Speaker opinions

I do like the Studio 2's. I have heard Swissstrips system with the Salon 2's many times and love the sound with his Pass mono's and his new Atma-Spere preamp. One of the best home systems that I have heard.
 
Looking back at this, the KEF Reference would be worth you a listen, probably Ref 3's. I haven't heard any of the new R series.

Mechnutt said:
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
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You guys have nailed them all: B&W, DynAudio, KEF, Revel. Can’t go wrong with any of those in the OP’s budget. Add PSB to the mix too.
 
I took my son to listen to the new KEF R series and while they had a nice sound, they lacked detail and resolution. They also needed to be turned up loud. I have not heard the Reference series though. They would be worth a look.
 
Mechnutt said:
I took my son to listen to the new KEF R series and while they had a nice sound, they lacked detail and resolution. They also needed to be turned up loud. I have not heard the Reference series though. They would be worth a look.
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When I had a house full of Kef gear and stepped up to a pair of Reference speakers is when I understood what everybody meant about component matching. I believe my Ref's had over 50 parts in the xover making them a bit of a challenge for my components at the time, in fact until I found the right amp those ref's were downright nasty.
 
The KEF Reference are in an entirely different league to the R series, even the recently released new R series. I have owned Reference 3’s for over two years now. If you could find a used pair, they would be in your budget. If you prefer new, the Reference 1 are incredible stand mount speakers and would fit the bill as well. These speakers do like some juice, so amp matching is important to performance.
 
Magico S3 mk1. I believe, with some luck, you could get them under $10k.
 
I took my son shopping for new speakers for him. My son and I were really disappointed in the new KEF R series. We heard them on the new Parasound A21 plus amp and JC2 preamp. They sounded veiled or muddy. The lower priced Triton's had much more detail and clarity. We heard them again at a Best Buy Magnolia on Mac gear and again they sounded veiled in comparison to a pair of Martin Logan XT 60's.

I am not worried about power for most of the speakers that I am looking at. My Pass amp is rated at 250 wpc at 8 ohms and 500 at 4.

There is a Magico dealer here in town. I may have to give them a listen but they are out of my price point. Used is certainly an option.
 
I was at Best Buy today and I stopped by the Magnolia store to see if they have the KEF Reference line and they do. Unfortunately they did not have the Reference 3's on the floor.

The salesman says that they would bring out the B&W 804 D3 to my home to audition. I was shocked that they offer that. He was very knowledgeable about home audio surprisingly.

I doubt that I would do it because I prefer to buy from one of the local mom and pop shops that sells them.
 
I would take advantage of the 'big box store' and accept the home demo offer then if I still want them order them from the local b&m.
 
I'm just surprised that your wife would nix Harbeths but the B&Ws and KEFs are still in the mix. When I was auditioning KEF (reference 3 & 5) my wife was lobbying hard against them.

She's reasonably happy with the classic Harbeth look (SHL5+ A.E. in Tamo Ash, is what I went with to replace my 25 year-old Thiel CS3.6s). Of course if she could cram them into a bookshelf, she would.
 
My friend let me break in a set of Ref 3's, they were gloss white with blue drivers. I wasn't overly thrilled with the look but some friends like them.

I was auditioning a set of Revel Studio 2's, the only speaker my wife ever complimented the looks. I was so tempted to buy them after that. I got just the opposite on my JBL's. But she designated my sound room to the lower level for a reason, or two or 3, LOL
 
You know, your area is lively, has JBL ever crossed your mind? The compression drivers are extended but not at all harsh with good electronics. I specify good electronics only because they are honest. The highs are just pristine. The 15 would be nicely rich with the Pass and you already have subs for that final low octave.

Then again, your wife will probably love them as much as mine does, LOL

Mechnutt said:
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
Click to expand...
 
Joe

There should be a place for you to hear the Prestige 3 and 5 in your area shortly when Charles gets the showroom open. When I get the address and date I will send it to you. Somewhere in Astoria.
 
Thank you Jack.

I know a friend who knows someone in PA. Don’t know if he stocks them yet but would be interesting.
 
Charles is supposed to have the Prestige 5 in one system and the Prestige 3 and Fritz Carrera BE in another with Innuos streamers, Aqua DACs and Qauliton tube electronics. Will be using Pete's cables he said.
 
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