range to check out the Avalon Acoustics Evolution NP2's.

I also listened to the Dynaudio Focus 220's at a different store. I really liked them. I didn't think the vocals were as good as the Avalon's, but they were very nice speakers.

I may end up getting the Dynaudio's due to WAF. Unfortunately, the Avalon's only come in Cherry and my wife does not care for that. We have an all-black setup and she really prefers black speakers. I think I'm going to take her to the store to have her listen to both without telling her which one only comes in Cherry. If she picks the Avalon's, then I'll say something like, "See, these win! (and isn't the Cherry finish beautiful?)". If she chooses the Dynaudio's... well.. then I suppose I have to come up with another strategy.. Of course, the Dynaudio's ARE great speakers. So really, I'd be happy with them.

Mr

I loved the Avalon's, as you can tell. It is definitely one of the most musical speakers I've heard.

They are nowhere near as imposing as the pictures indicate. Fit, finish and size are perfect. One thing to help you out - TELL THE WIFE THEY NEED TO BE PLAYED WITH THE GRILLS ON!!!! It's also true, reference the Stereophile review and the Avalon website.

That may help
Golf

Yeah, I hope that helps. The speakers I have now have glued on grills so they're impossible to take off (this was by design). I honestly prefer to use speakers with the grill, I just like the look better (Although, the Revel Ultima2's look amazing.. even with no grill).

I don't really think my setup looks bad, even with cherry speakers in the mix. Here is a photo of what my system looks like (with the Aperion 6T's & 5C in cherry that I sent back. They were a bit less red in person).



The plus side is that the Avalon's are a LOT smaller than the Aperion's. The grill also looks really cool, which is an added benefit.

BTW I also love the Dynaudio's. Truthfully they are one of the best I've heard, so far I've auditioned the Sapphire from above and also the Contour S3.4. Both were exceptional, nice construction and incredible sounding speakers. You can't go wrong either way, but I haven't heard the Focus 220, or the NP2.0.

Nice setup.
golf

Thanks. My co-workers love making fun of me.

"New Receiver: $1000
New TV: $1500
New Speakers: around $4500
Antenna for watching TV: priceless"

Great reviews, Mark! I love reading about your experiences. Keep 'em coming buddy.

P.S. I am glad you're making headway. What fun this hobby is!

I made the trek today from Orlando to St Petersburg/Sarasota with the help of Rydenfan - thanks!! I visited two dealers; Sounds Terrific in St Pete and Encore Home Entertainment in Sarasota. I'm now back in Orlando for a few more days - except back to Miami tomorrow. Yes I've driven all over the state of FL the last week or so.

None of the rooms were treated at either location.

Music:

A lot of all kinds. Some of the stuff I've listened to before, particularly female vocalists, Pink Floyd, etc. Some stuff was added to get a bit of a different flavor: Corrine Bailey Rae, Poem of Chinese Drums, Patricia Barber, Chris Isaak, Jorane, Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Electronics:

Sounds Terrific

Integra pre/pro with Sherbourn 7/2100A amp, Kaleidescope audio/video server??, Synergistic Research cables.

Halcro dm 10 pre, dm 88 amp, EC 800 disc player. Nice stuff!

Encore

Musical Fidelity A5 Integrated, and A5 CD player

PSB Synchrony One

($4500 msrp) Played through the Integra/Sherbourn.

Exceptional cabinets/solid construction in dark cherry. Looks like a much more expensive speaker.

Very nice sounding speaker that does everything well, yet at the same time nothing stands out as phenomenal. Warm overall presentation, not fatiguing in any way, very nice integration. Soundstage and imaging were very solid. The Synchrony One has exceptional bass.

I was most impressed with the price vs performance ratio. An exceptional speaker for the money. Worth a listen.

Monitor Audio Platinum PL 300

You know the price. Played through Integra/Sherbourn.

Unbelievable cabinets in walnut. Absolutely gorgeous speaker; the leather on the front baffle is amazing. One of the nicest seen to date.

Thoroughly auditioned by Rydenfan and Hifisponge. I agree with them, and I really liked this speaker. It does everything well. Very clean and seamless sound. The 300 has some of the best bass I've heard. On the Chinese drums track the bass was unbelievable, probably the best I've heard. It isn't the knock you down variety, but an extremely musical variety - the drums were "there." I don't know how to describe the bass other than amazing.

The 300 plays a lot of different music well. I didn't feel the Dynaudio Sapphire was a good rock speaker, but the Platinum is!

If I were going to say something negative - it would be I felt over time this speaker could get fatiguing. The highs can get a bit "raspy."

The PL 300 is a definite strong candidate in the price vs performance race.

Revel Studio 2

You know the price. Played through Integra/Sherbourn.

Black high gloss. I don't care for the cabinets, but they could grow on me. Look almost like plastic.

Once again thoroughly auditioned and written up by numerous folks. I'm only going to say a few things starting with "Holy mother of ...." I have never heard anything like this (wait a few lines). This speaker does everything well from top to bottom. There is nothing, and I mean ABSOLUTELY nothing not to like with the Studio 2.

The Studio 2 reminded me of the Salk HT-3 with increased dynamics and imaging. Everywhere is a sweet spot. Acoustic/Electric guitar was the best yet. The Studio 2 defines seamless presentation for me.

The 2nd best speaker I've ever heard!!

Revel Salon 2

You should know the price. Played through the Halcro electronics.

Black high gloss cabinets - see notes above on "plastic"

I didn't want to, but I had to. OMG!!! This is the best speaker I've ever heard. Too large for my room. It also needs a cape and a helmet, it is Darth Vader!

If you take the Studio 2 and add an extra woofer that allows a completely amazing presentation - the mids flow perfectly with the highs and deep lows. There is a sense of clarity that is just hard to describe. If the Studio defines seamless, then this is what the Studio is trying to do. AMAZING!

