RMAF 2016................Boenicke W5

Now of course people who hear a product and it leaves no impression or a bad one are not likely to report or start a thread unless asked. .   But still every good review counts for something though ymmv. 

Did anyone hear the Benchmark amps, DACs, and so on. I know that they are pro equipment but what was your impression?

I heard them at Capital Audiofest last summer and sound was top notch one of the most enjoyable at the show and there were many good sounding rooms.

interesting read.  Bass is the most expensive part of the spectrum to properly reproduce.  It just is for many reasons.  I read someone above talk about adding extra cone area to produce more sound pressure, but that does add so many more problems.  I'm sensitive to coherency problems in speakers and once folks add the larger cones, they rarely are able to keep the coherency and if they do, it's going to be very very expensive to do so.

We all know that folks make trade offs when designing speakers.  I've learned as have most that you can't go into things with preconceived notions.  I'm personally living with an incredible pair of Vandy Treo's that I NEVER was going to let in my house. I hadn't heard them in over 20 years when I was upgrading the system and I was forced to give them an audition.  Legacy was another brand that I was asked to listen to at another store and I hated the model they auditioned, but then they put on the newer model and I really liked them a lot.  It was their newest tweeter vs their older one.  Harsh is the word that came to mind.  I hurt my ears on the older one, lol.  The one I liked, I couldn't afford so it was a non starter. 

I was always a monitor guys, but every time I listened I felt I was missing the foundation of the music. I love rock as well as everything else.  That's why I like what Vandersteen does with his speakers...he gives you trade offs that the majority of folks can easily live with and most enjoy.  You can go plenty deep and get the air in the room to move, lol. 

Shows are the worst environment to listen, but you can get an idea of sound signature and if you are able to be one of the few in a room, you can get a much better idea.  Some vendors are always getting chosen as best of show.  Go and look at the old show reports from STereophile or TAS or the multitude of other sites that you know and trust a bit and you'll see what reviewers like and often even end up owning for their personal systems (many aren't even allowed to talk about what they personally own believe it or not).  I know a few guys who talk about their personal 'ref' systems they use, but actually are using someone else's speakers for their OWN every day listening when they can.  Always politics, lol. 

Well, I'm in the hospital recovering from surgery and am posting way too much, lol....sorry......I've heard a lot about the W5's, but not sure where they are even sold in the Northeast.  

Don't need 2 threads HELLO!!!

First off why are you yelling?  This thread is on the second page so it's been going for a bit.  Where is the other thread?  Many of us don't just look at all the threads to see where there are extras.  Usually once a thread makes two pages, it has a life of it's own.  Just saying.

ebm-

Don't need 2 threads HELLO!!!

If you don't like this discussion, please jog on...................

Prices for the larger Boenicke speakers are;
W8  $6800
W11 $9000
W13 $18000.

I am assuming these prices are for 'standard' versions.

ctsooner-Get well soon.

Thanks bless.  Love the name ;)....lol....

I have a lot of Vandersteen friends if you would and a few have mentioned the Boenicke as speakers they would have on their short list a long with the Vandy's.  I'll get to hear them one of these days.  Personally, I can't live without a full range or nearly full range speaker anymore.  Once you have it, you want it.  I'm listening longer than I ever did when I has stand mounts even when they were larger boxes.

I had to read some reviews before posting. Being an open minded individual and based on what I read, they seem to be priced appropriately. The way they're milled is rather impressive in itself. Thanks for sharing.

One could pay a shed load more of the green paper and get (musically) a whole lot less. I failed to mention the pairing of Sotm gear running with the W5's. It was a completely random pairing, and I think they paired very well together.

My Treo's in the CT version go for 8k I believe.  They would go against the W11 and cost a bit less.  I'd love to hear them in a similar system.  I may seriously look for a dealer in NYC.  Does anyone know of any?

I read in the Stereophile Show Reports online, one of their folks heard them and liked them as well.

The Treo CT's were rated very highly by TAS and others.  They really are special for speakers under 10k and more.

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/vandersteen-audio-treo-ct-loudspeaker/
Neil Gater's last line says it all:
Neil’s conclusion: "... you cannot get a more purely musical loudspeaker in this price range than the Treo CT. A true delight."

I also was very impressed with the Boenicke’s. I was very shocked to hear that much quality sound coming from these small speakers. Another company I was unfamiliar with, but was a stand out for the price was Margules. They had a $12k speaker that was fantastic for the money.  In that same range I thought the Focal Sopra 2, Legacy Focus SE and Marten Django L were excellent. My higher dollar favorites from the show were the Magico M3, Rockport Cygnus and with a somewhat lower price, the Tidal Piano Diacera G2.

Hi I own a pair of Boenicke w5’s 
Rotel Ra -1572 integrated and matching CD player xlr interconnects 
Imac with (silver dragon)moon usb A To B cable 
Audirvana Plus music player
and some cardas speaker cable 

previous speakers Hale Revelation 3’s

my new little system hums !
its definetly a budget system that punches far above its weight 
and the Boenicke w5’s are Natural sounding and handle my diverse musical tastes with great finesse 
Do they play LOUD. Uhmm YES !
Are they fatiguing NO !
Did i prefer my Hales yes ..were the Hales humongous YEP 
Am I a happy camper  !
Lets see with my ipad and the app for Audirvana Plus music player
I get to sit and play what i what when i want ..without struggle 
 Would i be Happy upgrading electonics YES ! Small budget small space ..Boenicke w5 are worth listining to for the right people ..far more ENJOYABLE than most similar sized and priced speakers ..for playing slightly less than perfect recordings of favorite music of all genres