Dynaudio or Mcintosh Speakers

I like Dunaudio speakers, generally. I've auditioned the original Evidence, Confidence C4, Contour S1.4 and Focus 110. The only one I didn't like was the Evidence. It was tiring to listen to for long periods. There was lots of detail and great sound stage but I felt like I'd been beaten up after an hour. The Confidence series are more listenable, IMHO.
I found the same issue with the Wilson Audio X1. I much prefer the MAXX.
I've heard the McIntosh XRT1K and XRT2K; I like the sound of both.
The only way to make a good choice is to sit and listen to whatever speakers you are considering for an hour or two, at a variety of volume levels. Do you want to turn it up, turn it down, turn it off? This will tell you the right choice.
 
+1 on what ron c said. I dont think you can find may speakers that can do what the xrt1 can do. But bottom line is, it only matters what YOU think, or like. What works in YOUR room, not a show, or dealers set up. What one person thinks is the best speaker (because they spent thousands of their money on it) and what some one else thinks that same speaker is so bad they laugh at, really does not matter. In the end, it will be you alone enjoying your set up, (well if you do it right, and stay away from doing what this one said or that one said, and dont try to impress people with this name brand item or that name brand item.)
 
Thanks everyone for your input. It seems I will have some traveling to do to be able to listen to these speakers but I will hopefully narrow it down to what will work the best in my set-up and then it is off to pick out the amps to go along with it.
 
Dan: Looking at your latest little vixen has a Christmas classic bouncing around in my head "I want a mistress for Christmas". Wonder if the wife would notice. :scratch2:
 
I have listened to many of the high end speakers over the years and been impressed and even awed by some. But, the choice I made is the one I wanted to live with day after day and a speaker that lacks nothing and is totally satisfying with any type of music. The XRT1K's have a gigantic soundstage, incredible detail, huge and smooth midrange and each voice and/or instrument has a separate place on the left/right and front/back of the performance stage. I cannot imagine a speaker that is more room friendly. Buy what you like but give serious thought to what you really want to live with for many years to come. The XRT1K does not try to impress but accurately recreates the stage or studio where the recording was made. Both Ron and Ivan love the XRT1K's and their opinions are as valuable as one can get.
 
hkval said:
I have listened to many of the high end speakers over the years and been impressed and even awed by some. But, the choice I made is the one I wanted to live with day after day and a speaker that lacks nothing and is totally satisfying with any type of music. The XRT1K's have a gigantic soundstage, incredible detail, huge and smooth midrange and each voice and/or instrument has a separate place on the left/right and front/back of the performance stage. I cannot imagine a speaker that is more room friendly. Buy what you like but give serious thought to what you really want to live with for many years to come. The XRT1K does not try to impress but accurately recreates the stage or studio where the recording was made. Both Ron and Ivan love the XRT1K's and their opinions are as valuable as one can get.
Click to expand...
Well, I'm not Ivan or Ron, but I love the XRT1K's, too.
 
dj_AmTraX said:
I'm gonna thow in Adam Audio. Check them out here.
http://home.snafu.de/adam-audio/professional/index.htm
oss_data_01.jpg
Click to expand...

Never heard of them. Man, there are so many speakers in the world; its a wonder they all survive. Or do they?
 
taylode said:
Dan: Looking at your latest little vixen has a Christmas classic bouncing around in my head "I want a mistress for Christmas". Wonder if the wife would notice. :scratch2:
Click to expand...
My wife does not go into my 2-channel room so she would only start noticing when I started taking additional food and water with me.
 
ipacmm said:
I will check out Wilson, I have heard great reviews about their speakers but the only thing that would be holding me back is the design and fit, they look to be on the larger end which in my HT/listening room I really do not have that much space, especially after I get all of these Mac amps.

My main use is going to be 65% 2 channel listening and 35% movie watching. Also regarding the money is no object, let me rephrase that, I would prefer to put the money towards new amps/preamps then speakers but I do not want to cheap out on the speaker and I do prefer a one with a smaller foot print and modern finish.

Regarding subs, I have a REL B1 which has been great so chances are I would just pick up another one for this set-up.
Click to expand...

Well if your looking for a speaker with a modern finish or what's called a mercedes benz finish, well balanced sound and small foot print and never seen for sale on Audiogon listen to the Hansen line. Also the Sonus Faber and MBL look gorgeous and sound sweet too. Spend more on the speakers then the amps if given the choice. Good luck.
 
taylode said:
Dan: Looking at your latest little vixen has a Christmas classic bouncing around in my head "I want a mistress for Christmas". Wonder if the wife would notice. :scratch2:
Click to expand...

