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Larsen speakers: 4.2 or 6.2??. Has anyone heard or own them??

I would like to know if anyone has auditioned or owns either the above Larsen speakers. If so, is there a major difference in the sound quality between the two models which would warrant spending over $2200 more for the 6.2 speaker  

(There is a large price difference: approx. $2200  vs $4400. Seems like a lot of money for a two way speaker despite the fact that the design eliminates most placement problems and can be placed against the wall ( so say the few reviews I read of both models)

 How might they compete with either the Ohm Walsh Tall, or Magneplanar. 7 or 1.7i ?.   From what I recently read  both Magneplanars do not work well in small or even average medium rooms, and require a lot of placement adjustments to get them to sound right

Thanks,

S.J.

. 

sunnyjim
frazeur1
345 posts
 

If I had to say, my opinion in an average sized room would be 50 wpc minimum. I think that the Larsen do like a bit of power to them. I played around with my Model 4 powered by a Plinius 8200 integrated for awhile, and while a lot of the power available from that beast probably went unused, turning up the wick a bit on things, energised the speaker really well, and I thought it was a nice match.

Also, I have used my Croft Series 7 amplifier on them as well for quite a long period of time, and it is good for about 45 wpc, but isn't the end all, be all of current delivery, but it sure sounded nice at very reasonable levels. FWIW...

sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

Special thanks to Bill and Tim for their extensive comments and advice.  I did get to hear the Larsen 4.2 today at a local dealer, and was impressed by the sound and the outstanding sound quality of the midrange and mid treble.  The top treble sounded a bit pinched or restricted to me and not totally clear. That being said, the 4.2 provides a high level of musicality and excellent balance.

I was pitched the merits of the 6.2 which are NOT being displayed in this showroom  in favor of the 8.2 which I think is a mistake. I don't want to "imagine" how much better 6.2's model is supposed to be without hearing them, especially since they are $ 2200 more as I mentioned before.  I was listening through the NAD Roon amplifier and streamer, but would have preferred to hear the speakers through a good CD player like my own. However, the salesman/owner was able stream the 2 CD I brought with me, that is Fleetwood's "TUSK" and the re-mastered "Living Stereo" recording of "Scheherazad"  (Reiner, Chicago Symphony). Both excellent recordings

I think Larsen made a marketing mistake pricing the 6.2's at $4300. Besides having to cover manufacturing costs, and R&D, etc, etc, $3500 or $3700 would in my opinion been a more viable and competitive price point. The competition in this range( though not the same design or sonic goals)  is Revel Performa 206 F  and the PSB T-2. Yes, they are both traditional box speakers, and are much large and heavier. They occupy more space and are subject to careful room placement, and this is where the Larsens have the edge.   Will keep you posted. 

S.J..

   

frazeur1
345 posts
 
Thanks for the update S.J., glad you took the time to listen to the Larsen, regardless of if you end up with a pair or not. Most wouldn’t have even bothered, so good for you! Hopefully you will find what you are listening for! 
markmoskow
40 posts
 
Picking up on this thread, found it because I have the same question as the OP, different circumstance. My room is 17x17x9. Speakers have to be 8-10 apart, one near a corner, other about 6 feet from. I will be almost 15 feet away, off center a bit. Right now I have Ascend Acoustic Sierra 2s. Plenty nice enough for me. BUT I have to have them out from the wall and eat up too much floor. So looking for something against the wall. In another room I have had Allison CD8s for 30+ years. Great. They were great in a big living room too, wide apart. Now in a smaller den with oddball walls, even better. I like the way they put the music up in the air in front of me, in between the speakers. Will the Larsens do that? The ohm walsh's? The others mentioned are out of my league, I would like to stay 2000-is or less, used or new. I run the Allison's with a sub. And the Sierras with one also.  Thanks for any ideas.
frazeur1
345 posts
 
Every room is different overall, and not always easy to make any kind of blanket statement, or even best guess. Corners can be problematic for many speakers. 

In your situation, my best guess is that the Larsen’s may work slightly better than the Ohms, as Larsen project sound a bit more up and out, versus the Ohm. Again, purely speculation on my part in your situation, even though I have owned both Larsen and Ohm. 

As always, try to get a home demo if at all possible, which one can with Ohms. Just might be a long wait for a pair unless you find a used pair somewhere. Both can be found used, so might be worth a punt! 
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