Speaker opinions

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Mechnutt

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I am just starting my search for new speakers. I bought a pair of PSB T3's to replace my Magnepan 1.6's. The T3's aren't doing it for me. I am looking at speakers in the $6K-$9K range. Locally, there are not a lot to choose from- B&W, Martin Logan, Magnepan, Paradigm, Dyn Audio, Golden Ear, Focal, KEF for the most part. I will be going to RMAF in September, so I hope to hear many other speaker brands to help me decide.

My room is 17'x17' with 9' ceilings.

I have not heard these speakers but have been reading about the B&W 804 D3's, the new 2019 Monitor Audio Gold 300's and the Revel F228be's. I like a deep and rich sounding mid range with good air and transparency. I am sensitive to brightness. Just curious if any one has heard these and their thoughts on them.

Thanks

Larry
 
This is exactly why I picked up B&W. Price points like this. You know my thoughts. [emoji41]


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Larry - Your room and amp would be adequate for Magnepan 3.7is (assuming you still like the sound). If you can fin a pair of mint used Revel Salon or Studio 2s, they would work well in your room. Also, recently listened to Pure Audio Project at AXPONA - sounded terrific and very reasonable.

Very difficult to set up a square room. It can be done but patience and some room treatment will be needed.

BTW, what kind of music do you like?

Lastly, a great investment for you to attend RMAF.
 
Mike, I figured you would be a B&W fan. I am going to give them a listen. I am going to haul all my gear over to the local dealer.

Dyn Audio are high on my list. The local dealer is expecting the new models in soon.

Ritmo, I would love to have the 3.7i's but my wife is tired of having door panels for speakers, hence my dilemma.

I listen to most genre's of music- acoustic, vocal, jazz, blues and 60's, 70's and 80's RR with some occasional classical mixed in.

I love the sound of Harbeth's but damn they are ugly and my wife already nixed them. I should just move everything down to my basement and then the WAF would not be a factor but damn it is cold down there in the MN winters.

If I can't find anything to my liking, I may just get the 1.7'i's and upgrade my preamp to an Atma-Sphere MP-3 MK3.3 with the teflon Vcaps and maybe my DAC.
 
I second Dynaudio. When I bought my 82s, I went head to head with the comparable B&Ws and liked the tweeter of the Dyns better. No fatigue.

The higher models are just that much better. Good luck with your search and selection.
 
Shadowfax said:
I second Dynaudio. When I bought my 82s, I went head to head with the comparable B&Ws and liked the tweeter of the Dyns better. No fatigue.

The higher models are just that much better. Good luck with your search and selection.
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I find no fatigue if properly setup (little to no toe in). Sadly, too many dealers don’t read the manual, do the training, etc and just set them up with the tweeters pointed right at the listeners ears. They’re not designed for that.

We are listening to the 702 S2’s this morning at B&W dealer training and they are insanely good for $4500/pair.

I like the DynAudio’s too. Both are great in that price range.


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Mike said:
I find no fatigue if properly setup (little to no toe in). Sadly, too many dealers don’t read the manual, do the training, etc and just set them up with the tweeters pointed right at the listeners ears. They’re not designed for that.

We are listening to the 702 S2’s this morning at B&W dealer training and they are insanely good for $4500/pair.

I like the DynAudio’s too. Both are great in that price range.


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Click to expand...

It's been too long for me to remember the exact B&W model but they were the same price as the 82s when I decided on the Dyns. Monkey Coffin with Cyclops Eye
 
Thanks guys. It should be a fun adventure.

Mike, how do the 702 S2's compare to the the 804 D3's?
 
Mike said:
You get a lot of the technical benefits of the 8 series in the 702 S2. But the 804 D3 is clearly superior.
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How do the 804's sound at low volume and will they be a match for my 17x17 room with 9' ceilings?
 
Good and yes. I PERSONALLY would pair - down the road - with a couple of DB3B’s.


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Mike said:
Good and yes. I PERSONALLY would pair - down the road - with a couple of DB3B’s.


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Looks like I will be lugging my 100 pound Pass amp and 50 pound preamp over to the local B&W dealer. The Luxman DAC also weighs in at 28 pounds. I am not bring my dual subs lol.

Does this count as going to the gym!

As the native Norwegian Minnesotan's say "Uff da!"
 
Pretty good sized room. There's a lot of really good sounding speakers for that money. I just sold a pair of Usher BE-20 dmd's that I liked quite a lot and they were an easy load compared to the salon 2 they replaced. Buying used, if you have the extra room for boxes is nice because ya can take all the time ya need to decide if they're 'the ones'.
 
Wouldn't it be easier and a better audition if the dealer brought the speakers to you?

What is it about the PSB you didn't like? That may help with suggestions.

I really like the latest Monitor Audio Gold/Platnum, enjoying a lively dynamic presentation, however, probably not for you. I wonder as well about the brillium of the Revel, although the sound is decently balanced. The 228b may feature the contour controls which would help with picking a high end response. I really have the same reservations with B&W for you but I know they can sound good with carefully matched gear. There's a reason Mac/B&W is a hot match these days. I can't remember ever hearing them with Pass but I'd bet that would be nice as well.

I would love to hear you reaction to a Vandersteen in your budget. And, also, the original Dynaudio Focus series I'd bet is ideal. Those weren't for everyone but they had a special sound. You'd have to find those used but I bet the price is right. Or, check out a set of Sapphires, price may not be as good used though since they were an anniversary edition.

Mechnutt said:
Looks like I will be lugging my 100 pound Pass amp and 50 pound preamp over to the local B&W dealer. The Luxman DAC also weighs in at 28 pounds. I am not bring my dual subs lol.

Does this count as going to the gym!

As the native Norwegian Minnesotan's say "Uff da!"
Click to expand...
 
Bryan, I like a lively sound but I don't like a forward or bright sounding system. The PSB's are too laid back. All my audio buddies that have heard the PSB's compared to the much cheaper Magnepan 1.6's agreed that the 1.6's sounded much better in my system. The PSB's do a lot really well though but not enough to justify me keeping them over my Magnepans. Maybe it is just me and I prefer the Maggie sound, but there are plenty of box speakers that I like.

I am pretty sure that the local dealers would not want to bring the speakers over to try in my room unless they were sure that I would definitely buy them. Two dealers have a 30 day return policy.

I am on the fence on with the Revel Beryllium tweeters. I would have to hear it with my gear. The 228be's do not have the adjustable tweeters.
 
I think I would recommend a used pair of studio 2's before the f228be on presence alone. The persona 3f is an impressive speaker also.
 
I've had extensive auditions of the Revel F228Be as well as their Salon2, and despite all of the claims of them using much of the same (or very similar) technology there is no comparison at all in their performance. As you'd likely expect given their significant price differential (which doesn't always translate into relative performance) I don't find any aspects of their sonic quality to be at a similar level, the Salon2 is in an entirely different league.
 
Hmm if only you could hear some Studio 2's :) (will always be grateful)

I know the BW's sound great properly setup (which seems silly to even state the obvious) and would see if you can get the local to bring them to your room - I've heard the big 800's with those kW mono's several times and cannot believe they are setup properly in that room, they are just dull, dull, dull. BW are a bit more controlled "studio" sound if I'm not mistaken? If you prefer lively, dunno if they are up your alley, but gotta try them in your space to be sure.

My point being is I don't think listening to them in that space will give you proper representation. Which can be said of any "not properly setup" spkrs, lol.

The BW might be a great fit for you and I still think you should really consider the basement so you have freedom and space to do what YOU want? Just food for thought and totally understand WAF etc... Ironically, the BW monitors they have on the short wall sounded great.
 
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