I'm sure the Dynaudio Focus 260 is a fine speaker, however being a 4 ohm with 87db sensitivity, IMHO, I seriously doubt it will have the punch and "get-up-and-go" you are looking for even with your larger amp. In comparison the Magnepan 1.7 is a 4 ohm speaker with 86db sensitivity. Since both of these are 4 ohm speakers, that sensitivity rating @ 2.83v is using 2 watts. The 1 watt rating will be 3db less. The Revel Performa 206 is an 8 ohm speaker with 88db sensitivity so it should be better than the 260 or 1.7, but again I doubt it will come close to the punch of the Altecs. That punch and "get-up-and-go" of the Altecs is mainly due to their high sensitivity, close to a 100db from what I read. Again, IMHO, I think you should be looking at speakers with at least a sensitivity in the mid 90's. Anything less and I would definitely listen before making a commitment to buy. Remember every 3db difference is a double or half power depending on whether you are going up or down.
Oh brother, am I in desperate need of help! 8)
OK, I've been addicted to audio equipment since I was 15 years old. Marantz receivers and ESS speakers were my first foray into high end. Suffice it to say, I've been at this for over 40 years. I've been to the CES show more times than I can count, and listened to more equipment that I can count. I've owned everything from Magenepan's, to Martin Logan's, to Thiels, to Von Schweikert's to, well, you get the picture. And I've powered them with everything from from tubes to solid state.
So, here's my quandary. I just sold what was my dream speaker, a custom Altec 604 system that I spent a fortune building. They were simply too big for my current home, and I know I'll regret selling them for the rest of my life. I think my favorite pair of speakers that I've ever owned was a pair of Altec Model 19's. I believe (I think) that I've moved beyond needing/wanting a system that can play at concert level volumes, but I do want something with a little "get-up-and-go" for those occasions I might want to let the system breathe. I'm considering going back to a pair of panels. Today I listened to a pair of Magnapan 1.7's. I was mightily impressed, but I'm afraid they'll lack the visceral impact and "potency" of a more conventional, high efficiency, cone design.
I really haven't had my head in the game for the last 10 years, so there's a lot of new stuff out there. I read about a company called Teckton, and despite the positive reviews, I'm hesitant. There's also the Zu's in the same price range (around $2K/pr.), but I'm torn. I don't need subterranean bass, as Both Altec systems rolled off at 40hz, and I wasn't really wanting for much.
What are some real stand-out's in the $2,000-$2,500 range (new or used) that I might look out for? I want a floor standing speaker, not a monitor. I was actually surprised at the presentation/impact of drums with the Magenepan 1.7's, and the timber of cymbals was eerily realistic, but they definitely compressed when the volume was turned up. I did make the mistake of listening to a pair of B&W 802's, which were quite impressive, but way out of my price range.
As you can see, I'm in a blender, so any direction would be most appreciated...I'll likely be powering the system with a 150wpc solid state amplifier.
Thanks!
So, here's my quandary. I just sold what was my dream speaker, a custom Altec 604 system that I spent a fortune building. They were simply too big for my current home, and I know I'll regret selling them for the rest of my life. I think my favorite pair of speakers that I've ever owned was a pair of Altec Model 19's. I believe (I think) that I've moved beyond needing/wanting a system that can play at concert level volumes, but I do want something with a little "get-up-and-go" for those occasions I might want to let the system breathe. I'm considering going back to a pair of panels. Today I listened to a pair of Magnapan 1.7's. I was mightily impressed, but I'm afraid they'll lack the visceral impact and "potency" of a more conventional, high efficiency, cone design.
I really haven't had my head in the game for the last 10 years, so there's a lot of new stuff out there. I read about a company called Teckton, and despite the positive reviews, I'm hesitant. There's also the Zu's in the same price range (around $2K/pr.), but I'm torn. I don't need subterranean bass, as Both Altec systems rolled off at 40hz, and I wasn't really wanting for much.
What are some real stand-out's in the $2,000-$2,500 range (new or used) that I might look out for? I want a floor standing speaker, not a monitor. I was actually surprised at the presentation/impact of drums with the Magenepan 1.7's, and the timber of cymbals was eerily realistic, but they definitely compressed when the volume was turned up. I did make the mistake of listening to a pair of B&W 802's, which were quite impressive, but way out of my price range.
As you can see, I'm in a blender, so any direction would be most appreciated...I'll likely be powering the system with a 150wpc solid state amplifier.
Thanks!
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- 38 posts total
- 38 posts total