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.
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
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
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- 59 posts total
- 59 posts total