Volti v Charney v Rethm

I’ve heard the Volti and the Rethm Trishna, both in show conditions, one year apart, the Volti with Border Patrol amplification, the Rethm driven by the new Western Ekectric integrated.  I liked them both, but loved the Rethm.  I find myself increasingly drawn the the delicate immediacy of single driver designs - or brant’s thereto - these days, and the Rethm definitely scratches that itch.  I heard them with a good friend who’s almost on the opposite endbofvthe audiophile spectrum from me - high powered solid state amps, Wilson Sasha X - and he had almost the exact same reaction to the Rethms.  Btw, I’ve corresponded with both Angie and the Rethm founder; they’re both great.

How big a room and how loud do you want your system to play and how important is really deep and powerful bass?  It is NOT the case that I found the Charney deficient in any aspect of performance, but, physics dictates that a single 8" driver cannot do all things as well as larger, multi-way drivers can do.  I would expect such limits would be more of a challenge for the Charneys than with the other speakers.  Still, I really love the sound of the Charney speakers and would recommend them for anyone not looking for head-banging volume in a large room.  

@larryi 

My room is 30 x 25 feet. 13 foot ceilings. I don’t usually listen super loud, but infrequently do pump it up. Quality is more important than quantity (volume).

Thanks everyone so far for your input!

desltz,

Your large room and high ceiling might make bass reproduction difficult for some speakers.  My bet would be on the Rivals, among the three choices, working the best in that situation.  But, these days, many single driver or small driver two-way systems are quite capable to performing well in large spaces.

I heard a system that employed a single 8" fullrange driver, but, it was supplemented with active woofers coming in to handle deep bass.  It was shown at an audio show in a fairly large ballroom.  I was surprised at how good it sounded and how well it filled the space and played at very high volume level.  The speaker was the Cube Audio Nenuphar Basis speaker.  

I also heard two-way Acora speakers demonstrated in a large ballroom also do a good job filling the space and providing adequate bass.  

If one can place the speaker near a corner, Audio Note AN-E speakers, which utilize an 8" woofer and a dome tweeter sound terrific and can fill large spaces and deliver fairly high volume.  

Not intending to throw a monkey wrench into your post, but you may also wish to consider Pure Audio Project Quintet15 with the center horn driver and four 15" woofers per side. I have the Trio (two 15" drivers per side) with horns, which may work for your room size (my room is smaller) but if you can spend more I would think the Quintets might better fill your room. Absolutely love the horn and open baffle combo sound of these. And at 96+ dB, very easy to drive. These have become my "forever" speakers. Good luck with your search!