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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
aigenga
131 posts
 
I also have the JL-CR 1 which I use to bi-amp my Artemis Eos 2.1 speakers.  They have two separate boxes, each larger than average, and resemble Watt/Puppies.  I use an ML 534 amp on top, and a pair of Wyred 4 Sound mAmps on the bottom. I really love the sound, and so very much more since inserting the crossover.  I x-over at 150 Hz, 24 db/octave.  .  
Although I can’t give a reason, I too have been thinking of a change very much in line with the OP.  Listening to a few systems I came to one realization so far: the upper speaker needs physical volume and a 7” mid/woofer (if they are two way) in order to develop the fullness of sound I require.  Thin sounding midrange leaves me cold. That is one reason to go with floor-standers and subs.  I also want detail and imaging from narrow fronts and top quality tweeters.   
I have heard the Persona 9H and really like them.  I also like the smaller 7f’s and think that they would meld well with a pair of the JL Audio 113v2’s but haven’t heard the combo.  I think the Salons or the Studio’s or the F228be’s would also sound right to me hooked up with the 113v2’s.  I’ll be exploring these in 2020.

fleschler
2,030 posts
 
hombre - You mention that poorly recorded music sounds terrible on the Maggies.  I play acoustical 78 rpm (nominal speed) recordings, originals and CDs mostly and they are not high fidelity recordings.  Will they sound bad or fatiguing on Maggies?   I know that on my dynamic speakers, everything musically interesting sounds easy to listen to for hours despite their fidelity (of course great recordings sound great and I have difficulty pulling myself out of my listening room at night to go to bed).  
mmporsche's avatar
mmporsche
144 posts
 
I second Borreson, I heard them at RMAF this year in a very large room and they were superb. Raidho is also great. That being said, I ended up with Voxativ and am very happy. Very engaging to my ears
hombre
87 posts
 
hi fleschler, I'm guessing you'll have the same experience I'm having. My Polk floorstanders sounded really good to me, powerful with lots of dynamic punch and everything sounded good even poor source material. The maggie LRS is completely different. It's all about sound quality. So when you listen to high quality source material they sound beautiful and very different from what you're used to.I'm still glad I got the maggies I just think I need more time to get used to them. But if you're like me you're going to need a good powered sub. It makes a world of difference with the maggies. They sound much more dynamic. Without the sub they sound anemic. But not a ported sub, they sound crappy. Get a good sealed sub. Mine is a B&W powered sub with 400 watts built in. It really kicks. But in order to  make it mesh with the maggies I keep it turned down somewhat, otherwise it overpowers the maggies and messes up the sound.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jmarshak OP
157 posts
 
@acolcer
That’s quite a set up you got! Thanks for your kind offer to hear it. I just may take you up on it :)
Best Regards.

@aigenga when you say:
Although I can’t give a reason, I too have been thinking of a change very much in line with the OP.
To me it’s about a sense of efficiency. I am interested to see if I can be more efficient with funds, floor space, power handling, quality, etc. Or can I perhaps get an even better sound for the money. My priority, like for many on this site is: First do no harm to the sound, and then see if I can improve it - knowing that we are well into the diminishing returns range financially with our gear. So it’s hard to be efficient and gain sonic benefits.

You have quite a project planned for next year. Good luck and enjoy :) And it would be interesting to hear about your findings!




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