Speaker Road Trip
Rush+1 Geddy out of a horn could set the place a fire! Have you looked at Zu or Salk, later of which is in Mi I recall? https://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers https://www.salksound.com/home.php |
Your best bet is to ignore posts like the one by @arcticdeth Horns can sound glorious. But it appears that Greg's room needs some attention. I can listen to my Cornwall IVs for hours without the slightest hint of fatigue. Properly set up in a well thought out room and with good supporting equipment, horns can convey the emotional experience of music like few others can. Oz |
I have a room similar to yours, 14 x 24, 8’ ceiling https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9511 Been here for 43 years, had a few different speakers here. My favorite speakers are my current vintage horn tweeter, horn midrange, 15" woofer. (see photo of speaker’s innards) You will find, with horns, with proper balance of highs/mids/lows, you will listen at lower volume than prior ’normal’ and enjoy amazing imaging/detail with no need to concentrate, just enjoy. Those speakers should not produce listener fatigue IMO. Concentration to ’hear’ ’be aware of’ imaging/detail is the source of listener fatigue IMO. High efficiency of any speaker will be a great advantage regarding smaller amp, probably tubes eventually, not just smaller price, also less weight/size/heat, more placement options (remotes require direct line of infrared beam). ................................................. Of your choices, I would ask for a customized pair of Volti Razz. I would ask him to include a pair of high quality L-Pads, to allow you to alter the balance of mid to woofer and tweeter to mid IN YOUR SPACE! You may never alter them, but, like my 3 way horns/big woofer, I bet you will. He would need to change the crossover so that his ’normal’ frequency response is designed for mid-attenuation (like most famous speakers did in the old days). Not rocket science, I bet he would enjoy doing this. Then, for each/any listening space you can reduce attenuation for dull rooms, increase attenuation for live/bright rooms, and your personal taste, and perhaps boost the highs a bit as you age. You may use them in a different room someday. .............................................. Loudness: any preamp you buy, look for a ’loudness’ circuit to boost the bass at lower volumes, the ability to still hear bass (jazz or rock) will keep the low volume music involving, that’s the difference to keeping low volume from becoming ’background music’. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour misnamed/misunderstood. should be called ’low volume eq’ or ....., not loudness. I use a Chase Remote Line Controller, RLC-1 with 2 methods: automatic fletcher-munson bass boost is progressively engaged as you reduce it’s volume, and remote volume/balance/bass/treble from your listening position, centered, or off in a corner while someone else is sleeping. When you have superior and more easily discerned imaging, I found a very slight balance adjustment to an errant track can make a surprising difference, everything ’opens up’, easy to hear the results. Something else in-line? Heresy! Once again, probably over 10 times, I have proven to myself and listening friends that we simply cannot hear any difference with or without it. 120db s/n seems to be true. best of luck, Elliott |
Dadork, I understand the angst all too well, having recently completed a many months quest to replace a beloved pair of Paradigm. However, my longest road trip was only 2 hours; nothing compared to what you and your family endured. God bless them for being so supportive! Based upon what you've mentioned, thus far, I can't imagine you'd end up liking any electrostatic design, even the very expensive ones. Can't say I've ever heard the Razz but they certainly review very well by reviewers I trust and they are certainly beautiful speakers. Since you and your wife liked that horn loaded sound signature, have you done any serious seat-time with Klipsch? When I bought my Paradigm, many moons ago, I actually liked a pair of Klipsch (can't remember the model number) I A/B'd them with more, but they were considerably larger and required room placement criteria I couldn't accommodate. Back in 1972, I also liked a pair of Ohm Walsh F I listened to with a McIntosh beast of an amp and, then, a Phase Linear beast. However, I was a kid then with empty pockets. Haven't heard their new stuff but I'm guessing you and your wife might like that sound signature, as well. Those, too, require judicious room placement. Up for a road trip to Brooklyn? |
