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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!

Ag insider logo xs@2xjmarshak
simonmoon's avatar
simonmoon
517 posts
 
Nothing beats electrostatics for mids and highs.
This is, more or less, what I was going to say.

Electrostatic mids and highs are pretty much unparalleled with regards to air..

However, can’t help thinking about the obvious - that I am waisting all that available bass capability on the Salon2s.

I’m mot so sure that you are wasting the capabilities of the Salons.

It would seem to me, that by removing the lowest bass from the Revel’s, their woofers will sound even better in their new limited range that they are reproducing.

And also, the subs would be reproducing the frequency range they are best designed for.

Seems like a win/win to me.
bassdude
493 posts
 
I’d have to concur with the Harbeth 30.1 / 30.2 or 40.1 / 40.2.

Very few speakers have mids and highs to rival these when driven by well matched components. Very similar to the Quad ESL 57’s in that respect, which have the best mids of any speaker. Very magical, musical, airy sound with great resolution of detail, transparency, soundstage and imaging. Better dynamics, and clarity than most other dynamic speakers, which rivals ESL’s and ribbon drivers (e.g. Magnepan).

I can suggest other dynamic speakers that have much better bass, while having great mids and highs, but they’re much larger, and more expensive (e.g. Legacy Audio Aeris, etc.). None of those mentioned above can really match them, other than perhaps the higher end Wilson’s, TAD’s, Nola's and maybe Raidho.

For my money, I’d go with the Harbeth 30.1 or 30.2 with the MacIntosh Tube / SS hybrid integreted amps or, possibly the Hegel integreted amps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E8ExBUC64c

You won’t look back.
newtoncr
151 posts
 
@jmarshak 
i use a similar configuration to what you have , a pair of  jl audio f113v2 placed center to a pair of kef blade2, with cr-1 crossover at 90hz, 24 dB slope, run by ayre Mx-r twenty and kx-r twenty electronics.
i had the same question about a year ago and I tried and talked to a ton of people . Magico was the name that kept popping up . Focal I tried didn’t like it. But even magico did not make any positive improvement. So here I am . Finally upgrading to the blades from blade 2 just for a change in visual impression lol. Thanks for posting the question . I guess the answer is if u have a system that works for you don’t change . Grass is not always greener on the other side .
another point of note is crossover set at 90hz and a crossover and sub . omg that made a lot of “audiophiles “ upset. A straight short path they said, lol. But the fact is no one knows  how good it sounds when u have a good sub integrated with the main speakers with an awesome active crossover like the cr-1 when it’s done right. Key word “done right” . Love your choice of word “singularity “ . Barry Oder aka the Sounddoctor is the one who integrated it for me.
happy listening and glad you got the subwoofer settings right 😊
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jmarshak OP
157 posts
 
HI @newtoncr,

Very interesting. Thanks for the reassurance (and picking up on the ’singularity’ reference:) )

I can only imagine how your system must sound ! - No doubt, the word ’upgrade’ must take on a new dimension for you :) Certainly, if you can use Subs with Blades (there was also a reminder that Subs are sometimes even used with Alexandrias!), I can stomach using Subs with Salan2 (even cross over at 90hz :) ).

Again, I really like the midrange and highs on the Salon2. They are wonderful, I was just not sure If I’ve ’over built’ with the bass. But i must say, I am a bit calmer about it based on some of the responses in this thread...

Still, all the Electrostatics-phile comments got me thinking :)

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jmarshak OP
157 posts
 
@bassdude  I got the Harbeth on the list! thanks

@mountainsong  Piega coax 711, got it. Thanks :)

@soix -  This DSpeaker its a DAC.  What do I do with my pride and joy DAC and Preamp?  I am not sure how much more my already treated room needs correcting  I am wondering the pros and cons of investing time and money into this thing 'temporarily'. 
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