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3k+ speakers

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busb
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L & I dropped into Audio T in Brighton to listen to possible replacements for my Arros. Julian C suggested PMC's Twenty.24s & Naim's Ovator S-400s. The PMCs had fairly sweet treble but their bass sounded detached & boxy. Next came the baby Ovators with their novel driver tech. Back on with Massive Attack & Holst - what a revelation from probably my least favourite manufacturer: seemless sound from low bass up to high mids with just a slight hint of treble hash but not enough worry too much. Imaging was far better than the PMCs. The Ovators sounded truly excellent with their low Xover f no doubt helping. The Naim's go on my short list. The PMCs were underwhelming under the conditions I heard them where the Ovators were a bit special played from Naim's streamer.

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"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds - the pessimist fears this is true."

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MAINApple TV2 & iTunes Match, CA Azur 751BD or Panasonic P42V20B into audiolab M-DAC, feeding a Primare A34.2 via XLRs, 2x 5m of Atlas Ascent 2 firing up Totem Arros.

ON THE HOOF: iPhone 4GS/Sennheiser MM450.

 

Another interest:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/busb/

BenLaw
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RE: 3k+ speakers

What else is in the running?

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CnoEvil
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RE: 3k+ speakers

busb wrote:

L & I dropped into Audio T in Brighton to listen to possible replacements for my Arros. Julian C suggested PMC's Twenty.24s & Naim's Ovator S-400s. The PMCs had fairly sweet treble but their bass sounded detached & boxy. Next came the baby Ovators with their novel driver tech. Back on with Massive Attack & Holst - what a revelation from probably my least favourite manufacturer: seemless sound from low bass up to high mids with just a slight hint of treble hash but not enough worry too much. Imaging was far better than the PMCs. The Ovators sounded truly excellent with their low Xover f no doubt helping. The Naim's go on my short list. The PMCs were underwhelming under the conditions I heard them where the Ovators were a bit special played from Naim's streamer.

What is on your short list, and are you looking for suggestions in the £3k bracket for Floorstanders?

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busb
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RE: 3k+ speakers

Nothing else yet. Was not struck by Totem Hawks & the Forests are ~£4k. PM-1s are good for vocals but I want deep bass not lots of bass the Arros don't provide. Early days - no hurry having spent a fortune in the last last year. Have ordered a Hi Fi Racks custom sized 5 tier Podium in oak to replace my ancient steel Target rack. 3 week wait.

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"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds - the pessimist fears this is true."

James Branch Cabell

_________________________________________________________

MAINApple TV2 & iTunes Match, CA Azur 751BD or Panasonic P42V20B into audiolab M-DAC, feeding a Primare A34.2 via XLRs, 2x 5m of Atlas Ascent 2 firing up Totem Arros.

ON THE HOOF: iPhone 4GS/Sennheiser MM450.

 

Another interest:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/busb/

Exoticsounds
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RE: 3k+ speakers

Try to get a demo of Dynaudio Focus 260 , you will probably not regret giving them a listen.

CnoEvil
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RE: 3k+ speakers

Maybe keep an eye out for SF Venere 2.5 or 3.0, or even some Audio Physics or Mark and Daniels.

I've never heard Totems sounding well, but don't think I've heard the Arros.

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BronC
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RE: 3k+ speakers

Spendors??

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busb
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RE: 3k+ speakers

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. In no hurry, would spend less but know the Arros ain't going to be easy to better - they are lightningly fast, image like nothing else I've heard but don't have the deepest bass available even if what they do have is very good. The new Spendors need a listen as they are reportedly not Pipe & Slippers sounding.

__________________

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds - the pessimist fears this is true."

James Branch Cabell

_________________________________________________________

MAINApple TV2 & iTunes Match, CA Azur 751BD or Panasonic P42V20B into audiolab M-DAC, feeding a Primare A34.2 via XLRs, 2x 5m of Atlas Ascent 2 firing up Totem Arros.

ON THE HOOF: iPhone 4GS/Sennheiser MM450.

 

Another interest:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/busb/

atticus
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RE: 3k+ speakers

My 3k went on AVi ADM40's

Overdose
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RE: 3k+ speakers

atticus wrote:

My 3k went on AVi ADM40's

What did you do with what you had left? Wink

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atticus
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RE: 3k+ speakers

Overdose wrote:

atticus wrote:

My 3k went on AVi ADM40's

What did you do with what you had left? Wink

Bought an iPad 2, an Apple TV, took the mem-sahib out to dinner, bought all my Christmas shopping and banked the rest.

Overdose
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RE: 3k+ speakers

atticus wrote:

Overdose wrote:

atticus wrote:

My 3k went on AVi ADM40's

What did you do with what you had left? Wink

Bought an iPad 2, an Apple TV, took the mem-sahib out to dinner, bought all my Christmas shopping and banked the rest.

What a waste!

In a bank you say?

excellent!

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Singslinger
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RE: 3k+ speakers

Just like to throw two names into the mix, one old and one new.

Old - ProAc D40, either with or without a ribbon tweeter;

New - Spendor D7, only one review so far in another UK mag and it was very favorable.

relocated
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RE: 3k+ speakers

atticus wrote:

My 3k went on AVi ADM40's

 

Mine too.  You will end up with surplus kit busb [ DAC< Pre & Power/integrated and cables and interconnects] but you will be very hard pressed to get a better sounding speaker for the money.  Let alone the almost complete system you get for that money.

With your budget, you would be missing a very big trick if you didn't give the 40s a go.

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also ATV3 into AVI ADM 9T [my wife's system] and Grado SR80i

CnoEvil
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RE: 3k+ speakers

Vienna Acoustics should probably be on a short list as well.....when your ready, that is.  shifty

 

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busb
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RE: 3k+ speakers

relocated wrote:

atticus wrote:

My 3k went on AVi ADM40's

 

Mine too.  You will end up with surplus kit busb [ DAC< Pre & Power/integrated and cables and interconnects] but you will be very hard pressed to get a better sounding speaker for the money.  Let alone the almost complete system you get for that money.

With your budget, you would be missing a very big trick if you didn't give the 40s a go.

I actually like the look of the AVI ADM40s so wouldn't discount them. It's getting to listen to them...

__________________

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds - the pessimist fears this is true."

James Branch Cabell

_________________________________________________________

MAINApple TV2 & iTunes Match, CA Azur 751BD or Panasonic P42V20B into audiolab M-DAC, feeding a Primare A34.2 via XLRs, 2x 5m of Atlas Ascent 2 firing up Totem Arros.

ON THE HOOF: iPhone 4GS/Sennheiser MM450.

 

Another interest:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/busb/