Another "new speakers" thread

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little_mac

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Hi everyone, I'm currently looking to upgrade my speakers and would like your input. Now this hobby is a constant search for the next thing but I would like this next purchase to last me a decade (even though I know that will not happend). I'm currently looking at a pair of used Wilson Sophia 1 and SF Cremona M. Sadly I can't audition either of them and have to travel like 500 miles for both.

I like speakers that are tight in the base but can travel low, detailed and powerful mids and not to crispy in the highs.

Current set-up is Hegel H300 looped with Hegels HD12, Nordost Baldur speaker cables

I would greatly appreciate your input. Thanks in advance!
 
Oh wow now that's a tough one because I could imagine 5 people saying go SF while another 5 may say that's crazy go Wilson! For my ear & tastes I'd go Sonus Faber but I feel those two speakers are so polarizing another person could feel the exact opposite. I like the way the Cremonas sound and frankly they are nicer to look at than the Wilson's. Love the Hegel H300 so you are sitting pretty in that respect.
 
Thanks for your answer, yes I guess you are right. I like the SF Cremona M because of the craftsmanship and the attention to detail and I believe that we, or at least some of us, listen with our eyes as well as with our ears. I just feel that Wilson is THE reference then it comes to high end.

The Cremona M:s have been described to me as dynamic and laid back and not growling low in the bottom.

I heard that the Wilsons are very difficult place and their set up is crucial. Is that true?
 
Hi Mike! Well those two are fairly common so they tend to come up in the second hand market now and then. I'm absolutely open for other suggestions. My budget is around 5k second hand. Any suggestions?
 
Pioneer S-1EX or S-2EX if they come up... but it's not likely.

A friend had the SFs and I liked them a lot, beautiful and musical at the same time. Just on the laid-back side of neutral.

Another option I'd look into is PranaFidelity: http://www.pranafidelity.com/
The fifty90 and vayu f/s are excellent speakers, also just on the laid-back side of neutral. They will never cause listening fatigue but aren't too smooth or rolled off, they have excellent resolution. I'd take them over the Cremonas or Sashas... for new speakers I'm not sure a better value exists today.
 
little_mac said:
Hi Mike! Well those two are fairly common so they tend to come up in the second hand market now and then. I'm absolutely open for other suggestions. My budget is around 5k second hand. Any suggestions?
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Harbeth Super HL5+
 
DaveC said:
Pioneer S-1EX or S-2EX if they come up... but it's not likely.

A friend had the SFs and I liked them a lot, beautiful and musical at the same time. Just on the laid-back side of neutral.

Another option I'd look into is PranaFidelity: http://www.pranafidelity.com/
The fifty90 and vayu f/s are excellent speakers, also just on the laid-back side of neutral. They will never cause listening fatigue but aren't too smooth or rolled off, they have excellent resolution. I'd take them over the Cremonas or Sashas... for new speakers I'm not sure a better value exists today.
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Yeah, the Pioneer EX are really interesting and would absolutely be another contender!

Those Pranas might sound good but I'm not exited over their design. And the wife has to "OK" them so they are a no go.
 
Verity Audio makes some great speakers. With that budget you could get a nice pair used. Various older models available out there.
 
little_mac said:
Thanks Mike, but I'm a sucker for design so those are also not an option for me =)
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You would rather a speaker look good than sound good? Hmmm...

My challenge with the Cremona's is that they are OLD. The concern that I have with the Wilson's you mentioned is that it's the old Wilson tweeter and your ears might bleed (a bit of a health concern if you will ;) )

If you've ditched the Harbeth idea, than what about the Golden Ear Triton speakers? You may want to look at the Spatial Audio speakers as well. The Tannoy DC10a is another one (here's a used pair here: https://app.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-tannoy-dc10a-2015-11-21-speakers-04401-bangor-me). Here's a pair of Living Voice OBX-R2's: https://app.audiogon.com/listings/f...speakers-2015-11-23-speakers-01562-spencer-ma

Mike
 
matt_zak said:
Verity Audio makes some great speakers. With that budget you could get a nice pair used. Various older models available out there.
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+1
there's a Verity Fidelio Encore available at Audiogon listed at $3999 mint.

I used to have those speakers and enjoyed them for a couple of years...excellent midrange...fatigue free listening
 
If you're up for a nice bookshelf speaker, we have a special going for the Evolution Acoustics MicroOnes... List price is $4000 with stands. Just sayin'... :)

We also carry Hegel, and these sound gorgeous with the H360 (but we've used it also with the H160, among others).

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I agree with Mike 100% re: the two speaker brands originally mentioned (SF and Wilson).
 

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Mike said:
You would rather a speaker look good than sound good? Hmmm...

My challenge with the Cremona's is that they are OLD. The concern that I have with the Wilson's you mentioned is that it's the old Wilson tweeter and your ears might bleed (a bit of a health concern if you will ;) )

If you've ditched the Harbeth idea, than what about the Golden Ear Triton speakers? You may want to look at the Spatial Audio speakers as well. The Tannoy DC10a is another one (here's a used pair here: https://app.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-tannoy-dc10a-2015-11-21-speakers-04401-bangor-me). Here's a pair of Living Voice OBX-R2's: https://app.audiogon.com/listings/f...speakers-2015-11-23-speakers-01562-spencer-ma

Mike
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Yeah I know, but I don't have a listening room so they will be placed in the living room so they have to blend in.

The Cremona M is the model I have in mind, it's not THAT old, is it?

Are the Sophias that sharp in the highs? If so, they are not an option for me.

Those Tannoys look killer!
 
ctop said:
+1
there's a Verity Fidelio Encore available at Audiogon listed at $3999 mint.

I used to have those speakers and enjoyed them for a couple of years...excellent midrange...fatigue free listening
Click to expand...

They are nice indeed but my focus is on european made speakers, or at least speakers on the EU market as the shipping from the US probably will cost as much as the speakers themselves =)

I´m thinking Dynaudio, Focal, B&W, Marten Django, Audiovector, KEF, Audio Physic.
 
little_mac said:
They are nice indeed but my focus is on european made speakers, or at least speakers on the EU market as the shipping from the US probably will cost as much as the speakers themselves =)

I´m thinking Dynaudio, Focal, B&W, Marten Django, Audiovector, KEF, Audio Physic.
Click to expand...

Ah, in that case, I'd put the Audio Physics on top, followed by Dynaudio.
 
Interesting, a pair of Audio Physic Virgo 25 for sale for about $4500 right now here in Sweden.
 
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