Help me choose new stand mounts with ribbon/AMT tweeters.

[WillBrink]

My view of ribbon/AMT and similar design tweeters was similar to how I viewed class D amps, likely the future, not ready for prime time. Class D clearly ready for prime time, it seems like ribbon/AMT tweeters have arrived too. What I'd heard in the past I'd disliked. But, I'm ready and interested to try something with a ribbon/AMY tweeter as some of them measure well and get high marks subjectively speaking. Current main L/R is ATC SCM 19s v2. I have only owned speakers with soft dome tweeters over the decades.

I'm excited to finally try a different design and see how they compare to my aging ears. I'm using dual Rythmik fm8 subs, so my major interest and focus is mids and highs, and not a big emphasis on on base from my choices. My budgets is 2k-5k. Currently, I'm especially interested in the new Quad Revelas 1 which comes in around 2.5k, and at the upper end of the budget, the Børresen X1. Botf of those gets univeraloly high praise but I have not found objective measurements for either. I'm going to try the Quads first. Anyone hear those in person?

What else is recommended as a 2 way stand mount using ribbon/AMT tweeter or similar in that 2k-5k price tag? Must be passives, no actives at this time.

While the most important part is the sound of course, the price point also allows for a look/build quality I will like too, and that's OK by me. Also helps with SO approvals.

 

[jsrtheta]

Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G would be worth checking out, though list price is above your target.

Might be able to negotiate a deal.

 

[Norcal]

Philharmonic Audio BMR Monitor. Measurements, lots of discussion in ASR, designer is well-respected, punches above weight class, etc. BTW, this post would probably get better traction in the Speakers section of ASR...

 

[Flexecutioner]

Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. Company/speakers have a good reputation and they publish measurements for all their speakers on their website.

 

[SCPB1967]

The Wharfedale Aura 2 seems to measure very well (Erins Audio Corner), is reasonably priced, looks nice (?) & you'll get a decent reduction in distortion when using subs

 

[WillBrink]

Philharmonic Audio BMR Monitor. Measurements, lots of discussion in ASR, designer is well-respected, punches above weight class, etc. BTW, this post would probably get better traction in the Speakers section of ASR...

Good point. Perhaps the mods could move it?

 

[AdamG]

Good point. Perhaps the mods could move it?

Done.

 

[dfuller]

I'm thinking you maybe should give the Adam S2Vs a listen.

 

[Penelinfi]

Monitor Audio also has a Gold 100 5G with AMT. Not quite as integrated off axis as some other speakers.

I thought I saw measurements for a Revela model somewhere with rise in the top end

 

[Doenerkunde]

Currently, I'm especially interested in the new Quad Revelas 1 which comes in around 2.5k, and at the upper end of the budget, the Børresen X1. Botf of those gets univeraloly high praise but I have not found objective measurements for either.

Found some rudimentary measurements of the Quad Revela 1 by Hifi News:

https://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/HFN-Mar-Quad-Revela-1.pdf

I always found the XTZ 99.25 LCR (swedish direct retailer) to be very intriguing: Seas Excel magnesium woofers and Fountek Neo CD ribbon tweeters for just 950€/pr seem almost too good to be true. Unfortunately there are no measurements available. And to hold the german flag high: Elac (they used to sell their iconic AMT tweeters to much more expensive brands like Burmester) and Quadral (the Chromium 35 seems to be a good package, the Aurum Sedan 9 and Galan 9 of their TOTL Aurum series would fit your budget).

 

[Verig]

I second Wharfedale. Not horribly expensive and they sound very clean and coherent. I tested a pair at home some time ago. And the cheap Evos are not half bad either.

 

[Piranesi]

Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. Company/speakers have a good reputation and they publish measurements for all their speakers on their website.

I've owned the Sierra 2EX V1, sold them and regretted it for ages. Now I'm about to pull the trigger on Philharmonic BMRs.

Absolutely listen to them in person if you can- wide directivity RAALs just hit different, at least when integrated properly with woofers/mids of similar directivity.

If your room is remotely well designed I can't recommend both of these more highly.

 

[richard12511]

We have a full suite of measurements for the Philharmonic BMR and Asciend Sierra speakers, so we know that both of those are objectively excellent speakers that use ribbons. If it were me I would go for one of those, as many others may or may not be great, but without full measurements we just don't know. It's a guessing game if we don't have a spinorama for it, as positive personal anecdotes are a dime a dozen. Maybe 1 or 2 of the Wharfedales Erin measured used a amt?

