2. speakers
  3. 169913-13640

Monitor suggestions?

An unexpected, modest budget improvement means I can (possible) address what I perceive as both poorly controlled bass and an overall lack of clarity.  Yes, I realize I raised this before but I think I have a better handle of the problems at this point. 

I suspect the first issue is due to insufficient damping factor on the part of the the Wells Majestic integrated coupled with an inherently difficult-to-control lower range in the Silverline SR17.5 monitors.  

The second issue is most likely due to the dark and somewhat cloudy tonality of the Aqua La Voce 2 DAC. 

I'm looking into upgrading the Wells but here and now, I'd like suggestions on changing speakers. 

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Budget: $3500 (used is fine)

Cabinet: Sealed box or downward firing port. 

Lower extension (ideally) down to 35HZ

Neutral to somewhat cool (but not approaching analytical) tonality 

Placement constraints: Backs of speakers cannot be more than three feet from back wall
and will sit atop 32" stands,(which means no 3-way or otherwise extra-tall cabs).

Listening:

60% acoustic (Jazz, Folkish, Celtic, Singer-songwriter, New Grass)
40% electric (Jam Band, Americana, Blues, Country).
_____________________________________________________________________

So far, Elac Vela looks like a possibility.  What else ? 

I plan to assemble an entirely new system within 5 years. I'm just looking to make listening less frustrating for the present. 

stuartk
stuartk OP
2,876 posts
 
UPDATE:

I can now undertake a more generous upgrade, which significantly changes the picture.

I could address long speaker wire runs (see above response to dynamiclinearity)

I could upgrade DAC. 

I found a shop in Seattle that carries various British speakers including ATC (but not Proac, alas) and offers a return policy-- really great news! 

I'm communicating with Duke at Audiokinesis re: his Swarm sub array. as suggested by millercarbon. 


stuartk OP
2,876 posts
 
@twoleftears:

"I don't think you'll ever combine all your desiderata into one speaker."

I plan to use a sub array. 

motokokusanagi
189 posts
 
OK those placement descriptions do suggest acoustic issues affecting bass. Look at GIK acoustic product solutions e.g. bass traps. Think about rugs, and reflections, e.g. diffusers.

ATC 7/11/19 are all sealed. These make them much less susceptible to positioning problems than vented speakers.

Your DAC is meant to be superb; I’d be looking at room treatments first before swapping it.
stuartk OP
2,876 posts
 
@motokokusanagi:

Thanks for sticking around this long.

I can go with the ATC's, no problem. 

What is your opinion re: the 20 foot speaker cable runs?

When Aqua updated the La Voce to S3, clarity  was significantly enhanced. The
6moons S3 review describes the changes in detail. I can only assume they felt the S2 was lacking in this regard.

Your ongoing input is appreciated. 



 

 
motokokusanagi
189 posts
 
Read this: https://www.passlabs.com/technical_article/speaker-cables-science-or-snake-oil/

Ideally, one wants to use short speaker cable lengths, but 20ft is not going to murder your system, and certainly not in comparison to acoustic distortions from reflections and room modes. Treat the room. Get the right speakers for your placement restrictions, sonic preferences, and room size.

All speaker cable degrades through loss of high level signal, and more so when running into a passive crossover where it can interact with the filter responses. In pro audio, they prefer to use active speakers so no passive crossovers, and no speaker cable rather than long, balanced interconnects, which are better for long runs being low level signals.
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