Smooth and Warm Sounding Speakers

[Illuminatti]

According to several audio video magazines, the numbers that we should look for is the frequenzy response which should give us an indication of the bandwidth that a speaker can reach. However, after analyzing several known brands, the frequency response does not tell us which speaker is smooth or warm sounding. What i meant for warm is that the highs are not sharp and the midrange is smooth. In short, what im referring to are speakers which will not give the listeners some listening fatigue.

In my several years of being in this hobby, there is only one brand that i have auditioned (SONUS FABER) which gives this warm sound that im looking for. However, i have to empty my bank account just to have these expensive brand of speaker.

My first question is, are there speakers in the market which can compete with the warmness of the Sonus Fabers which are not that expensive? 2nd what number in the specification should i look for to be able to spot a warm sounding speaker. Your comments will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bicster]

I have a feeling some will disagree with me, but I feel that the Magnepan 1.6's would fit what you are looking for. I recently auditioned them and they blew me away. They were very warm and articulate.

 

[slmcdonald7]

Paradigm

I apprecieate the same qualities in my audio. I love the way good jazz sounds out of warm, smooth speakers.

When I recently bought new speakers, the first and last brand I looked at was Paradigm. Check out their Monitor series (the Studio and Signature lines are even better). They might be just what you're looking for.

Good luck,
Stephen

 

[Yamahaluver]

Magnepans are very good and so are B&W, Rogers, JBL. These speakers fit your requirment of smooth and warm quite nicely.

 

[Unregistered]

I run Linbrook Super Monitors, by Tyler Acoustics. They have the SEAS Millenium tweeter. I get no listening fatague at any volume. They are very smooth sounding.

GThomas

 

[JoeE SP9]

Everyone has their idea of what audio heaven (speaker wise) is. "Accuracy" and a lot of our personal nirvana is what we want. For a lot of audiophiles Maggy's come closer than anything else to the "ideal". If I didn't use electrostatic panels a pair of Maggy's would be in my room. The newer models with the true ribbon are very tempting. IMHO the 1.6's simply walk all over anything within $1K, although they only have the "quasi-ribbon".

 

[Unregistered]

http://www.av123.com/ If you like Sonus Faber you will love the Rocket 750 Sigs. You could also maybe wait till the RS1000 comes out though it's price will be around $2,800.

Most people agree the 750's sound very similar to the Sonus Faber Grand Piano's...if you've ever heard those.

Go to the forums and ask for a demo in your area or check out www.audioenvy.com. AV123 also has a 30 day return policy so if they meet your tastes you can return them hassle free.

 

[jjwinc]

smooth warm sound

Dude, don;t get caught up in the numbers game too much.Let your ears do the listening. After all, isn't it what your ears hear the really counts? I hear the sonas faber's are great but like you said the $$$$$ you have must also take into account.I purchased the paradigm studio 100v2 about a year and a half ago.under $2000. Takes awhile for the to break in 150-200 hours But the sound is very very nice warm and full.But look to use at least 80-100 watts to push them. preferably a power amp .I was using a reciever at first.i was afraid i would over drive the reciever if I wanted to crank them up.I listed to mostly jazz,smooth jazz and a little rock sometimes.I'm now using the parasound halo A23 amp.125wpc/8ohms 200wpc/4ohms.Never have to turn up the sound too much.But have lots of head room(power) for the 100,s.Good luck in your venture.

 

[JoeE SP9]

Dude, don;t get caught up in the numbers game too much.Let your ears do the listening. After all, isn't it what your ears hear the really counts?

Totally agree. You must listen for yourself. Selecting from specs is not the way to go.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Totally agree. You must listen for yourself. Selecting from specs is not the way to go.

While this may be true, research tells us something about specs and about human psychology. So, one must be very careful how one listens.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Dude, don;t get caught up in the numbers game too much.Let your ears do the listening. After all, isn't it what your ears hear the really counts?

Well, actuall, it is the brain that interprets the signals from the ear, or, the lack of signals as well can be filled in by the brain, imagined.



Takes awhile for the to break in 150-200 hours

Looks like you have been exposed to audio voodoo, mythology and urban legends. That is what happens when one listents incorrectly.

 

[mtrycrafts]

According to several audio video magazines, the numbers that we should look for is the frequenzy response which should give us an indication of the bandwidth that a speaker can reach. However, after analyzing several known brands, the frequency response does not tell us which speaker is smooth or warm sounding. What i meant for warm is that the highs are not sharp and the midrange is smooth. In short, what im referring to are speakers which will not give the listeners some listening fatigue.

In my several years of being in this hobby, there is only one brand that i have auditioned (SONUS FABER) which gives this warm sound that im looking for. However, i have to empty my bank account just to have these expensive brand of speaker.

