I've heard most DeVores, and they're all great sounding things with proper gear of course...however, they seem fairly expensive for what they do and are made out of, but people who own 'em swear by them...especially the low powered tube amp crowd (the amps, not the crowd). I'm low powered tuber (the tube amp, not me as I'm real powerful...medicare pays for my gym membership), and get real good (in fact, astonishingly good) sound from Klipsch Heresy IIIs, a relative bargain. Stereophile's Ken Micallef really likes his DeVores and uses them as a reference for reviewing things, but recently provided a nice review of the Heresy IIIs. Horn loaded 99db your sneakers away.
Wilson Audio Sabrina . . . I'm smitten. Should I consider others?
Went on a small audition trek last week and heard the following:
Tekton Double Impact SE (I was curious based on the posts/comments)
Magico S1 MKII
Magico S3 MKII
Devore Fidelity Orangutan 0/96
Wilson Audio Sabrina
The Wilson Sabrinas were not initially on my list, but when I stumbled across them while searching for Focal Sopra 2s, I couldn't resist. The Sabrinas were very impressive. In fact, after hearing the Magico S1 and S3, I went back to hear the Sabrinas a second time to confirm what I had heard. They were initially driven by the ARC Ref6 preamp and the new ARC $30K monoblocks, but the second trip I asked if they could be driven by more economical equipment, so they used the LS28 and VT80. The source was the dCS Rossini both times. Because there was no A/B comparison of equipment, I really didn't notice any drop off in performance.
The Sabrina's price point is my upper end, but I'd like to achieve a no stone unturned level of search/comfort before I pull the trigger. Most brands are not easily accessible in Kansas City, but I'm willing to make the effort if justified. Are there any other loudspeakers I should consider in this range? I listen mostly to older rock, blues, jazz, and female vocals Streaming with something like an Aurender A10 will be my primary source. My goal is to decide on the loudspeakers for this system, and work backwards into the components. That'll be a future question. Appreciate your time and help.
Tekton Double Impact SE (I was curious based on the posts/comments)
Magico S1 MKII
Magico S3 MKII
Devore Fidelity Orangutan 0/96
Wilson Audio Sabrina
The Wilson Sabrinas were not initially on my list, but when I stumbled across them while searching for Focal Sopra 2s, I couldn't resist. The Sabrinas were very impressive. In fact, after hearing the Magico S1 and S3, I went back to hear the Sabrinas a second time to confirm what I had heard. They were initially driven by the ARC Ref6 preamp and the new ARC $30K monoblocks, but the second trip I asked if they could be driven by more economical equipment, so they used the LS28 and VT80. The source was the dCS Rossini both times. Because there was no A/B comparison of equipment, I really didn't notice any drop off in performance.
The Sabrina's price point is my upper end, but I'd like to achieve a no stone unturned level of search/comfort before I pull the trigger. Most brands are not easily accessible in Kansas City, but I'm willing to make the effort if justified. Are there any other loudspeakers I should consider in this range? I listen mostly to older rock, blues, jazz, and female vocals Streaming with something like an Aurender A10 will be my primary source. My goal is to decide on the loudspeakers for this system, and work backwards into the components. That'll be a future question. Appreciate your time and help.
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- 84 posts total
- 84 posts total