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Can speakers be too good?

Now that I have over-improved my house, I am on to my stereo. I have what is, for me, probably my final 2 channel front end: Sony SCD555ES CD/SACD, Musical Fidelity A3.2 Integrated, Music Hall MMF7 table, Kimber Kable interconnects, Monster Cable power center. My thinking was to get the best quality electronics for the money, which I think I came pretty close to doing, and then concentrate on the speakers. I currently have PSB Image 7PT. I listen to mostly singer/songwriter, jazz, blues, alt country, roots rock. Mostly stuff that is not demanding in a dynamic or low frequency sense, but places importance on spaciousness, imaging, naturalness in the mid-range, etc. Also, my room is fairly small – 11 x 18 x 8.

My question for the forum: Is it possible to spend too much for a speaker to finish the system? (Within reason – I am not looking at anything in five figures.) I am a musician with a fairly well developed ear, but I am definitely not into chasing the last 0.5% of resolution at any cost. I have always been able to hear more of a difference between speakers than between electronics, although I can hear the difference between, for instance, my generic Sony DVD player, previous Cambridge CD player and Sony SCD555ES. I am thinking of a very high quality monitor in the $3 - $5 k range (basically equal to the entire rest of the system). Candidates would include Dynaudio Special 25, JM Lab Mini Utopia (used), Spendor 1/2e, B&W N805 Signature, Tyler Linbrook Signature, Totem Mani2. (Have heard some, but not all. Just giving possible examples in the price range.)

Does this seem like the right allocation of funds? Will I be able to get the most out of these speakers with my existing front end? (FYI - I am not likely to change the guts of this system anytime soon, although I would be open to tweaks/adds such as cable upgrade, power conditioning, outboard DAC, phono stage, etc.) All thoughts are welcome.
scotthmartin
botrytis
178 posts
 
I would suggest, if you can find them to listen to, some Royd Audio speakers http://www.roydaudio.com . They are a smaller british company and make some fine sounding speakers.

Castle, Rega, and Neat are some other british speaker companies to try. Castle makes classical british sounding speakers as does Rega. Neat Audio is unique becuase they use their own dome ribbon tweeter.

Good luck with your search!!

Dave
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
It is possible for speakers to be too good for your system. There are speakers that will not be right for your system or your room. I would guess you would be happiest with a two driver monitor. The simpler crossover (assuming you buy from a reputable company) should provide a smoother midrange. You will give up a little on the bottom end, but if midrange, imaging and soundstage are your biggest priorities, this should be a good trade for you.

More often than not, you will sacrifice the midrange and soundstage for deep bass.

If you are brave enough try a singe driver like the Lothars!
aball
2,016 posts
 
Funny Dave suggested Royd speakers because, as their slogan says, "The best loudspeakers you've never heard of... " I auditioned a pair of Minstrel SE with 12W of italian tubes and I was amazed at the quality of the sound. THey looked really puny, sitting there on the floor as I looked down at them, but man was the sound ever so life-like and big. Amazing bass too. Very impressive.

One day I will have a pair of British speakers like that. I am slowly finding out that in general Brits like the same type of sound I do. Otherwise, many good suggestions already listed above. Good luck! Arthur
cdc
1,747 posts
 
I thought Audio Physic Virgo 3's sounded excellent with the 3.2 integrated. Better than Sim's integrated. Made me think about getting rid of my B&W.
I would stay away from ATC because the 3.2 will not have enough power. Same goes for Revel M20.
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