I have Fritz Rev 7 SEs that I run in a small listening space not much larger than yours. I often listen at volumes lower than 65db, in fact I’m listening right now about about 45-50db and they sound fantastic. Even at this level they disappear and have a wide deep soundstage with excellent detail. They sound even better turned up, but they do very well at low volume. I would highly recommend Fritz speakers for what you are looking to do. I have similar musical tastes and they excel with these genres. Honestly they do well with anything I listen to regardless of genre.
If you had to choose...
Hi everyone, I am researching my next little “step up” in my audio journey after 3 years. Upgrading from my current ATC SCM11 v2 speakers to ??
These are my current top 3 contenders. I am sure there should be others on this list…
- Revival Audio Atalante 3 monitors new or used
- Fritz Carrera BE (used or possibly new if Fritz puts them on sale)
- Alta Audio Alyssa used
Anyone have any comparison experiences between any of them, etc? If you were choosing…. which ones would you be going for? (-:🤔
I have been eying the Alyssa for a couple of years now, but they are out of my budget range, unless I could ever find a great deal and leverage a trade-in opportunity. Fritz seemed the way to go for me, but then I was just turned on to the Revival.
Based on what everyone has written about each of these, I am very confident that I can’t go wrong with any of these three. Just curious as to your thoughts and experiences.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
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FWIW, below is my environment:
I have a small 8'x10' room/home office/music equipment pit, with 9'ceiling. I sit at my desk about 7 feet from the speakers. I am relegated to this room for at least the next 4 years…
Mostly low volume listening (65db or lower) with occasional turn it up sessions. So they need to do well at low volume.
Music is alternative e.g. Radiohead/Smile, Mazzy Star, Echo, D. Mode, Simple Minds, Cure, etc. Classic rock, progressive rock, Bowie, TOOL, 60s psychedelic and acoustic/folk. All over the place…
Equipment:
- Black Ice F35 integrated amp w/KT170s and Tungsol 12ax7s
- Black Ice Audio Glass FX Tube DAC w/Dynamo Telefunken 12ax7
- Black Ice SS-X Sound Expander
- Rythmik L12 subwoofer
- Streaming Qobuz via Sonore orendu and SGC i5 ROON server. The server also contains my ripped cds.
- CAT 8 hard-wired ethernet to switches and router
- Verizon FIOS 1 gig internet service
- ...
- 29 posts total
Thanks everyone for all of this fantastic advice. This is all very helpful. I hear you all on the efficiency. Yes, I listen at around 65db, for many hours a day and night. So, sound quality at low volume levels, and avoiding fatigue are top considerations. @oddiofyl thanks for the review on the Revivals. FYI, fellow Audiogoner nonoise wrote up an awesome review of the Revival Audio Atalante 3 for anyone interested entitled "Shout out to Revival Audio Atalante 3 speakers" 183204-355 @hilde45 - Thank you for the reviews and for the heads up on Carrera's bright tweeter. That sounds like a non-starter for me. I am listening easily 12-15 hrs a day. I will speak with Fritz and get his thoughts as per your suggestion. @zlone, @soix Yes, I have read similar comments about the Alyssa's, so maybe not ideal given my current environment. And I have added Reference 3A MM de Capo BE to my list! @mofojo - Yes, I have been eyeballing the Heresy IV. I forgot to mention that, so thanks for reminding me! This company has haunted me ever since we'd cut school and sneak a listen to Bowie on a friend's dad's Klipshorns (AK-6?) in the mid 70's. Blew my teenage mind! @knotscott - Agreed, I will initially keep my ATCs for comparison, then if all goes well, then maybe sell them. Yes, it is such a personal choice. So I am very appreciative for everyone's perspective. @mashif, @celtic66 - I have thought about staying in the ATC family. When researching ATCs for my purchase a few years ago, I seem to recall that the 19s just had a larger woofer than the 11s, otherwise very much the same, but I could be confused. I can't fit floorstanders, so the 40s wouldn't work. The ATC 20's are over my budget, unless I could find a super used deal... I do think though that my 11s prefer a bit of a higher db level than 65db to really shine. I have been very happy with my ATC, just wanted to see what else is out there, given my listening space and volume levels. Maybe I should just figure out a way to keep my ATC in addition to getting new ones! Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate it! Cheers. |
Hello Bogbeat! Please, go somewhere to hear the Magnepan LRS+ before you buy your next pair of speakers. Unmodified, they beat almost anything under $10K, for detail and texture. Modified, they just beat nearly anything you can fit in your listening space. I know, they take up some room; need to be out from the wall; and need power (and good wires). A subwoofer helps. (Subwoofers are easy to build.) But - you can buy them with the $$ you save. Ask ne about power amps. I have been living with Maggies (on and off) for 50+ years. You don't have to spend a fortune to have great sound. Enjoy the music! |
- 29 posts total