2.1 audio

[2channel lover]

If budget is a non-issue, then you may need a sub at all. a pair of true full range speakers is what OP needs.
If this is music only system and budget is not a problem then a sub is not needed.
I would recommend an integrated amp for this. Some include DAC. Maybe Yamaha and Philharmonic audio, Salk or RBH speakers.
More specifically, I've yet to hear speakers which I loved more than Salk's SoundScape 8 at any price point

He did say the sky is the limit. but a pair of true 2.0 speakers (Legacy Focus, Salk SS8, B&W 803D3) is so much more expensive than a great pair speakers with a good sub. But...a pair of Phil 3s change that.

I've listened to a couple pair of 2.0 speakers and I think pound for pound my 2.2 system is they way I would go again.

 

[Sealman]

You might check out these for another full range option. "JTR"

 

[lovinthehd]

You might check out these for another full range option. "JTR"

Or the Seaton Catalyst 12C....

 

[Kvn_Walker]

I'm waiting on these
http://www.salksound.com/model.php?model=Song3+Encore
Should be able to do 20hz in room. The thing with Salk or custom Philharmonics, you need to count on a couple of months lead time. Its worth wait for the furniture grade finish.

One day (when I actually have the money to buy a pair) I hope I find someone nearby with those so I can pack my Revel F30's in the car, take a drive and A/B them. Congrats by the way!

 

[xreaperx22]

my problem is i have a strange obsession to where the speaker must have a mid,tweeter than woofer,or be a 3 way speaker in some way.

 

[everettT]

my problem is i have a strange obsession to where the speaker must have a mid,tweeter than woofer,or be a 3 way speaker in some way.

A 2.5 way MTM with the right drivers and in a transmission line enclosure can be good and sorta kinda has a mid, woofer and tweeter.

 

[Kvn_Walker]

my problem is i have a strange obsession to where the speaker must have a mid,tweeter than woofer,or be a 3 way speaker in some way.

Nothing strange about it. I'm the same way. I'm a big fan of large powerful speakers. The market has just changed a lot over the past 20 years. A few companies still go that route, but it's a huge expense compared to where we were in the 90's. I got my JBL L7's (FOOL I was to ever sell those!) on closeout for less than $1000 for the pair. If JBL were to make and sell a comparable speaker today it would run 3 to 5 grand easily.

But I like what I like. Even if I bought a kickass sub and great sounding skinny towers I would look at them and wish I had a big-ass pair of 100 pound speakers instead. It may cost more and be less practical, but happiness isn't always practical is it?

 

[2channel lover]

I'm waiting on these
http://www.salksound.com/model.php?model=Song3+Encore
Should be able to do 20hz in room. The thing with Salk or custom Philharmonics, you need to count on a couple of months lead time. Its worth wait for the furniture grade finish.

Congrats!

 

[snakeeyes]

Nothing strange about it. I'm the same way. I'm a big fan of large powerful speakers. The market has just changed a lot over the past 20 years. A few companies still go that route, but it's a huge expense compared to where we were in the 90's. I got my JBL L7's (FOOL I was to ever sell those!) on closeout for less than $1000 for the pair. If JBL were to make and sell a comparable speaker today it would run 3 to 5 grand easily.

But I like what I like. Even if I bought a kickass sub and great sounding skinny towers I would look at them and wish I had a big-ass pair of 100 pound speakers instead. It may cost more and be less practical, but happiness isn't always practical is it?

Why not have all types? Books work well in small rooms. Towers in medium or large rooms. Subs for me are vital in any system. For me Its like food with no salt if you don’t have a sub.

 

[xreaperx22]

t

Why not have all types? Books work well in small rooms. Towers in medium or large rooms. Subs for me are vital in any system. For me Its like food with no salt if you don’t have a sub.

true and they are much cheaper,hmm choices choices lol

 

[2channel lover]

I'm waiting on these
http://www.salksound.com/model.php?model=Song3+Encore
Should be able to do 20hz in room. The thing with Salk or custom Philharmonics, you need to count on a couple of months lead time. Its worth wait for the furniture grade finish.

Idk how long your order has been in the hooper, but I know that last 30 days or so was challenging.

On the day I ordered my S3A, I was leaning heavily towards the S3E and scrapping the CC to keep some semblance of a budget because I'm a basshead...Jim already knew my system from earlier conversations (I was surprised he remembered actually)...he said with the dual subs you're running, stay the course, you won't regret it. He's been right.

If I were thinking about a 2.0 system the S3E would be high on my list although I did tell Jim, the SS8 would be my dream speakers.

Let us know what you think after you've had some time with them.

 

[everettT]

Idk how long your order has been in the hooper, but I know that last 30 days or so was challenging.

On the day I ordered my S3A, I was leaning heavily towards the S3E and scrapping the CC to keep some semblance of a budget because I'm a basshead...Jim already knew my system from earlier conversations (I was surprised he remembered actually)...he said with the dual subs you're running, stay the course, you won't regret it. He's been right.

