Mid to high end speaker options

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

Sid, I know you like B&W house sound. But wouldn't the 804D be somewhat of a downgrade from your SHL5?

Not sure how that would be. Do you mean sonically, which I wouldnt know as I have not heard the B&W? However price wise, the Shl5 retails for $6000 and the 804 diamond for $7500.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

Are you sure ?

I am sure, why? If I could fit a 801D in my room I would have already bought it. Have heard them and love them.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[bhagwan]

Re: Rockport technologies

I am sure, why? If I could fit a 801D in my room I would have already bought it. Have heard them and love them.
Cheers,
Sid

Sir,
If you like 801D kind of a sound - I should suggest speakers of that kind to you - not the kind I have been suggesting...
Thanks for letting me know.

 

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

Hi Sid,

Would appreciate if you keep posting in this thread post demoing the various speakers as & when they arrive at your place. Should be a good read am sure.

Hi Denom, thanks will do that, but speakers arriving in my place is a long way off. So far I have an appointment to listen to ATC SCM50 tower active models some time next week at the dealer's showroom in Chennai. They do not have passive in stock, however the dealer invited me to listen to actives, to form an idea as to how they sound. I have also talked to dealer of evolution acoustics mm minione and he promised me to get back regarding status as to when he will have one for demo. I have yet to go to Bangalore for Rockport audition where they have the Mira2 , but the dealer has invited me and as soon as I get time I will go. Finally B&W dealer has invited me for the 804d demo. Last 2 on my list is the Focal Diablo Utopia and Raidho c1's, I have not yet contacted PTC or Audire for these, but will do so soon. After all the initial showroom demos are complete, then I will zero in 1 or 2 models I like the best and then perform a home demo.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

Sir,
If you like 801D kind of a sound - I should suggest speakers of that kind to you - not the kind I have been suggesting...
Thanks for letting me know.

Bhagwan as I stated earlier my budget is upto $20k, anything in that range, locally available (in India) with a dealer who has showroom facilities is acceptable to me. Ultimately I will listen to the speakers and take a call. Before I bought the Harbeth Shl5, my reference speaker for 5 years was the B&W 805N and I love the B&W sound, however when 805D was released I did not like the implementation of the diamond tweeter so my switch to Harbeth. However somehow the larger speakers in B&W with diamond tweeters sounded good, so consequently my attempt to audition the smallest floor stander in the 8 series the 804D, which I hope will work in my small room.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[bhagwan]

Re: Rockport technologies

Bhagwan as I stated earlier my budget is upto $20k, anything in that range, locally available (in India) with a dealer who has showroom facilities is acceptable to me. Ultimately I will listen to the speakers and take a call. Before I bought the Harbeth Shl5, my reference speaker for 5 years was the B&W 805N and I love the B&W sound, however when 805D was released I did not like the implementation of the diamond tweeter so my switch to Harbeth. However somehow the larger speakers in B&W with diamond tweeters sounded good, so consequently my attempt to audition the smallest floor stander in the 8 series the 804D, which I hope will work in my small room.
Cheers,
Sid

Sir,

The only thing common between the B & W's & the Harbeth's is that they are both British [at least B & W was] but apart from that - their sound & sonic signature is poles apart.
If you like B & W 804 or there abouts - the chance that you will like the RT's is very [really] remote. They are very different sounding speakers.
The RT's are closer to the Dynaudio kind of sound - they both use PP Drivers [Poly Proplene]....

I never knew - you liked & used B & W's for many years.
I will keep that in mind - so that any speaker I suggest / recommend to you - will be [should be] down that alley of sound;

 

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

And I would be very grateful in anyone can point me towards the Dynaudio India dealer. I am interested in the Dynaudio Confidence C2II as well.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

Sir,

The only thing common between the B & W's & the Harbeth's is that they are both British [at least B & W was] but apart from that - their sound & sonic signature is poles apart.
If you like B & W 804 or there abouts - the chance that you will like the RT's is very [really] remote. They are very different sounding speakers.
The RT's are closer to the Dynaudio kind of sound - they both use PP Drivers [Poly Proplene]....

;

Bhagwan, not sure I follow your line of reasoning. Yes I love B&W sound, but I also like Harbeth and Dynaudio (I have at one time or other owned all of these). Each is different yes, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. Also it is very dependent on the model, some models of the same mfr. sound great and some do not. So I do generalize anymore, if that speaker fits in my budget and it is available here, I will listen to it. Look at my current shortlist: - Rockport Mira 2, Focal Diablo Utopia, B&W 804d, Raidho C1, Evolution acoustics mm mini one, ATC scm50. Each one is very different, tweeters, woofers, cabinet, construction etc. Heck if I felt I could fit a Magneplanar in my room, I would add it to the list - I owned the cheapest maggie for 3-4 years and I know there is an Indian dealer.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[bhagwan]

Re: Rockport technologies

And I would be very grateful in anyone can point me towards the Dynaudio India dealer. I am interested in the Dynaudio Confidence C2II as well.
Cheers,
Sid

Sure;

Savoy International sells it.

Mr. Bhatti - 9867008218

Nice Speaker.

 

[Nikhil]

Re: Rockport technologies

So far I have an appointment to listen to ATC SCM50 tower active models some time next week at the dealer's showroom in Chennai. They do not have passive in stock, however the dealer invited me to listen to actives, to form an idea as to how they sound.

