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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
gregm
3,397 posts
 
The Monitor Audios look like one good choice (if you OK their sound, that is). I'm not sure you'll be happy with the sound of the Bryston driving Audio Physic, Elac -- or any speaker that goes for an extended, upper end, and a flattish bass roll-off (mid-low q). It might sound thin to you. Don't know if others agree on this.

Lets make this simpler: what are the available choices. Just list them:), irrespective of their "fame", etc.
xenithon OP
130 posts
 
Hi There,

That's a good idea, I will list them below. However please note that the Bryston *MAY* be sold. If the speakers are efficient (which I think all the candidates are) I may get a pair of Shanling SP-80 Class-A monoblocks to partner with my Shanling CD-T100 CD Player. I am quite a firm believer that partnering components yields a synergy which mixing and matching sometimes cannot. But that will be much later though, nothing in the very near future.

The candidates which are available and I can currently afford (some new, some dealer demos) are:
1. Monitor Audio GR-60
2. Elac 209 Jet
3. Audio Physic Spark\Tempo
4. Vienna Accoustics Mozart
5. Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home
6. Paradigm Signature S4 ***
(*** not currently available here but will be in around 2 months)

I am not trying to be arrogant/stubborn but guys please try not to say that I can get speaker X for the same price, because pricing here is very different to overseas, and also many brands are simply not available. For example there is the Audes Blues which I have heard is amazing, and within my budget, but not available here and I do not want to import something without ever even hearing it.

Thanks for the help
X
xenithon OP
130 posts
 
SOrry, here is a quick update. I made quite a lot of calls today to confirm availability, new pricing etc. and the end result is this: I currently have two choice:

1. Monitor Audio GR-60
2. Elac 209 Jet

The others are not feasible at the moment for various reasons. The Paradigm Signature S4's are still an option but the have an ETA of 2-3 months.

Thanks,
X
sean34
95 posts
 
I have heard the monitor audio stuff, little bright for my tastes and I think probably better suited to home theater, have not heard the Elac stuff, sorry. Man I wish you could hear the Audes!
xenithon OP
130 posts
 
Hi There,

I do not mind it too bright. I may very well be moving to tube amps which I am sure will tone it down if need be. The main question is quality: how does it compare to the other. How does it compare to something like the N804's (I cannot get those but at least I know there sound so have a good reference point). Talking about tube amps: anyone know how well the Shanling SP-80 amps will do for speakers like these? Almost all the candidates are rated to around 200W and 90dB or more sensitivity. The Shanling amps are tube rated 50W.

I can have the Audes Blues shipped to me directly from the company (I have contacted them in the past few weeks concerning the matter), but the question is: is it worth doing this special once off import? What if the sound is not good (to my ears at least)? It will be difficult to sell and will have a low resale value since no one really knows the product and there will be no product support.

Cheers,
X
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