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Missing the Old Days

I’m new to the higher end audio game. What I don’t know about modern audiophile technology and doctrine could fill a library.

What I do know is how I like to listen to my music, which I’m quite sure would make some crinkle their eyes and squint at me with a look of “my lord son, really?” Kinda look lol.

My first foray into good speakers are my current Goldenear Triton 5’s and my JL D108 Sub. They sound nice....very nice...but they just don’t sound the way I like. So now I’ll soon hook them up to a Parasound Halo A21/P5 which I’m sure will improve the sound.

However, I’m aware that it still may not deliver the goods for me personally. I miss the days of those big, solid, powerful speakers that’d shake the dust off your shelves and make the squirrels living in your my attic fear for their lives. 

I miss my trusty old MTX AAL 2230’s. They weren’t fancy, they certainly weren’t overly detailed, but they kicked ass. They kicked a lot of ass. Where are the speakers that can deliver big sound, driving Bass and clarity without the need to run 1 or 2 Subs? Speakers that are powerhouses without costing 10, 15, 20 thousand or more? There used to be a time when you could go to any number of local Stereo shops and have multiple choices of all ranges of speakers and equipment. I have to drive an hour or more to find any store remotely close to that.

I’ve seen Tyler Acoustics, but I’m Leary. No dealers, only direct sales, very generic specs, and hardly any reviews anywhere. I’d like to hear a few of his models, the cheaper Halo 1’s that closely resemble my beloved MTX’s just look like a white van special Speaker with those shiny black woofers.

Maybe I’m just an old Deadhead stuck in the past, but if there are speakers like this out there that are quality and don’t cost as much as a car, I’d love to hear about them!
128x128bigjohn9095
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
1,019 posts
 

Doug S nailed it.

My orders for the SW15 have been off the hook. Why? Because people want to get back to music and warmth.

High End Audio took a weird departure back in the 90's and never really got back on track enough to satisfy many hunting for that full range, and not marginal full range, sound.

I look at a lot of recommendations and think to myself "are these recommendations to the OP or High End Audiophile almost there but not quite suggestions". If someone is looking for a 15" inch sound, why not recommend a 15" sound.

It's really fun watching the 12", 15" and 18" folks coming back to life. As well it's also nice seeing the paper tweeter folks back.

Michael Green

www.michaelgreenaudio.net

hedgehog's avatar
hedgehog
183 posts
 
I've owned two pairs of Tyler Acoustics' speakers. I still own a pair of two way floorstanders. A manufacturer that sells direct is not so rare these days. Ty is one of the many good guys in audio.
jon_5912
604 posts
 
I'm a big fan of bigger woofers that aren't crossed over too low as well.  In my mind 8" is the minimum woofer size that can give decent punch.  10" or more is better.  A pair of 8" woofers is still fairly common and that can come close to a single 12.  

Small speakers mated to a subwoofer can't sound like big speakers with big woofers.  Sub/sat systems can be great on some things but for large scale, dynamic music I've never found them satisfying.  
bigjohn9095's avatar
bigjohn9095 OP
47 posts
 
Really good points being made here!

I certainly am not suggesting Ty and his Speakers are sub par, not on the up and up. What feedback I personally was able to find was very positive. When I saw those new Halo 1's for 2600 a pair, I was super excited, the shiny black woofers just struck a memory in me. 

My first experience buying speakers, way back in the early '90's was not good. I bought a pair of those "White Van" specials we all know of from the Brother of a friend. Needless to say within a couple days, after some pretty heated exchanges, I returned them and got my money back. I then bought the MTX AAL 2230's and never looked back. They still sit connected to that old Kenwood 100 watt receiver at my ex wife's house.

After my experience with these Goldenears, I am on the hunt for that bigger natural sound. I dam near bought a pair of the current Cerwin Vega XLS-215's. But after reading numerous reviews, many people say you still need a Sub for them! All show and No Go is how I'd put it. They're dual 15" speakers, designed with no Balls I guess...At any rate, even though these Triton 5's sound nice, it's just not the same. I'm upgrading the Amp ten fold and adding a second JL D-108 Sub. And that'll be that until I find a new pair of Speakers.

I will say, I listened to a pair of PSB Imagine T3's and was very impressed with their sound overall. But at $7500 a pair, I'm much better off spending 3k to 4k or going all in on the Double Impacts / Se's, or giving a higher end Tyler Acoustic Model a try.

The search continues... I have time...gotta pay off the rest of my Amp first! :-)



 
erik_squires
16,041 posts
 
Honestly I have a difficult time recommending subs to the average music lover. The total cost of ownership (TCO) can be quite high, and leave the listener pretty dissatisfied if not very carefully thought out. A lot more work than most want to know about or undertake.

Having said that, a well integrated, physically large and powerful sub is a magical thing indeed. 

Best,


E
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