Need a Speaker Reccomendation

J

jadedavid

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west Michigan
Looking for a different pair of speakers. Must be somewhat high efficiency,92 db+. Prefer full range but open to others.
Must be on the warm side with full bass and mid-bass and be very emotionally involving. Ultra detailed speakers need not apply. Music preferences range from Diana Krall, Keb Mo, Yello, George Benson, Acoustic Alchemy, Seal, ETC. Something with a good beat.
Room is a basement 12'x18'x7'6". Current equipment is listed below. Budget is around $4K. Used and cosmetically challenged are open for consideration along with new.
Open to suggestions.
 
I haven't heard them personally but the Tekton Pendragons get a lot of good comments, the reviews are a bit over the top good.

Spacial Audio may be worth a look, I haven't heard them but have heard the Emerald Physics they are patterned after. The Emerald was impressive. Especially the bass response from an open baffle, it was not shy and actually tight.

I've heard a couple full range, even owned Zu for a while but I don't think any I know would meet the "warm" spec. Actually, the prior two aren't described as warm but are supposed to have exceptional sound for the money.

When I think of warm things like Vandersteen or Thiel come to mind. You'd probably love some of the original Dynaudio Focus series if you entertain used. However, the Focus aren't that efficient, I don't think Thiel are, not sure on Vandies.

You might think this crazy, Klipsch came out with a new model of the Forte', I haven't heard the new one but had a set of the Forte II. The Forte is one of the best balanced Klipsch I've heard. Not warm like those I mentioned above in that class but not a typical Klipsch sound either, you might like it. Klipsch is widely enough retailed you could buy with a return, same with those above who sell direct. When I say balanced the horns didn't dominate, the response was even throughout, if anything the bottom end was some prominent if the speakers got too close to a wall. The Forte I had wasn't the last word in detail but it has a nice dynamic, fun to listen to.

Full range has become more popular maybe someone knows one that may lean warm.

A brand I'm not familiar with Tannoy may be worth checking out, seem to have their following.

Good luck, I hope this helps some.
 
Since you appear to like contemporary jazz and female vocals, a pair of Magnepan 1.7s would probably work well for you in that space. You can always add a couple of small but fast subs if you need more bottom end.

You may even be able to find a good pair of 3.7is used that would work well in this space.

Just a couple of possibilities.
 
I would take a look at Spatial Audio M3's. I had one of their older models in for an audition. The midrange was a little thin but the newer version (and Turbo S) is supposed to be much better and has the sound that you may be looking for. They have a sensitivity of 95dB. They are definitly warmer sounding and not as detailed as my Magnepan 1.6's. They are a very nice sounding speaker and a little laid back in comparison to my Maggies. And I was driving them with a 500wpc Pass amp. I have not heard the Turbo or new triode M3's though. Agree with the Emerald Physics as mentioned above.

http://www.spatialaudio.us/m3-triode-master

PSB T2's will fit the bill perfectly for warmth and mid range but only have a sensitivity of 90dB. They have very good bass as well.

Sonus Faber Venere, Dynaudio, Harbeth, Wharfedale Diamond 250's all have a warmer sound, excellent bass (with maybe the exception of the Venere's, haven't heard the Venere S yet but I will next week) but their sensitivities are 90 or less.

By the way, I never heard a Magnepan that is warm sounding and I own the 1.6's and have friends that own the 1.7's and 3.7's. Plus, their sensitivities are 85-86dB.
 
Thanks for the reccomendations. Looks like Spatial is receiving a lot of votes and is something I'm not very familiar with. So will have to look into them. I've enjoyed the Sonus Fabers that I have heard but I didn't think they are efficient enough for my 300b amps.
I thought the Living Voice speakers were more on the analytical side. Am I mistaken?
Tannoy is a brand that keeps popping up, but again have not heard them and besides there are quite a few models to wade thru.
 
jadedavid said:
Thanks for the reccomendations. Looks like Spatial is receiving a lot of votes and is something I'm not very familiar with. So will have to look into them. I've enjoyed the Sonus Fabers that I have heard but I didn't think they are efficient enough for my 300b amps.
I thought the Living Voice speakers were more on the analytical side. Am I mistaken?
Tannoy is a brand that keeps popping up, but again have not heard them and besides there are quite a few models to wade thru.
Click to expand...

I would give Clayton at Spatial Audio a call. He's a nice guy and will be glad to discuss your amp and the M3's. 8 watts should drive them well but they really liked the power of my Pass amp when played loud with dynamic passages.
 
jadedavid said:
Looking for a different pair of speakers. Must be somewhat high efficiency,92 db+. Prefer full range but open to others.
Must be on the warm side with full bass and mid-bass and be very emotionally involving. Ultra detailed speakers need not apply. Music preferences range from Diana Krall, Keb Mo, Yello, George Benson, Acoustic Alchemy, Seal, ETC. Something with a good beat.
Room is a basement 12'x18'x7'6". Current equipment is listed below. Budget is around $4K. Used and cosmetically challenged are open for consideration along with new.
Open to suggestions.
Click to expand...

Tannoy Turnberry or New Legacy Cheviot , Omega speakers, Living Voice and I know its not 92 db but with your taste the Harbeth is right choice. They are easy load than you think,
 
One last speaker comes to mind. Audio Note makes some great sounding high efficiency speakers that are about 96db that have the sound that you are looking for. I am not sure who sells them though.
 
