Topic: New speakers

[twoodruff]

My b&w cdm7se are not really cutting it anymore, want something with a little more bang for your buck in the sub $1k range, any suggestions welcomed. Also any opinion on the below?

Gershman Acoustics: X1 monitor or Chameleon, 2-way, floor-stander?

Green Moutain Audio Europas?

Joseph speakers or Audio Physic speakers?

Sonus Faber?

Triangle?

Mirage OM9 or OM7, or a used Martin Logan Aerius i?


know anything about any of those?

[jpschust]

I have heard rreally nice things about the sonus faber's.  whenever im looking into speakers i check two places for reviews- www.audioreview.com and www.audioasylum.com.  i like the layout of audioreview a bit better, but thats just because the site i use as a road bike forum is on the same template :-)

[twoodruff]

fwiw, I have a cj pv-12 and a mccormack dna 0.5 power amp, may sell the cj pv-12 for a cj pv-10 or 5

[Craig T]

Wanna try some ACI Sapphire's?  I'm ready to hop back on the playback merry-go-round and could be talked into parting with them at a friendly price.  I'm thinking of some low powered tubes and the Sapphires aren't quite as sensitive as I'd like at 86db 1w/m.  Hands down beat my old MMG's for bass (hits the upper 30's in my room), dynamics, midrange, wide sweet spot, and ability to play very loud without strain.  Check em out at www.audioc.com let me know if interested.

I didn't like the Mirage's and ML Aerius.  I haven't heard anything else on your list.  The GMA Europa's look very interesting, but seem like they'd need a sub.  I read somewhere the GMA's are getting a price increase to >$1k very soon.

What about the Eminence Tech LFT8?  Might be able to find a pair used for close to $1k, I think they're closer to $1500 new.  I was going to audition a pair last weekend but never made it.

[twoodruff]

will those Sapphire's need stands?

[Craig T]

yep, these are perfect (heavy on their own, but the large dia tube will take about 30lb shot each!):

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&PartNumber=240-744&DID=7

highly recommended to anyone using large stand mount monitors!

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

fwiw, I have a cj pv-12 and a mccormack dna 0.5 power amp, may sell the cj pv-12 for a cj pv-10 or 5

Why would you go from the PV12 to a PV10 or PV5?  

[twoodruff]

fwiw, I have a cj pv-12 and a mccormack dna 0.5 power amp, may sell the cj pv-12 for a cj pv-10 or 5

Why would you go from the PV12 to a PV10 or PV5?  

to free up a little extra cash for perhaps different tubes, I believe the cj products are quality and dunno if the 12L is worth the extra cash versus the pv-10

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

You might want to borrow a PV10 and try it first.  I've read a few posts on various boards that the PV10 is grainy compared to the PV12 and later preamps.  Some people liked the PV12 better than the PV14L.  I have heard the PV10 on several occasions, but never had one for a fair comparison.

I have a PV14L now and it really is nice.  I had a PV7 for a while but it really does not even come close.  The PV7 was tubey but not quiet and sort of fuzzy compared to the clarity of the PV14L.

I asked because if you do get better speakers, you might be better off keeping the PV12.

[Craig T]

yep, these are perfect (heavy on their own, but the large dia tube will take about 30lb shot each!):

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&PartNumber=240-744&DID=7

highly recommended to anyone using large stand mount monitors!

FYI, these are similar to the famed 24" Osiris stands ($450 - ouch!), except the Osiris has 2 tubes and the Parts Express only has 1.

[Lee]

I really liked the monitor audio speakers I demoed... works in that price range as well.  Might be a little too low-end friendly for tubes, though.

[THE NIZ BIAAAAACH!]

Mirage has never sounded natural to me, they have extended highs and lows which really grabs most people at first listen but after you live with them for a while, they really show there faults.

[carlbeck]

My CJ PV10 sucked IMO, I don't know if it was just that one but I wouldn't even consider running one again FWIW.

I fell in love with a pair of Sonus Grand Piano's when I demeoed them against Nick's Martin Logan's. Go to your local tweeter & demo some Grand Piano's, they retail for 3k or so but can be found used for half easy enough. I would also recomend any Tyler speakers, Ty's speakers are handmade in KY & sound excellent. I just got rid of mine for my Von Schweikerts. I would say buy a set of Tyler Reference monitors & stands used if you want monitors.

 You can also try a pair of Von Schweikert VR4's if you have the room, they are huge & will rattle your teeth loose if you want with your DNA. I have a pair of the new 4jr's while Nick has the "old" VR4's. His were like $1600.00 used in perfect shape & sound better than anything I have ever heard with his DNA-1. I love mine but his were half the price & go lower.

[MattD]

I got my choice down to the Europas and the Von Schweikert VR-1s. I couldn't find a place to demo the Europas and liked the VR-1s enough to make up my mind. The Europas are fuckin' heavy - I was wary of shipping charges and also the fact that I'm going to be moving at least twice in the next two years. You'd also need one hell of a stand for them.

[twoodruff]

for those interested, for now I am going with the green mtn audio europas and getting a y-s audio symphonies + tube pre, for me right now, it is all about the small fellow

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Nice.  

Post a review when you can.

[MattD]

Yeah, I'd be interested in hearing about the speakers I ended up not choosing. For me, though, the weight mattered a lot.