Speaker Hunt--Rs 100,000--Stereo, FS

[holahola]

I have been on my hunt for speakers over the last two-three weeks, and my results have been a bit here and there.

I auditioned the PSB Image T6 with a lot of pre-audition hype baggage, and came away relatively unsure and confused. I heard the speaker with the Nad amp that lakozy generally pairs it with, and a low-end Denon AV receiver which did no justice to the speaker. The speaker is very good, no doubt, it has a warmer signature, and is not fatigue inducing at all.

Want to mate it to a Denon 2312, and find out if it's the star speaker that everyone makes it out to be. This will be done this week hopefully.

I then auditioned the Focal Chorus 826v, which did absolutely nothing for me, was very disappointed, because I thought it would've done really well. Tried again with the Chorus 716v, and again found it very fatiguing, and bright. Not to my liking at all. Amp used: Denon 2312

Then came the Kefs, and boy are these speakers good, but flawed in a way. I heard the Q500, was impressed, but wanted more, so setup a audition for the Q700. Superb staging, great vocals, very clear with a nice roll off on the high-ends making it less sparkly. Amp used: Denon 2312

But the Q700 needs a sub, it does great with the mids and the highs, but in some tracks the bass feels wanting. The Q900 is the same format, except bigger drivers. I'm guessing it'll do very well with the mids and the highs, and because of the 8-inch ABRs it MAY do well with the lows too. May get to hear the Q900 this week.

I heard a couple of other speakers as well, some honourable mentions: Polk Audio Rti A7, Dali Ikon 6 mk2.

The Rti A7 is very capable, but I found it a bit boomy. The Dali Ikon 6 mk2 is a good speaker, but somehow I thought it was a bit too laid back, and I was also pressed for time so heard only a track or too (can't call it a fair eval, hence don't have much else to say)

I will now give the PSB Image T6 and the Dali Ikon 6 another audition, and this time will compare notes with the Q700/900. If the T6/ikon6 can do the mids and the highs as well as the Q700/900 with the lows that they already possess then I may have a winner on my hands for a pure stereo setup.

:licklips: Lots of good listening coming up!

 

[corElement]

You wont hear 50% of the qualities of the speakers if you hear it paired to a receiver like 2xxx.

You'd be buying blind if you don't hear it on a equally priced 2channel amp. You need to arrange better quality amplification and sourcing for auditioning before making any decisions.

I would also suggest not auditioning anything on denon's if music is what you're in the market for.

 

[holahola]

You wont hear 50% of the qualities of the speakers if you hear it paired to a receiver like 2xxx.

You'd be buying blind if you don't hear it on a equally priced 2channel amp. You need to arrange better quality amplification and sourcing for auditioning before making any decisions.

You're right corElement. But I'm at the moment restricting myself to this receiver. It's not the best setup, but I'm afraid for now it will have to do.

I will however consider a quality stereo amp in the near future. Already have my eyes focused in the classifieds section, and may even pick something up. However, for now I want the setup to be based around this receiver.

 

[aashish351]

Even if you are restricting yourself to a receiver... you must see what the speakers can do at their best by hearing them with at least price matched amplifier. That way you know what the future holds if you stick with those speakers.

 

[krishpiscean]

As i see 1L is the budget for stereo speakers, Monitor Audio GS10 fits the budget. I liked them over Thiels in that range and can't go wrong if paired by good amp. Lookswise also they are a killer with glossy black finish.

 

[corElement]

GS10 (In cherry finish as my preference) for 61k paired with a Marantz around 40k should be a good combo if music is what you're after.

 

[holahola]

This setup is for my living room, is about 300 sq ft, and as is typical in most average Mumbai homes it is L-shaped.

I have a projector-HTPC setup plugged into the 2312. It's just the convenience of having everything routed through the receiver box out to the speakers that's making me skip the separate amp.

The 2312 only has preouts for the sub, so that's a dead-end too.

I will add a center and a sub to this set, but that's for movies. For music I want a "good compromise" stereo setup.

 

[holahola]

Even if you are restricting yourself to a receiver... you must see what the speakers can do at their best by hearing them with at least price matched amplifier. That way you know what the future holds if you stick with those speakers.

Good point, I will also try them with the best available amps they have, or the ones the demo guys tend to prefer after I'm done with the 2312.

 

[longshanks]

http://www.hifivision.com/hot-deals/25418-monitor-audio-speakers-hotdeal.html


or


http://www.focal.com/en/home-audio-...akers/floorstanding-speakers/chorus-816-v.php

 

[aashish351]

Try the new Wharfedale Jade.... above 1 L but you might like them. Another option is Quad 22L Classic. Dali Ikon 6 needs warm to neutral amplification... And, you have to power them with good quality stereo amplifiers to really see what they are capable of. If you like Instrumental, Vocal, Jazz, Easy Listening, Classical kind of music, hear Dali Ikon 6 with Arcam, NAD, Creek, Naim, Exposure kind of amps and you will get hooked...

