Tough choices

[PENG]

Someone needs a pair for a 12X16X8 room that opens to a L-shape area of about 2.5X the size but listening distance will be less than 15' from the speakers. The rooms have all hardwood floor with minimum sound absorbing furnitures. The guy wants to choose from the Phil 3, 201/2, R900, 804D and the Sierra Tower with RAAL but can't seem to make up his mind. He wants to get the best possible sound quality without having to pick the most expensive one. Which one would you pick and why?

 

[oppman99]

I don't know how much help I can be since I haven't heard all the choices. I have heard the Phil 2's. To me, they sound very "live". I guess that means instruments sound very realistic,especially with percussion. I was really surprised by their performance considering the original price.

I also liked quite a few things about the Sierras with the RAAL. I thought they projected a very enveloping soundstage and had very smooth highs. Pretty well balanced if I remember correctly.

I've had mixed feeling with the 800 series B&W's. The first two times I heard them at a dealer they sounded harsh when the volume was turned up. I know, not what most people say. I think they were early versions. I heard them again at a different dealer and really liked what they did. The third time there was quite a bit of clean bass and the highs were very smooth and detailed. I'm not a fan of the look though.

No experience with the other two choices. Personal preference being what it is, I'd give the advice that pops up frequently: Audition them all if possible. If I had to choose, I'd go with the Phils or Sierras out of the speakers I've heard from the list mainly because they are in my price range and I think they offer more value for the $. Just my humble opinion.

 

[GranteedEV]

Someone needs a pair for a 12X16X8 room that opens to a L-shape area of about 2.5X the size but listening distance will be less than 15' from the speakers. The rooms have all hardwood floor with minimum sound absorbing furnitures. The guy wants to choose from the Phil 3, 201/2, R900, 804D and the Sierra Tower with RAAL but can't seem to make up his mind. He wants to get the best possible sound quality without having to pick the most expensive one. Which one would you pick and why?

For a bigger room, i'd look at the Phil 2 or Phil 3 (or Salk Soundscape 8). There's a certain resolution to the Neo8 midrange that's hard to describe. it's "engrossing".

the raal tweeter is just amazing too. It has a certain "vibrancy" and "calmness" that's hard to describe.

And you can open up the back if you want a deep image placement.

But with that room size, I'd be inclined towards some Gedlee Abbeys...

 

[fuzz092888]

Someone needs a pair for a 12X16X8 room that opens to a L-shape area of about 2.5X the size but listening distance will be less than 15' from the speakers. The rooms have all hardwood floor with minimum sound absorbing furnitures. The guy wants to choose from the Phil 3, 201/2, R900, 804D and the Sierra Tower with RAAL but can't seem to make up his mind. He wants to get the best possible sound quality without having to pick the most expensive one. Which one would you pick and why?

I can only speak about the Phil 3's, but the room mine are in is a little bigger than the quoted room size and it is open to a small bedroom, the kitchen, bathroom, and not airtight in the doorway to the porch. All in I'd guess about 2/3's the total size of what you're talking about (not taking into account the porch) and I can say that I agree with GranteedEV.

The Phil 3's sound awesome. The mids and highs produce very realistic and lifelike sound and there's even some pretty darn decent bass from two 8" woofers. It surprised me how powerful these things are in the ML-TL when I first played them. I definitely don't think the 3's would be overwhelmed by the space.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If price is a factor, then get either the Phil3 or Ascend Sierra, whichever is less expensive.

The Phil2 is about $300 less expensive. Dennis might also have a remaining older Phil2 cabinet for $2K, which would be the best bargain.

I think any of those will sound great.

 

[PENG]

Thanks, so the Phil 2/3 may be the best bargain, the guy may go for the better look though, between that and the Sierra tower.

 

[billy p]

Thanks, so the Phil 2/3 may be the best bargain, the guy may go for the better look though, between that and the Sierra tower.

If this person is inclined and resides in the GTA he could come over and audition my Sierra Towers? I have the standard NrT version and they should give him a good idea of what to expect with the Ascends....the RAAL will only improve the sound...