Sid,

I was at Cinema Focus, Chennai just yesterday and heard the SCM 50 Towers. They were in a HT setup with all the usual bells and whistles. Sounded absolutely great but auditioning for stereo is confusing to me in a HT room. Having said that they have an SCM 20 in their stereo room which was pretty mind blowing.

 

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

Sid,

I was at Cinema Focus, Chennai just yesterday and heard the SCM 50 Towers. They were in a HT setup with all the usual bells and whistles. Sounded absolutely great but auditioning for stereo is confusing to me in a HT room. Having said that they have an SCM 20 in their stereo room which was pretty mind blowing.

Sound good Nikhil, will check these out. One good thing about these guys, they are very friendly and accomodating. Not getting similar response from other dealers, so I know, in the end who will earn my business.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[Nikhil]

Re: Rockport technologies

Sound good Nikhil, will check these out. One good thing about these guys, they are very friendly and accomodating. Not getting similar response from other dealers, so I know, in the end who will earn my business.
Cheers,
Sid

Very true. Very knowledgeable as well. FYI their local rep Manohar also had a SCM 50 in his HT demo area. Did you try and speak to him as well?

Edit: Sorry, might have been a SCM 100 actually.

 

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

Very true. Very knowledgeable as well. FYI their local rep Manohar also had a SCM 50 in his HT demo area. Did you try and speak to him as well?

Edit: Sorry, might have been a SCM 100 actually.

Oh ok, I doubt the 100 will work in my room. However surprising to see such talented music speakers being wasted on fake foley effects, crashes and booms:sad: Well I guess that is where the Indian market is.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

Sure;

Savoy International sells it.

Mr. Bhatti - 9867008218

Nice Speaker.

Just spoke to Mr. Bhatti, he was very clear - no stock/demo of Confidence neither in Mumbai nor in Hyderabad or anywhere in India (they have dist. in Hyd), only upon order. So I will scratch out this from my audition list. I am quite sure that many of the models in my list will disappear in this manner:sad:.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[ranjeetrain]

Re: Rockport technologies

Not sure how that would be. Do you mean sonically, which I wouldnt know as I have not heard the B&W? However price wise, the Shl5 retails for $6000 and the 804 diamond for $7500.
Cheers,
Sid

Of course I was talking sonically.

Even if you take a blind call on Harbeth Monitor 30.1 or DynAudio C1 you will never regret. It's my hunch that they will both do wonders in your setup.

 

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

Even if you take a blind call on Harbeth Monitor 30.1 or DynAudio C1 you will never regret. It's my hunch that they will both do wonders in your setup.

Ranjeet, I have heard the Monitor30 domestic extensively and I am quite sure the Shl5, to my ears is a significant step up, at-least I felt that 30 was not even close. Not sure how much change the 30.1 will provide, if any. I have also heard the c1 at the Audiokarma show in Detroit about 3 years ago for about 2 hours, and I know room will play a very important factor for this speaker, simply because the bass extension of this stand mount is very pronounced and the wrong room will make it unsuitable. Anyways as I have stated before, I will buy only upon home audition, no blind buys for me at this stage. I want to get off the upgrade bandwagon for at-least next 5-7 years or longer. I also know that the best speaker to replace the SHl5, albeit based on advice from a person who was using SHl5 and not personal experience is the Vivid Audio Giya G3, but no dealer in India so no chance of an audition (plus it is double my budget of $20k). I am tempted to order it blind (used) from Singapore but am holding back because of the reason I stated earlier. BTW the designer at Vivid was also at B&W prior.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[Gerry_the_Merry]

Re: Rockport technologies

Unless your budget is stretchable you should decide fast. Talk is that $ will reach 70 in no time. Dealers across the board are raising prices by 25%

 

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

Unless your budget is stretchable you should decide fast. Talk is that $ will reach 70 in no time. Dealers across the board are raising prices by 25%

Thanks Gerry, I have the ultimate hedge though. Funds are in US$.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[bhagwan]

Re: Rockport technologies

JBL K2 S9900 | Full range | Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community
Steal - imho

Wilson Audio System W/P 8 Desert Mercedes Silver Gorgeous Music and Aesthetics | Full range | Sunnyvale, California 94087 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community
you can buy without demo @ this price - cannot go wrong - there will always be an exit possible;;

GAUDER AKUSTIK GERMANY CASSIANO - REMARKABLE AWARD WINNING! | Full range | Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community
This is not cheap - but @ 10/- K - I would go for it - cause I like Accuton Driver based L/S !

Dynaudio C4 Signature Edition Bordeaux | Full range | Northampton, Pennsylvania 18067 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community
Good but not at this price - however, do consider. @ 10/- K close your eyes & buy.

I can post many more - the issue is will you buy 'blind' [rather deaf] ?
At these prices, I would - cause I have heard them & know what their potential is....

 

[bhagwan]

Re: Rockport technologies

A few more :-

Wilson Audio Sofia MKll Wilson Audio Sofia MKll Mint Conditon In Original Crates | Full range | Oak Beach, New York 11702 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

B&W Bowers and Wilkins 802D rosenut flawless condition | Full range | Saratoga Springs, 84045 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community
Only because you like - not my suggestion;

WILSON AUDIO SOPHIA 2 MINT CONDITION | Full range | Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community
Excellent price - can get it for lower..

Wilson Audio Sophia 2 | Full range | Derry, New Hampshire 03038 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community
Anything around 7500/- is a good buy - can always exit in India - this is highly saught after product..

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-pmc-pb1i-2013-08-05-speakers-95111
A Nice buy @ 5/- K [not more] if your room is not too large. I prefer the 'bigger' PMC's hyeah: