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Oh, the frustrations of the speaker search

Yesterday I had a nice opportunity to audition a couple of speakers I felt fit my potential budget and listening preferences. To clear that up:

Budget = $1,200 MAX
Music preferences = 70% prog metal/rock (Tool, Opeth, Dream Theater, Rush, etc.), the rest is a mix of female/male vocalists, movie soundtracks, jazz.

The speakers I went in to audition were Golden Ear Aon 3's and PSB Imagine B's. The shop had an Ayre CD player connected to an NAD C 356BEE integrated amp. Tracks used for demo: Alison Balsom (Trumpet Concerto in E Flat); Tool (Forty Six & Two); Porcupine Tree (The Sound of Muzak); Zac Brown Band (Free); Hans Zimmer (Man of Steel - Terraforming).

My impressions: the Aon 3 ribbon tweeters were doing some really cool things in the treble region, but I didn't like the timbre up there. The midrange was very distant, lacked PRAT, but smooth. Bass was very present (most bass I've ever heard for a bookshelf), but had a rather "bloated" sound to it. I just got the sense that the midbass was bleeding too much into the midrange, causing the lack of presence in vocals and guitars. Soundstage was very nice, but not a whole lot of instrument separation going on. Decent in the detail department. Imaging was solid.

When he switched to the PSBs, I immediately noticed a more defined, taut bass section. Not as much quantity as the Aon 3's, but much tighter and cleaner, IMO. I preferred the midrange handily with the Imagine B's, but definitely noticed the glariness of the metal dome tweeter (as compared to the ribbon in the Aon 3). Overall, I felt the Imagine B was better balanced and the midrange had much more life (positive sense) to it. Soundstage was maybe a bit less in width, same in depth. One thing that I felt was lacking, though, was instrument separation. Imaging was solid.

It was at this point that I felt truly torn. These speakers did things so differently that I really had no idea which one I'd go with (if I had to choose). What made this even more complicated, is the salesman placed a pair of Aerial Acoustics Model 5B on the stands...

Crap. I was glad and mad at the same time after listening to these speakers. Immediately apparent: INSTRUMENT SEPARATION!!! Details, clarity, resolution, timbre. All those words started flooding in my head. Truly balanced sound with a beautifully rendered midrange. Absolutely no glare or harshness to the treble (despite being aluminum dome tweeters...implementation!). Bass quantity was nice, but actually sounded muddy (was very surprised by this).

In the end, it made me realize that even a $2000+/pair speaker can have its flaws (granted still being run by a mid-grade integrated in the NAD). So now I have a reference point, however I don't know if I'd ever be able to achieve that kind of midrange/treble bliss at my price point for the genres I enjoy.

I realized, in the end, that I can live with some bass misfortune (as it can be corrected by cables, electronics, placement, room treatment, etc.)...but I really MUST have that type of midrange/treble that can be so well rendered and discernable, while also being able to ROCK.

This search just got a lot more complicated...
heywaj10
heywaj10 OP
17 posts
 
French_fries: A bit confused of your first statement, as I noted in my OP that I listen to 70% prog rock/metal. I even omitted bringing some of my "harder" stuff knowing that some compressed recordings may not help me evaluate the actual nature of the speakers. The music I used in this particular audition gave me a good range to listen to and understand how these speakers perform across the board.

Good point, however, on the importance of auditioning REALLY GOOD equipment. I just don't know how good is feasible for my future budget. I may not be able to push past the $1,000 envelope for an amp once that time comes.

In terms of auditioning, though, how does one really draw significant conclusions about specific equipment? Often times, different equipment is in different show rooms (not to mention stores), with different speakers, and different cables, etc. I for sure will not have the free reign to go through the merry-go-round (WAF) to continuously swap in/out different components in home for audition.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Your negative impressions of the Aon 3s indicate that perhaps they weren't broken in yet. A flabby bass and recessed midrange can be two symptoms of that. When I heard the Aons my impression was the opposite--transparent midrange and clean, tightly defined bass (as well as the smoother treble you did hear. It could also have to do with speaker placement and system matching. GoldenEar is also coming out with their new Triton 7, an all-passive floor stander with MTM driver array on the front and passive radiators on the sides. All for around $1300/pair.
fingerpaws
51 posts
 
There is a lot of good advice here, let me add my own. Consider getting a copy of Get Better Sound by Jim Smith. His set up advice has made major improvements to my systems, both stereo and home theater. He deals with so many topics, there are bound to be items that will improve your set up. Some of his recommendations may be rather long term, or seem extravagant, like his idea of having either stereo subs or none! I had two mono subs, SVS 13 Ultra, crossed over at 40HZ. I didn't think going stereo would matter, but it did! Please yourself as far as specific speakers, but consider this book will let you improve your overall experience.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,531 posts
 
...and here is MY bit of advice. Listen to as many speakers as you possibly can - in and out of your budget. You will eventually learn what pleases you and will know instantly at that point that the speaker that puts a smile on your face and a tap in your feet is IT.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
>> If you only have a very limited budget you should consider spending most of it on a really good amp and get whatever speaker you can with what is left. <<

Wow, I doubt I have ever read a worse piece of advice ever given here. The differences between amps are *vanishingly* small when compared to the differences in speakers.

I would recommend quite the opposite - buy the best speakers you can afford and then find a suitable amp to drive them. You don't listen to the amp, you listen to the speakers and the interaction between the speaker and the room you place it in...

-RW-
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