Mid to high end speaker options

[arj]

Re: Rockport technologies

Thanks
I think it was later around 2010. that time these guys had the lebens and Devore as well but the Reimyo DAC since i wanted a like for like at least with a DAC+Leben being the same..and changed speakers only to see what was common in the presentation between the speakers. ended up buying a set of Feet of Silence
MBL used to be with a different dealer..only MBLs. did these guys also have a setup around that ?

... I have no 'cake to bake' here - so there is no need for any 'polarization' or 'bias' I report what I listen to. Either it is OK, or it is not....
.

Appreciate that

 

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

I tend to agree with Bhagwan's contention that some speakers handle some genres better, after all, warmth and cool sound signatures of speakers will help some music and will be detrimental to others, however the non musical aspects of the speaker, if I may call them audiophile charateristics such as soundstage and imaging, IMO are directly related to the other variables in the listening environment. I have heard better soundstage dimensions and imaging from a cheap system setup in a properly acoustically treated room and unimpressive results from one that was many times more expensive but placed in a hotel room under show conditions.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[bhagwan]

Re: Rockport technologies

Thanks
I think it was later around 2010. that time these guys had the lebens and Devore as well but the Reimyo DAC since i wanted a like for like at least with a DAC+Leben being the same..and changed speakers only to see what was common in the presentation between the speakers. ended up buying a set of Feet of Silence
MBL used to be with a different dealer..only MBLs. did these guys also have a setup around that ?
Appreciate that

MBL & Jeff & RT & Cardas is sold by Ron - a different dealer in Adelphi.

The Leben & the Devore are kept in the outside room - at least so I have experienced in my last 3 trips.
Inside, always I have encountered AG [Faisal's] & Prithvi's Amplification...

These are 'outside' room pics.

That was my 2nd Dynaudio Listening - BEST Speaker for Western Classical Music [I have ever encountered] & I do NOT LIKE Plinius [Imagine] !!

Uploaded with ImageShack.com
Uploaded with ImageShack.com

There Chord here - with the Dynaudio & also Plinius

 

[arj]

Re: Rockport technologies

I tend to agree with Bhagwan's contention that some speakers handle some genres better, after all, warmth and cool sound signatures of speakers will help some music and will be detrimental to others, however the non musical aspects of the speaker, if I may call them audiophile charateristics such as soundstage and imaging, IMO are directly related to the other variables in the listening environment. I have heard better soundstage dimensions and imaging from a cheap system setup in a properly acoustically treated room and unimpressive results from one that was many times more expensive but placed in a hotel room under show conditions.
Cheers,
Sid

sid, i too agree with that..at the lower price ranges its very rare to see speakers which play indian and western classical both as well ..and Rock is mostly at the lowest point for most audiophile speakers
just that due to perhaps lower exposure, not able to segregate into Amp/SPeaker..but the source is something which you get a good hint of usually

 

[sidvee]

Re: Rockport technologies

just that due to perhaps lower exposure, not able to segregate into Amp/SPeaker..but the source is something which you get a good hint of usually

I am in the same boat as you Arj. Not enough experience, especially at the higher end especially when compared to some one like Bhagwan, so I do try and pay attention to what he posts though I give him a hard time on ocassion:lol:.
And definitely not deep enough pockets either to play in that sandbox.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[arj]

Re: Rockport technologies

..

That was my 2nd Dynaudio Listening - BEST Speaker for Western Classical Music [I have ever encountered] & I do NOT LIKE Plinius [Imagine] !!

thanks for the pics
I when i went the innermost room was a storehouse (one outer and inner) and the AN speaker was the older one ie with metal frames and not the newer wood ones.
Do they keep Dynas also now ? earlier the outer was leben + Devore and the inner Avant Garde + some SET setup. dont even remember the TT setup as I was not into it those days. I have heard their Totem Setup in one of the singapore shows when i was based in Singapore and their setup was always the best setup in the show !

