2. speakers
  3. 1186955131

$40.000 speaker advise. Check out my list

Hello all,

I'm currently owning a system which consists of Mark Levinson 33H amps, Mark Levinson Nr 32 Pre-amp, a Wadia 860x Cd player and a pair Revel Ultima Studio speakers. Cables are Nordost Valhalla/Valkyrja.

I believe my speakers are the weakest link in my system and am considering upgrading. I listen to all sorts of music, from jazz, classic to pop/dance.

I have a few speakers on my wish list but they are not easy to find to listen to them so I want ask you opinion first before I start searching for a dealer the have one or more of these brands.

Could you please go through the list and rank them from 1 to 6, best to "worse" speaker and explain why you think the list should be in that order.

The speakers I am thinking about are (in random order):

1. Sonus Faber Stradivari
2. Verity Sarastro
3. Lumen White white light
4. Rockport Antares
5. Revel Ultima Salon
6. Avalon Eidolon Diamond

Thanks a lot for your help.

Regards,

Max
maxx1973
emailists
923 posts
 
Quads shouldnt be that hard to audition somewhere relatively close.

They would at least give you a sense if you like 'stats.

Honestly If I were in your position, (especially since you have good speakers already) I'd really take my time, listen to everything I could, even if it took 6 or 8 months. Go to the next CES or THE show. Unless you are in a financial position to get a 40K speaker then a year from now hear something else and then just dump them, that's another story. I really like the idea of finding a speaker whoose sound really gels with me, then tailoring the system to that, even it if means swapping out other components or cables.

Since you are starting at a pretty high level of reproduction to begin with, I think you want to make sure you end up with some significantly better, not just "different."
hatari
94 posts
 
I haven't heard them all, but I think the Strads need a very large room to do their thing. I'd personally do what Emailists recommends, find the speaker that you like best, then re-jig the system to work with them.

From your list, I haven't heard many, but I'm a Verity guy - I'd get the Sarastros (talk to Matt at pitchperfect, he has one there) and consider a Shindo or Nagra rig with them. But that's just me.
psacanli
535 posts
 
I'm with Dlanselm on the Eidolons. Just saw them and am completely underwhelmed at their price. More finish coats are in order, at least.
cdc
1,820 posts
 
Antares: very nice, natural sound. Would be my first choice as sound is a safe bet if buying unheard as it's not too warm, bright, analytical, etc. Just well balanced and good for a large room.
Verity also nice but too much bass in the Parsifals unless you have lean electronics like Musical Fidelity A3cr. Maybe your Levinson would work.
Would also put the MBL's on the list and maybe the big Soundlabs.
Wouldn't even consider the others as the sound is far from neutral IMHO and limited listening - I didn't hear them in my living room :-). Although depending on your musical taste maybe the Sonus Faber or Avalon.
maxx1973 OP
34 posts
 
Hi all,

One speaker I forgot to mention in my list. What do you all think of the Eggleston Savoy speaker and where does it stand in my previous list?

Do you think all of the speakers on my list are able to work properly in my listening room which has the following dimensions

Length: 30 ft
Width: 21 ft
Height: between 10-13 ft

Thanks
More to discover