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Mellow speakers

I'm on the hunt for a mellower sound.  I've traced my dissatisfaction to my speakers (I think).  I've got PMC TB2i monitors on good stands.  Occasionally they provide sonic bliss...letting me peer in to the music, great sound stage, etc.  But other times they are just too piercing (for lack of a better adjective).  I also find myself concentrating more on the gear rather than the music.  I'm blaming my speakers.

So, I'd like to put a mellow pair of floorstanders next to them.  I want full, warm, mellow speakers...something I can swim in and just enjoy the music.  My local shop has a super clean pair of KEF 104.2.  And, they're going to redo the woofers while they have them in the shop.  I understand the woofers can be a bit of a bear and that they have an odd proprietary KEF technology that makes them a little difficult to repair (what's with the rod between the woofers?).  With that said, I heard them, and I thought they sounded like anti-PMCs.  Perfect, no?  Why not bring home some old school, rolled off, mellow speakers as a foil to my PMCs.  So...my question...are there modern speakers that have a mellower sound, or other older speakers that I should consider?  Any consensus on the KEFs? 

My gear:
VPI Classic TT
Digital via Mac and Mytek DAC
Ayre pre
Prima Luna tube power amp or Primare solid state

Thanks.

Ag insider logo xs@2xeduceus
montaldo
202 posts
 
JohnK makes a great point. I too have found that the relative tonal balance from top to bottom can give the impression of brightness and cause fatigue, when what is really wrong is lower mids suckout and/or lack of lower frequencies to balance the presentation.

Psag: i respect your opinion and each person should listen to whst gives them the most enjoyment, but I am in the opposite camp after 35 years as an audiophile (started when i was 16!). Neutrality to the recording doesnt matter at all to me because most recordings are flawed and do not represent the original musical event. I want components that provide the best illusion that the recordings of music I love seem real to my brain. It is a very personal experience and subjective. Enjoyment, for me, trumps (these days i should find a different verb) any notion of accuracy or neutrality. So i pick music i love, amd build a system that plays it best, rather than the reverse.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
educeus OP
26 posts
 
Well, adding significantly to the bottom end in this case, seems to have made a difference.  I notice in my post I say "96 dB".  I meant 95 Hz.  So the Rel is now adding some serious bottom end below 100 Hz, and I perceive that the highs have settled down a bit.  A fuller sound from top to bottom. 

That whole neutrality thing is interesting.  I see Psag's point, and I originally set up my rig to be neutral.  But there is equal validity in having a sound that works with my ears and makes me enjoy my listening experience.  I feel like I've been listening to the gear more than my music.  So...I returned the KEF 104/2s today, and I'm going to give my old rig a new listen.
 
sunrayjack12's avatar
sunrayjack12
33 posts
 
Bozak symphony's 4000b and you will never look back, the search will be over.
extravaganza
373 posts
 
or verity audio
avanti1960
1,482 posts
 
Below most audiophile's radar (and well below their budgets, usually) are the Paradigm Monitor 11 (latest version ~ 1600 / pair).  The (3) 6-3/4" woofers produce prodigious bass in an efficient package and are the default recommendation for those that want warm, mellow, smooth floorstanders.  Hear them if you can, they do what you are asking for.   
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