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Changing it Up! Part Deux

Art K.

Art K.

The Voodoo You Do!
My apologies to those who contributed to the first "Changing it up!" thread. It had simply gone so far off track that I felt it was beyond repair. So let's start again and this time I will provide a more focused subject for the thread.

I am in the market for a small standmount speaker to inhabit my 10x9x8 ft 2 channel listening room.

What won't change:

*Sonneteer Campion integrated amp which features 33 watts per channel and the ability to drive difficult loads within it's limitations.

*Line Magnetic LM CD215 CD player

*Well Tempered Labs Simplex turntable with a Dynavector 10x5 connected to the very fine phono preamp on the Campion.

I am currently using Dynaudio Excite X12 speakers and like them very much. So what is missing? Just a bit of refinement in the range where you find cymbals...just a bit. Also real mid bass presence...given the size of the cabinet that's no surprise but there is just a bit of something missing. Overall though these are great speakers and if I had to live with them for the long haul I would not be disappointed.

I would be lying if I didn't say that the front runner is the Spendor S3/5r2. They sound very much like a good fit for the room. However there are others by ProAc, Dynaudio (the X14...talked to a dealer today about the changes there) and several others. Or do I save and go for something really amazing like the Trenner & Friedl ART or Penaudio Rebel 3. Lots to ponder.

This is a little bit shopping trip and a little bit fantasy and as much for everyone's entertainment as anything else.

What I don't want..

*Glossy finishes...not a hard and fast rule but in general :no:

*No exotic driver materials.

*No curved cabinets...yup I like boxes.

Aesthetics often play a part in our HiFi choices and I love the look of a traditional speaker in wood finishes.

Well that's a start.

Once again, my apologies to those who contributed earnestly in the first thread and also my heartfelt thank you.

Art
 
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Trenner & Friedl ART

tf_art_threecolors.jpg


lautsprecher_1419.jpg


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Damn man, you change things a lot. I can't say it's wrong, as I would probably do the same if I had the disposable income to try new things as often. I guess I'm more surprised because you generally run very good gear. People that buy every cheap crap speaker on CL of course are always looking for something better, because what they have isn't that great.

Either way, I look forward to hearing what new direction you go towards.
 
Have you considered the Harbeth P3ESR? I'm not sure how related it might be to the Spendor you mentioned, but every time I hear a Harbeth pair, I get very interested again.

Edit: Just FYI, I did not read the original thread, so I apologize if this was already covered.
 
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I enjoy different sounds.

I was running a Sonneteer amp some years ago with DeVore speakers. I ran in to some financial difficulties and had to start over again. Every amp I've run since (NAD C326BEE and Rega Brio-R) was working my way back to the better sound of Sonneteer.

When I was running the Sonneteer and DeVore I was using a Rega Saturn and Clearaudio Concept for sources both had mechanical failures at some point. Inevitably I sold the Saturn after it was repaired and returned the Concept.

Since moving into the small home office with my system a couple of years ago (almost 3 now) I have run 2 sets of speakers. Harbeth P3ESR's and Dynaudio Excite X12's.

That's probably not as much change as you thought. Other pieces I have bought and moved on have been in secondary setups (the HT) but the primary setup remain mores static than it seems.

Again though do plead guilty to enjoying different sounds.
 
Art K. said:
Trenner & Friedl ART

lautsprecher_1419.jpg
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Well, as far as looks go, those T&F with the white face are incredible.
Plus, you can't beat the name, they were made for you, Art.
Thats another speaker company I hadn't heard of, but all of their products have some seriously good looks.

Thanks for bringing back the thread. I want to see where this goes.
 
I remember the Quads too, but I guess that wasn't the same system.

That tweeter appears to be a Vifa ring radiator.
 
89grand said:
I remember the Quads too, but I guess that wasn't the same system.

That tweeter appears to be a Vifa ring radiator.
Click to expand...

The Quads were in the home theater and are now part of my wife's setup along with the Rega Brio-R and Apollo. It's in my signature.
 
MikeCh said:
It's very apparent that you desire a Spendor design, so just get them.
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I might. They are very budget friendly. The fella that referred me to the Trenner & Friedl's has a damn good ear so saving is still an option. Then there is the fact that Sonneteer often shows with Penaudio and even sells them on their website in Europe...hmm.

As I stated at the off..this is part shopping trip and part fantasy.
 
bbest said:
Well, as far as looks go, those T&F with the white face are incredible.
Plus, you can't beat the name, they were made for you, Art.
Thats another speaker company I hadn't heard of, but all of their products have some seriously good looks.

Thanks for bringing back the thread. I want to see where this goes.
Click to expand...

Thank you for participating.
 
Unknown manufacturers like these Trenner & Friedl are trying to make a name for themselves. The fact you are a respected member of the biggest audio forum on the internet, their dealer might give you a significant discount if you ask it and explain the situation.

Also your name is Art after all.
 
davidro said:
y not exotic drivers?
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Haven't heard one yet that I like. Every bit of exotica I've heard sounds wildly different than standard HiFi but doesn't sound anymore like music, so why pay the premium for it. Everything from quasi ribbons to Walsh drivers. Diamond and beryllium and so forth sound different (than soft domes and aluminum) and to some extent better, but boy do I love a good doped paper cone. Sounds just like music to my ears.
 
Pandovski said:
AN drivers make people dizzy.
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your point?

Art K. said:
Haven't heard one yet that I like. Every bit of exotica I've heard sounds wildly different than standard HiFi but doesn't sound anymore like music, so why pay the premium for it. Everything from quasi ribbons to Walsh drivers. Diamond and beryllium and so forth sound different (than soft domes and aluminum) and to some extent better, but boy do I love a good doped paper cone. Sounds just like music to my ears.
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interesting. i'm more interested in how/if exotic drivers/techs can achieve more lifelike sound than traditional stuff does. to each his own i guess.
 
Art K. said:
Haven't heard one yet that I like. Every bit of exotica I've heard sounds wildly different than standard HiFi but doesn't sound anymore like music, so why pay the premium for it. Everything from quasi ribbons to Walsh drivers. Diamond and beryllium and so forth sound different (than soft domes and aluminum) and to some extent better, but boy do I love a good doped paper cone. Sounds just like music to my ears.
Click to expand...

Dang Art! Man I'd have to disagree with this big time! But as to not crash here, we can leave that for another date.

Have you heard the Penaudio speakers? I suspect with that tweeter (Seas) in the Penaudio they would sound really different from the Spendors. IF you know Seas, you know what I mean.


Also....if you really like the Dyns as you have expressed...and you want a little more refinement, why not just go up the line a bit or jump to the next series of Dynaudio? My first Canton speaker was the entry level GLE series and boy I was diggin what they where laying down...so I stepped to the plate and went for the top speaker they make before the Reference line and was greatly rewarded.

IF there are other factors and interest out side audio that have to be considered, I understand, but other wise that would seem the best logical option seeing you expressed your affection and great tenderness for them. Then you would have what you're reaching for real quick and fast? Dynaudio has that certain sound/character....much better sound than previous years...the lines (contour,Focus) that had sorta that darker sound has really opened up a bit...and others improved upon as should be with great companies.
 
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