Best Affordable "All-Rounder"
staxguy -- Wed, 02/15/2012 - 06:34
Hi there!
Could anyone comment on the virutes and demerits of the following?
B&W 802 diamond
vs
Focal Scala Utopia
vs
Sonus Faber Armati Futura
with a good set (pair) of supplementary subwoofers
vs
an integrated setup like the VMPS RMS 50II
http://vmpsaudio.com/loudspeakers/rm50-series-ii/
or
Von Schweckeirt VR11SE
http://www.vonschweikert.com/techspecs/17.php
or a higher-up new speaker like the Magico Q3/Q5/Q7? (can't stand look of Vivid Audio Giya, otherwise sure!)
I will avoid hi-end electronics, and go with a Devaliet (or multiple Devaliets) to start, or Hypex N-Core based amps. I wish Devaliet would have a Rotel-like model, finish-wise as a budget choice. The musicality of their D-Premier is magic to my ears (but not budget, if one D-Premier per channel per driver, considering potenial need to swap for later models).
Should I go with a smaller speaker like a Sonus Faber Armati or 802 or Scala for now, and put in a small room as I get better space, or try a VR11SE or VPMS speaker right away? (save $) Should I wait to hear a Magico Q5/Q7? :)
My interests are very full extended frequency response, very micro-detail all frequency (esp. mid-range for voice), and ability to play popular music for monitoring.
What about PMC as an active option? :)
Cheers!
Staxguy
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1999 - 2011 NextScreen. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
Update:
Has anyone here compared the B&W 802 diamond with the Focal Scala Upopia or the Sonus Faber Armati Futura.
Several nice folks suggested I check out the Quad 989, which I have done briefly (will need to bring my demo material in FLAC format for their setup), but I was not drawn in by the presentation. One thing I will say is that it is a much bigger speaker visually in person than it seems at all from photos online - much bigger than the ESL-63, which was the last time I checked out Quad's. I still have one Quad amp (405) kicking around in the dustbin, but will need to investigate higher-resolution and better soundings amps, with such a speaker.
The Quad dealer also had the KEF Reference 207/2 floorstanders in stock, which were quite a bit deeper than the photos indicate, and likewise seemed of a better build quality than what seems from the net.
So far, I have heard good bass response with the 802 diamond, very good mid-range piano with the Scala Utopia, and looking forward to hearing the Armati Futura.
Ideally, I'd like bass built-in approaching or descending to 20 Hz from a speaker.
I wonder how the larger Raidho acoustics speakers compare to the recently reviewed C1.1.
I'm hoping hearing the Sonus Faber will be a revelation. :) The looks are better than I would expect of a hi-fi component. A step up from the beautiful Monitor Audio Platinum series, which is the sort of thing I would recomend to a friend. :)
I recently acquired a pair of Scala Utopias to replace my Natilus 802 (not diamond). The Scala's are MORE than a step up from the B&W's. The bass is faster, more tuneful and has better definition. Vocals are very realistic. The B&W's sounded hazy in comparison. The treble is very sensitive to accompanying electronics so care in selection is essential. I am using a Pathos Inpol2 with incredible results. I have not auditioned the diamond B&W so a direct comparison is not possible for me. I hope this has been helpful.
Mike S.