[John Tuohy]

I have been working very hard this year . some weeks I put in over 70 hours and still maintain side jobs. I have decided to take it easy for a while and "smell the roses".

I have been purchasing some new toys to put life in perspective. I usually trade my equipment in and buy used or demo equipment Ive had pretty good success with this and find it gets me the best value for my Hifi dollar. The goods are always mint and covered by a warranty. Recent additions include EAD signature and pass labs x150 amp.


Now I am ready to trade up/in my martin logan aries and get some incredible

speakers. The logans were great in my previous living room but my new place requires a bit more musscle.


I am thinking about spending around 10k

for a new pair.


Ive listened to the hales transdecence Eights and loved them. I here great things about avalon and can purchse a pair of radians hc's for around 7k. I might hold out until I can get the Edilions used and then theres always wilson and B&W


will someone please guide me on what to check out or offer any input on some of the speakers I am thinking about in this range


the speakers will serve in my home theater I currently dont use a center channel becuse I dont whatch off axis and the logans image so well.


I would appreciate any guidence



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John Tuohy

 

[John Tuohy]

Forgot to mention these would be two channel speakers. the rears would be updated down the line to a timbre correct set.




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John Tuohy

 

[aerialman]

Well,

as the name suggests, I think you should go give the aerial 10ts a listen. you can find them at eiter stereo exchange or park avenue audio in NYC. I believe MSRP for the 10ts is around 7k. I am thrilled with these speakers on both music and films. You could use them w/o a center, but if you do wish to impliment a center, the cc3 is excellent- I think its still considered one of the very best centers- and they are coming out with a cc5 some time in the near future (~6 months? its a guess).


- Jerry

 

[John Tuohy]

Would the hales, avalon & aeriels be considered Dynamic driven. I am looking to get away from electrostats. I hope this answers your question. I am not overly technical and my subscription to sterophille has long expired.


Jerry I am going to set up a listing session with Evan at SE real soon. I also have auditioned joseph audios offering in the 3-4k range and found the sound not much better than the logans. Also checked out the wilson cubs.. ouch they actually hurt my ears they were so bright!


Thanks!

PS If I do go with the Aeirels could I be Airelman or maybe Airelboy...


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John Tuohy

 

[John Tuohy]

Peter:


I consider myself an audiophile at heart. Dont get me wrong I get alot of enjoyment from my front projection system and plan on purchasing the princeton graphics DVD the first day it's available but if my primary concern were movie sound I would be perfectly content with my Logans and earthquake sub. It is the reproduction of music that has me longing for a speaker as good as the hales. But I would still like to discuss the merits of the meridian system would you ask Madona to give me a ring....


But seriously I only want two speakers and have recently purchased the EAD signature

Would two 500's scratch my itch for real music and incorporate into my current system. I just love looking at the shiney silver of the EAD.


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John Tuohy

 

[Steve Bruzonsky]

Count me as biased for the Aerial 10Ts, I guess cause I still have four of them (plus a center speaker) three years after buying them, when I've changed almost everything else!

 

[Tim McCune]

I listened to the Aerials but decided to purchase Snell XA-90s. They are the best sounding speakers for their price ($7K) I have heard. Snell also offers an outstanding center and surrounds. Since they have 2 powered 10" woofers per channel, some reviewers have said you may not need a sub. In addition to great sound, I beleive them to be the best value as well. No offense to the Aerial guys, but $7K for 3 drivers doesn't sound like very good value to me.


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[aerialman]

John,

most definately, the 10ts are dynamic loudspeakers. some audiophiles might not approve of the implimentation of 4th order (24db/octave) xovers but in a review I read somewhere I think the reviewer measured that the xover between the tweeter and midrange were more like 2nd order. Im not saying "these are the best, period" Im saying I thought these sounded so good I purchased a set for myself, and given your price and question I think they are worthy of being on your list. I also think that while its good to know how all this stuff works, ultimately, its up to what you think it sounds like.


Totally off topic, but with all the talk of 720p/ 1080i for hdtv, which is better? yet several testimonials say both look great so just enjoy it- Ive seen some 720p and 1080i stuff on my UM 30" monitor and thats exactly how I feel about a lot of this stuff: understand the numbers, but dont form an opinion based on specs alone. (imho 720p and 1080i look fantastic!)


Keep in mind, that although Aerial says you can drive the speakers with anything greater than 100watts per channel, that these speakers are 4ohm speakers and imho you need at least 300 watts into 4 ohms to drive them. Heres their website:
http://www.aerialacoustics.com/

you can call their office and the guy who founded the company and designs the speakers, Michael Kelley, will answer the phone- hes incredibly nice, he and I had some fairly lengthy disucssions about his new SW12 subwoofer as well as what kind of amp to power the 10ts. (sorry, dont want to sound like a salesperson or anything)


While youre at SE you might want to check out the b&w natalus 802s and the meridian digital speakers. I dont know how expensive the digital speakers are, they do have some unique things going for them- first of all they have built in amps, they use all digital xovers so you can have steep roll offs like 4th order to optimize the use of each driver, but no artifacts since its all done in the digital domain, no expense for speaker cable, and its in an elegant looking package- I really liked the meridian speakers (the 6000 series) but, I prefer my 10ts. The B&W N802s are in the same price ball park. I had heard the 802s about a week and a half before I heard the 10ts- so a direct comparison isnt fair- but Im very happy with my choice; someone else might be happier with the 802s; and so on- as you know speakers are a critical component, there are several really good sets of speakers out there and that they are a matter of personal taste.