For Denon 2312, Jamo is also a good option. However, if you like KEF then what's the porblem. Q700 is a good speaker.

 

[holahola]

The Q700 is a great option, but it does need some subwoofer support. And I may very well end up buying it or the Q900. I quite like this series, have been pleasantly surprised. Very wide sound stage, and very transparent. The lows were a bit lacking only in certain kinds of tracks.

My choice of music was a bit all over the place:

1. A meeting by the river
2. Surfing with the Alien
3. Masters of Percussion
4. Countdown to Extinction
5. Can't Slow Down
6. Legend

I'm now toying with the idea of buying a NAD stereo amp, the T6 becomes a natural partner in crime. A lengthy audition with the T6 is coming up shortly, will post my results soon.

 

[holahola]

http://www.hifivision.com/hot-deals/25418-monitor-audio-speakers-hotdeal.html

Thanks for point out that thread!

You think the Denon 2312 can drive the MA RS8? Trouble is I'm in Mumbai, and I haven't a clue where I can go and hear the RS8 here.

 

[soulforged]

Going by your choice of music, PSB or MA would be a good choice. Not sure how much Legacy costs in India but they should be there in your list along with Totem and Avalon.

Again, I have not heard these in India. I know they are available (not sure of Avalon) but dunno the pricing here.

 

[Nikhil]

I auditioned the PSB Image T6 with a lot of pre-audition hype baggage, and came away relatively unsure and confused. I heard the speaker with the Nad amp that lakozy generally pairs it with, and a low-end Denon AV receiver which did no justice to the speaker. The speaker is very good, no doubt, it has a warmer signature, and is not fatigue inducing at all.

Just a suggestion ... sometimes more is not necessarily better.

I picked up the PSB Image T5s from Lakozy last month. To my ears the 5 inch drivers were more musical than the larger 6 inch driver. Try the PSB Image T5s as well and see if you like them. As always go with what your ears but I agree with others on the Denon 2312. If you're spending Rs 100,000 on speakers a little more power in your amp will do wonders.

 

[holahola]

Yes, yes! The T5s too, but only after I have exhausted my urge with the T6.

And...100,000 is tops, I hope I end up spending a lot less though. This is quite the disease though.

 

[Nikhil]

Yes, yes! The T5s too, but only after I have exhausted my urge with the T6.

And...100,000 is tops, I hope I end up spending a lot less though. This is quite the disease though.

LOL! For the amp you have in mind I think you could also look at the Wharfdale Diamonds. You will get a little more bass out of them compared to others you've heard. Its a design issue. The Diamonds are rear firing which might give you the sound you're looking for.

The PSBs are much more detailed in their sound but have a lot less thump in the low bass frequencies. They also need an amp with power to drive them well. The PSBs are designed to be neutral speakers and you can then add the "coloration" you prefer.

 

[holahola]

Just finished an Extended session with the T6. Phew!

Am really impressed, very versatile across the varied range of content I heard. Does exceptionally well with joe satriani and dire straits. And manages fusion equally well, too.

I will still rate the kef q700 better for wide dispersion and transparency. But I am almost confirmed with the T6 because of its lows and overall as a package.

Will sleep over this tonight...decision time has come.

 

[pdhanwada]

holahola,

Take your time. Dont be in a hurry. Once bought it is hard to replace any of your stuff or sell them in the market.

Do multiple auditions. You be 100 percent sure before you put your money down. I remember BLASTO one of our forum member went around many of the audio showrooms for months before he made the decision.

Stay cool

Thanks
pandu

 

[john_k_antony]

holahola,

My 2 cents:

Just give Jamo D509 a try. I came across them accidentally when I was looking for FS recently for a stereo setup. Boy that was sounding really amazing. Bass and clarity was just superb. After hearing them, I added Jamo C807 also to my audition list. I am going to compare D590 vs C807 this weekend with a Roksan Kandy K2 integrated stereo amp. Jamo D590 retails @ 94K / pair and C807 @ 1.3L / pair. It is a discontinued model. So you may grab them for a neat discount. The dealer in Bangalore is not offering any discount though .

BTW, I have Denon 2310 with Kef iQ7. The stereo performance is no way near to a dedicated stereo amp. As you figured out, they need a Sub.

And I dont think you will get a good stereo sound with 2312 either. I heard Kef 900 with Denon 3312 and was disappointed. You really should look at getting a dedicated stereo integrated amp.

BTW, the combo that blew me away was Marantz 7004 with Jamo D590. However Jamo D590 demands for a more powerful amp.

-John.

 

[corElement]

That banglore dealer is really squeezing every cent off you john, no way you can find another dealer with the same models?