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Speakers with warm treble and good bass

I've been on the hunt now for a several years, attempting to find speakers that match the criteria of having good bass and soft, warm treble output.  A good liquid midrange with good texture and timbre separation is another top priority.  The speakers I have owned and tried:

Paradigm Studio 60 v3
LSA 1 Standard Edition Monitors
Totem Staff
Golden Ear Triton 3
Vandersteen 2ce Sig ii
Tekton Pendragon
Acoustic Zen Adagio
Spatial Audio Hologram M3 Turbo S

Out of all of those, the most enjoyable due to warmest sound signature was the LSA 1 monitors.  Of course those were the most deficient in bass out of that entire list.  Contrary to that, the Golden Ear Triton 3 had the best bass (obviously, due to the built-in powered subs).  The Adagios had the best detail and least distortion, but were a bit too analytical in the end for my tastes.

So far, surprisingly, the speakers that seem to get the best blend of everything for my tastes have been the Paradigm Studio 60 v3.  These are not "reference level" speakers by any means, but they achieve a nice balance of detail, dynamics, bass, and have a surprisingly good midrange.  Unfortunately, the pesky metal dome tweeter has gotten on my last nerve during many listening sessions.  

I am trying to stay in the price range of the aforementioned speakers.  What suggestions do you all have for speakers that can meet this criteria for a smooth, dynamic, and warm sound?

Thanks
jwglista
why0why
70 posts
 
I am surprised there is not a single recommendation for B&W. I have a small listening room and I am running an old pair of B&W 602’s. They definitely tick all of the boxes you mention. I have tried many different speakers and gone through tons of amps and integrated/receivers and they just sound great with everything.

I recently found a great deal on an open box set of the newer CM series from B&W and after auditioning them, they sounded almost identical to the 602’s. Slightly better detail. VERY slight, but not $1000 better. I returned them.

At this point I am considering stepping up to the 805. Typically in the $1600-$2000 range when used. I have also strongly considered the Ascend Sierras because of the huge number of recommendations. I like the sound of the Paradigms too.

The last few months I have been in the "I have to upgrade mindset." But as I sit here listening to my current system, drinking my coffee and reading Audiogon, I think I have finally calmed the urge. What I have sounds damn good. Good luck on the never ending quest :)
mn2bttb
24 posts
 
Add a JL audio E-110 to any mid priced speaker you've mentioned.  Astounding!  Will make more of a difference than going from a $2k/pair speaker to a $5k/pair. A year ago I added this to Vandy 2's, and WOW!!!!   None of these speakers reproduce the bottom octave.  Most people don't even realize all the music that simply isn't being reproduced at all.
macsspl
6 posts
 
Studio Electric speakers are voiced in that way. Down just a little bit in the 3-4 kHz range to take the edge off, up a bit in the "air" range above 12kHz.
jonandfamily's avatar
jonandfamily
123 posts
 

You seem to have my exact tastes for non-fatiguing, non-analytical sound with deep, warm bass. I purchased a preowned pair of Thiel CS3.6 on Audiogon for $1200 about 6 years ago and no other speaker I have tried comes close for my taste. I recently tried the Revel Ultima Salon2s and before that, the Focal Electra 1037 Be speakers and they seemed to lack the warm, wide soundstage I get with the Thiels. I currently drive these with an Audio Research Ref 150 amp, Ref 5 preamp and Modwright tube modified Oppo BDP 105, all plugged into a PS Audio P5 Power Plant. Some might say your 100 tube watts is not enough power for the Thiels, but I previously used the Thiels with the integrated 60 watts per channel Audio Research VIi60 tube amp with nearly equally good results. You really owe it to yourself to try these. I see a pair for sale on Audiogon now, but it looks like one of the drivers has a dented dust cover.


mhztweaker
13 posts
 
There is a lot of solid advice in this thread.

-Speakers interact with the room they are in
-Electronics sound better with both adequate and clean power

I have 2 subs. Each amp has it's own 20amp breaker. My McIntosh mc352 has it's own 20 amp breaker. The wiring and outlets are new and industrial (read overkill). All other electronics go through 3 PowerVAR conditioners.

I have homemade floor to ceiling triangular bass traps using Rockwool absorption. Behind my listening position hangs a 2x4ft panel i made that is also Rockwool.  I have lots of absorption and next I will be doing diffusion panels.

I have Martin Logan Prodigy's which are honestly too big for this room so I have room modes like crazy. My next step is to purchase a mic and software to analyze my room.

Good luck with your quest.
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