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
"Also sound can be subjective to different persons, so I can foresee that one like it or not like it"

I agree, but you can only make that claim if you've actually heard the product yourself. You can't do that. In the US we call that not knowing your ass from your elbow.

But don't take my word for it, take yours.

"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"

"As I mentioned, it's the price my primary consideration here..."

"Zd542: I see that you are on America speakers, they look like alien to me, haha, those weird box must be full of magic..."

"As the technology is very advanced and mature I can say, much of the product free of snake oil, but more solid science proof."

God only knows what would pass for scientific proof in your world. I'd be willing to bet that if we could read your mind, we'd be board with our own.
Zd542: It's sad, audition is not possible for me, I can solely based don reviews and measurements (though maybe not correct), it's Malaysia, not the HiFi wonderland USA. Also audition is kinda psychology trap to our brains, very fishy, very tricky, and very doubtful, even the setup is correct, human may tends to hear "something" else, expected and reality could be different.

Once again I concluded that I have no problem playing all my music collection with the Denton, but lack dynamics when play orchestra like this:
Joe Hisaishi in Budokan - Studio Ghibli 25 Years Concert

Thanks again for your recommendations. I'll take it!
Since neutrality, dynamics and budget are primary concerns, let me also recommend GoldenEar Aons. I heard the Aon 3s and they really have the dynamics and room-filling capabilities of a small to mid-sized floorstander. The treble is very smooth and yet extended with its folded ribbon tweeter.

Fortunately, there is an authorized distributor (or dealer, I don't know which) in Malaysia, A &L Audio Station in Kuala Lumpur. See GoldenEar's Dealer Locator for details.
Johnnyb53: Yes, it's should be easy for me to get this speakers. Though I'm not sure to get between Wharfedale Jade 3 and GoldenEar Aon3? Any further thoughts?

For Wharfedale Jade 3, the 3-way Aperiodic system seem very interesting and I hope it works.

While for GoldenEar Aon3, What Hi-Fi review mentioned lack dynamic?

So I'm curious to know when volume level is high, how's the sound compression? Collapsed?
"05-16-15: Wim1983
Zd542: It's sad, audition is not possible for me, I can solely based don reviews and measurements (though maybe not correct), it's Malaysia, not the HiFi wonderland USA."

Great. But that's no reason to insult people that are trying to give you answers to questions you ask. Especially when you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

Here's another example of your genius.

"Also audition is kinda psychology trap to our brains, very fishy, very tricky, and very doubtful, even the setup is correct, human may tends to hear "something" else, expected and reality could be different."

If that's the case, then how do you know that your system is at fault? Maybe it sounds OK and you've just fallen into one of your psychology traps? And what I really don't understand is, if listening is such a poor way to judge audio components, why do you keep asking others what they're subjective opinions are on how components sound? The only thing that says is you trust complete strangers over your own judgment.

Maybe you should loose the attitude. You might learn something.