Speaker thoughts - ProAc D40R or Wilson Benesch

Since the thread is revived, might as well add on...

I was a Proac owner, had the D2, and wanted a pair of floor standers with the new ribbon tweeter.  When my local pusher put his D30R demos on clearance, I rushed over with cash in hand planning to bring them home.  But while there I made the mistake of auditioning the Wilson Benesch Vertex side by side with the D30R.  It wasn't close.   I couldn't believe how much better a pair of Vertex monitors sounded than the big D30R.   But I couldn't swing the extra cost difference between the D30R and Vertex so I went home empty handed.   

That was a D30R vs. Vertex comparison - a D40R vs. Square 3 comparison may have gone differently.

Rothwea,
What amps were used to drive the D48R? How was the bottom end on these? I saw the spec and they say that the speaker is rated to 20Hz. Sounds too good to be true for such a sleek loudspeaker.

Milpai, the amps my dealer often uses with 48R's are the VTL tube stereo power amps. But they are pricey and on this occasion he used a

Prima Luna Dialogue HP power amp fitted with KT88 tubes. Surprisingly perhaps, the bottom end was fine, with pretty good control. So a good value combo. To my ear, the bass end on these speakers goes surprisingly deep given their exterior dimensions. Certainly, it is significantly more extended and morre tuneful than the Sonus Faber Cremona M's I used to own.

Thank You for the feedback. It is helpful to know that, since I do not have a dealer in my area.

I cannot offer a direct comparison experience of the Proac D40R and the WB line.   I still have the D40R and I continue to be amazed at how they perform in a huge room.   I would say the bass is ruler flat to 31 hz and useful bass in the 25 hz range.  On a test CD I can hear the 25 and 20 hz tone, but it isn't in the REL category.  The D40R bass literally loads my entire house....all floors and rooms.   It is quite impressive.   I have the VAC 160i integrated 85 watts KT88 and I run shotgun Cardas Golden Cross speaker wire....adding the second pair instead of using a high quality jumper was quite an improvement.  Front end is relatively simple: Rega RP8 w/ Ortofon Cadenza Black and a Cary CD300 tube CD player (circa 1995).   I still can't find a CD player that beats it and believe me, I've tried.  All Golden Cross cables and Shunyata power cables.  I've heard a few smaller speakers that do the midrange a bit cleaner, but not as full sounding.  Need to move up to YG Hailey or similar AND be able to drive with a high quality tube amp to beat these speakers on all attributes.  Good luck.