[please excuse my bad English]
Emerald,
SUGGESTION ______________
Maybe you could *also* ask Christiaan Punter owner of HiFi-advice website.
He owns CH Precision gears (pre+power, L1 & A1.5) and
makes a lot of comparisons. In my opinion, he does amongst the most thourough (subjective) reviews of gears. I discovered HiFi-advice quite recently, and found it is well worth following.
QUESTIONS______________
Christiaan Punter (HiFi-advice) will surely ask the same questions as me:
1. What are your electronics (that you cannot disclose...)? This paramater is of paramount importance;
2. How far from your speakers do you listen (in meters, pls)?
3. "i would ask myself "do i want a hifi speaker that is a bit highlighted?" "exciting", "a specifically ’big’ sound?" or do i want something that makes me forget i’m listening to reproduced music and gets out of the way. with a more coherent and flowing sound?" ( < Mike Lavigne)
4. What do you listen to? Acoustic, unamplified instruments (=> timbres do matter, very much => Harbeth?), or "A little bit of everything"?
FEED-BACK ABOUT SPEAKERS ______________
Your "Final contenders":
- Zellaton //never heard; only heard the Swiss Ensemble 2 ways speakers years ago, which used the same zellaton cone. They were impressively transparent and fast-sounding.
- Stenheim // I know *very well* the fantastic Alumine Two, 2 ways. Nevers heard the
Alumine
Three (USD 30K). So I did a WhatsBestForum member
this suggestion. But maybe not the most comfortable speaker for near or mid-field, as they reproduce the isntrument with all its detail, timbres and dynamics. AFAIU from the Alumine Two model, the Stenheim do not emphasize treble, nor low-mid; they sound very flat; but they are extreeeemely revealing. (though for near or mid-field listening of acoustic instruments, nothing beats a Harbeth, imho - then prefer the M40.3). Therefore question 2 !
- Tidal- Marten- Wilson:
* Tidal - I know a €80.000/pair model, power by Vitus; did not like the Tidal (transparent, but not enough body, and lack of naturalness),
* Marten - until now, no speaker using ceramic cones convinced me on timbres.
* Wilson - I know and like the DAW (a Harbeth M40.3, or 40.2 Anniversary, has still better timbres; but has less to offers on other aspects, especially imaging).
- Borresen //never heard them.
