Best speakers for classical music

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Definitely a good speaker.

Dang, what the heck! It looks even better than my Salon2s!!!

 

[3db]

Dang, what the heck! It looks even better than my Salon2s!!!

oh oh!!! I forsee yet another purchase coming your way.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

oh oh!!! I forsee yet another purchase coming your way.

Hopefully.

Not the F12, though.

 

[MinusTheBear]

PSB T6 Listening Window

Axiom M80 Listening Window (version 2)

The PSB has a more natural response between the two.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The PSB does look smoother than the Axiom and probably more balanced.

But doesn't the Axiom look pretty good from 200Hz - 10kHZ?

 

[Xytech]

In your budget in your country, I would recommend a good bookshelf.

This may be the wrong thread to ask in but what do you lose in getting bookshelves over floorstanding speakers?

 

[PENG]

The PSB does look smoother than the Axiom and probably more balanced.

But doesn't the Axiom look pretty good from 200Hz - 10kHZ?

It does, but to me the PSB is a known quantity. I know for sure they sound good with classical music. You are right about them being smooth and balance. In a small room it does not need a sub either. I think the OP can flip a coin to decide going with the KEF or the T6.

 

[cornelius]

I'm not sure what they cost where you live - but Harbeth P3's.

Incredible speakers with any music - definitely great with classical.
Harbeths do not require uber amps, and their designer doesn't believe in going crazy in this area. The P3's are super easy to drive, never going below 6 ohms.

At this price level the only thing you lose with stand mount speakers is bass. You gain everywhere else. In the right room with great monitors (for the most part), you don't miss the bass. You mentioned that your bedroom was "smallish" - not overloading the room with hard to tame bass might help you with monitors.

 

[GranteedEV]

The PSB does look smoother than the Axiom and probably more balanced.

But doesn't the Axiom look pretty good from 200Hz - 10kHZ?

The response seems good, but probably isn't indicative of the real problems with this speaker:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1337283


BTW, OP should strongly consider the Aperion Verus Grand Towers.

 

[Xytech]

Yikes! Looks like I will be staying well clear of the Axioms.

I've done some further research. Really, the speakers that are obtainable from Melbourne with decent warranties (which I am looking at - if I do have any dramas I want to be able to get them sorted) are these:

Wharfedale Diamond 10.7: $1,539.00
PSB Image T6: $1,999
KEF Q700 / Q900: $2100 / $2500
ATC SCM11 $1,999
PMC DB1i $2,250


I'm tempted to rule out the bookshelves because I would prefer floorstanding and I would like some bass... but I am not entirely sure on this yet.

That really makes it down to the PSB or the two KEF models. I'm not quite sure what to go with. I will of course consider other suggestions but these are the most accessible speakers at this point. It seems that there is a lot of support and quality reviews for the PSB's so I am leaning towards them at the moment. In any rate, I feel any of these speakers would represent a reasonable upgrade from my current 5.1 set that I purchased for a grand total of $140 including shipping from ebay...

Cheers

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Home Theater Magazine reviewed both the PSB T6 & KEF Q900:

http://www.hometheater.com/content/psb-image-t6-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures

http://www.hometheater.com/content/kef-q900-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures


The Image T6’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.88/–1.74 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 48 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 41 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 3.92 ohms at 413 Hz and a phase angle of –59.85 degrees at 69 Hz.

The Q900’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +2.25/–0.65 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 44 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 39 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.02 ohms at 145 Hz and a phase angle of –38.32 degrees at 3.5 kHz.


If you can listen to both in store, that would be great for you.

I think they both have great measurements. They also measure almost the same. Both have a sensitivity of 91dB. Both have minimum Impedence of ~ 4 ohms. Both appear accurate/linear/flat frequency response. The PSB has a 200Hz-10kHz window of 3.62dB (1.88+1.74), while the KEF is 2.9dB (2.25+0.65).

If you are not going to use a subwoofer, the Q900 will give you a little better bass. Otherwise it is pretty much a toss-up as PENG said.

And also, which aesthetics do you like better?

 

[cornelius]

Xytech - that's a good list to choose from. IMO, go for the ATC's and if you need to, add a good sub later. How big is your room?

I had the model one below the psb's - they were nice enough. I'm seeing positive responses to their specs, but I'd hardly call them accurate or uncolored. I had a pair of kef uni-q monitors years ago. They were great speakers, but I've heard that the bass on these floorstanders can get out of control.