 

[bhagwan]

Re: Rockport technologies

I am in the same boat as you Arj. Not enough experience, especially at the higher end especially when compared to some one like Bhagwan, so I do try and pay attention to what he posts though I give him a hard time on ocassion:lol:.
And definitely not deep enough pockets either to play in that sandbox.
Cheers,
Sid

We we all started sailing from the same shore;
None of us knew or understood audio - I still do not understand enough;
Therefore I put my point of view across with folded hands..
Gentlemen 'finances' are only required to 'aquire' not to get exposed.
Just make an effort to travel & when ever you travel - dedicate 1 to 2 days for audio - you will be surprised what all comes your way.
I truly suggest & recommend - audio show trips - they cost 1 lac [approx] if you travel on a shoe string budget & you will come back rich with exposure & opinions that are self formed & not reviewer polarised...
Please do try & take out that time & do it. You will enjoy it too;
I know I have learnt a lot from them...:licklips:

 

[arj]

Re: Rockport technologies

..when compared to some one like Bhagwan, so I do try and pay attention to what he posts though I give him a hard time on ocassion:lol:.
..

+1 to that..he had once come home and he changed my setup a little bit in setup with a huge difference in sound.

Bhagwan, great to have folks like you contribute. over the years when you look at the quality of posts in even this forum it is Miles ahead of where we were (thnever got beyond NAD/Rotel/CA/Marantz/Wharfies) and its because of more knowledgeable folks sharing their views/experience/ arguments/fights etc etc...and its the combination where we all come up a notch :clapping:

somehow can't help feeling bad that we did lose a few due to unnecessary arguments issues..folks like Cranky/Audioengr/Suri..they all added so much knowledge and color to the forum as well...but that is OT

 

[Dr.Bass]

Re: Rockport technologies

This happens to a lot of speakers;
Some speakers can play big band very well & some cannot.
Some can play quarters & trio's very well but faulter on big orchestras.
I am sure in your years of music listening - you must have surely come across several speakers that play certain kinds of music better than others...

To try and come back to the Alexia - I personally feel it is a very well balanced
loudspeaker;
It plays Jazz & Blues very well.
Also does Western Classical in a good manner;
However, it could not do 'Madar' [Track 6 - Jaw] for me - as I would have been 'satisfied'
Maybe next time I listen to it, I shall play my Meeting by the River & Darshan CD's & see how it performs - if it does it well, I will report back. The Electronics was Pass Labs [4 chassis power amp] & EMM Labs - Transport & DAC with Pass Labs 3 chassis pre - I do not remember the cables....

Just to give you an example - the Dynaudio Consequence Ultimate - Dynaudio - All there is. - Plays Western Classical like a dream [for me at least] - but it cannot play Floyd to save its life - rather sad;;;

So, I always feel that a loudspeaker has to be chosen with your musical preference in mind - I have yet to come across a loudspeaker that can play all generes of music & that too exceeding well...

There are very [really] few speakers that can play Indian Classical Music well.
Truly, I have often realised that most speakers cannot play Indian Classical Music well;
If you have come across any that play it well, please do bring it to my attention, I would like to listen to those speakers - intently.
Basically, lots of music is recorded on the ground - the Tabla is lower than the voice & the Tanpura is always standing up right.
The Tabla & the Chata are in the same plane - horizintally - do they always play like that ?
Please do listen 'intently' & then report.
I shall appreciate the inputs;
A Meeting by the River is a great CD - Play it - so much is there to learn from it.
The Hawain Slide Guitar plays in the front. The Mohan Veena plays on the top. The Tabalchee is left handed. Sits behind & not on the side. I could go on and on.....

Only great systems can show all these minute differences to you.

I have a long story about a RT Speaker I heard @ Munich 2013 - I will narrate it later - why did I give that sound with the Absolare & MSB & CEC the Best of the Show - it happened because of an Indian Classical CD - Gundecha Brothers - 1st time in my life - on that system I realised that the 2 singers were sitting a bit front & a bit back.
No other system showed that to me.....

Still waiting for that speaker that you believe / know of that can play Indian Classical well...Please - AP - I request you - share the details with me.

Bhagwan, I asked you the question on Wilson Alexia because that is the Wilson I have heard 3-4 times now at Singapore. It was paired with a 4 box Pass Labs the first time around and very recently I again heard it with a Goldmund Reference monoblocks. Source was always EMM Labs. Every time it was disappointing. It could throw a huge soundstage and that was the high point about it. I did not play any hindustani on it. I will have to hear more Wilsons to really form any impression of this brand.

