What’s your endgame speaker setup for critical listening?

[ahofer]

 

[fpitas]

Think big!

 

[Mr. Widget]

Well... then there is that.

 

[rwortman]

Sometimes I dream about “better” speakers and I am currently able to afford something quite a bit more expensive than my PSB T2’s. Maybe those ML stats Imused to lust after. Then I listen and wonder how much better it would be. BTW, I think ”critical listening” is for critics. I might do this for a few minutes after installing a new component or repairing something. Other than that, I listen for enjoyment, not criticizing.

 

[fpitas]

Sometimes I dream about “better” speakers and I am currently able to afford something quite a bit more expensive than my PSB T2’s. Maybe those ML stats Imused to lust after. Then I listen and wonder how much better it would be. BTW, I think ”critical listening” is for critics. I might do this for a few minutes after installing a new component or repairing something. Other than that, I listen for enjoyment, not criticizing.

It's open for debate, but I take "critical listening" to mean paying attention to only the music. No reading, wandering about, chatting with friends etc.

 

[audiofooled]

I am very happy with my DIY setup so I'd put the money in a treated, dedicated listening room, a man cave if you will.

 

[rwortman]

It's open for debate, but I take "critical listening" to mean paying attention to only the music. No reading, wandering about, chatting with friends etc.

I guess the audio world can redefine words. Everyone else does.

 

[fpitas]

I suppose "serious listening" might have been a more appropriate title, since few of us here will be using our speakers to mix or master.

 

[Axo1989]

I guess the audio world can redefine words. Everyone else does.

Not so much, it just means listening attentively like a critic, or listening where the music is critical, not incidental.

I suppose "serious listening" might have been a more appropriate title, since few of us here will be using our speakers to mix or master.

As opposed to casual listening. But I try not to be too serious.

 

[audiofooled]

I listen critically for enjoyment.

 

[napfkuchen]

My cost no object dream speakers would be in the same vein. Ideally the room would be purpose built with an acoustically transparent wall to hide the massive and not terribly attractive speakers... and could come in handy for double blind tests as well.

I have heard the Meyer Sound Blue Horns a few times and they are truly stunning.

Looks very interesting, in a recent talk on audioholics about spacial audio, speaker placement etc. they were also given high praise.

 

[Mart68]

don't have unlimited budget but I could go mad if I really wanted to. Kii3 or JBL4367 are the current top of my tree (of the speakers I have actually listened to).

I don't often 'listen critically' nowadays. As long as there's nothing in the sound that is bugging me I can just enjoy the music. So maybe it would be a waste of money.

When you don't have the means to buy it you really want it but then when you do have the means you discover you're no longer that bothered. Ironic.

 

[Diplo]

My cost no object dream speakers would be in the same vein. Ideally the room would be purpose built with an acoustically transparent wall to hide the massive and not terribly attractive speakers... and could come in handy for double blind tests as well.

I have heard the Meyer Sound Blue Horns a few times and they are truly stunning.

View attachment 276212

How would you describe them?
I’ve read Manny Marroquin uses these.

 

[FrankW]

https://www.mixonline.com/recording...etworks-debuts-purpose-built-reference-studio

 

[steve59]

the best sound from my listening room. I don't expect i'll bother with the meta upgrade since the Blade already delt with the backwave from the uniq driver I don't expect the differences to be nearly as dramatic as with the other kef models.

 

[sunandmoon]

I don't really have a reference for "end game", but these are visually enticing, and I really like the nod to the classic large monitor with the 2 x 15"

Stratton Acoustics Releases the Elypsis1512 Loudspeaker Furniture

Truly reminding us of those large JBL and Urei speakers and studio monitors, but promising the subtle performance of a pair of Quad electrostatics, the Elypsis1512 loudspeakers, from British brand Stratton Acoustics is a very unusual proposition in current times. According to the company, the...

audioxpress.com

 

[Pearljam5000]

A pair of these

 

[sunandmoon]

A pair of these View attachment 276403

Yeah, well, ok then

 

[Ciobi69]

id say kef blade or similar state of the art engineered and beatiful speaker

 

[Keith_W]

In a living environment, I think I would go for MBL or vintage JBL Everest DD55000. Critical listening solo isn’t much fun. Focused music listening is more fun with friends, and the sweet spot widening capabilities of MBL omnipolars and JBL asymmetrical horns are genuinely a more satisfying experience than the ultra resolution of a single seat (imho).

I was lucky enough to hear a pair of MBL 101E's a few days ago. It rekindled my love for MBL's

But then I still prefer aspects of my own speaker. It is much more transparent and dynamic. I have Acapella horns, which have been modified so that they are active, with a digital crossover and DSP everything. I have owned them for 15 years now, and to me they are close to perfect. As long as you don't move from the sweet spot!