Nice to see your enjoying your new setup. I forget if I asked already but are you using a sub to fill in the low end of your bookshelves? .
Audiofreak71
Audiofreak71
ELECTROCOMPANIENT
- Thread starter Tin Bird
- Start date
Tin Bird
Active Member
As stated last night, felt pretty good then and now I feel good today. I am very surpised. I have not listened to that much music on a decent system in a long time! Another thing...not 100% sure, but about halfway through the day yesterday, I could swear that the Quads mellowed out...like substantially. Reviews all said that they are laid back speakers...quality detail, but a tad rolled off on top. IMO, the first two days w them, my main concern was a slight sharpness to the treble that had me worried. Well, I stuck w them to see what would happen and low and behold after about 20 hours, damn if those things didn't become much smoother up on top. To the point now where it's almost the exact opposite of my first impression of them. Is this common? Has anyone else had speakers become super mellow after they originally presented themsevles as slightly shouty and sharp up top? Man...this has been a revelation.
btw My Quads are the 11L Classic Signature editions of the speakers. Apparently there have been numerous iterations of them and all had somewhat different sound signatures. The 2nd edition in particular are described as "very bright". My edition is described as relaxed, mellow, and rolled off on the top. Now that I think about it, speakers I have heard/owned before that these Quads remind of, are the Vienna Acoustics Beethovens.
btw My Quads are the 11L Classic Signature editions of the speakers. Apparently there have been numerous iterations of them and all had somewhat different sound signatures. The 2nd edition in particular are described as "very bright". My edition is described as relaxed, mellow, and rolled off on the top. Now that I think about it, speakers I have heard/owned before that these Quads remind of, are the Vienna Acoustics Beethovens.
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Tin Bird
Active Member
Thanks, but nope. No sub for me thank you. I honestly don't like them. Despite simply being senstive to such low rumbling frequencies, I actually prefer a leaner/tight musical bass presentation. The Quads certainly have enough bass presence for me for sure. I finally have found a mid-fi speaker that I can hang with (hopefully!), the last thing I want to do now is go adding more bass!
LOL! I appreciate your thoughts though! Man, I should write a book on budget/mid-fi bookshelf speakers. I think I've owned just about all of them! ;-)
No worries man you like what you like and I’m glad you found your happy medium with your setupThanks, but nope. No sub for me thank you. I honestly don't like them. Despite simply being senstive to such low rumbling frequencies, I actually prefer a leaner/tight musical bass presentation. The Quads certainly have enough bass presence for me for sure. I finally have found a mid-fi speaker that I can hang with (hopefully!), the last thing I want to do now is go adding more bass!
Audiofreak71
Tin Bird
Active Member
Just realized that I've been leaving the Monitor Audio Studio bookshelf speakers off of my faves list...they are on it for sure!
So, just for accuracy, let me restate the list...btw...these are not in an order per se, they just rank as being my favorites over the past three years (or so).
Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary, Definitive Technology D11, Quad 11L Classic Signature, Monitor Audio Studio, Elac DBR-62, Mies S1, Cambridge Audio SX-50.
General descriptions:
warm sound signature - Denton, SX-50, Mies S1
best soundstage - D11, SX-50
detail - Studio, SX-50, 11L
full bodied - DBR-62
My current speaker is the 11L Classic Signature. Full bodied sound...slightly leaner than the DBR-62's. Just a hair warm of neutral...but very detailed. Decent soundstage, but not as wide as the D11's (the offset tweeters are magical!). If I had to describe the sound of the 11L's, I would say they have some of the woody warmth of the Denton mixed w the D11's detail. They are not quite as neutral as the Studios, but if you have a bad mix, the 11L's will not clean it up for you. They are fairly accurate speakers with a touch of woody warmth to fill in the sound. Bass is present, punchy, and not at all bloated. I find that I do hear things using them in tracks that I have never heard before, so the detail level is high despite not having stratospheric specs. Overall vibe is slightly laid back, luscious, layered, and musical.
If I were forced to pick the best overall speaker on this list for most folks, I would pick the Elac DBR-62. They look amazing and their sound was full, clear, and dynamic. The only reason I did not keep them, was my ears could not hang. Not sure which frequencies bothered my tinnitus...but that's just me. The Quads are just a hair more polite which is why I guess my ears can hang w them. I think the Elac's are the better speaker for most folks, unfortunately, just not for me.
