Another year and it's time for another post. I want to change things up a bit and keep a realistic budget of under $10K for the pair. This year brings more speakers on the market than ever. More internet direct nonsense, more Wi-Fi, etc.
But I'm noticing a very scary trend. There are less speakers that sound good under $10K than ever before. I've actually had a very hard time coming up with 10 sets for the list. Culprits? Internet direct companies, lack of imagination, China, and know it alls with microphones. Regular contributors such as Sonus Faber, Focal, and Dynaudio no longer have much to offer. Let's get on with it:
1.) Bowers & Wilkins 804D3 - Nothing even comes close at this price
2.) Bowers & Wilkins CM9S2
3.) Bowers & Wilkins CM8S2
4.) Bowers & Wilkins CM10S2
5.) Vandersteen Model 3A Signature
6.) Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature II
7.) Vandersteen Treo CT
8.) Vandersteen Treo
9.) Klipsch La Scala II
10.) Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A9
I was disappointed by the 804D3's. I thought they'd be my dream speakers because I like a slightly recessed midrange, but with these they went too far, they don't sound accurate with vocals being too distant. They are nice and super clear, but some of the clarity is lost with the huge midrange cut. It's hard for me to find the right amount of mids to not be too upfront and fatiguing, or not too cut back and lacking. I've found it with Bryston's T series speakers. Stereophile put the Bryston Middle T's as class B speakers but I think they got it wrong. You should put the $6,000 Middle T's and $8,000 Model T's on your list to hear. They're an excellent value.
I am the exact same way. I love a prominent, defined midrange. However I don't like overbearing mids which overwhelm tbe treble so I like my mids slightly recessed.
However as you stated before, holding back on mids is a slippery slope. Too much mid trim and the midrange will sound recessed and distant. Not enough mid trim and the mids "shout at you" and overwhelm the treble and bass.
I finally found the best of both worlds when I purchased a pair of Klipsch Jubilees.
I'd have to disagree about the Bryston's, probably the room you heard them in. Because I have sensitive ears and "splashy" treble wouldn't work for me, same as boomy bass. Full bass I like, but not exagerated.
Another year and it's time for another post. I want to change things up a bit and keep a realistic budget of under $10K for the pair. This year brings more speakers on the market than ever. More internet direct nonsense, more Wi-Fi, etc.
But I'm noticing a very scary trend. There are less speakers that sound good under $10K than ever before. I've actually had a very hard time coming up with 10 sets for the list. Culprits? Internet direct companies, lack of imagination, China, and know it alls with microphones. Regular contributors such as Sonus Faber, Focal, and Dynaudio no longer have much to offer. Let's get on with it:
1.) Bowers & Wilkins 804D3 - Nothing even comes close at this price
2.) Bowers & Wilkins CM9S2
3.) Bowers & Wilkins CM8S2
4.) Bowers & Wilkins CM10S2
5.) Vandersteen Model 3A Signature
6.) Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature II
7.) Vandersteen Treo CT
8.) Vandersteen Treo
9.) Klipsch La Scala II
Of course they're here to stay. Just look around, everyone listens to graphs and Radio Shack meters. Why buy the speakers at all? Just put the graph in front of you and get a cup of coffee. Self esteem is low, no one trusts their ears. BTW, Dennis is awesome and makes great ID speakers.
Chinese flooded the market with cheap microphones, so many of the armchair experts think they could now build speakers.
Just to throw another hat in the ring. And in this I am a VERY interested party. How about the Tekton Design "Double Impact's" at $3,000. And I know this is a "bit" over priced for this thread but the 1812's at $12,000. Then there are the Magnepan 3.7's at $3700 that some swear by? The list HAS to be larger than 3 manufacturers!
1. Eminent -Technology 8b nothing equals these in a large room, unless you go to B&W 802D3
2. Eagle-Audio Audience monitors
3. Chario Sonnet
4. Rega RX1 & RX3 & and to a lesser degree RX5
5.Trenner - Friedl ART mini-monitors
Sorry, had not realized the speakers in question to be the 3 way kind, therefore only Eminent-Tech and Rega Rx3 &Rx5 then, aside from aforementioned B&Ws..My bad :angel:
I would say those three hit a pretty high standard in modern speakers under $10,000/pair.
Steve/bluewizard
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