Wouldyou have another brand speaker next to mains


Have you ever wanted to purchase on a "whim" another set of well reviewed speakers to alternate with your main speaker system??? What reason?????? Just to alternate or rotate the type of sound and musical presentation

IThe second set of speakers does not have to be comparable in price or performance, but have very good reviews and testamonials to the quality of sound. I have a friend who has a pair of Sumiko Vienna speakers, but bought a used pair of De Capo Reference 3's and loves them, even though they are not equal to the Sumiko

Another friend has had a pair of the Acoustic Zen Adagios for 3 years, loves them, but liked the Martin Logan sound and design concepts He has read about the new ML Electromotion ESL since CES 2010, and we finally got to hear them last weekend at a Magnolia Referecne store and he likes them alot. ( I also liked them more than I expected) We both agreed that ML's throw a larger and deeper soundstage than the AZ Adagios, but are not as dynamic, and not quite as neutral. Compared to past ML speakers, this new hybrid has got some serious, clean bass.

Of course with any ML speaker, placement and set-up are a pain in the ass. Stat panels must be plugged into wall AC, or better one power line conditioners per speaker which adds expense to the purchase So my friend is waiting 6 months to see if any "used" ML EM-ESL's come up on AG. They retail new for $2195... Personally I think he is nuts, but then again, I once bought a pair of large Orginal Advents while trying to decide on a new speaker

Would like to get input from other members on this question... and issue?? Some members have revealed they do have an alternate set of speakers despite the outlay of money, room space, and.... complainig wives or GF's Should make for a fruitful discussion!!!!!!!
sunnyjim
Although my listening room isn't big enough to support two sets of speakers sitting side by side, I do have two extra pairs in a closet ready to go when the mood strikes. Just to change things up I'll swap speakers every few months.
I did this in our home theater room. The home theater system started out as only that, but I quickly realized I could make it into a hybrid system for 2- channel. So I bought the additional 2-channel gear, sold the L-R fronts, added a pair of Verity Fidelio Encores to replace the L-R fronts, and upgraded the sub to a REL B2. Then I added another more modest system along the right side wall to run a pair of Omega Super 8 Alnico XRS, and those speakers are positioned on movable bases just inside the FE's. I move the Omega's forward and backward (they are on movable bases that easily slide on the carpeted floor) depending upon which system I am using. All of this works very well and looks very nice. Even my wife agrees! ;->
Yes! My music server outputs to two separate DAC to preamp to power amp to speaker chains. I switch from one system to the other by muting output channels on the Lynx soundcard. The main system is based around a pair of Gradient Revolutions and the second system is a pair of Stephens Trusonic 150FRs in a single Altec Carmel cabinet. The Stephens has just replaced an Electro-Voice Centurion for mono playback. The speakers aren't actually side by side, the Gradients are well away from the back wall where the mono speaker is positioned.
Timrhu, we are on the same page. My room is not that wide so I push my “not in use” speakers against the rear wall.
Yes, I recommend having multiple components (especially speakers and amps) so you can alter the sound based on mood, music genre etc..

IMO, there is no "best" speaker. They all have strengths and weaknesses. I think every audiophile should experience both high efficiency speakers (preferably matched to a SET amp) as well as Planar/ESL speakers. The best of both worlds would be owning both.

This is a hobby. Why limit yourself to one sound.