So, just for accuracy, let me restate the list...btw...these are not in an order per se, they just rank as being my favorites over the past three years (or so).
Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary, Definitive Technology D11, Quad 11L Classic Signature, Monitor Audio Studio, Elac DBR-62, Mies S1, Cambridge Audio SX-50.
General descriptions:
warm sound signature - Denton, SX-50, Mies S1
best soundstage - D11, SX-50
detail - Studio, SX-50, 11L
full bodied - DBR-62
My current speaker is the 11L Classic Signature. Full bodied sound...slightly leaner than the DBR-62's. Just a hair warm of neutral...but very detailed. Decent soundstage, but not as wide as the D11's (the offset tweeters are magical!). If I had to describe the sound of the 11L's, I would say they have some of the woody warmth of the Denton mixed w the D11's detail. They are not quite as neutral as the Studios, but if you have a bad mix, the 11L's will not clean it up for you. They are fairly accurate speakers with a touch of woody warmth to fill in the sound. Bass is present, punchy, and not at all bloated. I find that I do hear things using them in tracks that I have never heard before, so the detail level is high despite not having stratospheric specs. Overall vibe is slightly laid back, luscious, layered, and musical.
If I were forced to pick the best overall speaker on this list for most folks, I would pick the Elac DBR-62. They look amazing and their sound was full, clear, and dynamic. The only reason I did not keep them, was my ears could not hang. Not sure which frequencies bothered my tinnitus...but that's just me. The Quads are just a hair more polite which is why I guess my ears can hang w them. I think the Elac's are the better speaker for most folks, unfortunately, just not for me.
Tin Bird
Active Member
Been a while, thought I would check in... still using the Marantz HD AMP1/HD-CD1 combo and am very happy w it. I have replaced the Quad 11L Classics w the Def Tech D11's. I do still like the Quads, but I do notice on occasion that the tweeter gets ever so slightly shouty and disconnected from the rest of the sound. Further, the D11's are simply the best imaging speakers I have ever heard and I simply cannot live without them. They are and have been my reference for a while now. I still have the Quads, but they may be moving on. They are very beautiful speakers that is for sure! btw I see that Def Tech has released floorstanding versions of their Demands series speakers...the D15 and D17. If I thought for a second that my ears could hang w the D15's, I would be all over them. That said, the D11's are certainly enough for me.
Don’t know why you would be able to handle the floor standers despite the issues you have with your ears because it’s the upper registers that effect our hearing . Floorstanders are going to fill in the mid bass and bass much better for a more full sound . If your amp has the headroom then you can listen at low volumes and still have a nice full sound much better than what you get with a bookshelf unless you used subs with the bookshelves.Been a while, thought I would check in... still using the Marantz HD AMP1/HD-CD1 combo and am very happy w it. I have replaced the Quad 11L Classics w the Def Tech D11's. I do still like the Quads, but I do notice on occasion that the tweeter gets ever so slightly shouty and disconnected from the rest of the sound. Further, the D11's are simply the best imaging speakers I have ever heard and I simply cannot live without them. They are and have been my reference for a while now. I still have the Quads, but they may be moving on. They are very beautiful speakers that is for sure! btw I see that Def Tech has released floorstanding versions of their Demands series speakers...the D15 and D17. If I thought for a second that my ears could hang w the D15's, I would be all over them. That said, the D11's are certainly enough for me.
Audiofreak71
Tin Bird
Active Member
Hey man...I hear you but whenever I push the envelope I tend to have problems. Honestly, to my wussy ears, the D11's sound pretty dang full. You never know though...the D15's look totally amazing. They are enclosed with dual passive radiators on each side. We shall see...
I’ve heard the Definitives with the passive radiators and although they do a descent job of replicating a low end it’s still no comparison with actually having the drivers capable of doing it . I guarantee you would be blown away at the difference if you heard/felt it . Again like I said before a good amp that has the headroom will enable you to listen at lower volumes and still have the dynamics and fullness of when it’s turned up higher resulting in you still being able to enjoy the music at a better presentation while not messing with your ears . Just a thought .
Audiofreak71
I've felt this way many times, letting a speaker sit for extended periods of time (years) I often feel they need a bit of time to smooth out, be it caps or just being physically stiff.
My dq-10s need a day to loosen up and sound right after sitting, the bass response is often lacking at first.
