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Welcome Back!

Not you, the speakers!  ;) 
Ok, welcome to you as well.  

I anguished about the Wharfedale Opus 2-M2 Speakers when I reviewed them. They were so good, with their svelte 3" soft dome midrange, but I just couldn't spend the money all those years ago. 

They're back! I watched for years for a used pair, and now they are in my room. My memory was intact, as they sound as good to my ear as I recalled. I wanted that 3" soft dome mid again. I do enjoy the precision of the PMC and ATC speakers I have heard, but not going to spend that kind of money for a side project. Wharfedale is fine, not a slouch company, good enough for this project. 

Very nice result with subs; first run is with the active bass module of the Aspen Acoustics Lagrange L1 preproduction model (L1 production model will receive owner's review at Dagogo.com in due time). I also have the Legacy Audio XTREME XD Sub (reviewed, own) to work with. 

I don't often chase after something from the past, but in this instance, especially at the cost, it was a good return. 

Every technology has their fans; dipole, omni, horn, etc. The 3" soft dome mid, too, is worthwhile to garnish its fans. It's a more in your face, brisk sound, but that's somewhat adjustable with the rig. Already, after two days, I can see this was a good move. Imo, the 3" soft midrange is an under appreciated driver.   :) 

Also, LOVING the fact that the 2-M2 is bi-wirable/bi-ampable! I am going to do good things with this speaker. Already commendable, but another trick or two yet to pull off.  
douglas_schroeder
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,765 posts
 
I do think that there is something special and different in the way dome midrange drivers present music from having heard ATC speakers on several occasions as well as having owned a pair of Nestorovic 5as. That speaker used a dome that was about 3 inches I think made by Phillips as I recall. 
A few years back, Gershman Acoustics made a mid price floorstander with a dome midrange driver that was well praised. I can't recall the name of it at the moment.
tobes's avatar
tobes
436 posts
 
I'm an ATC owner and fan of the 3" mid dome.
Must be doing something right as it's been used, with various refinements, in ATC's 3-way speakers for the past 45 years!

Volt speakers make a superficially similar 3" dome though the flange profile (and likely many other details) are quite different. Does have a  similar heavy magnet structure at 8Kg (ATC is 9Kg for their SL model!).

Yamaha is another company that used/uses even larger dome midranges - according to the specs 88mm in the NS-1000 and 80mm in the NS-5000.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
12,865 posts
 
I don't own ATC speakers but listened several times and are really good. The vintage speakers I own are ADS L2030 that came with 2" midrange silk domes ( magnetic flux 1.7 Teslas. ), the speakers has efficiency 95db and I love that to real and natural color midrange.

Sure way different design to the Wharferdale and I posted because the dome topic.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
Don't forget PMC.

https://reverb.com/item/4179387-pmc-ib2s-75mm-midrange-fabric-dome-driver-black
douglas_schroeder OP
3,281 posts
 
I reviewed but never owned the Opus. Is this another case of mistaken identity,  Doug Schneider? 

The Whafedale Opus series Owners Manual is extensive and shows an exploded diagram of the 3" driver. Looked in casual glancing like a lot of parts to me.  ;)
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