Dream Speakers

**Alpinist** · June 16, 2017, 04:44 PM

If you could own any speakers other than the make and model you currently own, what would it be?

Thanks,
Ken

**joeinid** · June 16, 2017, 04:46 PM

Sonus Faber Il Cremonese.

**Mike** · June 16, 2017, 04:52 PM

I've heard a lot. An awful lot. Most of everything that is current.

I would say: Avantgarde Trio XD with 6 stack bass horns OR MBL 101 Xtremes. The issue with the MBL 101 Xtremes is that they need GOBS of solid state power (like four huge SS amps) and I do love tube sounds.

So, if I had to pick just one, I would say easily, Avantgarde Trio XD with 6 stack bass horns with Audio Note Kondo Kagura 211 monos, Audio Note preamp, etc. Kronos TT with SCPS-1 and new Kronos Phonostage. All Siltech Royal Signature cabling. HRS VXR rack. ClearAudio Double Matrix RCM. As for Digital? Probably MSB Select II. Speaker/Room setup by Jim Smith. Resolution Acoustics Room Treatments with Vicoustics.

Wait...you said just speakers. Oops. I got carried away.

Avantgarde Trio XD's with 6 basshorn stack.

**joeinid** · June 16, 2017, 05:01 PM

Can I change my mind?

**a.wayne** · June 16, 2017, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Can I change my mind?

C'mon Joe, we all knew that was just your warm up lap.....

**a.wayne** · June 16, 2017, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I've heard a lot. An awful lot. Most of everything that is current.

I would say: Avantgarde Trio XD with 6 stack bass horns OR MBL 101 Xtremes. The issue with the MBL 101 Xtremes is that they need GOBS of solid state power (like four huge SS amps) and I do love tube sounds.

So, if I had to pick ,

Avantgarde Trio XD's with 6 basshorn stack.

I would go for a pr of Genesis Gen 1 panels with the 6 bass Horn stack...

**Mike** · June 16, 2017, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by a.wayne

I would go for a pr of Genesis Gen 1 panels with the 6 bass Horn stack...

Vintage!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Al M.** · June 16, 2017, 06:17 PM

Reference 3A Reflector monitors:

http://www.reference3a.com/reflector.html

My dream speaker for my system/room (review linked in above link). Currently I have Reference 3A MM de Capo BE monitors, supplemented by REL sub. I would keep or upgrade the sub for the Reflector speakers.

**Odyssey** · June 16, 2017, 06:24 PM

I heard these when I was out west recently and they sounded awfully good. I think it is Andy Payor's best effort yet.

The Rockport Lyra.

Haven't been a fan of dome tweeters since I am hooked on the planer magnetic tweeter I enjoy now. But this tweeter came closer with its wave form dispersion.

I wouldn't sell what I've got to get it but I respect the design.

Here is a look on how it is put together:

**Alpinist** · June 16, 2017, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by Odyssey

I heard these when I was out west recently and they sounded awfully good. I think it is Andy Payor's best effort yet.

The Rockport Lyra.

Haven't been a fan of dome tweeters since I am hooked on the planer magnetic tweeter I enjoy now. But this tweeter came closer with its wave form dispersion.

I wouldn't sell what I've got to get it but I respect the design.

Here is a look on how it is put together:

Hi Le Roy,

I'd love to hear the Lyra sometime. Do you think you a pair would fit in your Austin listening room?

Best,
Ken

**Alpinist** · June 16, 2017, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I've heard a lot. An awful lot. Most of everything that is current.

I would say: Avantgarde Trio XD with 6 stack bass horns OR MBL 101 Xtremes. The issue with the MBL 101 Xtremes is that they need GOBS of solid state power (like four huge SS amps) and I do love tube sounds.

So, if I had to pick just one, I would say easily, Avantgarde Trio XD with 6 stack bass horns with Audio Note Kondo Kagura 211 monos, Audio Note preamp, etc. Kronos TT with SCPS-1 and new Kronos Phonostage. All Siltech Royal Signature cabling. HRS VXR rack. ClearAudio Double Matrix RCM. As for Digital? Probably MSB Select II. Speaker/Room setup by Jim Smith. Resolution Acoustics Room Treatments with Vicoustics.

Wait...you said just speakers. Oops. I got carried away.

Avantgarde Trio XD's with 6 basshorn stack.

Hi Mike,

I'll have to stop in at your store and hear the Trio XD when you get a pair. They look awesome.

Best,
Ken

**Jack** · June 16, 2017, 10:48 PM

I think I would be quite happy with Ken's current speaker.

**Melbguy1** · June 16, 2017, 11:46 PM

Right now i'd say given my current room size/limitations, my dream speakers would be the Magico M6. Absolutely SOTA in every respect

. That said, i'm very happy with my S5 Mk2's which share the M3's midrange drivers & pack a lot of performance into a $42k loudspeaker

.

