My shortlist and bookshelf/floorstander considerations

[silversurfer]

Ok what's all this about blind testing by Craigsub? Who is Craigsub? What kind of operation does he run? Info please...

He has a lot of subwoofers and speakers. He posts his impressions of them on the AVSForum.com. It can be very helpful to help narrow your choices of what you want to listen to, but also remember that he has his preferences too.

The real nice this is he sells the gear at great prices when he's done.

 

[mazersteven]

He has a lot of subwoofers and speakers. He posts his impressions of them on the AVSForum.com. It can be very helpful to help narrow your choices of what you want to listen to, but also remember that he has his preferences too.

The real nice this is he sells the gear at great prices when he's done.

Not only does Craigsub purchase "a lot" of speakers and subs. But he does put a lot of time into critical listening. He also posts measurements, and graphs.

But like silversurfer states. His findings, and reviews are his. He is not a professional reviewer. Although I think he could be.

 

[AbyssalLoris]

Yeah, I already looked him up and gathered as much, though I did not realize that he sold his stuff too.

The update is that I got a chance to listen to some PSB speakers (Image B25 and the T45 tower) as well as some Monitor Audio speakers (older series Bronze - B2 and B4, older series silver - S2).

In my mind, of all the speakers I have heard over the past few weeks, there is a clear winner - the Monitor Audio Silver S2. I should point out that in the course of this search I have not exactly stuck to my original budget while listening. The Monitor Silver and the PSB tower and Image all cost more than the other speakers I was considering.

But I did definitely like the Silver S2 the most. The PSB T45 was close. It is probably more speaker for the money but there were several factors that turned me off to it. Many of these speakers are available to me on clearance thereby making them cheaper than regular prices (only reason I'd even consider them).

I will post some impressions of them later today. I'm going out again in hopes of listening to some more speakers .

 

[AbyssalLoris]

More updates.

I went to a couple more stores today and ran into more Monitor Audio and some Paradigm and Klipsch too. The latter two were not on my list and after listening to 3 or 4 Klipsch bookshelf models (I don't even know which ones) I can safely say that at least as far as Klipsch is concerned, it's going to stay that way.

Without going into the whole story, the Klipsch(s) failed to impress (comparatively speaking).

The 3 Paradigm pieces I heard were the Mini Monitor, the Titan Monitor and the Studio 20 v3. My order of preference taking only SQ into account was Studio 20 > Mini > Titan. The Studio 20 was very good indeed. Again, at regular prices this is way out of my league, but the v3 is the older model and it was being cleared out in one particular finish bringing the price down to $600/pr. That is still beyond my budget, but you can only listen to the speakers you can get your hands on! Even if you can't buy it, it gives you an idea of how much value for money you're getting with what you buy.

I also listened to the Monitor Audio RS1. This was also very good.

In summary, it is a close contest in terms of SQ between the Monitor Audio RS1, Monitor Audio S2, and the Paradigm Studio 20 v3.

Considering price, at the $300 price point I would pick the Monitor Audio B2 (older version Bronze series, being cleared out at $280/pr).

As you may guess, after listening to the better speakers, my budget has stretched itself a little . So I am now considering a maximum of $450/pr. At this price, my pick so far is the Monitor Audio S2. I think I would pick that ahead of the MA RS1 or the Paradigm Studio 20 also (both at $600/pr). All other Paradigm, Klipsch, Polk, PSB, & B&W models lose out. These are the only speakers I have been able to listen to.

What are your thoughts on my preferences so far?

 

[mazersteven]

More updates.

As you may guess, after listening to the better speakers, my budget has stretched itself a little . So I am now considering a maximum of $450/pr.

Considering a max budget of $450 a pair, and reading that you liked the Paradigm Studio 20's. I would say you would like the sound of the Ascend 340's.

B-Stock $458
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/news/specials.html

http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?t=2861

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html


It is fun auditioning speaker.

 

[AbyssalLoris]

I have looked at those too (only looked online i mean).

I feel they may be too much speaker (with 2 woofers and all..). They specifically say it was designed with large spaces in mind. Now that doesn't mean they will do bad in small spaces, but I'm just wondering. In any case, at $458 it is in consideration.

What I'm finding it hard to get past is their apparently poor finish. From pictures, they look like they have a polycarbonate/plastic shell! I'm sure they don't, but they look bad to me. I hate that kind of finish. Why can't they have some wood veneer instead of painting on whatever it is? Of course, SQ is most important, but with those cosmetics they'd have to be significantly superior than the competition for me to buy them. I know.. I'm not the purist .

