Salk rules!!
Beyond that, I got nothin ...
Attractive Bookshelf - Under $3k
I'm looking to upgrade my Dali Ikon IIs for a living room, where the aesthetics are a big part of the decision. I'm heavily leaning towards the SF Sonetto IIs, but I've never heard them, and that is purely based on the appearance and a few reviews. I plan to drive these with a Belles Aria integrated. I know it's a long list, but I'm just hoping for some thoughts, or perhaps a good reason (or not) to go with the Sonettos. While I'd love to listen to them all, It's unlikely that I'll find them on display. I've already heard the Vandersteen CT which was when I auditioned my amp and think they're awesome. I'm just not sure they're "pretty" enough for the room.
Thanks!
Triangle 40th Aniversary Comète
Sonus Faber Sonetto II
Dynaudio Special 440
Dynaudio Evoke 20
Focal Kanta no 1
Focal Aria 906
Vandersteen VLR Wood
Vandersteen VLR CT
Dali Rubicon 2
Harbeth P3ESR XD
ProAc Tablette 10
ProAc Tablette 10 Signature
Fyne F500 SP
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- 52 posts total
Regarding FritzSpeakers custom finishes- I usually have 5-6 pairs of my Carrera BE, Carbon 7 SE Mk2 & Carbon 6 models built in several different standard wood finishes and ready to ship within a couple of days. I have access to many different veneers and can custom build the cabinets in any Exotic veneer that anybody desires if they want to pay the $300 to $800 premium that those burlwoods & others can cost. Thanks, Fritz Heiler |
ZZ Top may be "the little ole band from Texas", but Watkins Stereo and Loudspeakers is the little but GIANT speaker manufacturer from my hometown of Kingsport, Tennessee that has been blowing audiophiles away since the 1970’s. Bill Watkins, Sr., is the engineering wizard behind the famous Watkins Dual-Drive Woofer which he licensed to Infinity Systems, the amazing WE-1 speaker (a Holy Grail find now in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina), and the current Watkins Generation 4 Bookshelf Speaker. I believe this review summary should give you thought about checking out the $2,500 Watkins Generation 4 in your search: "Had I auditioned the Gen Four blind behind a curtain and had to judge its value in the hierarchy of high-end audio I would have been happy to recommend it even at a price tag of $7k. Its asking price at a fraction of that is partly due to the direct sales model—there is no dealer markup. It simply sounds like a much more expensive speaker. And I should add that the Gen Four felt comfortable in the company of far more expensive components in the price range of $15k and upward."
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@allenf1963 - Thanks for you post. I'm a very happy owner of vintage Infinity RS1.5 speakers that utilize the dual voice-coil Watkins Woofer. Still love them. However, I'm always interested in hearing new stuff, especially if it is reasonably affordable. Next time I'm planning a trip to/through the area of East Tennessee, I'm going to try to set up a visit to Watkins Audio for a listen to the Watkins Generation 4 speaker. Would love to have a smallish bookshelf to try in my main rig, and my office system. |
- 52 posts total