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Speaker recommendation $10-20K (with some requirements!)

Recent lessons of the developing audiophile:


  • Don’t buy speakers without demonstration

  • Speaker break in is real...but will not fundamentally change DNA

  • Really appreciate the wisdom of this forum!


I recently changed my old B&W Matrix 803 Series 2 with new Dynaudio Countour 60i’s. A number of you helped on my: How important is speaker break-in? post - thanks! The Dyn’s are not fully broken in, but I think I can see where this is going: They have great soundstage, detail, and bass. In comparison, the B&Ws sound smaller, thinner, slightly less detailed overall, and do not throw big bass. (The B&W’s are supplemented nicely with a quality subwoofer, but that still sounds a little more like component parts stitched together, than the way the Dyn’s deliver an integrated output).  


The problem? The Dyn’s are hard in the mids and highs, and my (aging) ears are very sensitive to that. I have some tinnitus that I usually don’t notice...unless a hard or ringing sound sets it off, and these speakers are doing it big time. Immediately fatiguing (unless the recording is just somebody plucking at a bass guitar). The B&Ws are pretty sweet in the mid-range and most recordings don’t trip my hard/edgy line. So, I WILL go demo before buying this time, but I am hoping this group can help narrow the search a bit, and I am letting budget drift up if that helps get it done. Here are constraints and goals, and equipment:


*Absolutely must be smooth and silky - not hard, edgy, ringing, brittle, etc. - in the mids and highs. Ironically, I tend to listen mostly to heavier music, but I care mostly about sweet and detailed delivery of delicate sounds, like vocals and piano. For say, heavy metal, I don’t care if the system reproduces it perfectly, only that it tilts away from ragged, ringing tones as much as possible.


*After that, I want a big, authoritative sound with meaningful bass, detail - everything one would want in a speaker, but compromises can be made.  


*Room Treatments. Room is medium size, does not have treatments, and it is what it is. It is not a dedicated audio room, so I can’t start throwing stuff up on the walls (WAF). (The room does have the benefit of being wood floor applied directly to concrete (with a rug), so at least the floor doesn’t resonate. And it has 2 layers of sheetrock in places). I will live with my room compromises, but the sound coming out the speakers themselves does matter and I want to focus on that.


*Prefer tower style for aesthetics and fit, but open to boxy (e.g. Harbeth) if that’s where I need to go.  


* Equipment: All digital inputs to ARC DAC 8 -> ARC Ref5se preamp -> Bryston 7BSST2 monoblocks (600W). I get that the whole system matters, and that Brystons are supposed to be a little hard. But this problem really started with the new speakers, so that is where I am focusing. If you really think different amps or something are going to turn the Dynaudio’s silky sweet in the mids and high, please say that with some conviction and support.


As always, really appreciate the greater knowledge of this community!



mathiasmingus
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
@mathiasmingus  I heard the Contour 60's at Command Performance in Washington DC.  No reason to believe the -i iteration is massively different.  It conforms to my model of the "modern" loudspeaker sound.  Thankfully, there are still a few brands that do not chase after the bandwagon in an attempt to jump on.  I compared the Spendor Classic 100 with the Harbeth 40.2 and while there were many more similarities than differences (both great speakers), I thought the Spendors (admittedly under different conditions) a tad more, er, muscular, which I thought would suit your listening preferences better.  I ended up with 40.2s and am extremely happy, as tilted up speakers send me running from the room.  My number three choice would be Vienna Acoustics The Music; I myself seriously considered the Liszt after an earlier flirtation with the Beethoven Baby Grands.  Again, VA bucks the trend.
And yes, room acoustics, cables, and all the rest do make a difference, but swopping one make/model of a speaker for another will make a bigger one, one that is likely to ameliorate your current problems.  I would have recommended the 40.2/40.3 only conventional wisdom rarely mentions Harbeth and heavy metal in the same breath.  The ATC brand sonic signature is somewhat removed from the classic British sound exemplified by Harbeth, Spendor Classic, Graham, Falcon, and a few others.  BTW Graham also has a cousin to the 40.2 and the Classic 100 in the LS 5/5, a fascinating speaker that I have regretfully not been able to audition so far.
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,807 posts
 
We were brystom dealers and it is the combo that is not working also arc gear is not warm

The contours are not bright also this also leads to how are u feeding the dac? A good server can dramatically improve a systems digital playbacks sense of smoothness
mathiasmingus OP
52 posts
 
twoleftears thank you for helping me narrow down my search for the most refined, genteel, well-mannered, mild, sophisticated, and delicate classic British loudspeakers, so I can get back to listening to raw black metal. :-)

But seriously, I find sound quality really matters even in metal.  Clearly with slower, well produced fare like OM, and with my tinnitus, I can't take thrashy or raw stuff at all unless well-presented. 
mathiasmingus OP
52 posts
 
We were brystom dealers and it is the combo that is not working also arc gear is not warm

The contours are not bright also this also leads to how are u feeding the dac? A good server can dramatically improve a systems digital playbacks sense of smoothness

Thanks, server is a Bryston BDP2.  Based on the combined wisdom of the group, my path is clear: The Dynaudios will be replaced with....a new preamp, DAC, server, Tara labs cables, Panduit power cords, and new acoustic wing to my home. :-)   But seriously, I will take a harder look at total system before making any decisions from here.  Thanks all.

steve59's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
steve59
1,779 posts
 
Another description for ‘current trend’ could be ‘revealing’ and I also have a pair of speakers that get very mixed reviews here because with lean components it’s way to much of a good thing, but I put the right integrated in the system and I’m having my cake and eating it too. Changing speakers can just leave you with a different set of disappointments. 
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