Anybody knows any VSA VR-55, JA and Vandy dealers around Indy ?
Speaker upgrade
I would like to hear thoughts on upgrading my speakers. I am very happy with my current system, but am thinking of upgrading the speakers. Not made up my mind yet, but very close. I have changed my gears recently and deciding whether to keep my current speakers or try different.
I currently have Aerial acoustics 7T, with 2 REL S5/SHOs. Aerial acoustics 7T are one hell of a speaker, and I never thought I will change them: they are very neutral and transparent, which plays exactly what you feed them. I still think they are excellent and In fact, on many forums, I have constantly bragged about them and still do, for good reasons. But I guess, time has come to change. Looking for speakers with better resolution, big soundstage, organic and sweet mids. If I can get more of everything my 7T does, it will be a jackpot. Budget is < 35K (used OK).
I have thought of Magico S5 MK2, Vimberg Tonda, Marten Mingus, Rockport Avior II. Others include Von Shweikert VR55 and Vivid Audio Giya G1. Hard to audition all, but have heard S5 Mk2 and Rockport Avior II which are close top.
My other systems include, AF strumento no. 4 mk2 amps, VAC renaissance mk V pre-amp fed by Luxman D-10x (DAC/SACD player) and Antipodes CX/S30 (server/streamer). I use roon mostly and listen vocals, Jazz, classical, Indie Rock, contemporary instrumental and the likes. Room size is 17 x 14 and height is 10 feet. I have already done all room acoustics. Cables are Silversmith Fideliums (never going to change that) and Shunyata anaconda/python, TQ black diamond and AQ Hurricane.
I currently have Aerial acoustics 7T, with 2 REL S5/SHOs. Aerial acoustics 7T are one hell of a speaker, and I never thought I will change them: they are very neutral and transparent, which plays exactly what you feed them. I still think they are excellent and In fact, on many forums, I have constantly bragged about them and still do, for good reasons. But I guess, time has come to change. Looking for speakers with better resolution, big soundstage, organic and sweet mids. If I can get more of everything my 7T does, it will be a jackpot. Budget is < 35K (used OK).
I have thought of Magico S5 MK2, Vimberg Tonda, Marten Mingus, Rockport Avior II. Others include Von Shweikert VR55 and Vivid Audio Giya G1. Hard to audition all, but have heard S5 Mk2 and Rockport Avior II which are close top.
My other systems include, AF strumento no. 4 mk2 amps, VAC renaissance mk V pre-amp fed by Luxman D-10x (DAC/SACD player) and Antipodes CX/S30 (server/streamer). I use roon mostly and listen vocals, Jazz, classical, Indie Rock, contemporary instrumental and the likes. Room size is 17 x 14 and height is 10 feet. I have already done all room acoustics. Cables are Silversmith Fideliums (never going to change that) and Shunyata anaconda/python, TQ black diamond and AQ Hurricane.
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- 112 posts total
Romney80 wrote: " audiokinesis you have very good understanding on room acoustics... Will certainly be in touch with you when I have to do some more changes, which will be done after my speaker purchase." Thank you for the vote of confidence, romney80. And speaking of votes, you got mine in 2012 (assuming you’re THAT Romney). However my area of expertise is not room acoustics; I’m a loudspeaker designer. I would defer to a professional acoustician, or to the dealer you buy your speakers from, regarding treatment of YOUR room for YOUR speakers. My thoughts about loudspeaker/room interaction are informed by the work of concert hall acoustician David Griesinger, and here are a few relevant quotes: “The earlier a reflection arrives the more it contributes to masking the direct sound.” “When presence is lacking the earliest reflections are the most responsible.” “Envelopment is the holy grail of concert hall design. When reproducing sound in small spaces [home listening rooms], envelopment is often absent.” “Envelopment is perceived when the ear and brain can detect TWO separate streams: A foreground stream of direct sound, and a background stream of reverberation. Both streams must be present if sound is perceived as enveloping.” So the implication is that IF we want clarity and presence and envelopment, THEN we should minimize the energy in early reflections but still have plenty of energy in later reflections. And there should be a time gap in between the first-arrival sound and the strong onset of reflections. With polydirectional loudspeakers like the von Schweikerts and the Boenickes I see the opportunity for a setup with these attributes. Of course these are not the only things that matter, but they are often overlooked, and imo are worth the effort. I happen to be a longtime dealer for the SoundLabs that gallassero mentions. They are even bigger than Maggies and therefore presumably not remotely feasible in this situation, BUT when set up correctly (which is not complicated) they do an excellent job of delivering the "TWO streams" Griesinger talks about. Duke |
If I could make the commitment to buying speakers blind with a checkbook big enough match components later or say an additional $25k for components it would be easy to choose speakers. I've been thru a few and am enjoying a couple now 1 passive and 1 active dsp. I think while i'm trying passive speakers I'm going to try the Kef Blades as I've seen amplification as meager as the hegel h360 drive them and they have potential. |
"If I can get more of everything my 7T does, it will be a jackpot." Sometimes as here, solutions (or at least the clear, first step of exploration) are hiding in very plain sight indeed. That would be to listen to what the man who created your speakers has done when he wanted to radically improve on them - & then did it again to that solution. Which would be the Aerial 20T V2. Extraordinarily higher technology tweeter, much better materials in both, a much better midrange & woofers, radically improved xover (especially in the 2nd version) & all markedly improved on the second version of a speaker (that got rave reviews in the first place & then raves for the improvement). It's in your price range new but there's a mk 1 version for sale in the U.S. here > https://kahlaudio.com/products/aerial-acoustics-model-20t-former-flagship-stereophile-recommended-28... Highly recommend that if you buy these, you have them sent to Aerial for the V2 upgrade. There are tons of dealers (listed on Aerial's website) so it should be possible for you to audition them somewhere not too far from you. |
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