Which Budget Friendly Floorstanders Next?

Erik_Squires - 

I still have the Warefedales, just plan on launching them soon.  I would try the caps.  I am fairly good at soldering.  What do they do?  

I'm assuming they are the crossover componant for the tweeters.  If so, they play a role in dropping the low frequencies out of the signal path.  So if I understand you correctly Warefedale installs capacitors that do the job, but affect the quality of the signal?  So putting better capacitors in would brighten them up?  Or just increase the volume of the tweeters? 

Please explain.

Also worth mentioning are the Tannoy XT6Fs.  Just read a review of the new Monitor Audio Silver 200s and the guy reviewing was dead set on buying a pair until he heard the Tannoys, which apparently were out of this world.  A few others posted in agreement that the Tannoys are very strong.

Capacitors can be part of every filter, hi, low and band-pass filters.

In the tweeter section, yes, they block bass, preventing damage and ensuring the tweeters operate only within the range they were designed for. Operating below this range would not only be dangerous, but also create tremendous distortion.

Having "more" or "brighter" tweeters is not always better. If you wanted to make a mod like that you should reduce series resistance. But that’s not what I am suggesting.

I certainly don’t think the MKP’s will "britghten" them but smooth and warm them up tremendously, as well as give you tons and tons of low level detail.

Focal’s are IMHO also guilty of this sin, and mods to them I have made with Mundorf MKP’s were always worthwhile.

I don't think the Mundorf MKP's are the best by any means, but they are very good, inexpensive, and less objectionable to my ears than some higher end models.


Best,


E

Thanks Erik,

I will definitely look into it, but ultimately I would like an overall change.  All of the above mentioned speakers have their own intrigue.  I wish, like most of you, that I could try them all.  The Revels, Tannoy, B&W, PSB, Monitor Audio, KEF...  Line them all up one by one in my own living room and hear them all shine.  Instead I have to filter out which will certainly not work for me, then audition whatever is left, if I even can. 

What is it about the MA silvers that you’d really wish to improve upon?

I think the $2k range will just lead you in circles, especially with the ubiquitous 2.5 way floor standers from the usual suspects. Long term, you’ll be much better off saving $4k and then buying a used pair of speakers that originally retailed for $8K, or buying a $4k pair of new speakers, or maybe trying the factory direct brands that cut out the dealer.

I haven’t heard the Tekton DIs, but based on all the claims, I wouldn’t be surprised if they far surpass your current considerations at only $800 over your $2k limit.

If you’re dead set on something from Revel and similar brands, I think the Performa F206 is very difficult to beat. With enough negotiating, they can be had for about $2600.