“House” Character of Popular $20-$30k Speakers


I’ll be upgrading my speakers in a bit (after I add a turntable to my system). I’ve always thought that people two often end up attempting to correct or compensate for a quality they don’t like in one of their system components. My thought is that speakers and amps shouldn’t try to “correct” each other, but rather, they should complement each other, while sharing many similar qualities in their sonic signatures.

With that in mind, I’d describe my Gryphon Diablo 300 with the internal DAC (fed by an InnuOS Zenith MK3 streamer) as being rich, lively, engaging, slightly warm but moderately detailed, with dramatic dynamic swings that can often simulate a live sound. Smooth but energetic and engaging at the same time. My speakers I’ll be upgrading from are B&W 803 D2’s. Big full and bold sound but with finesse and moderate quickness too.

What brand of speakers would be along the lines of the sound I describe above? I’d be hoping to follow this sonic signature in my next speaker purchase, but adding some small capabilities with transparency and detail, imaging, and low end presence.

The speaker brands I have in mind to look into are:

-Magico (would check out the A5’s. I hear the A5’s could be too analytical for some, but have an excellent and clean bass presence.  Bust most rave about the A5)

-Sonus Faber (heard these are too relaxed for some?)

-Wilson Audio (if I can get over how they look)

-Monitor Audio

-Dynaudio: Maybe this brand could be a sweet spot?

-B&W: I’ve tested many and find them lacking in bass presence resulting in a mid forward style. That said the 802 D3’s I auditioned matched the sonic character of their upper ranges very well.

Would be interested in how others describe the house sounds if the brands above…

 

 

 

nyev

@jomonhifi, I wasn’t aware that you could use a media server/streamer like the Aurender as a preamp.  That approach would certainly put the ARC160S, or any Amplifier in that range, in the same budget range as the Diablo 300.  How does the Aurender work like that?  I suppose it has a built in preamp as well?  Can it accept other inputs besides itself (can you connect a turntable for example?). And, I suppose you are giving up performance but not having a dedicated preamp?

@nyev  Yes - You can absolutely use the A10 as a pre-amp. There is a setting in the app that lets you enable the volume control using the remote control or the dial on the front panel. There is only one input on the back and that’s a SPDIF input for a CD transport or any other digital source. There is no Phono-In for a TT. You can bring in a proper pre-amp at a later date. Like I said - It’s how I auditioned my ARC 160s side by side with my Diablo 300. (No slouch…!)

 

the 160s with the Serafino’s is really musical and satisfying. Beautiful imaging and soundstage with plenty of party…!

 

enjoy…!

How about Von Schweikert used VR55s or new Endeavor E5 or Endeavor SE.  Evolution Acoustics MM2.  These are state of the art in their price range $25K-$45K.  Dynamic with great bass, you are there presence.  You should audition these before plunking down 3 or 4 big ones.  

To the poster who liked the ML ReQuest. I had it in a second system and the Monolith IIIs in the main room 27 years ago. When my wife heard them 26 years ago, she HATED them. Bright, beamy, lacking in bass and warmth, limited dynamics-yuk. Replaced with 1990s versions of the Legacy Focus and Signature IIIs. They are old now and looking forward to VS or EA speakers mentioned above.

Do what I did… if you can lift the Diablo. If your dealer doesn’t carry that amp but has the speakers you like, schlepp the Gryphon with you…!