I would have to say "don't push your luck" we would miss you Dennis. :lmao:
 
hkval said:
I have listened to many of the high end speakers over the years and been impressed and even awed by some. But, the choice I made is the one I wanted to live with day after day and a speaker that lacks nothing and is totally satisfying with any type of music. The XRT1K's have a gigantic soundstage, incredible detail, huge and smooth midrange and each voice and/or instrument has a separate place on the left/right and front/back of the performance stage. I cannot imagine a speaker that is more room friendly. Buy what you like but give serious thought to what you really want to live with for many years to come. The XRT1K does not try to impress but accurately recreates the stage or studio where the recording was made. Both Ron and Ivan love the XRT1K's and their opinions are as valuable as one can get.
Click to expand...

Thanks Howard, XRT1K's are very special speakers.

I just completed a System which had XRT1K's, XCS1K & XR27 sides. MC1.2KW's all around, excellent sounding if I say so myself!
 
a little background info would be nice

It's true, there's no accounting for taste. And when someone says "The ____ is the best speaker I ever heard, etc, etc, etc, etc," I think, OK, but what else has that person really listened to, AND remembered (for comparison with other speakers.)

Here are two groups of speakers I've listened to; both groups in more or less chronological order. In the first group are ones that were in my own home, my parents' home, or close friends' homes. (T) = tube driven (S) = solid state driven. The ones with an asterisk were/are McIntosh driven:

*Stevens corner horn (T)
*JBL Hartsfield (T)
*JBL Paragon (T,S)
AR-4a (S)
GTE Sylvania (S) (better than the AR-4a. Don't laugh, it was a sleeper/killer!)
JBL Century L-100 (S)
Infinity RS-4.5 (S)
Magneplanar Tympani I-D (T)
*MartinLogan CLS-IIz (T,S,T)
Quad 57 (T)
KLH 9 (T)
Dali Helicon (T)
______________________________________

In this group are speakers I've auditioned at least half dozen times or more, though I've not lived with any of them in my own home/system:

Infinity Servo-Statik
Infinity IRS
Beveridge
OHM Walsh
Cello Stradivarius
Goldmund Epilogue
Wilson (almost all models)
Dunlavy SC-V, VI
Dahlquist
MartinLogan Prodigy
Soundlabs A-1
Pipedreams
*MartinLogan Summit (T)
Eben x-3
Avalon
*MBL (S)
*McIntosh (almost all models) (T,S)

And probably a dozen others I can't remember (which definitely excludes them from my experiential history!) It would be edifying to read similar histories from some of the regular posters on our forum :yes:
 
Stillone said:
My wife does not go into my 2-channel room so she would only start noticing when I started taking additional food and water with me.
Click to expand...

Jim.......For those special intimate listening sessions in the two channel room, every McIntosh enthusiast must have a high quality, audio grade dead bolt on the door, and a secret exit. It's cheap insurance. :D
 
jdandy said:
Jim.......For those special intimate listening sessions in the two channel room, every McIntosh enthusiast must have a high quality, audio grade dead bolt on the door, and a secret exit. It's cheap insurance. :D
Click to expand...
Dan

Point taken!! I will be bringing in the tunneling equipment the next time she goes shopping.
Jim
 
You could consider these Meridian DSP 8000s but the digital input requirement might lead to slight compatibility issues. I recently changed to them and have to say that they are incredible. Low volume detail and smoothness is a great test for speakers and these passed with aplomb. If you like smooth, non-fatiguing (that sort of describes Mc!) you could add them to your shortlist. Otherwise other 'analogue' models I would consider apart from those mentioned are the Tannoy Westminsters, Avantgarde Duos, SF strads & amatis and the JBL D6600.

howie

8k_ghost1.jpg
 
I absolutely love the 8000 series speakers from Meridian. You have a very fine setup. Extremely simple on the surface, yet so complicated underneath the 80 layers of lacquer :)
 
So I am back in town now and was able to really take a good look at my listening area and there is no way I am going to be able to fit the Evidence or the XRT1K. So I now am looking to take a look at shorter speaker.

I am also wondering are any of these speakers going to be good for HT use or do they really just shine in the 2-channel mode?

Just for reference, here is a picture of my space:

L1010006.jpg



I am considering getting a Mid Atlantic rack for all the gear over the SolidSteel, but finding a place to install the rack is difficult.
 
Is that a low hanging ceiling I see?

The XRT1K has a smaller footprint than those B&W's if I remember correctly... If you can wedge them under that ceiling you are set :)

Perhaps the new XR200's? Haven't heard them personally yet, but I'm willing to put some money on them sounding great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom