A subject that's been beaten to death: need loudspeaker recommendations

[gwilks98]

Hello all,

Allow me to apologize for beating this horse again, but I'm looking to replace my fronts. I'm thinking around $1000 per pair is about right, plus some extra to accomodate for a matching center channel. I would even be willing to go over that if the speaker was worth it.

I've been lurking these forums (and others) for a few months now trying to find good opinions that match what I'm looking for, but I'm just stumped. I can't really afford to try out 10 different speaker sets and send them back, so, if you regulars don't mind, I'd like to listen to what advice you can give.

Here are my requirements:
I can't handle harsh bright tweeters. My ears are pretty sensitive to high pitched noises.
I listen to all types of music, but mostly rock and metal.
I already I have an SVS PB12-NSD and a Denon 2308CI (capable 6-8 ohm speakers @ 100W)
The room is a fairly decent size, much wider than it is long. (the wider the sweet spot, the better I guess.)
I would prefer to avoid speakers with powered components. (Def Tech BP7004's had a nice wide stage to them, though.)


Maybe it's my listening tastes, but I found that my budget doesn't allow for what I consider good sounding towers. The ones I've listened to seem fantastic up top, ok with bass but really lacking in the mids. (Electric guitar always seemed muddy, or quiet, with the vocals being completely dominant.)

Maybe the ID tower brands will be different, but again, I'll quickly kill my budget in return shipping if I can't find something I'll be happy with.

My sub is fantastic for home theater, but I've found that it just isn't punchy enough for my music tastes, so I'd like to find a speaker that can help address that problem.

My searching has brought me to these speakers:

SVS MBS-01
Ascend Sierra-1s
Rocket Sigs 850s
Swan Divas (6.1s or 6.2s)

After seeing Warpdrv's opinion on the SVS MTS-01s, I'm not sure that's the speaker for me, but they were originally in my list.

I saw a review that compared the sierra's to the dynaudio focus-140's here:
"Enjoy the Music dot com" (Unable to post the link since my count is under 5. :(

I got to listen to the dynaudios (as a reference point) and did like the way they sounded. BTW, they were fantastic with string music.

Is there anyone here who would mind breaking down how each speaker would sound different from the others, based on their own experience? Is there a particular speaker you would advise me to stay away from or go after? (Please no brand bashing: keep it factual.)

Thanks for hearing my questions.

[mike c]

i would recommend you go to your local b&m (brick and mortar) stores to listen to the speakers available.

while decent subwoofers are few and rare at b&m's ... speakers are not. no need to waste shipping costs.

[furrycute]

The Ascend Sierra 1's have gotten rave reviews. That would be my pick.

[satish536]

RBH MC-6CT Towers. They have a review for the MC-6C's on this website.

This is the review for the towers.
http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/rbh_mc6ct.htm

[Stripes]

Have you thought about throwing the Era Design 5 in the mix?

They are a remarkable little powerhouse. $900.00 a pair...

[Gimpy Ric]

Give the Aperion Audio Intimus 633-T Tower Speakers a try. $1000.00 shipped both ways (well, $1000.00 if you keep them.)

Aperion Audio offers the following redeeming features:

1" Hi Density Fiberboard construction, vs. many companies only use 3/4" Medium Density Fiberboard.

30 day audition with shipping BOTH ways if your not happy.

One year Trade in / Trade up deal. Just keep the packing boxes and you can trade, say the 533 LR's up to 633 LR's with full credit on the 533's. Who else does that?

The Piano Black is to behold, simply awesome. I hear the same thing about the Cherry looking more like furniture than speakers.

And the customer support is awesome. Very friendly.

As far as sound goes, at first I thought they were a little bright on the top end, but I cranked them up to reference level for over an hour, and had zero listening fatigue. I'm a bass nut, so I crossed mine over at 80 hz, and set my big Hsu by ear for a "warm" bottom end. During that hour, my remastered Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here" sounded insanely good.

I also have played smooth R&B, new country, and 80's country off the Satellite Dish (XM) and they sound great. Only thing I have not played is rap. I'm very very satisfied with my system, and everybody that hears it comments on the sound quality.

Bottom line: Buy any Aperion speaker and try them out.

[stratman]

I'm with Mike, you must audition. Use the recommendations as a guide, go from there and don't be cheap with the time spent auditioning. In the end you'll be happier.

[mazersteven]

The other night while auditioning everything from The Allman Brothers to Frédéric Chopin , Leann Rhymes to Prodigy, Rush to Sade. IMO the SVS MBS-01 are outstanding speakers.

