I've been listening to a pair of GMA Continuum 1.5's for the past several days, and all I can say is these speakers are outstanding. In my opinion, so many box speakers have a difficult time in 'letting go' of the music. In other words, there is a distinct conversation that can be heard between the speaker and the music, which makes the music sound tethered to (and encumbered by) the box. With the GMA, the music leaves the speaker so freely as to deliver the music with a liveliness that is entirely non-hi-fi. It literally makes many other speakers sound like they are restraining the energy of the music. In addition, the GMA's have the most tight-fisted bass response I may have ever heard. If the bass response of most speakers is as loose as the planet Saturn, the GMA bass sounds as if the rings have been removed.
Advice about warm, gentle speakers...
Help. I need to use a home theater system for 2 channel music. The system is based on a mid-level Denon DVD player and a Denon receiver and right now the ONLY variable I can change is the brand of front left and right speakers (presently Paradigm Titans). I would like to get something that can soften the digital glare (besides turning down the treble!). The speakers need to be either monitors or small floor standers and I am aiming for a price less than $4,000 new or used. Finally, I am not in a location where I can audition different brands so I hope to narrow it down to a few choices for in-home trials. I listen to all types of music but not louder than about 80-85 db. From reviewing the forums it appears that more “serene” brands include Green Mountain, Spendor, Sonus Faber and Vienna Acoustics. I really appreciate any input on this—thanks in advance for the advice.
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"I can get the stands separately in addition to $4k for the speakers." Then you will certainly want to audition the magnificent Intuitive Design Summits. I was (and still am) so thrilled with how they sounded, that I posted a review in November, 2005 on Audiogon. I don't really expect people to believe all of what I said, but hopefully it will prompt a few folks to at least LISTEN to these if they're in the market for speakers (even if they have to drive somewhere to do it--these are very special and it would be worth the effort, in my opinion). Only then will they see (hear) what I mean. Here's the link: Intuitive Design Summit Loudspeakers--An Unsolicited Review |
The Green Mountain speakers are awesome, but probably too revealing with the Denon gear. Tyler Linbrooks would be warmer and might be a better match. The Taylos use a slightly brighter tweeter and don't put out near the low end that the Linbrooks do, even the monitors. See if they have someone near you for their home demo program (customers' homes). |
They are warmer, but they aren't more forgiving IMO. I have tried my various Tylers on several pieces of electronics at various price points and manufacturers... Each time the speakers revealed differences in the electronics feeding them to my ears, at least. As such, I am not saying Tyler/Denon is a bad match (as that is not a combo I tried), but only to be careful there as the Tylers will reveal the Denon's character through them, and that may or may not be a good thing. |
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