Why mention of Vandersteen?
Looking for recommendations for a pair of full range speakers for ~8k or under
What would your recommendation be? These are some of the speakers I have tested and liked:
1. B&W 702–S2 (new) - incredible for only 5k and I love the bass output with 3 drivers but the vocals can be a little harsh on some recordings. Maybe a good warm amplifier can help with this? I am also interested in the 702 Signature version going for 6.5k but not sure how it differs.
2. B&W 804 d3 (used) - Maybe my favorite of everything I’ve heard so far, better that the 702 in almost every way and not as harsh but I miss the extra output from the 702’s 3 bass drivers. I’m just not sure if it’s worth an extra 2-3k plus being used. I love that it goes lower though. Was seeing it used for ~7k online
3. Sonus Faber Sonetto 8 (new) - good bass and musical but Lacks some of the definition of the B&W - 7k
4. Sonus Faber Olympica 2 (used) - I loved this, much better than the sonetto in every way goes lower but lacks some in the bass output vs the sonetto. Was offered a trade-in in my local store for 6.5k
5. Sonus Faber Olympica 3 (used) - I haven’t heard this but I imagine It would be a perfect match for me with the extra bass driver and I’m seeing some used for under 8k online.
I feel like my comparisons weren’t too good with very different rooms in different stores and amps so I am wondering what you guys would recommend of these options or if you have other recommendations either used or new under 8k. I can’t go too crazy though since I can’t spend too much on an integrated amplifier (~2-4k). Any Focal or other brands I should listen too also? I will also be using them for 2 channel home theater as well as music. I will likely be getting an integrated amplifier that complements the speakers I choose. I listen to a wide variety of music types and my room is about 14 x 22 with high vaulted ceilings. I appreciate any advice since I am new to high end speakers coming from a not so great soundbar.
1. B&W 702–S2 (new) - incredible for only 5k and I love the bass output with 3 drivers but the vocals can be a little harsh on some recordings. Maybe a good warm amplifier can help with this? I am also interested in the 702 Signature version going for 6.5k but not sure how it differs.
2. B&W 804 d3 (used) - Maybe my favorite of everything I’ve heard so far, better that the 702 in almost every way and not as harsh but I miss the extra output from the 702’s 3 bass drivers. I’m just not sure if it’s worth an extra 2-3k plus being used. I love that it goes lower though. Was seeing it used for ~7k online
3. Sonus Faber Sonetto 8 (new) - good bass and musical but Lacks some of the definition of the B&W - 7k
4. Sonus Faber Olympica 2 (used) - I loved this, much better than the sonetto in every way goes lower but lacks some in the bass output vs the sonetto. Was offered a trade-in in my local store for 6.5k
5. Sonus Faber Olympica 3 (used) - I haven’t heard this but I imagine It would be a perfect match for me with the extra bass driver and I’m seeing some used for under 8k online.
I feel like my comparisons weren’t too good with very different rooms in different stores and amps so I am wondering what you guys would recommend of these options or if you have other recommendations either used or new under 8k. I can’t go too crazy though since I can’t spend too much on an integrated amplifier (~2-4k). Any Focal or other brands I should listen too also? I will also be using them for 2 channel home theater as well as music. I will likely be getting an integrated amplifier that complements the speakers I choose. I listen to a wide variety of music types and my room is about 14 x 22 with high vaulted ceilings. I appreciate any advice since I am new to high end speakers coming from a not so great soundbar.
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- 60 posts total
Check out Spatial Audio. Great full range speakers that can do so with just about any amp. Mine are getting 20 tube watts and can go deep, cast a super wide soundstage, and makes things sound uncannily real. They even make a version with self-amplified bass drivers for deeper bass. And they’re open baffle so the bass and everything else has as little room interaction as a speaker can have. New Record Day just posted a video comparing spatial against Revel and a few others using a binaural mic so you could hear how they reproduce piano and bass. The Spatials really do something cool in that department. Worth a listen and they’ll do a home trial as well. |
Marten Oscars, Dynaudio Evoke and Contours, Totems, will all be great choices if you have a chance to try them at home. And then there are about 10 other brands I love, some already listed here. https://www.avantgarde-acoustic.de/en/products.html https://sonneraudio.com/ https://www.gato-audio.com/eu/loudspeakers/bookshelf.html https://www.dali-speakers.com/products/dali-menuet/ https://www.dynaudio.com/home-audio/evoke/evoke-10?c=walnutwood https://www.marten.se/products/ https://www.buchardtaudio.com/shop https://www.josephaudio.com/products https://totemacoustic.com/ https://www.salksound.com/gallery.php https://soundkaos.audio/soundkaos-audio-speakers https://amphion.fi/ http://www.diapason-italia.com/en/index.html https://www.canton.de/en/products/reference-k/ http://www.vienna-acoustics.com/ https://www.indianaline.it/tesi-vinyl-series/ https://www.trenner-friedl.com/index.php?menu=product&sprache=en&second=pharoah |
- 60 posts total