[jliedeka]

I'm looking to replace all 5 speakers at a comparable price range. I have local dealers for Era, Paradigm and B&W. I'm planning to check out the D4 and D5 monitors, Paradigm Studio 20s and hopefully something from the B&W 700 series.

If I don't find something that blows me away, I may take a chance on Ascend Sierra 1s or the Quad L series. If you can, check out Revel, Focus, Triangle, Monitor Audio and Dynaudio. Those would all be my candidates.

Jim

[mazersteven]

Paradigm Studio 20s and hopefully something from the B&W 700 series.
Jim

The Paradigm Studio 20's are an excellent speaker, and one that I have recommended a thousand times. IMO the Studio 20's sound quality can't compare to the MBS-01's.

[mike c]

The Paradigm Studio 20's are an excellent speaker, and one that I have recommended a thousand times. IMO the Studio 20's sound quality can't compare to the MBS-01's.

studio 20's < MBS-01 in your opinion?

[mazersteven]

studio 20's < MBS-01 in your opinion?

MBS-01's

Over

Studio 20's

:D

[speakerman39]

MBS-01's

Over

Studio 20's

:D
I used to own a set of the Studio 20 v.3's myself and just loved them. Have you compared the MBS-O1's to the new v.4 version? It is my understanding that the tweeter is much better than on the v.3 version. Just curious is all mazer-no pun intended.

[mazersteven]

Have you compared the MBS-O1's to the new v.4 version? .

Not side, by side. But yes I have heard the Studio v.4, and am very familiar with the Paradigm Studio sound.

My preference in still toward the SVS's.

[speakerman39]

Not side, by side. But yes I have heard the Studio v.4, and am very familiar with the Paradigm Studio sound.

My preference in still toward the SVS's.
Wow mazer guess I need to check them out myself one of these days. Do you believe the 20 v.4's sounded that much better than the v.3's? I mean was the tweeter on the v.4 more open and airy? Or, is it just a bunch of hype? BTW, it is good to see you posting as it has been a while since I seen you post here. I also appreciate the info mazer.

[mazersteven]

IMO there was a larger difference between the v.2's and the v.3's. Not as large of a difference between the v.3's and v.4's.

If you only had to pay the difference between what the v.3's cost new, and what the v.4's cost now. I would say do it. If you have to pay more I would say it's not worth it. So if your dealer has a trade up program that lets you trade your speakers for what you paid and pay only the difference it might be something you would want to look into.

Definitely worth taking your speaker to a Paradigm dealer and doing side by side yourself.

[Matt34]

There are a set of B-stock rocket 850's on the av123 site. You might perfer these over the Sierra's as they tend to have a "warmer" signature than the Sierra's more nuetral sound. They should also be able to give you more mid-bass punch than any of the other speakers.

Your best bet is to see if someone local to you has them or the 760s and see if you can audition them.

[mazersteven]

There are a set of B-stock rocket 850's on the av123 site. You might perfer these over the Sierra's as they tend to have a "warmer" signature than the Sierra's more nuetral sound. They should also be able to give you more mid-bass punch than any of the other speakers.

Your best bet if to see if someone local to you has them or the 760 and see if you can audition them.


I would hope the 850's had more mid-bass. After all the cabinet is just a little larger. :eek:

Excellent advice on seeing if you can audition someones system locally.

[speakerman39]

IMO there was a larger difference between the v.2's and the v.3's. Not as large of a difference between the v.3's and v.4's.

If you only had to pay the difference between what the v.3's cost new, and what the v.4's cost now. I would say do it. If you have to pay more I would say it's not worth it. So if your dealer has a trade up program that lets you trade your speakers for what you paid and pay only the difference it might be something you would want to look into.

Definitely worth taking your speaker to a Paradigm dealer and doing side by side yourself.
Thanks mazer but I don't own the Studio 20's anymore. I have been told that the v.4 version uses the the same tweeter used in the Signature Series speakers but not totally sure.

[mazersteven]

Thanks mazer but don't own the Studio 20's anymore. I have been told that the v.4 version uses the the same tweeter used in their best speakers but not totally sure.

If I am correct the Studio's use a completely different tweeter then the Signature series.

[speakerman39]

If I am correct the Studio's use a completely different tweeter then the Signature series.
LOL..................who really knows. This what I was told by a buddy whom sales Paradigm for a living. Heck, I have never heard any of the Signature stuff at all. Of all the speakers I have ever owned, the Studio 20 v.3's were and still are my favorites. Thanks once again for the info.

