Speaker advice
cmalak -- Fri, 01/16/2009 - 18:10
I am considering the following speakers: Rockport Technology Mira, Wilson Sophia 2, Thiel 3.7, Sonus Faber Cremona M and Elipsa speakers, and finally Verity Audio Parsifal. My current system is ARC Ref3, Ref110, Ref CD7, Shunyata Hydra 8, Nordost Heimdall speaker and IC cables, and Thiel 2.4s. I enjoy all kinds of music and place a premium on musicality, resolution, and deep bass (current achilles heel of my Thiel 2.4s). Has anyone heard the speakers above mated to ARC Reference gear and which parings have proven to be the most synergisitic in your mind? I recognize that the list above has speakers ranging from $13K to $21K and is wide-ranging. Any thoughts/impressions would be appreciated. Thanks,
Cyril
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I have had the chance to audition the Wilson Sophia 2s and the Sonus Faber Cremona M speakers at 2 different dealers (though not with my ARC gear) and have been able to rule them out. I found the Cremona Ms to have insufficient base, although the midrange was clean and very musical. I was puzzled by the Wilson Sophia 2s because I thought they were extremely clean and highly resolving and very dynamic however I walked away feeling the speakers were overly analytical and emotionally unenvolving. This could have been the electronics with which they were matched. Leaving the Rockport Technology Miras, Thiel 3.7s, and the Verity Parsifals in my list of speakers to audition. Has anyone heard these speakers with my aforementioned ARC gear? Your thoughts would be very helpful. Also, I understand Verity profiled a new speaker at CES - the Leonore which seemed to have gotten positive reactions at CES. Would love to hear what TAS editors thought of that speaker at CES. Thx again.
In my show report I wrote this about the new Finn and Leonore," the new three-way, bass reflex offerings from Verity Audio revealed wonderful promise with open sonics and rich, warm tonality not to mention exquisitely lacquered finishes. At 39.5** tall, the small footprint Finn and the premium 42.5** Leonore both sport high sensitivity for easy low power amplifier matching. Priced at $5995 and $15,995 respectively." I think both these speakers represent something in short supply today, lower relative price points with little to no reduction in the sonic expectation. I'm anxious to hear the Finn for myself. It's musicality was simply gorgeous. Here is the little Finn pictured with designer Julien Pelchat. the Leonore is larger and uses the modular construction of Sarastro, etc, but not surprisingly their tonality is quite similar although the Leonore will obviously trump the Finn in terms of extension and output.
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Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
I run my Sophias with my ARC gear (also have the Ref 110 - a truly lovely and powerful amp) via Transparent Audio Ultras. There's a great synergy between these components. The Wilson folks utilize ARC gear extensively and ARC visa-versa. You can ask for customer support at ARC (I forget the fellow's name, something like Hal) and he'll verify their extensive use of and history with the Wilsons. They are a classic match-up and are still a great value, given how much of the higher priced Wilson models they emulate. Robert H has written extensively about them over the past few years, with unwavering enthusiasm for how great they are (and I know he runs ARC, although not sure of which components). The Transparent Audio speaker cables are also a very synergistic match between the Ref 110 and my Sophias. End result (of course taking into account good, clean power (via PS Audio) with dedicated circuit, good resonance control for the amp and my other components, beefy mains for all components, Kimber Select i/c's, etc. - the complete package): lifelike dynamics (with good recordings of course), highly resolved low-end, outstanding timbre reproduction, great soundstaging and imaging - I attribute alot of this directly to the Ref 110/Sophia combo, and ALOT of fun listening. I hope you find this information helpful.
Happy Listening!
I've no experience of ARC gear but am familiar with the Sonus faber and Verity Audio speakers you've listed. I thought the Parsifal Ovation sounded tight and bright in the top end and bass was too dark for my taste. I believe, though, that they were fairly new units. I really recommend that you add Usher's BE-10 speakers to your list. They outperform the Sf Cremona M in midrange and musicality (actually, they outperform my own Sf Guarneri Homage's) and have excellent bottom end performance - reach, weight, clarity, defintion, tonality. Build quality is very good - different to Sf but still very satisfying - and they have great proportion so, visually, are very appealing. I've heard Sf Amati Anniversario's in a friends home and rate the BE-10's as better in the mid/top and equal in the bass department.
Thx very much for the feedback on the Leonore Neil and on Usher Hamblis. I am not sure if I have a dealer nearby that carries the Usher BE-10s but if yes, I will try to audition and report back. Thx again.
Neil, i'll totally agree with feedback. Finn's musicality was really fantastic for my ears.
I've heard the Sophias and I just don't think they are all that great. Maybe if they were under $10k I'd like them better. I like the WP8's better and there are a lot on the used market as everyones moves up to Sashas. They are dynamic and bump the bass which matches your preferences. Thiel 3.7's are great but too much load for your amps. Verity is bass shy so based on your comments not the fit. I've not heard Rockports. I second the commenst about Usher. If you want dynamic speakers with full bass that fits the bill. I've heard BE-20's w/ ARC gear and they sound great together. I currently own BE-20's but am planning to move to low powered SETs so my Ushers will be available soon.
Have not heard them, but perhaps you ought to consider the Linkwitz Lab Orions. They are made by one of the great names in high end audio, Sigfried Linkwitz, and are available in either kit or fully assembled form.. As a kit, they would probably run around $5 to assemble, but include a power amp. Fully Assembled you are probably looking at close to $10 k.
The speaker is a dipolar 3 way complete with an active equalizer. Each channel gets its own amplier channel, so it all runs through an active crossover. Pictures of the fully completed product reveal a small compact product, and the buzz on the internet is that these particular speakers are the equal of just about anything on the market.
I think the discrete active crossover design is inherently superior to the one amp drives a passive crossover approach, and will yield superior sound, but for this design it requires an amp with 6-8 channels of discrete amplification. Linkwitz recommends an amp which is available through his website for around $2k, alternatively I have read on the internet that Bryston makes an amp which could power this design.
Not a typical TAS type of product but Linkwitz has produced other speakers which have garnered extremly favorable reviews from TAS and he swears this is his very best speaker. As I have said, there are plenty or reviews on the internet which back this POV, an there are ways to get yourself a live audition from an Orion owner. Given the price, the looks, and the pedigree of this design, I think they deserve an extremely serious audition for anyone shopping for speakers in your price range.
Well, you may not like my suggestion, BUT... If you like the sound of your Thiels and miss only low bass, consider adding a subwoofer. A good one augments the bass without thickening the sound of the speakers. Good subs are available for a fraction of the cost of switching speakers. I, like you, love the sound of my Thiel 1.5s, but wish they went lower in the bass. I'm subwoofer shopping myself & will repost if I find a winner.
A good sense of humor makes it ALL sound better!