The best ribbon bookshelf I've seen is the Mesanovic RTM10, though it's double the budget, unless it could be found used somewhere.

 

[Verig]

It's interesting to see wide dispersion gaining fans lately. These trends come and go by years. Nothing wrong with it, I enjoy it, especially nowadays when we have speakers with wide And good quality dispersion.

But I wouldn't read too much into the vertical pattern, as others have commented too. For example Wharfedales sound very nice outside of spot and when walking around the sound is coherent and nicely soft. A matter of preference surely, some may hear it as a bit dull. Technically speaking it's not an issue.

Also, I second that Kef coaxial has smaller sound. Very good and accurate whatever way you sit or stand. Extremely stable. But if you want it a bit larger - you won't. As always, measurements without personal listen and understanding your own preference are pretty meaningless.

 

[Verig]

Preference things: I listened at home my own Usher Minidancers, Wharfedales with AMT and Wharfedale Lintons. All good but very different. For blasting electronic music and death/black/punk Lintons and Dancers took the cake, easily. All W's with AMT are very... civil? I felt more like listening to a record vs live. Technically wonderful and smooth. But it didn't quite do it for me. Especially Lintons offer something a smaller speaker simply can't while it's arguably technically the worst here.
This is my perception with basically all AMT speakers I've heard. Very hifi but for the genres I like it's a bit meh. Perhaps I just like the tweeter crapping all over the place.

 

[Agapetos]

Preference things: I listened at home my own Usher Minidancers, Wharfedales with AMT and Wharfedale Lintons. All good but very different. For blasting electronic music and death/black/punk Lintons and Dancers took the cake, easily. All W's with AMT are very... civil? I felt more like listening to a record vs live. Technically wonderful and smooth. But it didn't quite do it for me. Especially Lintons offer something a smaller speaker simply can't while it's arguably technically the worst here.
This is my perception with basically all AMT speakers I've heard. Very hifi but for the genres I like it's a bit meh. Perhaps I just like the tweeter crapping all over the place.

Lol that's where I think I am at as well....I want good measurements but, it can't get too clinical and clean...I think...I'm currently stuck with the idea that I can do great with some higher end, to me, bookshelves instead of towers. I almost pulled the plug on the sierra 2ex v2 but I'm worried they might be dull sounding...I like a lively speaker that is a little bright on top...I listen to all kinds of music, but I do need them to push hard for death metal old school

 

[WillBrink]

So I took a chance on a pair of Quad Revela 1, and so far, I like what I'm hearing. They have been universally raved about subjectively, measurements that exist I have found:

Quad Revela 1 Loudspeaker Lab Report

Lab Report Quad is realistic in its claims for the Revela 1 – neither over-rating its sensitivity (86dB/2.83V/1m) or bass extension (40Hz re. –6dB). We'll cover off the detail below, but the Revela 1 is arguably a little tougher to drive than Quad's 6ohm nominal might suggest as the '4.1ohm...

www.hifinews.com

Of course I'd like to see the more extensive NFS testing at some point.

 

[YSC]

Lol that's where I think I am at as well....I want good measurements but, it can't get too clinical and clean...I think...I'm currently stuck with the idea that I can do great with some higher end, to me, bookshelves instead of towers. I almost pulled the plug on the sierra 2ex v2 but I'm worried they might be dull sounding...I like a lively speaker that is a little bright on top...I listen to all kinds of music, but I do need them to push hard for death metal old school

I believe it could be at least one of the best choice, looks great, objectively performs well, and given the slower roll off of the bass region I guess if you put near the wall it could get around 45hz in room bass, which should be enough for most music, but when you want something pushing hard for death metal you likely can't get pass physics and will need a sub, standalone bookshelf very likely won't cut it

 

[Agapetos]

I believe it could be at least one of the best choice, looks great, objectively performs well, and given the slower roll off of the bass region I guess if you put near the wall it could get around 45hz in room bass, which should be enough for most music, but when you want something pushing hard for death metal you likely can't get pass physics and will need a sub, standalone bookshelf very likely won't cut it

Yeah, thank you...I am certainly using subs. I am a big bass lover. I might have to surrender to towers...I had the jbl hdi 3800 on order but they weren't going to ship until December they told me...so, I moved on, got some other itch scratched I gotta move on from these klipch towers though.... thanks for replying!

 

[AudioResurgence]

Piega make a great standmount with the sweetest most natural ribbon driver I’ve heard. You’d have to shop used to find a pair in your budget and they don’t show up that often.