Looking for a pair of speakers that are fun, dynamic and airy

I"d add the Tannoy Revolution XT6 or XT8 to that list. "Fun" and dynamic is exactly what Tannoy is all about. And the newer Revolution models do quite well in the air/ambience department too.

Regards,
Gordon.
 
aiconn said:
I'd suggest Totem speakers. I'm very familiar with the older models like the Rainmaker and Hawk. I've read great things about some of the newer models as well. There are several dealers in the L.A. area so you shouldn't have any trouble getting your ears on them.
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Strong +2 on the Totem Hawks, great "airiness" and very high, unobtrusive WAF.
 
Thanks for all of this, I’ll check the Tannoys, Totems and these Cionnsails.

Another pair of interesting speakers I’ve found is the Canton Reference 9.2, anyone familiar with them ?

Finally I’ve found a pie of Quad Z2 used as well, what are the thoughts on these ?
 
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Have you thought about Golden Ear? Those things are damn nice speakers and punch way above their weight price-wise. They're not hideous or built by some amateur like Tekton. If I had to replace my Focals, GE's would be the speaker to beat to get my money. They're extremely high detail. Truly stunning, horn-like dynamics. Very exciting to listen to. And they're tall, slender pillars that have presence without being imposing.
 
Rafoo said:
Thanks for all of this, I’ll check the Tannoys, Totems and these Cionnsails.

Another pair of interesting speakers I’ve found is the Canton Reference 9.2, anyone familiar with them ?

Finally I’ve found a pie of Quad Z2 used as well, what are the thoughts on these ?
Click to expand...

I'm not heard the Quad Z2, but I currently use a pair of Quad 12L. They have similar airiness and detail to the Totems, but lack the low end. I never used a sub with Totems, but one is necessary with the Quad 12Ls.
 
Kendall Floorstanding Speaker | High Performance Speakers (klhaudio.com)

Kendall_3-4_left_walnut_no_grille_web__89060.1603995852.jpg
 
Buchart S300
Triangle Borea

You can also fond a bunch of great fairly new but used fantastic speakers in that price range that were maybe double that new.
 
I'd like to help, but the truth is, I only know about what I own. My likes are not worthy of pretending like I know what I'm talking about.

I would say our ears are unique ya gotta hear em to make informed choices. Sometime pleasing you and the wife, is a very difficult challenge. For us here, it's been a wonderful journey. Wouldn't trade the experience for anything in my world.

I've also recognized, most of us audio folk tend to suggest what's in their best inventory, our likes. No harm, no foul, it's just how it works at a physiological level. It's the joy of life. Good luck to you, I, sure you will nail it?

Dirk
 
Originally retailed for $1800, but when bought out by Klipsch they dumped the last speakers. There were some crazy Amazon sales a while back at 90% off and more.

These still show up new in box on eBay easily within budget, holographic imaging, good bass, easy on the eyes. They're bigger than the pictures would have you think at 30lbs each.

Easily worth their retail price, but a steal at the prices I often see these sell for.

Jamo C-103
06-IMG_1393.jpg

they also came in high gloss black or white
20191028_182332.png
 
Thanks everyone for the suggestions and feedback. It's tough to make decisions based on reading, even based on sound clips found on youtube and wherever, but at least you can compare a bit.

Tonight I spent some time with my wife looking at pictures of pretty much all the speakers discussed here and then some, for me to gauge what she likes and doesn't like.
Here is what I showed her in no particular order:
- LS50 in white and blue
- Triangle BRO3
- Triangle Genese trio
- Focal Aria 906
- Focal Aria 926
- SVS Ultra bookshelf
- Totem model 1 Signatures
- Quad Z2 (she called them "the toaster" because of the ribbon twitter)
- Tekton Impact monitor
- Apogee centaur major
- Canton reference 9.2 DC

I thought she was going to go for the LS50 stylish design, but actually her favourite is the Focal 906. I was surprised because they are kind of boxy, although they do look amazing. Her takeaway was that she doesn't like dark drivers, especially when it's black on black. She also didn't care for the curves on the Z2 for instance, but she liked the Genese Trios.
I tried to argue that a 906 on stands is kind of like a pair of 926 towers, but showing her the pictures of the towers, she hated them ... I guess the tall deep blocky look didnt work.
For shits and giggles, I tried to show her some other stuff to get an idea of what I could get away with when we move to a bigger place. I showed her some Sonus Faber towers, she hated them, too big, too curvy. SHe really didnt like anything I showed her until ...

