• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

End Game Speakers - The Quest Continues

M

MKR

Major Contributor
Joined
Oct 18, 2022
Messages
1,533
Likes
2,236
Location
USA
Howdy folks!

Well, after receiving several (very kind and supportive) DMs these past months since the original thread ($30K Budget - On the quest for my "end game" speaker) asking what was the status of my quest, if I had decided yet, was I going to start another thread, etc, etc ... Here we are. Turns out I had to put the hunt a bit on the back burner for a time, sometimes life circumstances get in the way, though still continued at a low level but not at the same intensity as before. But before we get too far down the path, let's get the elephant out of the room for those familiar with the ending of the last thread ...

I probably don't have to do this, as the "toddlers" that caused the havoc in the last thread were recognized for what they were by most of you (thanks again for the very kind DMs following that unfortunate event) ... But, the mods recommended it, plus I feel I owe it to all of you to keep this fully above board and make sure my ethical position is crystal clear ... I have never been nor am I a “shill” for Soundfield as I was accused of being, anymore than I am a shill for any other speaker manufacturer I mentioned in my original thread. I still have a fairly long short list of final contenders, only one of which is Soundfield. And also to make a crystal clear and general statement, I have ZERO affiliations with any audio company, period. Zilch, none, zero. I am just a fella trying to find a speaker that will bring joy to my ears and knock my socks off on a daily basis. Simple as that. If you want to call me a Soundfield "fanboy", well than that would certainly be very fair and accurate :) ... Finally, please join me to keep things above board in this thread by being kind to one another (they are just speakers after all) and especially by not feeding the trolls (which I am sure will re-surface, they always do). The ignore function is our friend (thanks to the mods for their support and reminder of this!).

OK, with all of that silliness out of way, let's move on to the fun stuff ... Obviously, I still have not selected a speaker! Yeah, I know, big surprise. What is taking me so long? Well, the fact of the matter is I am not in a hurry (though believe me, I do still want to end this quest sooner than later!), and the journey itself has been a blast. Plus, I have heard multiple systems now that make up my short list and I am simply struggling to make a decision. Finally, there are some upcoming new models on the horizon that I want to audition before the final decision. My plan was to re-start the quest thread to coincide with (my) first audio show of the year, and that is the Florida Audio Expo, which will be held this weekend (Feb 16-18)! Never been to this particular show and have had this trip planned for several months now. For now I am also planning to attend AXPONA in April, but that is still TBD.

So, to recap my shortlist, in alphabetical order (if you would like to know what I have ruled out so far, please reference the old thread, but of course ignore the train wreck ending :rolleyes:):
Clarysis (exact model TBD)
Danley HRE and ILE
Dutch and Dutch (upcoming larger model, not the 8C, though the 8C is superb!)
Diptyque (exact model TBD)
GGNTKT M3
Legacy V System and Aeris
Soundfield Custom

And yes, I plan to provide a show report. However, not sure if I will provide daily updates, but will try (attending this audio show also coincides with the family vacation, so may not have the time every day). Also will try to take more pictures and post those. By the way, if there are any speakers that anyone would like me to audition (that maybe I had no plans for), don't hesitate to post a request. Of course any descriptions will be my SUBJECTIVE observations, so take them with a grain of salt, especially if they don't match your possible prior experience, or worse I have a negative impression of your favorite speaker. Don't take it personal. If you like them, that is all that matters, not what I think. Also a reminder these are hotel room show conditions, very difficult even for very good systems to sound good sometimes. As an example, I heard the Salon 2 at AXPONA last year and it was terrible. Not even the same speaker it seemed from prior experience (and it is truly a superb loudspeaker). Stuff happens, I always cut the vendors some slack in that regard.

Thanks all, more to come !
 
Last edited:
Just so we don't all have to read through the last thread, it might be worth reminding us what your goals are, the room size and likely treatments, if you have amps to use with the speakers or if that is a subsequent purchase and anything else that came out as obviously relevant.

There is a separate thread for audio shows so maybe use that for general observations about the show and any large sets of pictures, and keep this thread limited to speakers you're interested in?
 
