Help purchasing first system!

[trumpetlore]

If you like the “slightly softened” highs of the Rockets it’s unlikely you will like the Axiom M80s, I‘ve heard both and own the M80s so I’m not trying to bash Axiom.

Two things about the Rockets. Don’t pay MSRP they are always going on sale. And only order from what’s in stock.

I’m curious if you liked the “accuracy” of the B&Ws so much why the softer highs of the Rockets are so appealing. I also liked a set of B&Ws when last shopping but couldn’t justify the price.

Cheers,
Dean

Dean,

I'm looking at getting the Rocket 850's. they're on sale for 50%. (though I guess if they're "always going on sale" then it's probably not really a 50% sale (like those "liquidation" stores))

Being a classical junky, I'm finding it can sometimes help to have a forgiving speaker. There are a lot of old recordings I've been listening to that sound better on a forgiving speaker. If all recordings were mixed perfectly, I'd go for something more accurate in a second, but that's clearly not the case with most older classical recordings (of which I have many, many hundreds).

I'm trying to get a hear on the M80's, but I can't find anybody in Montreal who has them, and is willing to show them. It's also tough because I don't own a car, so renting a car to go hear speakers hours away is difficult. Still, If I can find somebody within about an hours drive, I'll try to do it.

My favourite for accuracy so far was actually the PSB's, but I know they'd tire my ear. I loved the totem's as well, but the sttaf speakers weren't quite enough, and the hawk's and above were above my price range...The eternal compromises...

 

[trumpetlore]

Fred,

Yeah, the room for the PSB's, and B&W's was large, and a little dead, which was nice, as was the room in the guy's house for the Rockets (he'd built the room well to set up his home theater). The totems weren't in the best place in the store for a listen (slightly lower ceiling, a little wider than long) but I didn't find it a problem. I've been keeping notes on the rooms as well, just for comparison. So far, I haven't found it to be an issue.

 

[fredk]

Being a classical junky, I'm finding it can sometimes help to have a forgiving speaker. There are a lot of old recordings I've been listening to that sound better on a forgiving speaker.

That really puts your comments in context. What about buying a more accurate speaker and using EQ on the top end for those older recordings. Might that give you the best of both worlds?

Yeah, the room for the PSB's, and B&W's was large, and a little dead,

Were you listening with the older stuff classical stuff or something you knew was well recorded? All the measurements I have seen of PSB speakers show them to be quite flat. That should give them a bite or edge on the top end, but should not put them into fatiguing territory.

I'm asking this out of intellectual curiosity. Toole's research indicates that we like slightly rolled off highs and some of the people I have communicated with that were involved in his research suggested that a flat speaker would have an edge that you get from live performance, but should not sound fatiguing.

 

[the grunt]

The M80s are a very unforgiving speaker the M60s only slightly less so. I wouldn’t sweat it if you can’t find a pair to demo because based on what you’ve said they will tire you even faster than the PSBs.

Again based on what you’ve said you might want to give Salks a try. IMO they are more “refined” but the don’t have as much impact as the Rockets do. Overall it sounds like the Rockets will be a good compromise for what you’re seeking.

AV123 has always listed very high MSRPs and with street prices usually 40-50% lower it’s just the way they swing. In some ways they are more like a buyers club that owns it’s own brands than a manufacture, but if it gets you what you want then who cares.

In line with what Fred said I went with “accurate” speakers since I think it’s easier to EQ out what I don’t want than EQ in what isn’t there.

Cheers,
Dean

 

[trumpetlore]

That really puts your comments in context. What about buying a more accurate speaker and using EQ on the top end for those older recordings. Might that give you the best of both worlds?

Were you listening with the older stuff classical stuff or something you knew was well recorded? All the measurements I have seen of PSB speakers show them to be quite flat.

" suggested that a flat speaker would have an edge that you get from live performance, but should not sound fatiguing.

Fred,

For some reason, I hadn't thought about adjusting the EQ. Might be a good idea.

All of the recordings I listened to I know quite well. I chose this particular recording because it shows off the highs particularly well in some passages, but the recording is far from perfect on the track. I had other pieces that are the epitome of recording engineering, so it's not just that. And, the psb's were simply missing on the bottom for some of the power necessary for Mahler, or Holst (mars).

Maybe adjusting the eq would have worked to lessen the high's, but it wouldn't have helped enough with the lows.

Jer

 

[fredk]

And, the psb's were simply missing on the bottom for some of the power necessary for Mahler, or Holst (mars)

Thats something a good sub can fix. Thas said, the M80s are quite impressive on the bottom end. I listen either 5.1 or 2.1, but occasionally I have not turned on the sub and I am always impressed by how little the sub adds (nothing on recordings that have no sub 35Hz material).

I would see if there is a way to try out EQ/tone controls on a speaker like the Studio 60 to see if that gives you the best of both worlds. If not, don't sweat it and pick up the rockets. Another option would be the Axiom M50 as they have a much mellower top end (not as pretty as the rockets though).

 

[WmAx]

Greeting folks!

I just got married, and have been able to convince my wife that we need a decent sound system. I'm mostly looking for two good stereo speakers (probably towers) and a good amp that I can later use to expand the system into 5/7.1 . Right now, our budget is between between $1000 and $1500.

I've been doing some research, and I was considering the av123 rockets, but after research, have seen a lot of bad press about them (more on the customer relations side than about the speakers themselves.

Anyway, the wife and I are both (aspiring) professional classical musicians (trumpet, and viola respectively), and I'm starting to get into audio recording, so I want something that's more true to sound, even, and clear, rather than something that's especially nice to the sound all the time. And again, I need an amp, and the two speakers for under $1500.

I really appreciate any advise you can give me.

Thanks!

If you can position your speakers 3 feet from the back wall, you will likely be a great candidate for Ohm/Walsh speakers.

http://www.ohmspeakers.com/

These are going to produce a better representation of classical(and other non-amplified 'real' instrument based music) than most other speakers for the price range. But the 3 foot from the back wall requirement is not to be ignored. Close to the wall = acoustical disaster with this type of speaker.

-Chris

 

[trumpetlore]

Well, I almost purchased a pair of Totem Forest on sale on Audiogon, but somebody else seems to have gotten to them first. I think I've decided against the Rockets. They were fine speakers, and had a very nice sound, but after a couple extra listens to more of the psb, some better B&W's, and more totems, I've realized that the rockets just don't image all that well (at least not in comparison). I could settle for the Hawk's, though I still prefer the sound of the forest. At the same time, the forests are probably gonna be too big for my current room (though I don't forsee being in this apt for more than about another year, and could easily find a room that was more well suited to the Forests.

I still need to try the Axiom M80's...