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Looking for speaker choice advice.....

I'm looking for some direction/help in selecting some new speaks for my recently completed dedicated listening room. The room itself is built over my garage and measures 16' wide x 30' long. Side walls are 4' tall where the rafter slope occurs with the main flat ceiling about 8' wide at 8'-4" high running the length of the room.

My existing components include a 250/wpc Threshold S500 controlled by a Conrad Johnson PV11. I was previously running B&W CDM7s but this room was a little too large for those so I sold them to finance an upgrade. I'm looking for a very musical speaker w/good bass extension, natural mids and an accurate high end.

My musical taste center around progressive rock (60%) , (think Yes, Genesis and some newer stuff along the same lines), modern jazz guitar (10%) and classical strings (30%). I'm looking for a full range floor stander to cover all the bases. Size isn't an issue since the room is all mine and right now I'm setting my max budget at $3.5k.

Unfortunately, I'm in a somewhat audio depraved location and there isn't a lot of places to demo gear although I may take a trip to NY in the spring just to do some demos if I can't decide but I don't mind "buy to try" if I can turn them around w/o loss. I was originally thinking of sticking w/B&Ws, going with M802S3s or N803s but have recently found interest in the Coincident Super Eclipse, Soliloquy 6.3, and Maggie 1.6 and 3.3s.

So... Any comments or suggestions? I'm dying to get some nice speakers in this room since I sold my B&Ws my interims have been old DCM TF600s (which still sound pretty good considering their age and $75 price tag).
b2sc
ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,377 posts
 
I would get the Maggie 3.6, I have a friend who has the 1.6s with a Bryston amp and they are awesome, the bass is very good to. It doesn't get all the way down there, but what you do hear is very good. Another friend has Vandersteens, and while musical and good sounding they don't hold a candle to the 1.6s in my opinion If you have the freedom to set the Maggies up (as you do) they are just fantastic.
fatparrot
1,314 posts
 
Some comments are always forth coming about the Maggies "lack of bass". I owned a pair of 1.6's, so my comments are limited to this particular model. The 1.6's require OODLES OF POWER to open up the bass!!! I was pushing 500 wpc, (yes, 1 kilowatt both channels driven at the 4 ohm inpedence of the 1.6's!) If people complain about lack of bass, it's cause they just ain't got enough juice, Jack! Another trick is to make some kind of anchor, rod, or bracket and secure the top corners (please use some type of clamp and don't drill a hole in the frames!!!) firmly to the back wall. W.A.F won't be a problem, because she'll probably leave you when she discovers this latest tweak! Maggies are wonderful speakers that have a history of getting it right for about 30(?) years now!
rap
58 posts
 
I can't help but think that Dunlavy SC-IV/IVa or even SC-V available a good prices these days will fill that room, play at intolerably loud volumes and will have no problems going deep in the bass.
For what it's worth...
brulee
564 posts
 
Hi B2sc, The larger Vandersteens, Maggies 3.6 are excellent speakers. Both should do fine in your room. IMO, the maggies seem to do their best with big amps. I have owned the Coincident SE and the TE. If you can find a deal on the TE, I think it will be more to your likeing than the SE. It is IMO, a speaker that should have no problem fitting in and filling your room much better than the SE. All the speakers mentioned, except the VMPS and Avantgarde, which I have not heard, are great speakers. One reason I mention the Total Eclipse is because it should have enough bass to satisfy you and your room. It also is very easy to drive.
Maybe Garfish will see this thread and give some of his thoughts on the Vandersteen's.
Hope you find the one that makes you happy.
If you are interested, I will be more than happy to give my opinions on the SE vs TE. Good hunting.
b2sc OP
17 posts
 
Wow, thanks for all the responses. Please keep them coming. My intended budget is for used speakers. I obviously need to check out the 3.6s, even if I have to drive 3-4 hours to find some to listen to.

I've heard a lot of great things about the Vandy 3A Sigs but man, that's a face only a mother could love. Sorry, but sometimes I like to listen with the lights on :-) (no offense meant to 3A Sig owners)

I assume nobody commenting on my amp is a good thing since I don't want any problems driving whatever I end up buying.
I won't mnd upgrading it someday but it won't be anytime soon after the speaker purchase... :-)

And Brulee, those SE/TEs are still at the top of my list so I'd very much like to hear your opinions between the 2. Feel free to post here or email me privately if that's more appropriate.

Brian
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