**Kuoppis** · June 17, 2017, 02:23 AM

I like these little speakers with the cute subs.

Slight limitation is the bill would make M6s look affordable.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**kzhtoo** · June 17, 2017, 03:59 AM

Second the M6. That's the best Magico has ever done and they have done quite a lot. Realistically though, I'd love a pair of S5 mk2.

**tom_hankins** · June 17, 2017, 06:05 AM

YG Acoustics Sonja XV Juniors.

**Rob181** · June 17, 2017, 06:11 AM

I would love a pair of Vivid Giya Spirits...found the perfect photo but cannot save it...sigh...

**Rhapsody** · June 17, 2017, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

I've heard a lot. An awful lot. Most of everything that is current.

I would say: Avantgarde Trio XD with 6 stack bass horns OR MBL 101 Xtremes. The issue with the MBL 101 Xtremes is that they need GOBS of solid state power (like four huge SS amps) and I do love tube sounds.

So, if I had to pick just one, I would say easily, Avantgarde Trio XD with 6 stack bass horns with Audio Note Kondo Kagura 211 monos, Audio Note preamp, etc. Kronos TT with SCPS-1 and new Kronos Phonostage. All Siltech Royal Signature cabling. HRS VXR rack. ClearAudio Double Matrix RCM. As for Digital? Probably MSB Select II. Speaker/Room setup by Jim Smith. Resolution Acoustics Room Treatments with Vicoustics.

Wait...you said just speakers. Oops. I got carried away.

Avantgarde Trio XD's with 6 basshorn stack.

Great speakers no doubt....it always seems strange to me that the Trios/BH's that I lived with for 8 years 15 years ago are still, although now in XD form, still very relevant. I guess the more things change, the more things stay the same

**Narayan** · June 17, 2017, 01:01 PM

Aries Cerat Symphonia, although I´ve read a Contendo 2 is in the works and would love to listen to that someday, if it betters the Symphonia it has to be special.

**hifinutt** · June 17, 2017, 01:47 PM

methinks a nice pair of martin logan neoliths ....would need a bigger room though !

https://www.martinlogan.com/neolith/

**the professor** · June 17, 2017, 02:41 PM

For me

Avantgarde Trio XD with 6 stack bass horns - ok maybe only a 2 stack of bass horns. I do have my 2 QSUB 15s.

**the professor** · June 17, 2017, 02:43 PM

Although they wouldn't fit in my listening room in the house so - Maybe the Magico M6s, but I'd have to actually listen to them. Sometimes the Sizzle is better than the steak . . . . .

mauidan · June 17, 2017, 07:12 PM

**sharkmouth** · June 18, 2017, 12:23 AM

**Alpinist** · June 18, 2017, 01:00 AM

**Mordante** · June 28, 2017, 09:42 AM

Raidho D3.

Any speaker larger than that would be stupid in 26m2 living room. The most expensive is not always the best. That avant-garde monstrosity with basshorns would not fit through any of my doors.

**Shadowfax** · June 28, 2017, 09:50 AM

Always been a Dynaudio Fan and from the time I heard the Consequence I wanted a pair, with the related Arbiter Electronics.

**hifinutt** · June 28, 2017, 09:52 AM

these were at munich i think
kudos 707 , they are actually very affordable but would be wonderful to have

**Melbguy1** · June 28, 2017, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by hifinutt

these were at munich i think
kudos 707 , they are actually very affordable but would be wonderful to have

They look like S1 Mk2-killers!

**Al M.** · June 28, 2017, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Mordante

Raidho D3.

Any speaker larger than that would be stupid in 26m2 living room. The most expensive is not always the best. That avant-garde monstrosity with basshorns would not fit through any of my doors.

Well said. Many audiophiles make the mistake of putting a too large speaker in their room.

Resulting potential issues:

bass problems
soundstage problems (a speaker needs to be able to fully 'disappear' in terms of localization of sound, many large speakers can't unless in a very large room)
problems with driver coherence at the listening seat (if you have to sit closer than the distance where drivers truly blend)

I also have a 26m2 living room (7.2 m x 3.6 m, 2.6 meter high; 24 x 12 x 8.5 feet), and I have Reference 3A MM DeCapo BE monitors and a REL sub. I would be reluctant to try anything substantially bigger than that in my room. My dream speaker (mentioned earlier in the thread): Reference 3A Reflector monitor.

**FDPDK** · June 28, 2017, 01:20 PM

Right now i think it would be Wilson Audio Alexia Series II

**hifinutt** · June 28, 2017, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Al M.

Well said. Many audiophiles make the mistake of putting a too large speaker in their room.

