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Best speakers out there for Midrange and Highs

Hello Everyone!

I would like some advise about what are some of the better speakers out there for a 2 channel system - with use of subwoofers.

I currently use a pair of significantly large - full range speakers (Revel Salon2), that go down below 20hz. Even though my speakers go down so low, I still desired more air movement / sound pressure in the room - to make the sound as palatable as possible.

I found that combining the Salon2 with an external active crossover (JL Audio CR-1) and 2 Subs (JL Audio F113s) sounds excellent. Soundstage is close to like being at a concert, and surprisingly to me, was that imaging has not been lost. Furthermore, adjusting the phases on the subwoofers basically made the speakers and subs act like a singularity and helped the system sound even more exciting. I cross over at 90hz with a 24Db decay.

However, can’t help thinking about the obvious - that I am waisting all that available bass capability on the Salon2s. So I was wondering what speakers out there could be even more appropriate for my configuration. These speakers need not go down so low - Down to 55HZ would be more than enough. On the other hand, Salon2s also have a very strong midrange and highs, so I would like the new speaker to be either:

1) Better in the mids and highs (whether same price as the Salon2 or possibly more expensive), or
2) As good in the mids and highs as the Salon2s but less expense

Very much appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you in advance!

jmarshak
yyzsantabarbara
5,048 posts
 
The TAD ME1 monitor maybe better on the mids and highs than the Salon. I owned Salon1 for a long time and I actually prefer my KEF LS50s over the mids and highs on the Salon1. I understand the Salon2 has the BE driver but I am not a huge fan of the top end on the Salons. The bass on the Salons are awesome, especially in my former large room. The TAD ME1 is an extremely good speaker. A couple of newer monitors that would work with subs are:

TAD ME1
Vivid Kaya S12 (new model not yet released, I like the Kaya 90)
Vimbeg Amea (a bit of excitement on this one)
KEF Reference 1 (is now an oldie but I love this one too)

I am going to buy the Yamaha NS 5000 and the mids on that are extremely realistic.  There is an A'gon thread by me on this speaker giving details where you can hear it. It is a unique cutting edge design with a unique driver material.
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,524 posts
 
I am a huge fan of the Kaiser Chiara.  I think they are $22K but are arguably the speaker I think all monitors should be measured against.  Cabinet is interesting materials and is a composite sandwich of wood, fiberglass and rubber.  I heard these driven by VAC amps and it is one of the best sounding speakers I have ever hear.  

Raidho is also worth a listen.  I haven't heard the TD1.2 yet but the old D1.2 is phenomenal.  The C1.2 is also spectacular.  Typical cabinet but the big thing with the Raidho's is the amazing tweeter that they produce along with amazing mid-range drivers.  I think the Cs are $18K new and I am not sure how much the TD1.2s are.  Placement can be a bit finicky but once you get them setup correctly, amazing detail and works really well with SS amplification.  

You could look at the Focal Diablo Utopia which is a great speaker, particularly matched with Naim's high end gear.  I don't know the price off hand.  I have spent time with the Sopra and with the right amp, it is in the same league as the Revel and would save you a bit of money.  The Utopia is better.  Amp matching is really critical though.  Naim is going to give you best results.  

Wilson-Benesh has the Discovery II and the Endeavour.  Both used carbon fiber cabinets and they have some pretty great drivers.  Don't know pricing off of the Endeavour but i believe the Discovery II is ~$10K.  

Check out Marten Duke 2 using amazing Accuton drivers.  Wilson has the Duet IIs.  Also brilliant and great with near wall placement.  I would second Vivid.  There are a lot of wonderful speakers.  

Finally, I personally make a monitor I think is in this league as the Revels.  My Blackthorn 1 is a great speaker and is well priced at $7k.  Phenomenal detail with spectacular highs.  Even better with the Silver Reference upgrade which uses Mundorf Silver-Gold caps at $9500.  Cabinets are made from a Carbon Fiber sandwich with a magnesium composite driver and ceramic/magnesium tweeter, both from Eton.  Prices are sharp because we are consumer direct.  Perfect with a slightly warm amp as I typically have them matched with an 845 push pull.  We do a 30 day in-home trial.  

jmarshak OP
157 posts
 
Thank you for your recommendations. I have been thinking abut TAD CR1 and always had Raidho on the radar. The Wilson-Benesh and Kaiser Chiara both look awfully interesting but would need to hear them!

I am very well acquainted with practically all Focals up to 20k and have owned the Diablos. Excellent speakers. I must say, I was really impressed with the Revel’s mids range, especially once the speakers were relieved from heavy bass duties.  The amps probably have a lot to do with that :)

Thank you for letting me know about your own brand.
@verdantaudio I will give it some thought.

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