I totally agree with you that some speakers sound better on some genres of music. If that happens due to its physical/electrical limitations I totally understand. An electrostat may not play rock too well or say a mini monitor may not sound too good doing big band jazz. We cannot defy laws of physics after all. But far too often it is the speaker designer's limitation which shows up in a speaker in not being able to do certain kinds of music. The Wilson Alexia here is a simple example. There is no reason it should not be able to do a good rendition of tabla or tanpura! Even a Dynaudio Consequence could not do it!! I am not so much into the articulation of soundstage though I understand that it really adds to the realism brought to the presentation. If the timbre and dynamics are correct I am happy. These are relatively simpler things to achieve unless the designer forgets about them in the quest for something "special". How to rate these speakers, I am not sure.

The speakers that I liked on Hindustani music (for that matter on most kinds of music) was the TAD Compact Reference paired with TAD pre-power and TAD reference CD player. I liked it more than the bigger TAD speaker.

Another very good speaker was from a lesser known brand called WHT. I liked their PR1 MK2..even though I am not a fan of ribbon tweeters. They were paired with Zanden transport/dac and Wavac pre-power.

Maggie 1.7 and 3.6 also sounded superb on Hindustani classical but of course their room requirements are special.

 

[bhagwan]

Re: Rockport technologies

Bhagwan, I asked you the question on Wilson Alexia because that is the Wilson I have heard 3-4 times now at Singapore. It was paired with a 4 box Pass Labs the first time around and very recently I again heard it with a Goldmund Reference monoblocks. Source was always EMM Labs. Every time it was disappointing. It could throw a huge soundstage and that was the high point about it. I did not play any hindustani on it. I will have to hear more Wilsons to really form any impression of this brand.

See,
There you got it - spot on.
I too have heard the TOTL - Wilson Audio - several times & yes, I too came up with the same 'answer'
Huge SoundStage - all the 'audiophile' artifacts etc. but musically could not satisfy me.
Also, could not play a Trio or a Sarangi Solo etc.
Just cannot do simple music - very good for big band - 100 + member Symphonic pieces etc.

 

[bhagwan]

Re: Rockport technologies

The Wilson Alexia here is a simple example.
There is no reason it should not be able to do a good rendition of tabla or tanpura!
Even a Dynaudio Consequence could not do it!!

Technically you are 100 % Correct.
However, in reality - when I listen to these speakers - I do not know what happens.
But the Alexia plays Rock / Jazz / Acid Jazz / Funk / Rock / Vocal etc. very well, but just cannot do Indian Classical.

On the same note - the Dynaudio Consequence Ultimate does Western Classical like no other - at least I have not heard a better speaker that can out perform the D.C.U. in Western Classical, yet Female Vocal - Oh God; Horrendous. I do not know what goes wrong....

These have been my listening observations & they have happened on several occasions [4 +] for the D.C.U. and only 2 times for the Alexia.

 

[bhagwan]

Re: Rockport technologies

Bhagwan,

The speakers that I liked on Hindustani music (for that matter on most kinds of music) was the TAD Compact Reference paired with TAD pre-power and TAD reference CD player. I liked it more than the bigger TAD speaker.

Another very good speaker was from a lesser known brand called WHT. I liked their PR1 MK2..even though I am not a fan of ribbon tweeters. They were paired with Zanden transport/dac and Wavac pre-power.

Maggie 1.7 and 3.6 also sounded superb on Hindustani classical but of course their room requirements are special.

Andrew Jones has made a great speaker - I applaud him for it;
:clapping:

I too like the TAD - a lot. Great Product.
In fact it is a super speaker for Sidvee - if budget can permit him;

The WHT - PR1 MK2 - I have never heard - so no comments.

.::W H T L o u d s p e a k e r s - PR1::.

Some day - some where - if I get a chance - I shall listen & comment.

The Maggies are super VFM Speakers imho.
Any person on a shoe string budget should buy the Maggie's blind.
You cannot go wrong, I was listening to the 3.6 last evening & it is a good loudspeaker.

The 3.7 is a super speaker & that too at a very 'sane' price.

Sidvee - you may consider this [3.7] speaker too. Add it to your list - far far better than any B & W you could ever hope to get;

 

[Dr.Bass]

Re: Rockport technologies

Andrew Jones has made a great speaker - I applaud him for it;
:clapping:

I too like the TAD - a lot. Great Product.
In fact it is a super speaker for Sidvee - if budget can permit him;

The WHT - PR1 MK2 - I have never heard - so no comments.