- Jerry



[This message has been edited by aerialman (edited January 25, 2000).]

 

[migliore]

for 10k.. vandy model 5, bw n801/2's, avalon opus are 14


------------------
display: toshiba 40" widescreen hdtv,
speakers: acoustic energy 500 series, paradigm ps-1200 sub,
pre-amp: ead encore,
amp: b&k av654,
front-end: rega planet, sony 7700,
cables: synergistic research, kimberkable, audioquest, monstercable,
misc: rotel line conditioner, synergy racks

 

[John Tuohy]

Jerry


The pass labs x150 is rated at 150 watts into 8 ohms . I think that would translate into 300 watts into 4ohms. I'll give Pass labs a call. Hope that will put me in the ball park. If not add another 4K for an amp and 1K for my divorce!!


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John Tuohy

 

[Mark]

Without a doubt you should audition the Revel Studio's.

IMHO they are by far the finest sounding speakers at the price and sound better than many speakers I've listened to at twice the price.


There is not one day that I listen to music that I'm sorry I went with them.

In black piano with aluminum panels they are gorgeous!

 

[Brian B]

John, I've heard the Snells, the Revels, the Vandys, the Aerials, etc. The Hales Transcendence 8 at the Stereophile Show last year made my jaw drop. It is easily one of my favorite speakers with the Wilsons, Soundlabs, etc.


Good luck,

Brian

 

[aerialman]

John,

sorry to hear about that (divorce). I know the Pass amps are supposed to be some of the best amps around so Im sure that it will handle a speaker like the 10ts well. You can always call Mike Kelley at aerial and ask him too.


- Jerry

 

[John Tuohy]

Jerry

Just joking about the divorce. If I were going to spend any more cash for anything other than the speakers and Princeton dvd. She would make me check into AA (Audiophiles Anonymous)But it looks like the amp should drive any of the above suggestions. Which is good considering its about a month old.


Brian

Thanks for the input. I originally went to listened to the Dunlavys IV's when the dealer suggested I check out the Hales Eights

I heard both and enjoyed the hales much more . I had never heard of Hales prior to that. My thinking was if they are that good how come I have'nt heard the name mentioned. (as mentioned my sterophille subscription has long expired )

I ultimatelly rely on my on preference to make a purchase but if there is a strong consensus, I will give a listen. When I'm thinking of purchasing something on the basis of an afternoon listing sesion with unfamilar equipment without any prior knowledge of a company or its reputation, I get a bit concerned. Its good to know that someone enjoyed these as much as I did. Are you familiar with any reviews/ awards this company has received.


Everyone


Thanks for your posts you are going to keep my very busy over the next few weekends checking out these suggestions (it sure beats working). It is important to note that there is no definitive correct choice. this post was intended to give me other examples from which I may compare and confirm my opinion about the hales and make a purchase dessision on my tastes.



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John Tuohy

 

[aerialman]

John,

yeah, I know what thats like- "another black box?!" http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


When youre done with your evaluations, Id like to hear what you think.


- Jerry

 

[Brian B]

>My thinking was if they are that good how come I have'nt heard the name mentioned. (as mentioned my sterophille subscription has long expired )


Well, most smaller higher end companies you probably haven't heard of then!

Check the website for references: www.halesdesigngroup.com


The owner seems very friendly...met him at the show.


Brian

 

[mdavis]

John:


Another recommendation for the Aerial 10t's. Remember, it's the end result that matters. The # of drivers is just one aspect of the design, while the crossover type, the cabinet design, the driver brands/type, and other factors contribute to the final result. The 10ts have a pretty good cabinet design w/two boxes and a molded, concrete like substance called Novalith. Kevlar midrange, titanium tweeter, and Vifa drivers...


I recommend listening to them with your amps or Classe CA-201/301/401.



Also note that Aerial is one of the few high-end companies that can produce amazing 2-channel sound ('96 Streophile Speaker of the Year) in addition to some of the best HT components in the industry -- the CC3 (very highly regarded), the new CC5 center (just shown at CES and widely liked), the SW-12 subwoofer (one of the most configurable and linear subwoofers in the world), and the SR3s. (very solid bi/dipolar speakers). Michael has created quite a setup.


I'd also listen to Dunlavy, Revel, Vandersteen 5s, Wilson (have to buy used), Waveform (if you can find someone in the area willing to demo them), and maybe Avalon (used of course).


Happy listening. I just love these 10ts.

--Mark

 

[John Tuohy]

Colin


The muscle I spoke of is the ability to fill a larger room with dynamic, full and realistic sound something the ML aeries can not do. They were great in a small room. I dont think muscle is a proper audio term so please bear with me I am not that technically savy.


I'll give the Mags a try though. Thanks for your input


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John Tuohy

 

[JerryIII]

John,

If you are looking to fill a large room with great sound, you must listen to the NHT 3.3. The 3.3 lists for ~4300 and can be had for less. I feel that this speaker can perform along side any speaker ~10K. Definately check them out http://www.nhthifi.com/nht/listening...seupindex.html


Good luck,

Jerry

 

[John Tuohy]

Ned:


They are on my list of speakers to try. Have you heard these. My amp is a pass labs x150 150 watts into 8oms. Hope that will get the job done. I could almost fry an egg on it now driving the airies. Thanks for the input


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John Tuohy