If I were thinking about a 2.0 system the S3E would be high on my list although I did tell Jim, the SS8 would be my dream speakers.

Let us know what you think after you've had some time with them.

Ordered on 5/27. Jim was upfront on the lead time and couldn't ask for more than that. It's at the sanding stage so after is the labor intensive stages. Mounting the equipment rack this week and trim lighting. Slow and steady

 

[Alex2507]

A 2.5 way MTM with the right drivers and in a transmission line enclosure can be good and sorta kinda has a mid, woofer and tweeter.

Idk how long your order has been in the hooper, but I know that last 30 days or so was challenging.

On the day I ordered my S3A, I was leaning heavily towards the S3E and scrapping the CC to keep some semblance of a budget because I'm a basshead...Jim already knew my system from earlier conversations (I was surprised he remembered actually)...he said with the dual subs you're running, stay the course, you won't regret it. He's been right.

If I were thinking about a 2.0 system the S3E would be high on my list although I did tell Jim, the SS8 would be my dream speakers.

Let us know what you think after you've had some time with them.

Both of you guys are getting Song 3s? That's it! I'm throwing my SongTowers out!

 

[2channel lover]

Ordered on 5/27. Jim was upfront on the lead time and couldn't ask for more than that. It's at the sanding stage so after is the labor intensive stages. Mounting the equipment rack this week and trim lighting. Slow and steady

Yep...most of the time is in the cabinet finishing, driver assembly, testing, etc went relatively fast.

Both of you guys are getting Song 3s? That's it! I'm throwing my SongTowers out!

Those started all! w/o the STs, there would be no S3 series.
I was coming from B&W 3ways and wanted to stay in a 3 way.

 

[Alex2507]

Yep...most of the time is in the cabinet finishing, driver assembly, testing, etc went relatively fast.



Those started all! w/o the STs, there would be no S3 series.
I was coming from B&W 3ways and wanted to stay in a 3 way.

Which B&W? I've heard the 804 and some 6 series at Magnolia. The 804 was fun but the 6 series was not well presented.

You mention the cabinet finish. Even after being used and maybe a little abused being transported, without being packed, up the Eastern seaboard, probably hitting every rest area from Atlanta to DC ... lol ... I haven't seen many things with that nice a finish. Nice veneers are right up my ally too. Being a condo dweller, the STs hit size/performance/price points that are by definition excessive for my application yet I wouldn't like settling for any less.

If I had more space and more leeway with the volume control, well, excess needs no bounds. For sure I'd be deaf-er.

 

[everettT]

Not to continue the hijack, but this was great to see this morning

 

[Swerd]

74%! Not bad. Hang in there. All those sealer coats and more sanding between each coat, take time.

When they're ready to ship, Jim will email you some photos of your speakers. That will be a big day. The hardest part for me was the scheduled FedEx delivery day. The more I waited, the more I had to go pee. I feared missing the doorbell while I was peeing.

Take photos of the FedEx guy, the boxes, and all the packing material.

You can prepare for one thing now. The plinths are packed separately, not attached to the bottoms of the speaker cabinets. Jim supplies 4 large hex-head lag screws & washers for each cabinet. The plinths are drilled to fit the screws and their underside has a wider countersunk hole so the hex-heads fit flush. You'll need a socket wrench to drive those screws in. It doesn't take much torque, but a socket wrench makes it easy. On my Veracity STs (and the STs too) I needed a ½" socket. I would expect your S3 Encores will have lag screws at least that large.

 

[2channel lover]

Which B&W? I've heard the 804 and some 6 series at Magnolia. The 804 was fun but the 6 series was not well presented.

You mention the cabinet finish. Even after being used and maybe a little abused being transported, without being packed, up the Eastern seaboard, probably hitting every rest area from Atlanta to DC ... lol ... I haven't seen many things with that nice a finish. Nice veneers are right up my ally too. Being a condo dweller, the STs hit size/performance/price points that are by definition excessive for my application yet I wouldn't like settling for any less.

If I had more space and more leeway with the volume control, well, excess needs no bounds. For sure I'd be deaf-er.

804 m...yes that old but they served me well for 20+ years...I demoed the D3 line the 804 is still a nice speaker but the S3A is at another level in terms of mid/highs

 

[everettT]

Really looking forward to hearing the Transducer Labs beryllium tweeter. Its gotten some very positive feedback from veteran DIY guys and I'm sure the Eaton midrange is excellent, especially off axis.

 

[Alex2507]

Really looking forward to hearing the Transducer Labs beryllium tweeter. Its gotten some very positive feedback from veteran DIY guys and I'm sure the Eaton midrange is excellent, especially off axis.

I've heard one Be tweeter and that part was good but the most impressive part was everything else that came out of that bookshelf. $3g for Focal Solo 6 Be IIRC. Kurt (KEW) kept those but sold me the STs as he bought some Phil3s. Lots of fun speakers out there ... I can't wait to see what direction the OP chooses.