MKR said:
As an example, I heard the Salon 2 at AXPONA last year and it was terrible. Not even the same speaker it seemed from prior experience (and it is truly a superb loudspeaker). Stuff happens, I always cut the vendors some slack in that regard.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sticking with the updates, definitely interesting.

I also heard a lot of speakers at AXPONA a few years back (as well as CES) and all I can say is they all sound like what they are - nice speakers playing in small hotel rooms with low-to-no acoustic treatment. The only speaker that made a particularly good or distinct impression on me in that setting was a magnepan, probably because it interacts with the room very differently than all the monkey coffins they had out.

So while I think going somewhere and hearing speakers in person is a good idea, at a high level... listening to $100K setups in $250 hotel rooms doesn't really give you a good feel for the capabilities of the speaker IMO. Maybe you can use the shows to make contacts for in-home demos... and/or try to catch some demos in the bigger rooms. IMO the small room setups are a bit of a farce from the jump.
 
Screenshot_20240214_074615_Chrome.jpg

Did you increase your budget ? Because I think the price is for a single monitor and not a pair.
 
My idea of end game speakers are the ones I am listening to when I finally expire. I wonder how big of a room the OP wants to fill with sound. My LS50's with 2 Rhythmic L12 subs sound better than anything I have auditioned outside my house in the last 25 years. They are in a 14x18 room with a dormer ceiling. In a larger room they would run out of gas, so to speak.
 
MKR said:
Howdy folks!

Well, after receiving several (very kind and supportive) DMs these past months since the original thread ($30K Budget - On the quest for my "end game" speaker) asking what was the status of my quest, if I had decided yet, was I going to start another thread, etc, etc ... Here we are. Turns out I had to put the hunt a bit on the back burner for a time, sometimes life circumstances get in the way, though still continued at a low level but not at the same intensity as before. But before we get too far down the path, let's get the elephant out of the room for those familiar with the ending of the last thread ...
....
Click to expand...
You may be aware of this already?: https://www.spinorama.org/scores.html?sort=scoreEQWSUB&reverse=false

I would weight third party reviewed data more in the sorted list. Regardless of speaker, good room correction, room treatment will be necessary for most folks. Do you have a dedicated listening room?.

What are your SPL requirements?. How far do sit from speakers?, any restrictions?, consider your room, placement restriction and seating. I do own one of the speaker in the list you are considering. Generally getting a single enclosure do full range is what makes it difficult and the economics of selling such a speaker etc etc.

If you can get two subwoofers(or more) and dial in the sound the link above can be used to know which speakers can be set you could consider.
 
Welcome back, looking forward to the new chapters. If you have the time, I’d be interested in your impressions of the PureAudioProject speakers. I have no knowledge of them other than their fairly sparse web presence, but I’m always intrigued by open baffle designs. Have fun!
 
FWIW, I wouldn't discount ATC from that list. I've quite liked their stuff from a home perspective. Plus they're one of the few companies that will do actives in their domestic line, which is nice. I know the set you heard were very bright but I can't say "bright" is generally how I'd describe anything I've heard from them, not like others e.g. PMC or B&W.
 
You saying my speakers are ugly PJ are you!
Keith
 
No, they are quite ugly aren’t they, they have the distinction of being the only pair of speakers my wife remarked ( disparagingly) upon and she has seen some ugly speakers here.
Keith
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Speaker recommendations for an open-space apartment with a high ceiling
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
Waxx
Waxx
O
Advice on Upgrading my Speakers and Room (Own Focal Aria 926)
2
Replies
24
Views
1K
Joffy1780
J
D
I auditioned Dutch & Dutch 8c, and I have more questions now than before
4 5 6
Replies
101
Views
8K
2roll
2
D
Geithain RL 901K vs Neumann KH420
11 12 13
Replies
249
Views
19K
Waxx
Waxx
Cool Runnings
I love my Kali LP-UNFs but...
Replies
4
Views
676
Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings
Back
Top Bottom