Until I found this image of big old JBLs

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PerxvQ27...321_365661303634398_6156043968519951867_o.jpg

She likes that !!! Wifes are weird guys ...

Anyway, my apologies if I'm boring you with my wife this, my wife that, thanks again for the help, I think we'll go the Focal route with some nice stands and we'll be happy
 
Did you guys look at the photos of the new lite oak Triangle Boreas? That is a great looking speaker that I can see a lot of the ladies also liking.
As soon as you moved those JBL's inside, you'd be outside. She doesn't realize how big those are.
 
tubed said:
Jeepers, those Apogee's in El Lay seemed like a no brainer:dunno:
Click to expand...

I don’t disagree, but sound is not the only factor unfortunately.


Drugolf said:
Did you guys look at the photos of the new lite oak Triangle Boreas? That is a great looking speaker that I can see a lot of the ladies also liking.
As soon as you moved those JBL's inside, you'd be outside. She doesn't realize how big those are.
Click to expand...

Haha she know those are huge. I don’t know, I think it depends on your interior decor. Also she said that the fact that they are against a wall and don’t stick out so much makes it much more palatable. She likes the contrast of the big white woofers against the black baffle. It’s like a nice piece of interesting furniture. In other words she likes big old school boxes, not so much the tall skinny deep towers we have today.
 
Rafoo said:
Hi guys,
=QUICK SUMMARY=

I'm looking for a pair of speakers vintage, used or new, around $1500 that are fun, airy up top, fast bass for a good kick, and look great. I don't really care about them being "accurate" or to "measure well".

//==

At the end of 2020, I was discussing with the wife the idea of upgrading our sound system in our living room. The goal was to find something very easy to use and control, that looks good and sounds great.

Our main source of music is through streaming services like Tidal. The debate was between a discrete system with a streamer, a DAC, a DSP for room correction, a power amp and a pair of speakers, OR go for a pair of used Kef LS50 wireless and call it a day.

Now, the latter is the obvious bang for the buck, simplest system that's easy to use and good looking, so that where our thinking was moving towards...

... Until I plugged my old Onkyo Integra M-506RS to test it before selling it, and WOW, what a sound and those VUs ... yeah, this is not going anywhere.

Long story long, I ended up convicing my wife to keep this beast as long as it's well integrated within a nice console.

OK so for my current system, here is what I have:
For our source, I already have a decent DAC, I have a chromecast audio for the streaming, and a miniDSP 2x4 is on the way for room correction.
I also have a decent sub, SVS SB12-NSD.
To control the amp, dac etc turning on and off easily, I'm planning to put them all on the same electrical outlet that's controlled with an app, so no need to switch everything on and off everytime (ease of use means we use our sytem more).
My amp is the Onkyo Integra M-506RS
For speakers, today I run a pair for Tannoy System 800, but I also have a pair of Kef Q100.

I know these don't measure well or whatever, but in my room, the Tannoys completely burry the Kefs. They feel airy and fast, cymbals, high pitched percusive sounds sound so good to my ears. They give a sense of scale and definition compared to the Kefs. The Q100, for all the amazing reviews I read everwhere when I bought them, never worked for me. The highs were always somewhat muffled and blurry to me. The bass is boomy in my room so I've always used the foam inserts to tame it (they are 3 feet away from my back wall ...)

The other speaker experience I have is with my dad's JBL 4311b that I've listened to forever. I've always enjoyed them, and what I recall the most from them is their slam on bassdrum hits. Again, I know these are not supposed to go down very much, but there was somethign physical, that I'd call very fast bass, that I really enjoyed.
I also have owned a pair of Klipsch Heresy II a few years ago but never in a proper listening room so I never got to enjoy them as much as I could have.

Alright, all that being said, my budget is around $1500 for a pair of speakers. They will have to look decent to be approved by the wife, they can't be huge because our living room is about 15'x15'. I'm leaning towards bookshelves but could be convinced to go towers (keep in mind I have a sub).

Here is the least I've put together so far:

- Kef LS50 Meta: seems to be a gold standard acording to the "Internet", but knowing I don't like my Q100, I'm concerned. I've also read that they are more like studio monitors and that they are not that fun, nto that dynamic)
- Focal Aria 906: I'm French, so I'm biased, but they look like great contenders
- Triangle Genese Trio: They are also French ... looks are gorgeous, they are described as fun and musical, but not overly dynamic in the bass, and a bit warm, which I understand as highs not super airy
- JBL Studio 570 or 580: They are a bit rough in the looks department, but may be exactly what I need sound-wise. The 580 may be too big for the wife.
- Klipsch RP600M
- What else ?