My first question is, are there speakers in the market which can compete with the warmness of the Sonus Fabers which are not that expensive? 2nd what number in the specification should i look for to be able to spot a warm sounding speaker. Your comments will be greatly appreciated.

You may want to do a little outside reading besides the posts here


A bit of audio science and human perception:

http://www.harman.com/wp/pdf/Loudspeakers&RoomsPt2.pdf


Also, read the section History at NRC, not what speakers the company is selling:

http://miragespeakers.com/nrc_story.shtml

 

[cornelius]

For smoothness, try Vandersteen, Ohm and Magnepan. All three have a smooth, open, boxless sound.

Checking out specs is fine, but it's not all about frequency response. The time domain is very important, so when possible, look for a step response measurement.

 

[Illuminatti]

Thanks for all your comments. I guess you will never really based your decision on the frequency response of the speakers. The brands that you have mentioned may sound warm but are these speakers priced reasonably.

What i am looking for is propably within the range of $500 dollars that would sound close to a Sonus Faber.

Can you please recommend speakers in this price range.

 

[JoeE SP9]

Magnepan MMG approx $500 US in USA. I know of nothing else that comes close for the money.

 

[av_phile]

Thanks for all your comments. I guess you will never really based your decision on the frequency response of the speakers. The brands that you have mentioned may sound warm but are these speakers priced reasonably.

What i am looking for is propably within the range of $500 dollars that would sound close to a Sonus Faber.

Can you please recommend speakers in this price range.

Those freqeuncy response statements will never fully indicate the speaker or amp's characteristic flavor. Only a spectral response graph will, visually at least. Often a technical spec is useless unless it is complete.

While you don't choose speakers by their technical specs, their a good start. Auditioning will confirm your choice.

 

[Illuminatti]

Thanks for your comments. I fully agree with you that the best way to choose a speaker is to audition it. However, my problem is, the brands of speakers available here in the Philippines are quite limited. Furthermore, i can not avail the priveleges(30 day money back guarantee) offered by online direct manufacturers like ascend acoustics, axiom, rockets to name a few.

That leaves me with no option but to rely on the specification of the speaker and some testimonials of owners of certain brands.

If for example im convinced by the reviews of let say, Ascend's CBM 170, i will just have to order it directly from them without even attesting to its performance.

Which boils me back to my question if the numbers stated in the specs can be a basis for buying speakers? Or are there specific numbers, contruction features, cabinetry, or technology used that would tell me that a certain speaker is warm sounding?

 

[av_phile]

Hi Illuminati, am also from the Philippines. I can understand your situation. I do find the selection of speakers locally a bit slanted towards the British and European side. But with regards you querry on what numbers to look for to glean on the warmth of speakers, I'd say that would be almost impossible. Warmth is a very subjective attribute and can be subject also to speaker-amplifier match. Some speakers that use very high frequency enabled ribbon tweeters can sound warm, though I could say that speakers that start to taper off after 16hz can be considered warm. And some neutral speakers can also sound warmer than one with an emphasis in the 800hz to 1khz speakers which should make them warm sounding. All I can say is for you to audition the speakers on site. Preferrably with the same amps The temptation to get one online is very high, considering the discounts offered. But most of these speakers like Axiom have little or no local technical support. I doubt if their international warranties will work locally as you would have to find out what local entities provide such support. I would consider those warranties important cnsidering that shipping horrors might render them unusable when they arrive.

 

[Illuminatti]

Thanks av phile for those comments. Its really frustrating to say the least that we here in the Philippines can not audition speakers like rocket, axiom and ascend acoustics because geographical restrictions. Based on the reviews that ive read, some of these speakers are highly reverred and recommended and if you will convert it to pesos (inclusive of shipment) you would even still get a reasonable price.

Because of these limitations av phile, can you recommend some "warm sounding speakers" available in the Philippines which is within the P20,000 to P30,000 price range.

 

[av_phile]

The Sonus Faber Concertino speakers are said to be warm sounding. Try them out at Upscale Audio. The last I visited them, they were on sale for about P25T. Those Wharfedale evolution and diamond speakers have mid-range emphasis that can make them sound warm on some vocal materials, if not a bit forward. But they're below your price range. Those Monitor Audio speakers can sound similar to SF. But since you can audition any of them, I really would suggest you take the time to do so. Prefferably with the same amp that you have at home. Or you can bring it with you in those tests, if that isn't much of a hassle. Listening in Style at Shangri-la/Edsa and Architectural Audio can be very accomodating. So are the shops at Glorietta.

Just a bit of adivice. OFten the perception of warmth is a function of the room accoustics. A very live room, one with little or no sound absorptive materials like drapes, rugs and sofas, can make any speaker sound bright. On the other hand, a very plush and appointed room can make some speakers sound warmish, at least you get the sounds mostly from the speakers, with little or no mids and high frequency reflections reaching your ears.

Just curious, are your amps overly bright that you would want a warm sounding, albeit colored speakers?