 

[PharmD]

It doesn't matter if they are tower or bookshelf speakers.

If they are accurate speakers (measure accurately on-axis and off-axis), sound great, have the aesthetics you like, and have the price you can afford, then they're the right speakers for you.

 

[Whitey80]

After having gone through the KEF q7 and the Wharfedale Opus 2, for classical, I will stick with my Magnepans. Far and away superior listening experience (in my opinion)

 

[DS-21]

They also measure almost the same.

A lot of that has to do with the narrow measurement window, though.

The KEFs are going to have more controlled directivity, and a larger "sweet spot." They will also have lower image width due to the comparative lack of lateral reflections, unless they are properly crossfires.

 

[3db]

A lot of that has to do with the narrow measurement window, though.

The KEFs are going to have more controlled directivity, and a larger "sweet spot." They will also have lower image width due to the comparative lack of lateral reflections, unless they are properly crossfires.

explain this

 

[GranteedEV]

It's not the Q900, but this is a look at the horizontal off-axis response of a KEF coaxial speaker:

and the PSB T6

The KEF definitely has more attenuated reflections, which I guess would mean the direct sound is more dominant relative to the reflected sound. I would presume this is why it would have a wider sweet spot.

Also, a slight look at the vertical response:
KEF

PSB

Now regarding the crossfire, I believe it's only to widen the sweet spot, not the soundstage. It definitely doesn't increase lateral reflections except at opposite ends of the room.

 

[Xytech]

Dear All,

Thanks for the continued advice. I think if it came down to the KEF 900 / PSB t6, the PSB is $500 cheaper which is a substantial factor to consider. How does the KEF 700 fit into things?

I've also done some research into Australian brands - without having to go through various distributors etc I was thinking it may end up saving some money. Here a few models I have looked at: any advice would be much appreciated

http://www.krix.com.au/Product/Detail.aspx?p=44&id=59
http://www.krix.com.au/Product/Detail.aspx?p=44&id=6
http://www.legendspeakers.com.au/kurre.html
http://www.vaf.com.au/detail.asp?audio=dc&grunt=s200r26725

Just to throw something into the mix really - otherwise I think it is looking as though a choice between
PSB T6 (floorstanding) or ATC SCM11 (bookshelves)

To give you an idea of the room - it is quite a small bedroom I suppose? The advantage is that there are two high bookshelves on either side of the room which I suppose I could put the bookshelf speakers in and have them with a clear range of the room - is that what is usually done? Currently my floorstanding speakers are placed behind my main desk - there is no other placement option at present, so the sound has to sort of fight through the desk I suppose? I'm not quite sure about the science of it all...

Many thanks for the continued advice, I appreciate everyone for persevering and assisting me in making me a purchase I am much looking forward to!

 

[TLS Guy]

Dear All,

Thanks for the continued advice. I think if it came down to the KEF 900 / PSB t6, the PSB is $500 cheaper which is a substantial factor to consider. How does the KEF 700 fit into things?

I've also done some research into Australian brands - without having to go through various distributors etc I was thinking it may end up saving some money. Here a few models I have looked at: any advice would be much appreciated

http://www.krix.com.au/Product/Detail.aspx?p=44&id=59
http://www.krix.com.au/Product/Detail.aspx?p=44&id=6
http://www.legendspeakers.com.au/kurre.html
http://www.vaf.com.au/detail.asp?audio=dc&grunt=s200r26725

Just to throw something into the mix really - otherwise I think it is looking as though a choice between
PSB T6 (floorstanding) or ATC SCM11 (bookshelves)

To give you an idea of the room - it is quite a small bedroom I suppose? The advantage is that there are two high bookshelves on either side of the room which I suppose I could put the bookshelf speakers in and have them with a clear range of the room - is that what is usually done? Currently my floorstanding speakers are placed behind my main desk - there is no other placement option at present, so the sound has to sort of fight through the desk I suppose? I'm not quite sure about the science of it all...

Many thanks for the continued advice, I appreciate everyone for persevering and assisting me in making me a purchase I am much looking forward to!

I have no idea of the sound of your Australian speakers.

You won't go wrong with the ATC SCM 11. That speaker is cheaper to you than in the US. Here they are over $3000 per pair.

 

[Xytech]

Thanks for the advice. I guess it is looking more and more like a choice between the ATC's, PSM T6, and QEF 700. Perhaps we can disregard the others.