Upgrade from R3

[simplywyn]

I'm currently running R3's on my desk as desktop speakers, and I love the idea of huge audiophile speakers on the desk as I work. Is there a next level version of this? I know R3 metas are out but I feel like that's a side grade, and not really an upgrade.

Anyone with some ideas about what's after R3?

 

[Opal]

Hmm a simple google would tell you the reference series

 

[tifune]

What's your budget? Have you optimized what you already own (treatment, DSP, maybe some augment like BACCH)?

 

[-Matt-]

Genelec Ones?

One of the Ascilab Purifi models?

 

[alankila]

You did not write any budget. The upgrade that comes to mind could well be KEF Q11 Meta unless you have some specifications that exclude floorstanders. I mean, you could maybe put them next to your desk. (I have my own speakers on stands right next to the desk.) The justification for this recommendation is: Spinorama score of Q11 Meta is better, there will be more bass capability. Hopefully you can get room mode PEQ corrections also going somehow to reduce bass booming effects.

Even so, my expectation is that your upgrade is quite small and I do not honestly think it is worth doing. If you have speaker as good as R3 is, there is relatively little left to discover. You can get more bass and that's about it.

 

[-Matt-]

unless you have some specifications that exclude floorstanders.

The OP does mention that the speakers will be put on the desk, to be fair. But yes, a bit more detail on the budget and requirements would be helpful.

 

[simplywyn]

Hmm a simple google would tell you the reference series

What's the difference? Reference just looks more expensive.

You did not write any budget. The upgrade that comes to mind could well be KEF Q11 Meta unless you have some specifications that exclude floorstanders. I mean, you could maybe put them next to your desk. (I have my own speakers on stands right next to the desk.) The justification for this recommendation is: Spinorama score of Q11 Meta is better, there will be more bass capability. Hopefully you can get room mode PEQ corrections also going somehow to reduce bass booming effects.

Even so, my expectation is that your upgrade is quite small and I do not honestly think it is worth doing. If you have speaker as good as R3 is, there is relatively little left to discover. You can get more bass and that's about it.

I have R11. My budget, well between 2-5k for an upgrade potentially. Desk top only (like bookshelf speakers like the R3)

Is there anything out there that comes to mind?

 

[-Matt-]

What's the difference? Reference just looks more expensive.

Well it is expensive!

Comparing the Q, R and Reference series, the cabinet construction quality and driver quality should increase as you go up the through the ranges.

In the measurements this is, in theory, revealed by the distortion specs.

HARMONIC DISTORTION (90dB, 1m)
Q Concerto Meta: <1% 91 Hz - 20 kHz
R3 Meta: <0.5% 90 Hz - 20 kHz
Reference 1 Meta: <0.5% 40Hz – 100kHz

So the R3 Meta and Reference 1 Meta have lower distortion than the Q Concerto Meta.

...and the Reference 1 Meta can keep the same distortion level down to lower frequencies than the R3 Meta.


Edit:
Also, if you look at the frequency response flatness metric on Spinorama...
Q Concerto Meta: +/-2.5dB
R3 Meta: +/-2.1dB
Reference 1 Meta: +/-1.8dB

 

[simplywyn]

Well it is expensive!

Comparing the Q, R and Reference series, the cabinet construction quality and driver quality should increase as you go up the through the ranges.

In the measurements this is, in theory, revealed by the distortion specs.

HARMONIC DISTORTION (90dB, 1m)
Q Concerto Meta: <1% 91 Hz - 20 kHz
R3 Meta: <0.5% 90 Hz - 20 kHz
Reference 1 Meta: <0.5% 40Hz – 100kHz

So the R3 Meta and Reference 1 Meta have lower distortion than the Q Concerto Meta.

...and the Reference 1 Meta can keep the same distortion level down to lower frequencies than the R3 Meta.


Edit:
Also, if you look at the frequency response flatness metric on Spinorama...
Q Concerto Meta: +/-2.5dB
R3 Meta: +/-2.1dB
Reference 1 Meta: +/-1.8dB

Is there no speaker with these features that don’t cost ridiculous amounts of money?

 

[PGansz]

Is there no speaker with these features that don’t cost ridiculous amounts of money?

Not really, no. You can't get the best products for cheap in any industry.

 

[AnalogSteph]

R3s are good speakers to begin with, they seem plenty sufficient for a desk setup. (They're on stands, right?) Use measurement (MMM) and PEQ to make them just about perfect in situ.

 

[simplywyn]

Not really, no. You can't get the best products for cheap in any industry.

Cheap?

The reference are $12000 whereas I got my r3 for $2500

Are we in marginal gain land now?

 

[PGansz]

Cheap?

The reference are $12000 whereas I got my r3 for $2500

Are we in marginal gain land now?

Yes. Unless your ears can pick apart .5% distortion and a couple db of compression at certain frequencies at stupid volumes.

 

[Penelinfi]

Cheap?

The reference are $12000 whereas I got my r3 for $2500

Are we in marginal gain land now?

Usually top of the line range of speakers seems to have a much larger markup, be it due to "Made in UK" or what have you.

 

[Mort]

I would think the Genelec 8331a is an upgrade for $4500, no? e.g.: GLM, 3 way, digital AES/BEU.

 

[berjine]

With 5k budget I'd wait for the fancy Ascilabs
(C6C/C5C for cardioïd, S6B for Purifi goodness)

 

[AnalogSteph]

I would think the Genelec 8331a is an upgrade for $4500, no? e.g.: GLM, 3 way, digital AES/BEU.

Sure. But the R3 already is a 3-way with good dispersion, and a good measurement setup with MiniDSP (if needed) should be ~1k tops.

 

[Mort]

Sure. But the R3 already is a 3-way with good dispersion, and a good measurement setup with MiniDSP (if needed) should be ~1k tops.

Except it's their money and they asked for an upgrade

 

[simplywyn]

Except it's their money and they asked for an upgrade

Nah, upgrade as in, if there is a worth. Not just wasting money.

 

[Mort]

Nah, upgrade as in, if there is a worth. Not just wasting money.

Everything is going to be diminishing returns.
Can't get away from that.

Nothing is going to beat the value of the r3, otherwise you wouldn't have purchased it in the first place in that price range.