Living Voice speakers are on the Harbeth side of the fence voicing wise and a very popular choice in Europe and Asia with tubes. The Spatial Triode Master I own and it fits the bill too. Since the model Larry auditioned there have been two upgrades to the compression driver with each adding to the detail and definition on the top end. I lived with the M3 Turbo S for just over a year before having mine upgraded to Triode Master's in July. An improvement for sure with the impedance being changed from 4 ohms to 16 ohms to fit with a wider range of tube amps. With the Spatial's you have a 60 day in home trial also.
 
Jack said:
Living Voice speakers are on the Harbeth side of the fence voicing wise and a very popular choice in Europe and Asia with tubes. The Spatial Triode Master I own and it fits the bill too. Since the model Larry auditioned there have been two upgrades to the compression driver with each adding to the detail and definition on the top end. I lived with the M3 Turbo S for just over a year before having mine upgraded to Triode Master's in July. An improvement for sure with the impedance being changed from 4 ohms to 16 ohms to fit with a wider range of tube amps. With the Spatial's you have a 60 day in home trial also.
Click to expand...

Jack, I just may have to give the Spatials a try again. The originals were way out classed by my Magnepans. I had friends over and we compared them head to head and everyone said they were a nice speaker but lacked the detail, resolution, musicality and believe it or not, bass of the Maggies. I talked to Clayton about it and he said the new drivers would be a big improvement. The originals had a thin mid range and sounded hollow. Even Clayton admitted that to me and said the new drivers and I think a minor cross over change fixed that if I remember our conversation correctly.

Interestingly, I posted my review on the AC forum and I caught hell from the people that owned the Spatials. They said that there was no way that my Maggies could sound better. I think that many people that have heard Maggies have never heard them with proper placement and amplification or it could just be a little penis envy . Just a theory.
 
Larry

I have never heard the version you heard so I don't know the differences between the original M3 Turbo and the S model. I would have thought that your friend at the cable company would have upgraded versions by now. Also haven't heard a Maggie in almost 20 years when a neighbor in another neighborhood had a pair of the larger models in the late 90's. The LV's are a speaker I always wanted to hear, just never have. The 8 wpc is kind of limiting in reality unless dealing with a smaller room. Perfect solution would be AG but nowhere near that price category.
 
Mechnutt said:
Interestingly, I posted my review on the AC forum and I caught hell from the people that owned the Spatials. They said that there was no way that my Maggies could sound better. I think that many people that have heard Maggies have never heard them with proper placement and amplification or it could just be a little penis envy . Just a theory.
Click to expand...

Have you ever just googled Magnepan and seen the cluster of horrid setups they are in? It is rare to find a picture of a pair properly set up with ample space between speaker, rear, and side walls.
 
Jack, the Turbo S models are supposed to be much better sounding than the originals. Unfortunately, I was not able to audition them. I got the original Spatials from Paul Speltz with anti-cables who had them on hand. He lives few minutes from me.

Dskip, I agree. Most pictures of Maggies show they are not positioned properly. They also need a good amplifier to sound their best as most speakers.
 
Larry

You are close enough that the return shipping wouldn't be that much so I would try and take Clayton up on the 60 day trial. When you get them take a week and hook them up in a spare room out of phase and face to face (or according to Clayton face down into the carpet) and let them play for a week. Would still give you seven weeks to test them out for sound and placement. My initial intention was just the trial but I changed my mind and kept them. I have them running with a pair of sealed ten inch subs crossed at 50 hz and they sound great in my large family room. I have found that the need for 50-60" from the rear wall is greatly overstated. I tested from 30" to 50" and settled on 36" from the front baffle edge. For those where that distance is to much for the WAF you can use Herbie's gliders and move them back and forth.
 
Jack said:
Larry

You are close enough that the return shipping wouldn't be that much so I would try and take Clayton up on the 60 day trial. When you get them take a week and hook them up in a spare room out of phase and face to face (or according to Clayton face down into the carpet) and let them play for a week. Would still give you seven weeks to test them out for sound and placement. My initial intention was just the trial but I changed my mind and kept them. I have them running with a pair of sealed ten inch subs crossed at 50 hz and they sound great in my large family room. I have found that the need for 50-60" from the rear wall is greatly overstated. I tested from 30" to 50" and settled on 36" from the front baffle edge. For those where that distance is to much for the WAF you can use Herbie's gliders and move them back and forth.
Click to expand...

I agree, that they can be placed as close as 30" from the back wall. I tried them from 24" to about 45" from the back wall. I was expecting more bass from them given the size of the drivers but I guess the open back doesn't help. My dual subs filled in nicely although you don't necessarily need subs.

I may give them a try again when I am ready to buy. I am going to Albuquerque next week and will audition the Sonus Faber Venere S's. And in November I head to Denver and will get to hear the PSB T3's in Boulder. I might even look for some used Revel Ultima Salon 2's. A friend of mine has a pair coming that he bought almost new from a dealer friend for under $7K. Never heard Revel's before.
 
I have never heard Revel's though I am familiar with Kevin's work at Snell after he replaced Peter. The Salon's are a popular favorite and have been for years. We have many loyal owners here too. With the number of them sold over the years finding a mint used or demo pair shouldn't be that hard. Due to the size of my Family Room and it opening into the Kitchen/Dining area I have always had subs in the room. I just substituted the Spatial's in place of the Odyssey's and readjusted. Never really tried them for any length of time without the subs. I don't think you would have the impression of bass no matter like you do with other speakers but using the SP test disc and a meter it is in fact there. Took me a while to get used to the different presentation. I missed them for the month they were gone for the upgrade.
 
jadedavid

Another brand worth taking a look at is Sonist which is in California. They were designed by Randy Backert who was the long time importer for Reynaud speakers. They are very solidly built and high efficiency.
 
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