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Speaker Choice: Narrowed down, need final opinions

Hi All,

I had a few posts trying to narrown down my choices for high quality, small to midsize floorstanders. As a bit of background I have downscaled from B&W Matrix 801 Series 3 which were too big for me, so I needed to dowscale in size but I do not want to lose in terms of quality. Here are all the details I can think of, if there is anything else which may help please let me know.

I have 2 options now, one of which is the Elac speakers: either the 207.2 or preferably the 208.2. Has anyone got these or heard them somewhere? What were your thoughts? . I also enjoy a decent amount of bass and that is why I would prefer the 208.2, but has anyone heard the 207.2? How is their bass extensions? (by the way the 209.2 is out of my budget)

My other choice is the Monitor Audio Gold Reference 60's ( can get at a fantastic price). I know I won't have a problem with bass with those. In the mids and highs though, is their quality comparable to that of the Elac's, and/or the 801 S3's? My previous options (now ruled out) were the Revel F30's which I could only afford second hand and the pair is now sold, and the Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home which unlike the previous Grand Piano's are not biwireable and I do not want to replace/alter my cables.

Associated Equipment:
-Bryston 4B-ST Amplifier
-Electrocompaniet EC 4.5 Preamp
-Kimber KCAG interconnects
-Zu Cable Wax biwire speaker cable
-Shanling CD-T100 CD Player

Room:
-fairly large (about 35ft x 14ft, but divided into 2 by an arch so my room is effectively 17.5ft x 14ft)
-long wall setup
-speakers around 8-9ft apart and listener about 8ft to each speaker

Thanks for the help,
X
xenithon
xenithon OP
130 posts
 
Hi There,

I am using the system only for stereo and not HT, and have read in many threads that the newer GP Home's are geared more toward HT, and the older ones better suited to 2-channel. Have you found this perhaps to be the case?

Also like I said the new GP Home's are not biwireable. I do not really want to change my speaker cables which I really like (Zu Cable Wax Biwire).

Thanks,
X
subaruguru
1,375 posts
 
I would continue to seek another pair of Revel F30. I believe Thorman IS kidding, but interestingly my demo of the N803, Revel F30 and (rear-firing woofer) Fidelios three years ago DID lead to my buying the Parsifal Encores!
Speakers for life. Sometimes ya just gotta do what ya gotta do....
mt10425
1,138 posts
 
I did an A/B with B&W Nautilus 803 and the Monitor Audio's. I couldn't believe how constricted the sound was from the Monitor's. These were fed from a Pass Labs amp. Only your ears can tell you what's right for you.
xenithon OP
130 posts
 
Thanks for the input guys!

I actually may be able to get a pair of Audes Blues at a reasonable price within my budget. How would you compare the Audes Blues to the others such as the Monitor Audio and the Sonus Faber Grand Pianos??

Thanks!
X
drrdiamond
671 posts
 
Sorry to give another suggestion that you didn't ask for, but since your previous speakers were B&W:

A friend of mine in the high end audio business just traded in his B&W800N signatures (with a Rel sub) for the 805N signatures (with same sub) and prefers it in a big way!
There is an excellent pair of the 805N sigs on audiogon today.

Richard
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