So, just to keep everyone who's been following my efforts in selecting standmount speakers updated, here's how I've finalized my list for home audition.
Pre-thread my initial candidates based on brief in-dealer auditions included:
Revel M106 ($2K)
McIntosh XR50 ($4K)
Totem Element Series Fire ($6K)
Post-thread my plan is to home audition the following:
B&W CM5 ($1495, matching stands $400)
Salk Silk Monitor ($3495)
Totem Element Series Fire ($6K)
Why the changes?
I'm going with the B&W CM5 because I couldn't find a dealer from whom I could home audition the Revel M106, and the CM5 seems to still be holding its own as a contender in the $2K price range. And although a minor factor, their "wenge" finish option would work well in my listening room. Finally, the CM5 is very accessible with Magnolia/Best Buy's 15 day full refund policy, which is significant with respect to a home trial.
I'm going with the Salk Silks based on several recommendations from Forum members (thanks all), and after extensive in-dealer listening to the McIntosh XR50 caused them to drop off the list as a serious contender. Several others in the $2K or less price range sounded better to me than the Mac's at $4K. Also, Jim Salk has been very accessible and accomodating in arranging for the original prototype Silks to be sent to me for audition.
I'm staying with the Totem Fires as the $6K option, although they sounded a bit bright during a second in-dealer listening session, at a different dealer. The first dealer ran them on a McIntosh amp and the second on a Bryston amp, so perhaps the amp or room acoustics could be the reason.
I have also done a lot of research on the Totems, and although not across the board, the reviews and various forum comments have been very good, albeit occasionally contradictory with some reviewers citing the brightness and forwardness I also heard (some even warning of listener fatigue) but then followed by other's characterizations as laid back or smooth. (The more research you do the more confusing it gets, so I'm done with that!...although the listener fatigue comments have registered in the back of my mind because that's something I want to avoid at all costs)
For the home audition I will first be driving these speakers with a Muscial Fidelity M6500i integrated amplifier ($7K, 500 wpc), followed by a McIntosh MA5200 ($4.5K, 100 wpc). With the MF in-house I feel comfortable that amp power needed to drive these speakers adequately will not be an issue.
So, that's the plan. The MF amp and Salk Silks are due to arrive later this week, and the CM5's in about two weeks. All three of those I can have for at least two weeks after they arrive before having to return what I don't want to keep. The McIntosh amp and Totem speakers will be overnight auditions.
So anyway, if you're interested please stay tuned. Any comments rergarding best practices for home auditioning would be appreciated.
Thx.