The choices are seriously narrowing down now, and that's good. I might have exhausted most of what is available locally. Got 2-3 more stores for the following week. I'll pick one in-store product. I may pick one ID product. Then it will be between the 2 of them.

By the way, I was not overly impressed by the studio 20's either. Especially considering that they retail for $959/pr. To be fair, that is the price of the new version and for all I know the old version might have been selling for much less when it was current. But I would pick the MA Silver S2 (or RS1) over the Paradigm without a second thought.

 

[mazersteven]

I have looked at those too (only looked online i mean).

I feel they may be too much speaker (with 2 woofers and all..). They specifically say it was designed with large spaces in mind. Now that doesn't mean they will do bad in small spaces, but I'm just wondering. In any case, at $458 it is in consideration.

What I'm finding it hard to get past is their apparently poor finish. From pictures, they look like they have a polycarbonate/plastic shell! I'm sure they don't, but they look bad to me. I hate that kind of finish. Why can't they have some wood veneer instead of painting on whatever it is? Of course, SQ is most important, but with those cosmetics they'd have to be significantly superior than the competition for me to buy them. I know.. I'm not the purist .

Your right that they aren't the best looking speaker. But I personally don't think they are that bad either.

I will say that the 340's looks are not a reflexion of their sound quality. They are extremely detailed. The tweeter is not harsh, and they have a very smooth top end.

Just because they have 2 drivers, IMO they are not to much speaker.

 

[AbyssalLoris]

You're right about the woofers. That was rather stupid of me.

I guess the 2 woofers deal with different ranges of the spectrum? Is that right? Does that depend on the crossovers? I'm new to this and have been teaching myself from what I read.

But if the top end is smooth and not harsh it is a major plus for me. Thinking about my preference in speakers and auditioning is helping me understand the most important parameters by which to judge them. This is definitely one of the important parameters.

I'm going to go ahead and create yet another thread just to gather votes on 3 or 4 ID speaker models from which I need to pick one. As far as locally available speakers go, I am now confident that I can choose one for myself according to my preferences. Earlier I wasn't sure I would be able to tell any difference at all between 2 reasonably good speakers. But I think I might now (though just barely). With ID though, I have to go by other people's opinions.

 

[mazersteven]

I guess the 2 woofers deal with different ranges of the spectrum? Is that right? Does that depend on the crossovers?

When it comes to speaker design, I am not the guy to ask.

 

[3db]

If you were listening thru my ears I would question your sanity

More updates.

I went to a couple more stores today and ran into more Monitor Audio and some Paradigm and Klipsch too. The latter two were not on my list and after listening to 3 or 4 Klipsch bookshelf models (I don't even know which ones) I can safely say that at least as far as Klipsch is concerned, it's going to stay that way.

Without going into the whole story, the Klipsch(s) failed to impress (comparatively speaking).

The 3 Paradigm pieces I heard were the Mini Monitor, the Titan Monitor and the Studio 20 v3. My order of preference taking only SQ into account was Studio 20 > Mini > Titan. The Studio 20 was very good indeed. Again, at regular prices this is way out of my league, but the v3 is the older model and it was being cleared out in one particular finish bringing the price down to $600/pr. That is still beyond my budget, but you can only listen to the speakers you can get your hands on! Even if you can't buy it, it gives you an idea of how much value for money you're getting with what you buy.

I also listened to the Monitor Audio RS1. This was also very good.

In summary, it is a close contest in terms of SQ between the Monitor Audio RS1, Monitor Audio S2, and the Paradigm Studio 20 v3.

Considering price, at the $300 price point I would pick the Monitor Audio B2 (older version Bronze series, being cleared out at $280/pr).

As you may guess, after listening to the better speakers, my budget has stretched itself a little . So I am now considering a maximum of $450/pr. At this price, my pick so far is the Monitor Audio S2. I think I would pick that ahead of the MA RS1 or the Paradigm Studio 20 also (both at $600/pr). All other Paradigm, Klipsch, Polk, PSB, & B&W models lose out. These are the only speakers I have been able to listen to.

What are your thoughts on my preferences so far?

But since your using your ears, I let ya off the hook for not going with the PSBs. Let us know what you end up with.