.::W H T L o u d s p e a k e r s - PR1::.

Some day - some where - if I get a chance - I shall listen & comment.

The Maggies are super VFM Speakers imho.
Any person on a shoe string budget should buy the Maggie's blind.
You cannot go wrong, I was listening to the 3.6 last evening & it is a good loudspeaker.

The 3.7 is a super speaker & that too at a very 'sane' price.

Sidvee - you may consider this [3.7] speaker too. Add it to your list - far far better than any B & W you could ever hope to get;

TAD compact reference is a speaker that I dream to own some day.

Do listen to WHT if you get a chance, the designer is gifted and knows what he is doing. They also have a line of cables called PSC audio:
.:: P S C A U D I O ::.
Possibly the best cables I have had the fortune of using in my system. Outstanding products IMO.

Maggies do have some special room requirements, if one could provide that then it is a very special speaker in its own right.

 

[nosortf]

Re: Rockport technologies

Funnily we have drifted from the requirements that Sid's room demands. 8" woofer sealed is maximum or vented 6.5". A LF response of +7-8 db below 40 cps means a lift will start at 50-55 cps. Carefully consider the implications here, Sid's commendable exercise to tame and tune his room will be useless with the LF out of control. Let's give sensible recommendations, not those driven by passion, for passion start another thread. Sid's speaker choice will define how this forum thinks for possible future purchases, hence a little intelligence will go a long way for all involved.

 

[bhagwan]

Re: Rockport technologies

Sid's commendable exercise to tame and tune his room will be useless with the LF out of control. Let's give sensible recommendations,

not those driven by passion, for passion start another thread.

Sid's speaker choice will define how this forum thinks for possible future purchases,
hence a little intelligence will go a long way for all involved.

Wells stated Sir;
What would you suggest ?
Some Transmission Line Speaker ?
Or does it have to be 'sealed' box.
F3 around 50 hertz - would that suffice ?

 

[Dr.Bass]

Re: Rockport technologies

Hi Sid, I forgot to suggest you another terrific speaker, the Guru QM60. This one speaker alone is a good enough reason for you to travel to Singapore for an audition . You will possibly not need a home demo to make a case for it. It is a terrific speaker, a speaker that I would any day take over a Rockport Avior/Mira or a Magico s5. Both of which are very good speakers otherwise. But none of them have the ability to portray realistic dynamics and tone like the Guru. Check it out.

 

[reignofchaos]

Re: Rockport technologies

I believe Guru has a distributor in India now and has demo stock.

 

[arj]

Re: Rockport technologies

Hi Sid, I forgot to suggest you another terrific speaker, the Guru QM60. This one speaker alone is a good enough reason for you to travel to Singapore for an audition . You will possibly not need a home demo to make a case for it. It is a terrific speaker, a speaker that I would any day take over a Rockport Avior/Mira or a Magico s5. Both of which are very good speakers otherwise. But none of them have the ability to portray realistic dynamics and tone like the Guru. Check it out.

What a beauty

The QM60 was originally designed as a laboratory instrument for a project researching the properties of human hearing. Reproducing the acoustic signals used for this project required a neutral wide-band speaker with accurate reproduction of timbre, taking into account and compensating for the inherent colourations in the stereo system itself, generated in the process of phantom projection. It also required a very low distortion as well as a capability to reproduce wave shapes with a very high accuracy. Although this speaker may seem over qualified for hifi-use, the very same properties that enables them to reproduce artificial test signals in the four domains timbre, dynamic, time and space, are to a high degree beneficial when reproducing signals as complex as music.

 

[Dr.Bass]

Re: Rockport technologies

What a beauty

Yes Arj, unlike many high end speakers which are nothing but a certain designer's version of "good sound", typically motivated by a certain new age driver or technology and aimed at a certain segment of high-end clientele, speakers like Guru are truly special in the direction of telling the truth. It is amazing music all around when this speaker plays. Most importantly it plays every genre of music with equal aplomb. Michael Jackson sounds like a real concert and Ella takes you into black & white era. Superb stuff !

 

[arj]

Re: Rockport technologies

Another speaker of this Genre is the gradient.. another Scandinavian masterpiece .
If you add on Denmark also to this, that area seems to have something special when you think of Audio !