• 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!

Neutral bookshelf speakers @ $2000?

sfdoddsy

Active Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2019
Messages
293
Likes
438
I have R3s placed close to the wall without major issues. The port plugs work, EQ works better.

I use Anthem ARC, but Dirac would be dandy too.
 
OP
V

veeceem

Active Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
284
Likes
158
I downloaded the manual and saw this:
It doesnt seem to reduce bass? Only flatten it?
Screenshot_20191111_092128.jpg
 
OP
V

veeceem

Active Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
284
Likes
158
I have R3s placed close to the wall without major issues. The port plugs work, EQ works better.

I use Anthem ARC, but Dirac would be dandy too.
What plug type you're using? I see 3 types in the manual
Thanks
 

sfdoddsy

Active Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2019
Messages
293
Likes
438
I'm not using the plugs any more because EQ works better.

The full plug has the most effect.

To answer your earlier post, you don't want to reduce bass extension, just bass peakiness.

Bass is good.
 
OP
V

veeceem

Active Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
284
Likes
158
I'm not using the plugs any more because EQ works better.

The full plug has the most effect.

To answer your earlier post, you don't want to reduce bass extension, just bass peakiness.

Bass is good.
Luckily I just purchased Anthem STR preamp with ARC Genesis, I should just go this route, too
 

napilopez

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Oct 17, 2018
Messages
2,109
Likes
8,424
Location
NYC
I'd just say
I downloaded the manual and saw this:
It doesnt seem to reduce bass? Only flatten it?
View attachment 38478

As mentioned, those graphs are a simplification. As a general rule, a plugging a port will reduce overall bass quantity, but increase extension for extremely low bass . Basically, the slope at the very bottom of a speakers response changes.

This graph from Stereophile's review of the Q Acoustics Concept 500 (which also comes with port plugs) provides a better picture of what blocking the port does. In red is the response of the port (side note: there's an overall bass bump here because Stereophile's bass measurements don't account for baffle step for consistency's sake. Real performance would be more linear).

319QC500fig5.jpg



In any case, you just want enough bass for it to sound good. A combination of EQ and sealing the ports will give you plenty of possibilities.
 

bunkbail

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 27, 2018
Messages
520
Likes
662
I recently bought KEF R3's, and have just posted results of a blind listening comparison to my Ascend Sierra 2-EX here (not listened to by me, but an unbiased 3rd party):

https://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-s...-listening-results-informal.html#post58765180

They're both fantastic speakers, but there is a clear winner, at least from this blind test. Check out the bottom of the page and expand the 'spoiler' section if you want to jump to the conclusion, otherwise you may find the comments from the listener explaining each speaker preference to be interesting as well.
A person suggested Wharfedale EVO 4.2 in the linked thread and I just ordered a pair for $745 shipped! It is so hard to buy speakers here in my country without astronomical price markup due to international shipping and customs. Even the RP600M costs $800 here. Luckily enough there's a sale on going right now and I had to make a blind purchase considering the price is good :p.
 

maty

Major Contributor
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Messages
4,596
Likes
3,160
Location
Tarragona (Spain)
But Wharfedale EVO 4.2 has a problem... without measurements, tests, reviews.

With the loudspeaker there is better to focus on those available measurements, the more complete the better.

https://www.wharfedale.co.uk/evo-4-2/

Wharfedale-EVO-42-specs.png



Only 54 kHz at -3 dB. With something of EQ...

As they tend to cheat with sensitivity, it is better to consider that it is 86 dB.

https://www.doctorproaudio.com/content.php?2273-calculators-proaudio-sound-dmx&langid=1#calc_spl

At 80 dBSPL + DR15. 3 m, random phase -> 36 watts at 8 Ohms. But minimum is 4 Ohms -> 72 watts at 4 Ohms.
 

bunkbail

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 27, 2018
Messages
520
Likes
662
But Wharfedale EVO 4.2 has a problem... without measurements, tests, reviews.
Yeah I'm aware of that, that's why this blind purchase is quite a risk for me. But, I've heard some Wharfedale towers before and they sounded glorious to my ears, so I'm being hopeful.

At 80 dBSPL + DR15. 3 m, random phase -> 36 watts at 8 Ohms. But minimum is 4 Ohms -> 72 watts at 4 Ohms
I own a Loxjie A10, do you think it is good enough for these speakers? 70w @ 4 Ohms might be hard I figure.
 

maty

Major Contributor
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Messages
4,596
Likes
3,160
Location
Tarragona (Spain)
Loxjie A10 -> TPA3116

[PDF] http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tpa3116d2.pdf

Ouch. It is a chip to sub/woofer. The PDF graphs are at... 400 Hz.

If you only listen modern commercial music -> DR < or << 10 dB

90 dBSPL. 12 watts at 8 Ohms -> 24 watts at 4 Ohms.

But the chipamp has a lot of THD in HF (tweeter).
 

bunkbail

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 27, 2018
Messages
520
Likes
662
Yeah I guess I have to upgrade the amp as well. It sounded great with my Kef Q350 (already sold it) though.
 

maty

Major Contributor
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Messages
4,596
Likes
3,160
Location
Tarragona (Spain)
If you do not listen a lot of electronic or orchestral recordings, aka complex music... where is important ALL harmonics below 90 dB... and you do not want to spend a lot of money:

[Polish] https://audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/wzmacniacze-stereo/3078-denon-pma-800ne

to English:

* https://translate.google.es/translate?hl=&sl=pl&tl=en&u=https://audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/wzmacniacze-stereo/3078-denon-pma-800ne&sandbox=1

* https://www.translatetheweb.com/?re...tereo/wzmacniacze-stereo/3078-denon-pma-800ne

If you want more, by mail, new thread or both.


PS: I do not trust in the THD graphs of the polish site.

http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-thd.htm

Almost THD is the high H2 harmonic.

H2 at -73 dB -> THD 0.022% at 1 watt is very different value in the THD graph.

- The End -
 
Last edited:
OP
V

veeceem

Active Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
284
Likes
158
So my shortlist is now:
1/ Revel M16: cheap + reasonable performance, big soundstage which gives flexible sound in the bedroom (as I'm not always in the sweetspot to listen)
2/ Revel M106 or KEF R3: similar price but twice of M16s.

I'm considering the M16s as my last pick. Anyone comments of their measurements/sound? M16 seems to have very good comments (from the sites that measure them). But other than reading the word, I can't understand the graphs :( thanks
 

SpyB

Active Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2019
Messages
142
Likes
103
These a a bit more than $2000 US / more like $2950 US,

Although they are amazing speakers / the purity of tone and imaging are truly impressive

In my opinion a very true voice/and a window to the preformance

The Audience 1+1 V3 or even the V2+ personal reference monitors Audience-ClairAudient.jpg/ they are just remarkable
 

Rja4000

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
May 31, 2019
Messages
2,682
Likes
4,220
Location
Liège, Belgium
KEF LS50 needs about 90 cm to the three walls to sound proper.
And if you close the bass reflex tube?
Mine are about 20cm from rear wall (with tube open) and, well, that still sounds good. Not perfect, but good.
Sone room correction is useful though.
 

raistlin65

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Nov 13, 2019
Messages
2,279
Likes
3,421
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Top Bottom