Resulting potential issues:

bass problems
soundstage problems (a speaker needs to be able to fully 'disappear' in terms of localization of sound, many large speakers can't unless in a very large room)
problems with driver coherence at the listening seat (if you have to sit closer than the distance where drivers truly blend)

I also have a 26m2 living room (7.2 m x 3.6 m, 2.6 meter high; 24 x 12 x 8.5 feet), and I have Reference 3A MM DeCapo BE monitors and a REL sub. I would be reluctant to try anything substantially bigger than that in my room. My dream speaker (mentioned earlier in the thread): Reference 3A Reflector monitor.

so very true , that said people said ml summits were too big for my room but they were brilliant with a bit of treatment and some Townshend stella stands

**Ritmo** · June 28, 2017, 06:40 PM

There several that would be on my list: (ok, I'm cheating a bit)

- MBL 101 Extremes
- Avangarte Treos (have not heard them yet but love the 2s)
- Wilson WAMMs (come on, have to at least consider them)

Ok, back to earth, maybe upgrade to the Alexias Series 2. Although, I'm quite happy with the original version.

**BobM** · June 29, 2017, 06:32 AM

There was a good point made here about finding a speaker that is appropriate for the room, so I have to ask ... is this the dream speaker for our current room, or are we allowed to dream bigger and add a new houst into the mix with a space larger than we have now?

If "yes" on the house then I would have to go with MBL's, and make sure that the upstream components are also included in the lottery I would need to fund the whole thing.

**Ritmo** · June 29, 2017, 07:24 AM

I was dreaming big Bob!

**Golum** · June 29, 2017, 09:21 AM

During the long nights I'm dreaming (along the very stretched budget limitation - this part comes in awake mode) to the following - Magico S3 mkII, Vanderteen Treo or Quatro CT and Piega Coax 90.2 or 711...one day I'll stop dreaming of those and bring one into the living room

**Mike** · June 29, 2017, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by BobM

There was a good point made here about finding a speaker that is appropriate for the room, so I have to ask ... is this the dream speaker for our current room, or are we allowed to dream bigger and add a new houst into the mix with a space larger than we have now?

If "yes" on the house then I would have to go with MBL's, and make sure that the upstream components are also included in the lottery I would need to fund the whole thing.

Bob - good point! I think we have to go with the bigger house, bigger room approach. The room requirements for each of our dream speakers would be quite different. Those MBL 101 Xtremes need a big big big room. I heard them in a 25 x 35 and it was too small!

**Shadowfax** · June 29, 2017, 09:51 AM

If I could afford my Dream Speakers, I would already have the Dream House and dedicated Dream Listening Room large enough for them

But it's all just a dream.

**tube-vds** · June 29, 2017, 10:59 AM

these speakers might be a good candidate for me:

http://live-act-audio.de/live-act-series-312/

**Al M.** · June 29, 2017, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by BobM

There was a good point made here about finding a speaker that is appropriate for the room, so I have to ask ... is this the dream speaker for our current room, or are we allowed to dream bigger and add a new houst into the mix with a space larger than we have now?

If "yes" on the house then I would have to go with MBL's, and make sure that the upstream components are also included in the lottery I would need to fund the whole thing.

If I had the resources to go to extremes, I would do the right thing and have two systems in two different size rooms: one for large-scale music in a large room, one for smaller scale (e.g. jazz quartet, chamber) in a smaller room. There is no way that a single system can do it all perfectly, portray the grandiosity of large-scale (e.g. orchestral) and the intimacy of chamber or solo voice in the same convincing manner.

Think about it: many great concert venues have a large and a small hall, each for different kinds of music. Now ask yourself, why would that be? Do you think you can beat the laws of acoustics in your room where designers of concert halls clearly can't?

**Mordante** · June 30, 2017, 06:26 AM

I'm surprised that people mention MBL speakers. I've heard them once I think it was the 101. But boy did it sound bad. The ported sub unit sounded like it was half a second out of time with the mid and tweet.

Also the amps had so much bling and looked ridiculous.

It was all form over function. It looked and sounded like it was designed for people who like a gold/diamond Rolex. Expensive but total lack of refinement and taste.

**bonzo** · June 30, 2017, 07:09 AM

Big room big budget

Yamamura horns
Certain custom made horns from Germany
Henk restored Apogee Grands
Henk restored Apogee Full Ranges
Trios with bass horns

Medium room big budget
Yamamura still might go in
Henk restored Apogee Scintilla
hORNS Universum
YG Hailey/Henk or Rich Murry restored Apogee Duetta

Medium room small budget
Henk or Rich Murry restored Apogee Duetta

Very low budget
Heco

a tangent for medium rooms where it's always challenging to get speaker room acoustics right. Auro 3D Multichannel – cone based, Stenheim Alumine 5 possibly. The room correction etc helps solve many issues, especially if you like cones this is a no-brainer.

