Speakers for Classical Music


Hello everyone,

Recently, I have listened to several speakers from low-end to high-end in order to find the best speakers of classical music. My criteria were sound clarity, sound stage, accuracy and depth. However, I was not able to locate approriate speakers to meet the above criteria. Therefore, I am seeking your advice.

What are the best speakers for classical music?

Thanks in advance.
ddhpark
Even listening to classical music there is a significant amount of personal preference that goes into your decision. While we can give you advice, you really have to hear the speaker for yourself. I have listened to classical music on so many systems, many of which I did not like, but that doesn't mean that someone else would not like them.

My criteria is similar to yours, but there are a few other things to consider. One is dynamics. You didn't mention this, and perhaps it's not terribly important to you. Classical can be very dynamic, but if you listen to mostly chamber music, then that really isn't an issue. Another critical area is bass reproduction. While you didn't mention this, I think this is probably important, because you did mention soundstage. I find that you really need good bottom end detail to establish a context for the soundstage (a place for the other instruments to exist).
Lastly, you should consider, where you want to sit to listen to the orchestra. I don't mean in your living room, I mean in the concert hall. Do you want to be in row A? I don't. And I've heard some very highly regarded systems that put me in row A (or maybe I was in the viola section). It was too close to the instruments and I didn't like it at all. I prefer to be in row K. (I still can't get those tickets for the Baltimore Symphony--but I can in my listening room).

Now I can only offer you some advice as to what I've listened to (a small subset). I have listened to older Klipsch (La Scala's and K-horns). Very dynamic and excellent tonal accuracy. Significant problems are limited frequency range, poor soundstage, poor depth. These would not meet your criteria.

B&W 801 Nautilus. These are very good. In my opinion these are extremely well rounded speakers. Great dynamics, good bass, good imaging, good soundstage. Not the best on depth--low level articulation is lacking a little bit.

Revel Salons. I really liked these. They have great depth, articulation, soundstage, bass. The only thing I have to caution you on here is that I only listened to these for a few hours, but was very impressed. I think if I were in the market for speakers I would spend a lot more time listening to these.

Martin Logan Monoliths. I own these, so I'm most familiar with these. Most people know the benefits of electrostatic: imaging, soundstage (even without good bass), (vocals are amazing), coherency, low level detail. They are usually aware of the downsides: poor dynamics, poor bass (and as a result poor depth). For me the bass was really a problem. I couldn't get a convincing orhestra without convincing bass. I therefore modified the speakers with Focal Audiom drivers, biamped the sytem, and the result was excellent bass and dynamics that it desparately needed. I can't really recommend these speakers without the modfications--and wouldn't really recommend doing these mods--unless you're really into DIY. Their new line might be something to consider. I have only listened to the Prodigy speaker twice and both times I felt it was not set up properly--so in short--I really haven't heard that speaker.

I think I've used up enough space here--and hope it's been helpful.
This is a topic that I have spent a long time with in the course of listening through the years. A good rendition of classical music is likely the hardest thing for a music system to reproduce. Just go to a symphony concert and then go home and listen to your system.
I currently use Waveform Mach Solo speakers with BAT electronics and that all does pretty well with making a reasonable presentation of the orchestra sound. Chamber music is really fantastic. Waveform is now out of production, so you are out of luck there.
I have found that B&W Nautilus speakers 801-803 do a good job, with proper front ends. The 804 just lacks too much in the bass for a good orchestra sound.
There are others out there as well. The things to look for in a speaker are it's ability to reproduce low level detail at low sound volumes, and good bass response.
Speakers that do well in these areas are said to be Coincident, Audio Physic, many of the "British" speaker companies.
Keep listening. Take your favorite piece of music with you and that will help you hear the differences. Good luck
Steve
Thanks for all. However, I noticed that some recommended two-way speakers while others recommended three-way speakers. I was wondering which is better of a two-way speaker plus a subwoofer in seperate or a three-way speaker with subwoofer in it. Thanks.
It really does not matter if it's 2-way or 3-way. It's all in how it is done and the music that comes out. Some times it is really hard to get a really good match with a subwoofer. However REL can supposedly match anything. In the end it all comes down to system synergy and liking the music one hears.