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Best speakers out there for Midrange and Highs

Hello Everyone!

I would like some advise about what are some of the better speakers out there for a 2 channel system - with use of subwoofers.

I currently use a pair of significantly large - full range speakers (Revel Salon2), that go down below 20hz. Even though my speakers go down so low, I still desired more air movement / sound pressure in the room - to make the sound as palatable as possible.

I found that combining the Salon2 with an external active crossover (JL Audio CR-1) and 2 Subs (JL Audio F113s) sounds excellent. Soundstage is close to like being at a concert, and surprisingly to me, was that imaging has not been lost. Furthermore, adjusting the phases on the subwoofers basically made the speakers and subs act like a singularity and helped the system sound even more exciting. I cross over at 90hz with a 24Db decay.

However, can’t help thinking about the obvious - that I am waisting all that available bass capability on the Salon2s. So I was wondering what speakers out there could be even more appropriate for my configuration. These speakers need not go down so low - Down to 55HZ would be more than enough. On the other hand, Salon2s also have a very strong midrange and highs, so I would like the new speaker to be either:

1) Better in the mids and highs (whether same price as the Salon2 or possibly more expensive), or
2) As good in the mids and highs as the Salon2s but less expense

Very much appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you in advance!

Ag insider logo xs@2xjmarshak
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,804 posts
 

I dislike applying the adjective "Best" to anything (except J.S. Bach and The Band ;-), but I’m with ya George. Hearing my first ESL’s was a game changer: the Infinity Servo-Static I and 2000A, the ESS Trans-Static I (a pair of which I now own), the RTR ESL6, the Fulton Model J (which I bought new), and finally the original Quad (also now owned). Cones were dead to me. Then The Magneplanar Tympani---finally, life-size instruments and image height! Plus cut-from-the-same-cloth timbre reproduction, and very low coloration. Not as transparent as ESL’s, but ya can’t have it all.

There is a loudspeaker available now with the widest-band planar driver I know of---the Eminent Technology LFT-8b. The dual-LFT magnetic-planar drivers (a push-pull design) cover 180Hz to 10kHz, with NO crossover! A ribbon tweeter comes in for the top octave, and an 8" dynamic woofer in a sealed enclosure does 180Hz down. With a pair of real good subs (Rythmik, the OB/Dipole model if you’re very serious) added, you have a killer budget system for under $5,000 total.


p59teitel
312 posts
 
jmarshak, every so often a used Plinius SB-301 pops up here for sale at prices around $5K.  It is really a great amp for the price, with smooth highs and the only drawback being that it runs hot.  If I hadn't come across a ridiculously good price for the Symphonic Line monos, the Plinius would likely still be here.  
mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt
710 posts
 
To me if you like the sound of the Revel Salon2 in your system the obvious choice is their TOTL Gem2 bookshelf speakers.
-3 dB from 70 Hz to 45 kHz
±0.5 dB from 75 Hz to 18 kHz
±1.0 dB from 72 Hz to 20 kHz

https://www.revelspeakers.com/products/series/series-ultima2/Gem2-.html?cgid=series-ultima2&dwva...
newtoncr
151 posts
 
Interesting why everyone is trying to get you to buy monitor speakers. You really seem to like the dynamic sound of the floor standers with the added deep bass, the combination that gives you real live music sound with excellent dynamic range and presentation.
in the place of the blade 2 I tried the ls50 and the ref 1. They all share the same midrange , tweeter driver unit. So theoretically with the subs  the sound should be similar to blade 2 with subs. NOT EVEN CLOSE. Big speakers with added subs integrated well sound so much better . Hence I am going for the bigger blades for the mid and highs . The kef guys feel that the bigger speaker would have more presence even when not doing bass duty. I sure hope so.
With regard to electrostats I have only tried Martin Logan’s and own a pair of cadence electrostats in my second system. They don’t match the blades when it comes to dynamic presentation and sound pressures which are important to me and the dipole nature of the speaker imo loose the focus that the blades provide . The blade 2 with the jl audio subs have a deep, wide, clean , stable and powerful soundstage . The electrostats sounded very pleasant but lacked the palpable presence of these big speakers mated with subs. To make the mid and high better , as you like your speakers and amplification I would recommend tweaks and essentials like sound treatment ( I love asc tube traps and they are very helpful if u call them ) , cables( in my system kiMber was too bright I use all cardas now and they made the sound much more to my taste), power conditioning, isolation feet etc Things to add everyday to make your system sound better a fraction at a time .

Ag insider logo xs@2x
jmarshak OP
157 posts
 
This is great! A lot of interesting and diverse opinions..as expected in this excellent forum.

For now, I’ll stay with Salon2. I really love them in my system and I think they are really not a lot of money for what they offer.

Again, thanks everyone for your thoughts and recommendations!.
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