**Marslo** · June 30, 2017, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by bonzo

Big room big budget

Yamamura horns
Certain custom made horns from Germany
Henk restored Apogee Grands
Henk restored Apogee Full Ranges
Trios with bass horns

Medium room big budget
Yamamura still might go in
Henk restored Apogee Scintilla
hORNS Universum
YG Hailey/Henk or Rich Murry restored Apogee Duetta

Medium room small budget
Henk or Rich Murry restored Apogee Duetta

Very low budget
Heco

a tangent for medium rooms where it's always challenging to get speaker room acoustics right. Auro 3D Multichannel – cone based, Stenheim Alumine 5 possibly. The room correction etc helps solve many issues, especially if you like cones this is a no-brainer.

I like hORNS Universum but IMHO they are far behind Avantgardes Duo Mezzo XD and Destination Audio set.
The problem with Universum is the low bass , it' s very much limited by the design.
I have never heard the Trios in their best, even in AG HQ the Duo Mezzo G2 presentation was much more coherent and natural to me and my wife due probably to sub optimal set-up of Trios.
Based on Mike' s opinion I believe the new Trios XD with basshorns have a big potential but require a dedicated listening room .

**bonzo** · June 30, 2017, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by Marslo

I like hORNS Universum but IMHO they are far behind Avantgardes Duo Mezzo XD and Destination Audio set.
The problem with Universum is the low bass , it' s very much limited by the design.
I have never heard the Trios in their best, even in AG HQ the Duo Mezzo G2 presentation was much more coherent and natural to me and my wife due probably to sub optimal set-up of Trios.
Based on Mike' s opinion I believe the new Trios XD with basshorns have a big potential but require a dedicated listening room .

When did you last hear the Universums, because in 2015 and 2016 they improved them - if, by any chance, you are referring to the 2014 demo in Munich.

Not that they are as bassy and dynamic as trios - they are not substitutes for trios...but the flow of their music for classical, tone, soundstage and detail is excellent, more like electrostats with more bass and dynamics. Their bass is now very well integrated and comes with the music. I like them much better than duos.

**Marslo** · June 30, 2017, 09:17 AM

No , I am referring to their 2015 and 2016 presentation in Warsaw.
I know that you do not like Duos

, have you ever heard Mezzo XD with SET?

**Mike** · June 30, 2017, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Marslo

I like hORNS Universum but IMHO they are far behind Avantgardes Duo Mezzo XD and Destination Audio set.
The problem with Universum is the low bass , it' s very much limited by the design.
I have never heard the Trios in their best, even in AG HQ the Duo Mezzo G2 presentation was much more coherent and natural to me and my wife due probably to sub optimal set-up of Trios.
Based on Mike' s opinion I believe the new Trios XD with basshorns have a big potential but require a dedicated listening room .

Well said.

Bonzo, have you heard the new Duo Mezzo XD's properly setup with an SET? They are now ~90% of the Trio XD's and certainly in another league over every other horn speaker I've heard. The Duo Mezzo in the XD series might be the most improved of the bunch. They are quite improved over the previous generation.

**bonzo** · June 30, 2017, 09:55 AM

No, I have not heard the Mezzo XD with SET. I will give that a try. Mariusz, do you have the Mezzo XD now?

But I will remain skeptical of the 90% of the trios. Last in the factory, the difference between the two was just too vast, and has been in all my dems. So if the XD has brought that closer together, great for all.

Originally Posted by Mike

Well said.

Bonzo, have you heard the new Duo Mezzo XD's properly setup with an SET? They are now ~90% of the Trio XD's and certainly in another league over every other horn speaker I've heard. The Duo Mezzo in the XD series might be the most improved of the bunch. They are quite improved over the previous generation.

**Marslo** · June 30, 2017, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by bonzo

No, I have not heard the Mezzo XD with SET. I will give that a try. Mariusz, do you have the Mezzo XD now?

But I will remain skeptical of the 90% of the trios. Last in the factory, the difference between the two was just too vast, and has been in all my dems. So if the XD has brought that closer together, great for all.

Yes, since February 2016 Mezzo Xd replaced Duo Omega G2 in my system and it' s a big leap forward.

**Jim Smith** · June 30, 2017, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by bonzo

Henk restored Apogee Full Ranges

Back in the day, and even now - one of, if not the best - speakers ever, IMO.

**bonzo** · June 30, 2017, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Back in the day, and even now - one of, if not the best - speakers ever, IMO.

Now the ribbons are better, crossover components are better (Mundorf, Duelund, take your pick), frames are sturdier, and most importantly, the SS amps today - much more choice and quality than was better, when Krell was the only option. And best of all, not being a profit running company, there is no cost of distribution, hifi shows, marketing, etc, or requirement to sustain a company. Pure pay for sonics.

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