The most dynamic & transparent bookshelf


I get it when I hear some speakers like Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary, they are musical, detailed, but not on extreme dynamic, it can go pretty low and loud, but still lack a bit more powerful punch. My next aim for powerful speakers, will be something near perfect immune to distortions, must be extreme dynamic, go very loud and does not make the sound quality collapsed, also I insist to stick with bookshelf size, few options in my mind:

Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 (with NrT upgrade, worth?)
Mark&Daniel Ruby
Dynaudio DM 2/8
Proac Response D2
Soundfield Audio Monitor 1

For Dynaudio and Mark&Daniel, I have concern on power and drive efficiency, though I'm using a Class D Audio SDS-400C power amp, it work damn good with my Denton (warm + transparent gear goes really well). My considerations based on factors in this order: price, near full range dynamic, neutral and transparent sonic quality, availability (as I'm from Malaysia, not easy to achieve those speakers), and last your opinions? Any other recommendations? Once again, I'm not looking for speakers with colorations, must extremely dynamic, dead neatral and transparent without snake oil!
128x128wim1983
"05-15-15: Wim1983
Zd542: Well, yes audio chain is pretty complicated to begin with, I'll stick with scientific objective way on choosing my gears, that's why I look for budget DAC like JDS Labs ODAC, transparent setup just very important in music listening and analysis (sometimes), everything come later, and I have absolutely enjoy my music collection ever with my current setup, sound quality, sound stage, musical tonal balance, well except dynamic and bass perfection just with a pair of bookshelf speakers, which remains to be craved by most audiophile, having said that we are clear that there is no perfect solution, but a reasonable near perfect solution based on given assumptions is drafted, and I'll start from there..."

We all need to do things our own way, so I respect your decision. But if you'll notice, the discussion always comes back to the same issue. It's the point at which the objective ends and the subjective begins. Unfortunately, the qualities you are asking about won't reveal themselves in measurements. You simply can't measure things like timbre, dynamic contrast, imaging, etc..

I wish I could give you some info that will help, but I just don't know how to build a system any other way.
Acousticfrontiers: Thanks for your clarifications. Though I'm very curious how the bass works without ports? So far I know that Wharfedale Jade 3 also no ports, I'm very tempted to get a pair of it, wonder how the 3-way Aperiodic system works, plus the price and audition is easier in my country. You see with the same price, I can get a floorstander Wharfedale Jade 5 instead, which really tempting to me :)
Zd542: Exactly, bravo that's why we are discussing on "speakers", this is only component in the chain that is very difficult to get best of it, because you need to consider price, again budget, then the way sound is generated, which is the most subjective aspect. Speakers to me is a beauty creation of state of the art object, it's very physical thing to consider, and a lot of fun when you hear it and look at it xD

By the way, what's your current system? I'm curious? Or you have too many, perhaps tell me what's your favorite? I can have a look haha
"05-15-15: Wim1983
Zd542: Exactly, bravo that's why we are discussing on "speakers", this is only component in the chain that is very difficult to get best of it, because you need to consider price, again budget, then the way sound is generated, which is the most subjective aspect."

Overall, I agree. Where we differ is that I consider all components equally. For me, the amp, preamp and source is just as important as the speaker.

"By the way, what's your current system? I'm curious? Or you have too many, perhaps tell me what's your favorite? I can have a look haha
Wim1983 (Threads | Answers | This Thread)"

I have 2 systems. My main system is:

Vansersteen Model 2 speakers, 2 Ayre V-5 amps, Wadia 861SE cd player, AQ cables and ESP power cords. The Wadia drives the amps directly but I have a preamp I put in the system when I want to listen to records or a different source.

2nd system:

Wadia 302 CD player, VAC 30/30 amp, Wilson Cub speakers, TARA cables, Furutech line conditioner, Richard Grey power cords. Like the other system, I also have a preamp I put in the system for other sources.
Zd542: I see that you are on America speakers, they look like alien to me, haha, those weird box must be full of magic...

For Vandersteen, hmm I heard some mixed praises and critics about them, I think it's not easy to setup, low price lower end is not attractive to me, while high price need complicated setup and money...