[Davemcc]

I've got both the Dynaudio Focus 140 and the Era D5 mentioned earlier. I love 'em both. The Focus have more open and detailed highs with solid extension to 40Hz. I tested them and they rolled off in the upper 30Hz range. The D5 really are a powerhouse and work extremely well with rock and roll guitar and bass oriented music.

Not to be contrarian, but I haven't had good experiences with the Paradigm Studios. But like all speaker choices, it's something you'll have to judge for yourself.

[speakerman39]

I've got both the Dynaudio Focus 140 and the Era D5 mentioned earlier. I love 'em both. The Focus have more open and detailed highs with solid extension to 40Hz. I tested them and they rolled off in the upper 30Hz range. The D5 really are a powerhouse and work extremely well with rock and roll guitar and bass oriented music.

Not to be contrarian, but I haven't had good experiences with the Paradigm Studios. But like all speaker choices, it's something you'll have to judge for yourself.
Very good point there Dave. It is ALL about what the op prefers. Only he can decide what sounds best to him. Sorry to hear you had some bad experiences with the Studio series. I think the 20's are absolutely amazing to say the least. In fact, the 20's can easily outperform many of the floorstanders out there. I will say, that I did not really care for the 40's that much.

[fredk]

I will say, that I did not really care for the 40's that much.

Funny, I felt exactly oposite. Not that I didn't like the 20's , but they sounded a little too small for me.

Fred

[speakerman39]

Funny, I felt exactly oposite. Not that I didn't like the 20's , but they sounded a little too small for me.

Fred
LOL.............each to their own I always say. This is actually a good thing because if we all had the same tastes, then we all would own the same components. Think just how boring that would be. :eek::eek:

[mazersteven]

In fact, the 20's can easily outperform many of the floorstanders out there. I will say, that I did not really care for the 40's that much.

I don't know about the 20's out performing "many" floorstanders. I wouldn't go that far.

But I'm surprised you didn't like the 40's.

[speakerman39]

I don't know about the 20's out performing "many" floorstanders. I wouldn't go that far.

But I'm surprised you didn't like the 40's.
Well, perhaps I did go a bit overboard here but the 20 v.3 is very impressive given its size. :p:p Yeah, for some reason the Studio 40's did not do much for me. I spent a great deal of time auditioning them too directly comparing them to the 20's. Never have gotten to hear the Studio 60's or any of the Signature Series. I will say, however, the all new Monitor v.5 Series has been much improved. Have you gotten a chance to hear the new Monitor Series?

[mazersteven]

I will say, however, the all new Monitor v.5 Series has been much improved. Have you gotten a chance to hear the new Monitor Series?

No but I want to go audition them. Never liked the sound of the old Monitor series.

[speakerman39]

No but I want to go audition them. Never liked the sound of the old Monitor series.
Yeah, the older Monitor series was decent BUT the new Monitor series truly has been improved. I really liked the sound of the Titans. Not quite as good as the Studio 20's but much better than the older Titans.

[jaxvon]

The Sierras would be an excellent choice, but you would NEED an equalizer for them. They have a superbly flat frequency response and a fairly well-constructed cabinet. But if you have heightened sensitivity to high frequencies, I would suggest a gradual treble roll off following the Toole curve pictured below.

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/images/er4-old-graph.gif

[gwilks98]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'm really surprised the Swan Diva 6.2s weren't mentioned.
From other posts by Craigsub, it looks like those two are pretty similar in sound.

I auditioned some B&Ws 683s and thought they sounded terrible for the music I listen to. I could barely hear the guitar work, and the vocals were overpronounced. Blech.

I've changed the dynamic of my room to fit the new entertainment center, and I may want to opt with towers instead of bookshelves to fill the larger floorspace.

[Soundman]

I would hope the 850's had more mid-bass. After all the cabinet is just a little larger. :eek:

Excellent advice on seeing if you can audition someones system locally.

I got some 850's if anyone wants to listen. :cool: I've been living the dream ever since! :D

[gwilks98]

I got some 850's if anyone wants to listen. :cool: I've been living the dream ever since! :D

I'm still learning the terms here, but what do you guys define as midbass? What part of music is found there?

I'm extremely interested in the 850s, but I don't think I could swing a trip to NC. (I'm in MO)

[mazersteven]

I'm still learning the terms here, but what do you guys define as midbass? What part of music is found there?



The middle of the bass part of the frequency range, from approximately 50 to 100 Hz

http://www.hometheatermag.com/glossary/

[gwilks98]

The middle of the bass part of the frequency range, from approximately 50 to 100 Hz

http://www.hometheatermag.com/glossary/


Thanks for the link, but I'm still confused. What part of music produces this frequency?