 

[rnatalli]

Did you give a listen to any Mordaunt-Short speakers by any chance? If you preferred Monitor Audio over the others you've already auditioned, you'll probably like Mordaunts as well.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Get some speakers already

I found the MA's (looked at the RS6) to be really harsh compared to the digms but other have found just the opposite; it is just up to your ears.

I have looked at those too (only looked online i mean).

I feel they may be too much speaker (with 2 woofers and all..). They specifically say it was designed with large spaces in mind. Now that doesn't mean they will do bad in small spaces, but I'm just wondering. In any case, at $458 it is in consideration.

What I'm finding it hard to get past is their apparently poor finish. From pictures, they look like they have a polycarbonate/plastic shell! I'm sure they don't, but they look bad to me. I hate that kind of finish. Why can't they have some wood veneer instead of painting on whatever it is? Of course, SQ is most important, but with those cosmetics they'd have to be significantly superior than the competition for me to buy them. I know.. I'm not the purist .

The choices are seriously narrowing down now, and that's good. I might have exhausted most of what is available locally. Got 2-3 more stores for the following week. I'll pick one in-store product. I may pick one ID product. Then it will be between the 2 of them.

By the way, I was not overly impressed by the studio 20's either. Especially considering that they retail for $959/pr. To be fair, that is the price of the new version and for all I know the old version might have been selling for much less when it was current. But I would pick the MA Silver S2 (or RS1) over the Paradigm without a second thought.

 

[AbyssalLoris]

The PSB I liked was the T45 but I felt it was too much speaker for my room. Besides I did not like the look or the vinyl finish.

I would certainly listen to Mordaunts if I could find them locally. Haven't so far, but might just need to search a little more.

Greg, I know I am dragging this out rather painfully and should just get something now. But I decided to wait a little anyway (for money reasons), so I might as well let them battle it out .

As for digm vs MA, it is hard to say. I agree that the digms were good and not harsh at all, but they sounded a little boxy to me (in comparison), meaning that I don't believe they filled the room with sound with as much uniformity as the MAs. Also they were a little more punchy bass-wise but the bass was a little boomy at higher levels (to my ears). The MAs had good coverage (is this what you call soundstage?). They were good at low frequencies and to my ears very smooth at the higher frequencies. I would say they were kinda mellow, which is something I like. I know, speaker should be neutral, but I preferred the slight coloration of the MAs.

 

[rnatalli]

Another speaker you might like and you may be able to find it locally is the Athena AS-F2.2. In the $500 price range, this is one of the best speakers I've heard. Although you mentioned PSB might have been too much for your room and these Athena's throw a pretty big sound.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It is so strange how we all hear different things. The low end of the digms is not boomy at all to me, it some of the tightest bass I have heard and the highs are really laid back. The MA had very harsh highs and boomy bass. I am sure that a lot of this is the listening room, set-up and the amp driving the speaker. I listened to both of these in my house.

The PSB I liked was the T45 but I felt it was too much speaker for my room. Besides I did not like the look or the vinyl finish.

I would certainly listen to Mordaunts if I could find them locally. Haven't so far, but might just need to search a little more.

Greg, I know I am dragging this out rather painfully and should just get something now. But I decided to wait a little anyway (for money reasons), so I might as well let them battle it out .

As for digm vs MA, it is hard to say. I agree that the digms were good and not harsh at all, but they sounded a little boxy to me (in comparison), meaning that I don't believe they filled the room with sound with as much uniformity as the MAs. Also they were a little more punchy bass-wise but the bass was a little boomy at higher levels (to my ears). The MAs had good coverage (is this what you call soundstage?). They were good at low frequencies and to my ears very smooth at the higher frequencies. I would say they were kinda mellow, which is something I like. I know, speaker should be neutral, but I preferred the slight coloration of the MAs.

 

[AbyssalLoris]

Well, we just seem to interpret oppositely! Of course I heard the 2 speakers in different stores with obviously different rooms and setups. I'm sure the room itself had a lot to do with the sound. It would be ideal to listen to both in my home, but that is not going to happen.

Are you sure the MA you heard was the Silver S2? Sometimes it seems revised versions can sound rather different. I believe the replacement of that particular model is in fact a smaller sized speaker, but I cannot be sure.

Another problem is that I was comparing the sound of the 'digm to the memory of the MA, and to an untrained ear like mine this is quite difficult.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

No I listened to the RS6 and the gold something.