Dali Helicon 400 Mk1

On sale at the dealer!!! Played through Musical Fidelity electronics.

The Helicon is an extremely warm and musical speaker. Smooth (delicate) and easy to listen to - I loved it. I also had the opportunity to hear Rydenfan's through the Spectron and Modwright gear. His Dali's are taken to a completely different level. It was a great experience to hear what the speaker is actually capable of!! Thanks again.

The highs are incredible, and the bass is much better than I expected. The Dali has a nice punch to it and it plays well aT low and high volumes. I did feel the mids were a bit bloated at the dealer. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I didn't notice that at Rydenfan's - electronics, room??? This is a great blues speaker. Exceptional acoustic and electric guitar.

Overall not as clear as the HT-3. Great speaker - look at a Mk1 now, they're cheap and phenomenal!

Top 5 Heard/my close to final list

1. Revel Salon 2
2. Revel Studio 2
3. Salk HT-3
4. Avalon Ascendant
5. MA Platinum PL-300/Dynaudio Sapphire

It's hard to pick one (not the Salon, $$$$/SIZE). Price to performance ratio is a huge factor for me. If price is a factor:

1. Salk HT-3
2. Revel Studio 2/Avalon Ascendant
3. MA Platinum PL-300/Dynaudio Sapphire

We'll see???? A few more to hear and a couple of do overs.

More to come
Mark

Funk
I would have to say clarity from top to bottom. I've mentioned transitional problems with other speakers I've heard - well the Dali's in the dealer had that problem from the mids to the bass.

I've mentioned also that I think tubes make a difference (not trying to start any arguments with anyone on AVS). In Rydenfan's system, the Modwright LS36.5 and transporter provide a synergy that is amazing. I can't speak to the Spectron vice McCormack, but I was extremely impressed with the seamless nature to his system.

Did it have the deep down lows? no. The bass was extremely musical though. What it did have was an exceptionally transparent soundstage and imaging that was much more extensive than what I experienced at the dealer. I really enjoyed it and even got to hear a couple of different rectifier tubes in the transport.

Now as a caveat, the dealer had the speakers in a line and did not provide the best chance for them to perform, nor were they setup according to Dali's recommendations.

The LS 36.5 and transporter are NOW definitely on my shopping list!!

Hope that made sense
Mark

On the HT-3's vice the others. I am still amazed by that speaker. It is nearly equal to the Studio 2, not quite but almost. It doesn't come close to the Salon 2.

In my mind it beats the PL-300 and the Sapphire by a wide margin in the clarity, neutrality, seamless and transparent nature to it's overall presentation.

It isn't as musical as the Ascendant, but slams it in the above mentioned categories.

This is going to be a tough decision.

This is only my opinion.
Mark

Golfugh, you might want to listen to the Wilson SophiaII's. The price is in the general vicinity of the StudioII's. Their build quality and sound IMO was better than Revel's offerings.

Vidcan
Thanks for the recommendation! If I can find a dealer I'll definitely have a listen.
Mark

Just thought I'd give an updated rundown on everything I've listened to, so far (more for my own book keeping):

Avalon Acoustics Ascendant

B&W 683, CM-7, 705, 703, 803S, 800D

Dali Helicon 400MK1

Dynaudio Contour S3.4, Sapphire

Klipsch RF-63, 83 (I own modified Forte II's)

Magnepan MG 1.6

Martin Logan Montage, Source, Purity

Monitor Audio RS-6, 8, PL-300

Paradigm Studio 60, 100

Polk LSi25

PSB Synchrony One

Revel Studio2, Salon2

Salk HT-3

T+A Criterion TL TS 200

Vienna Acoustics Bach, Mozart

Still to Listen to (maybe):

Aerial Acoustics 7B, 9 (limited dealers)

Avalon Acoustics Indra (maybe$$$$)

B&W 803D, 802D (maybe, probably out after today)

Egglestonworks The Nine, Andra II (hard to get an audition)

KEF Reference 203/2, 205/2 (limited dealers)

Wilson Sophia (limited dealers)

Leaders see above, and I'm getting REAL close

Any other suggestions?

Mark

Mark -

If you want to see my solution to the "plasticky" look of the Revels, check this out.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...2#post14356562

I should have pics of the full speakers up by Saturday.

Stay tuned!

Tim
Looking good! I really like the blue, no I'm not color blind! That is definitely an option.

BTW the Revels are absolutely phenomenal.
Mark

It's not a project for those that like to play it safe, but I think it will be well worth it in the end. I feel like a kid the night before X-mas.

Are you worried about resale at all?? That would be my only concern.

Looking forward to pics after their arrival!!

Not at all. I have been through enough speakers to know when I have a keeper, and selling them is the last thing on my mind. By the time I do part with them, I'll be losing enough money to begin with that the possibility of losing a bit more will be of little consequence.

Who knows, the custom finish could even command a small premium if there are a number of standard black pairs for sale around the same time.

Mark, thanks for the kind words. I am glad you day went so smoothly and it was a real joy to get together for a while. Glad you enjoyed my system.

Next time bring your clubs

Mark -

Great job man! You've really listened to a lot of speakers in a short time. You're doing it "right," and once you make that decision you can be sure the speaker of choice will keep you happy for a long, long time. I really enjoyed the read.

I look forward to your future impressions.

P.S. I really need to hear those Revel's and HT3's.

Looks like I've got to go listen to a pair of the Revels. Actually, I don't know how much the Salons and Studios cost and this is a long thread. Could you give me the street prices for each? thanks.

Revel Studio2 MSRP $16,500

Revel Salon2 MSRP $22,000

But those arent street prices