Tin Bird
Active Member
As for now, I plan to stick w the Def Tech D11's...I just love their sound and looks...they are my jams! That said, I am going to attempt to up the amp ante by giving the Arcam SA20 integrated a try. The description of the Arcam sound sounds up my alley...anyone have experience w Arcam? Debated the SA10, but the 20 has better reviews...
Tin Bird
Active Member
Well...I can now go on record for myself that the Arcam SA20 is a wonderfully terrific sounding integrated amplifier. Leaps above the Marantz HD Amp1 I had been using. That said, whether my ears can hang will be the decision maker...mixed results in that area so far. Gonna give this one all 30 days to try to get used to it/break in if I can. Highly recommended. Warm/full-bodied/yet detailed sound...have only used the on board DAC via the coaxial input so far...have not tried the analog line inputs...apparently they are a bit more mellow which if my ears struggle may be worth the try.
Tin Bird
Active Member
Welp...ears are a ringing and I am a bit effected by the wattage of the amp, but I must say that I listened pretty much off and on all day yesterday and I don't feel that bad. Further, man the sound of the amp as each hour passes keeps getting more and more mellow. I like it a lot! I get the reference now of this amp having a tube-like sound... It doesn't embellish or have "bloom", but it is relaxed, layered, mellow, musical, detailed, wide soundstage, NO SIBILANCE!!!!!! Honestly, I put on some of the CD's that have been driving my ears crazy over the past few years and they sound great. Oh I so want to keep this amp...in combo w the Def Tech D11's, this may very well be the sweetest sounding system I have ever owed. Need to keep the volume reasonable and keep the listening sessions to reasonable lengths and I think my ears just may be able to hang. Ironically, this was the exact sound I was looking/hoping for from the amp in the thread title...Electrocompaniet. Honestly, I probably did not give that amp enough time...although if I remember correctly I found it dull and boring from the get go. The Arcam has settled into being a tad mellow after 20 hours or so.
Honestly, I put on some of the CD's that have been driving my ears crazy over the past few years and they sound great. Oh I so want to keep this amp...in combo w the Def Tech D11's, this may very well be the sweetest sounding system I have ever owed. Need to keep the volume reasonable and keep the listening sessions to reasonable lengths and I think my ears just may be able to hang. Ironically, this was the exact sound I was looking/hoping for from the amp in the thread title...Electrocompaniet. Honestly, I probably did not give that amp enough time...although if I remember correctly I found it dull and boring from the get go. The Arcam has settled into being a tad mellow after 20 hours or so.
Tin Bird
Active Member
The Arcam SA20 is my new reference. It is staying. Damn the ear issues! ;-} Very nice sounding amp. Not overly warm...more neutral than anything, but with an overall general smooth, slightly relaxed timbre. It does not embellish, however, older discs that have sounded shrill or bright w other amps, sound listenable again. I'm hearing texture, layers, nuance, and it is delightful. Zero sibilance!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not joking!!!!!!!
Tin Bird
Active Member
Actually, on second thought, the HD-CD1 is NOT being used as a transport, I am using it as the CD player. I simply do not care for the ESS Sabre DACs. I find them overly bright and energetic up top and slightly thin in the bass region. So, I decided to unplug my HD-CD1 from the coax and plug it into the analogue line input of the SA20...MUCH BETTER! Smoother, full bodied, nice n' relaxed sounding. Definitely less "well lit" as they say...and I prefer it that way.
Tin Bird
Active Member
Hope everyone is healthy and safe. All I can add is Arcam Arcam Arcam. + Def Tech! ;-) Best sounding system I have owned bar none. I am happy and have zero interests in making any changes. My biggest joy (among many) w this system is the utter lack of sibilance. Going forward if/when I am ever asked (or see posts online) from a dude struggling w it, I am going to recommend using the analog line inputs in lieu of the coaxial built-in DAC. Night and day difference (at least in the Arcam SA20)...ESS Sabre DACs suck as far as I am concerned...they are bright, thin, bass-shy, overly vibrant, and somewhat shrill...will never get next another one. Anyway... bit of an odd feeling to be so happy w my system that even when I see an interesting piece of equipment, I don't even fantasize about getting it. So, brothers, there is hope and a light at the end of the rainbow. Actually, it is more accurate to say, at least in my experience, there IS an END to the rainbow. There were times when I was very unsure of that. Take care all.