WHOA, HIGH END, out of my league... PICTURES

[beerandmusic]

San Diego doesn't have much of an audiophile club...not even a website per se'.

 

But you can add your name to a email listing. I have only got 3 emails in 2 months since i have joined, and the first 2 weren't very interesting or too far away.

 

But i got an email where a few engineers were showing off their equipment and the editor of The Absolute Sound's Illustrated History of High-End Audio book was on hand saturday in a La Jolla audio shop. Figured I would check it out.

 

They had about 5 or 6 rooms with some high end systems, but this system sounded amazing...as good or better than anything I have heard at CES shows. I knew not to ask about any prices and that probably everything but the record collection would be out of my range (grin). I googled the amp, and it wasn't as much as i thought it might be..only $20k. I am curious about these speakers though...guessing $200K+??

 

I did enjoy looking through the records and got a free copy of the current absolute sound magazine, and also got to enjoy listening to this wonderful setup. Took a picture of the album cover they were demonstrating with, as I will look to acquire it...sounded superb...

 

I also liked seeing these sound panels. I like the idea of being able to put your own picture on a panel. The cheapest i could find online for that feature for a 2'x4'x 2" is $200 or $800 for 4. I will do something like that down the road....very nice.

 

Nice to dream of being rich for a couple hours....and talk about interconnects and power cords ...wow.

[esldude]

San Diego doesn't have much of an audiophile club...not even a website per se'.

 

But you can add your name to a email listing. I have only got 3 emails in 2 months since i have joined, and the first 2 weren't very interesting or too far away.

 

But i got an email where a few engineers were showing off their equipment and the editor of The Absolute Sound's Illustrated History of High-End Audio book was on hand saturday in a La Jolla audio shop. Figured I would check it out.

 

They had about 5 or 6 rooms with some high end systems, but this system sounded amazing...as good or better than anything I have heard at CES shows. I knew not to ask about any prices and that probably everything but the record collection would be out of my range (grin). I googled the amp, and it wasn't as much as i thought it might be..only $20k. I am curious about these speakers though...guessing $200K+??

 

I did enjoy looking through the records and got a free copy of the current absolute sound magazine, and also got to enjoy listening to this wonderful setup. Took a picture of the album cover they were demonstrating with, as I will look to acquire it...sounded superb...

 

I also liked seeing these sound panels. I like the idea of being able to put your own picture on a panel. The cheapest i could find online for that feature for a 2'x4'x 2" is $200 or $800 for 4. I will do something like that down the road....very nice.

 

Nice to dream of being rich for a couple hours....and talk about interconnects and power cords ...wow.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]25694[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]25695[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]25696[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]25697[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]25698[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]25699[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]25700[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]25701[/ATTACH]

 

There is one audio forum where this system would be on the lower end of the scale for what those guys think of as a good system.

 

I do find it strange 6 figure systems aren't terribly unbelievably uncommon anymore. Even 6 figure components aren't hard to find.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Sometimes I think it's crazy. But I also think it's mostly flagship type products that have gone into the 100k plus price points. If the absolute best is crazy expensive I guess that's ok. Fortunately much of HiFi isn't that expensive and can reproduce great sound.

[beerandmusic]

There is one audio forum where this system would be on the lower end of the scale for what those guys think of as a good system.

 

 

which forum would that be?

[beerandmusic]

Sometimes I think it's crazy. But I also think it's mostly flagship type products that have gone into the 100k plus price points. If the absolute best is crazy expensive I guess that's ok. Fortunately much of HiFi isn't that expensive and can reproduce great sound.

 

yea...but i have to admit, these speakers sounded phenominal! I know about the law of diminishing returns...i wonder how much money you would have to spend to get something that sounded even close to as nice as these....i bet some of those $10K B&Ws sound pretty nice.....i love the used 1K b&W's (grin).

[The Computer Audiophile]

yea...but i have to admit, these speakers sounded phenominal! I know about the law of diminishing returns...i wonder how much money you would have to spend to get something that sounded even close to as nice as these....i bet some of those $10K B&Ws sound pretty nice.....i love the used 1K b&W's (grin).

