Hi-fi, reality and everything in between
I finished auditioning 5 speakers today.
1) Epos Epic 2 (around 38k) - Exactly my kinda sound. Very laid back, non-fatiguing.
2) Epos Elan 10 (around 45k) - A bit more detailed and tighter bass maybe, compared to the Epic 2.
3) Cambridge Audio S30 (10k) - Very bright and shrill to my taste, very similar to Audio Engine A5. I am told that kinda sound is actually transparent, but the best way I can describe it is - not my kinda laid back sound.
4) Monitor Audio BR2 - Better than the S30, but still not as laid back as I'd like it to be.
5) Mordaunt-Short Aviano 1 (25k) - Definitely liked this one better than the previous two. Again, more of a laid back sound signature and I am told Aviano 1 has a bigger brother available at an addition 7-8k.
Both the Epos were paired with Creek Amps, while CA, MS and MA were powered by Cambridge Audio Amps. I carried my own CDs. Also, please be warned that I am not entirely sure if the prices that I have mentioned are accurate. While the Epos were available at at Reference Point (Indiranagar), I listened to MS, MA and CA at Audio Planet (Koramangala). The guy at Reference Point was quite okay with me taking all the time I needed.
Pazhani from Audio Planet was very good in understanding what kinda sound I was looking for. His suggestions were spot on, and his simplistic way of categorizing musical taste without succumbing to fancy adjectives was quite interesting. He also hooked up two speakers at a time, so that we could switch over from one speaker to another to spot the difference in sound. Based on my liking for Epos and MS, Pazhani also suggested that I might like the sound signature of KEF and Focal.
I still have not received my Topping Amp. Once I receive it, I'll take it to audition the Epos and Mordaunt Short speakers. However, I have more things to confuse me now:
1) Epos are 4 ohm speakers and MS Aviano 1 (4-8 ohms) - not sure if the Topping Amp is going to handle the drop in impedance that well
2) While I like the Epos and MS Aviano, I am not sure if plonking down 25-38k for it will make me feel like I have gotten my moneys worth!
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind spending that kinda money on good audio, but the stark reality is that I have not been blown away by any of these speakers today. I'm not sure if my expectations are fair in the hi-fi realm. Is it impossible to get blown away at this price point?
I am starting to think DIY might offer me more, in terms of value for money, sheer feeling of accomplishment and I'd end up learning something in the process. Anyhow, the show must go on. My next audition shortlist will consist of:
1) Lyrita Harmony
2) KEF q300
3) Focal 706v
4) Quad 11L
4) Sonodyne
On a more philosophical note, the real question here is: Who is going to win this time, the non-conformist rebel (DIY) or the lazy consumer in me?