I'm opened to the used market or even Vintage, but I'll need some help with suggestions.

What would you guys recommend ?
Click to expand...

ESS AMT loudspeakers, most any flavor...
 
Had a blast with the JBL L100T when i was young, amazing bass, titanium tweeter and can take plenty of abuse.

jbl-l100t.jpg
 
SleeperSupra said:
ESS AMT loudspeakers, most any flavor...
Click to expand...
I agree!!!
Ummm......except for Ethel Mermens Version....!!!:rflmao:
WTF!?!?!
Seriously, if you can find you self a nice set of AMT3's-rebuild/refurb dump the stock woofers, and find something close to the Eminence 1040SF-top to bottom-unreal.
Clean to 28hz.
Stock crossover parameters are spot on.
They let the Great Heil do what it does best-with the supporting drivers.
(Look at Mundorf Evo Oils and or Jantzen Superior Z's in the mid/high section.
Well worth the money.
Used many caps on my 3's-don't let anyone tell you general polys are fine.
They aren't.
Solen's either).
This is what the Great Heils needs
Bass that finally matches the Heil in detail, texture and output.
Flip on a copy of the brothers Meat II-and you can dig what I'm hearing.
The AMT3's-when properly matched with woofers that hold up to the mids and Heils-and driven with equally compatible amp/preamp hand down is own of the most satisfying speakers I have heard-regardless of music genre.
Yep-fun, dynamic, airy.
 
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Rafoo said:
Thanks everyone for the suggestions and feedback. It's tough to make decisions based on reading, even based on sound clips found on youtube and wherever, but at least you can compare a bit.

Tonight I spent some time with my wife looking at pictures of pretty much all the speakers discussed here and then some, for me to gauge what she likes and doesn't like.
Here is what I showed her in no particular order:
- LS50 in white and blue
- Triangle BRO3
- Triangle Genese trio
- Focal Aria 906
- Focal Aria 926
- SVS Ultra bookshelf
- Totem model 1 Signatures
- Quad Z2 (she called them "the toaster" because of the ribbon twitter)
- Tekton Impact monitor
- Apogee centaur major
- Canton reference 9.2 DC

I thought she was going to go for the LS50 stylish design, but actually her favourite is the Focal 906. I was surprised because they are kind of boxy, although they do look amazing. Her takeaway was that she doesn't like dark drivers, especially when it's black on black. She also didn't care for the curves on the Z2 for instance, but she liked the Genese Trios.
I tried to argue that a 906 on stands is kind of like a pair of 926 towers, but showing her the pictures of the towers, she hated them ... I guess the tall deep blocky look didnt work.
For shits and giggles, I tried to show her some other stuff to get an idea of what I could get away with when we move to a bigger place. I showed her some Sonus Faber towers, she hated them, too big, too curvy. SHe really didnt like anything I showed her until ...

Until I found this image of big old JBLs

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PerxvQ27...321_365661303634398_6156043968519951867_o.jpg

She likes that !!! Wifes are weird guys ...

Anyway, my apologies if I'm boring you with my wife this, my wife that, thanks again for the help, I think we'll go the Focal route with some nice stands and we'll be happy
Click to expand...
I still want to know Where he got those White Cones in the pic of the 4350's. the original cones in the 2230 woofers Like mine, did have them, But none of those cone kits have been available for over 30 yrs. And they weren't re-foaming them, back in the day, So All were re coned with dark cones.
Those speakers are almost 270 LBS each.
 
might want to keep an eye on this auction, it's ending soon and you might be able to snipe these pretty cheap.

Screenshot_20210110-073746.png
 
Grenadeslio said:
might want to keep an eye on this auction, it's ending soon and you might be able to snipe these pretty cheap.

View attachment 2092825
Click to expand...


Dude I’m so mad I missed this auction by half an hour I think ! What a deal !!


Nyjblbob said:
I still want to know Where he got those White Cones in the pic of the 4350's. the original cones in the 2230 woofers Like mine, did have them, But none of those cone kits have been available for over 30 yrs. And they weren't re-foaming them, back in the day, So All were re coned with dark cones.
Those speakers are almost 270 LBS each.
Click to expand...

Look-wise those what cones are what makes this work so great I think ! Beautiful.
 
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