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Time to change. But to what?

I've had my B&W N803 for a while now. Love them. But have a craving for a different type of sound.

I want speakers that play all kinds of music equally well. Excell at soundstaging, imaging, resolution, are NOT analytical, sound natural(this is very improtant...I hate artificial sound), and do the bass so you not only hear it but feel it as well.

I started building a list of potential candidates.
Here goes it:
1. B&W 803D
2. DALI Helicon 800MkII
3. DALI Euphonia MS4 or 5
4. Dynuadio S5.4
5. Sonus Faber Cremona

from the list I am familiar with S5.4, 803D and Cremona. I have never heard DALI speakers.

Room width is about 14 feet. Length is 18 feet. Speakers are on the short wall. Behind the speakers corners are treated with 8th Nerve Rectangles and Triangles, there is an area rug in front of speakers.

I listen to rock music, jazz(vocal and instrumental but dynamic stuff...no smooth jazz at all), acoustic music, solo, chamber and large orchestral classical(Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Bartok, Shoenberg, Shostakovich, etc). I would like the orchestra to be rendered as large and real as possible within the natural limitations of my room, system, listener.

I like to listen on realistic levels when I can, but since I have a 5 year old who goes to bed early, low level resolution is VERY IMPORTANT. I do a lot of late night listening at low levels and want to hear as much information out of the speakers as possible. My B&Ws excell at playing loud without strain. I want this quality to remain with the new speaker as well.

The speaker upgrade will most likely force me to use my Bel Canto DAC3 as a preamp for a while.

I am selling my BAT VK-51SE preamp right now to raise some funds for the speakers. Once I sell the preamp I plan to sell the B&Ws.

DAC3 isn't that bad direct into my Pass Labs X250.5 and I have a feeling I can deal with it for the time being.
No plans to change the amplifier, or anything else. Just the speakers.

What are my options?

Your advise is greatly appreciated.
128x128audphile1
jrwr7
211 posts
 
Hey Y'all,

I would add Von Schweikert to your short list. I've owned a few pairs over the last four years and I've not been disappointed by any of them.........John
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
The Vandersteen Quatro is offered in a standard finish which is a wood capped speaker with cloth surrounding the entire body of speaker, the wood version is a typical wood speaker but comes at a $3000 premium, but for that you also get a bit better trickle down technology from the Vandersteen flagship model the %A. Call Richard Vandersteen himself for any and all questions as he is a refreshingly straight shooter among a world of slick sales efforts and hyperbowl. The Quatro models are across the board well reviewed and highly recomended by all who review them . There are far better folks to talk to about this speaker line but I will help if I can.
samhar
1,048 posts
 
HI, Love the CD3 MKll thanks again!!! What about Vandersteen Quatro they seem perfect for your needs, room size and your amp. For jazz and rock they have an enclosed powered sub, which mimics your amps characteristics, can you imagine the speed and snap of the bass,I owned a Pass X150 with 3A Sigs and I can still hear the speed and impact of the bass!! I think they play the music you list very well; fantastic with acoustic instruments, chamber, vocals and they through a big sound stage!! I just heard the Wood Quatro at my local Vandy dealer and they were impressive, a little quicker and more detailed than the 3A Sigs with 2Wq's subs. Mrjstark has a pair for sale in NY, you should give them a listen you'll be surprised.
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
We just had a good discussion of some of these issues on a different thread. I'll say again here that many of us professional orchestral musicians agree that still the best way to get as close as possible to the sound of a full orchestra in a good concert hall is a very old one - very highly efficient horn speakers, driven with tube electronics. Horns are excellent at soundstaging, imaging, and they have incredible dynamic range. They also resolve extremely well all of the very different timbres in the orchestra. Yes, they are very direct - but so is live music. If you want to keep it real, there isn't a better way to go. You can also find really good vintage horn speakers of greatly varying sizes at prices that are comparatively very low - certainly for far less than the Cremonas you mentioned.
racamuti's avatar
racamuti
362 posts
 
If you want to listen at low volumes and still get dynamics you should check out Nola Viper Reference. Should be a good match with your amp, although I've not heard that combo myself. When you were describing things that are important to you these speakers came to mind. Maybe there is a dealer near you so you could check them out. I don't own them, but I have a friend who does. I used to own Alon IV,s which is the same company but they changed their name. Just something to look at.
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