The best speakers I've ever heard are the Magico Q7 mk2. Priced at well over $200k. I could listen to them all day every day, but I simply can't afford them. Some people get pissed off that speakers are this expensive. I just think, bummer I can afford them.

[esldude]

which forum would that be?

 

 

What's Best Forum (WBF Forum)

[beerandmusic]

What's Best Forum (WBF Forum)

 

oh, ok...thanks, i have seen that site before what searching for other things..i will have to give it a look for audio as well....

 

i just happenned to notice that site has their own forum section JUST for these evolution accoustic speakers that i listened to in La Jolla....

 

I believe the ones i listened to are the MM7

 

Evolution Acoustics Speaker and Cable Forum

[Sal1950]

The best speakers I've ever heard are the Magico Q7 mk2. Priced at well over $200k. I could listen to them all day every day, but I simply can't afford them. Some people get pissed off that speakers are this expensive. I just think, bummer I can afford them.

Really Chris, I never realized you were quite that wealthy.

[whoozwah]

Huh. Over 200 grand for a set of speakers. I'd be curious how well they could handle metal. I'd almost be willing to bet that you won't hear average recordings demo'd on any of those mega-buck speakers. But it would be interesting to hear it to see if it sounds good with say, a Sevendust song or something like that.

[17629]

Huh. Over 200 grand for a set of speakers. I'd be curious how well they could handle metal. I'd almost be willing to bet that you won't hear average recordings demo'd on any of those mega-buck speakers. But it would be interesting to hear it to see if it sounds good with say, a Sevendust song or something like that.

 

 

Sounds good is relative. Different systems for different people.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Really Chris, I never realized you were quite that wealthy.

Ha! that's a major "n't" I missed there!

[master]

Huh. Over 200 grand for a set of speakers. I'd be curious how well they could handle metal. I'd almost be willing to bet that you won't hear average recordings demo'd on any of those mega-buck speakers. But it would be interesting to hear it to see if it sounds good with say, a Sevendust song or something like that.

 

There are all genre speakers too you know. I play everything from pop, country, rock, hard rock, metal, and renaissance music without issues.

 

Are they perfect? Nothing's perfect ever. I do wish they went lower and had better bass... especially for house, trance, hip hop, etc. but then everything cannot be Emerald Physics either.

[The Computer Audiophile]

There are all genre speakers too you know. I play everything from pop, country, rock, hard rock, metal, and renaissance music without issues.

 

Are they perfect? Nothing's perfect ever. I do wish they went lower and had better bass... especially for house, trance, hip hop, etc. but then everything cannot be Emerald Physics either.

What's genre about the Magico Q7 mk2?

[master]

What's genre about the Magico Q7 mk2?

 

I heard the Q7 a while back, 2012 IIRC. Probably the best I'd heard and way, way, out of my league.

 

The only other speaker that impressed me that much was a TIDAL Sunray that an older gentleman was kind enough to open the doors for some of us to visit and listen to.

 

Genre when it comes to them? I'd be fine just looking at them and imagining all kinds of music in my head.

[wisnon]

The best speakers I've ever heard are the Magico Q7 mk2. Priced at well over $200k. I could listen to them all day every day, but I simply can't afford them. Some people get pissed off that speakers are this expensive. I just think, bummer I can afford them.

 

My "best" were the Stenheim Ref Statement, Goldmund Anatta and the FM Acoustics triangular speakers. I have not heard the LumenWhite SilverLights, but I think i would love them. Those EA speakers are excellent as well.

 

The best for small money for me are the Oskar Heil Kithara. Special mention to the Trenner&Friedl Art bookshelf speakers.

[beerandmusic]

There are several reviews that favor these Evolution Acoustics MM7 over the $185K Magico Q7s...and several reviews favoring the $3K Evolution acoustics Micro ones (for mids and highs) over the $185K Magico Q7s.

 

The Evolution Acoustic micro ones for only $3K may be worth considering for me down the road...they really did sound superb.

 

When I heard the MM7s, i knew they were superb but didn't realize at the time they are considered to be some of the best in the world...wow.

 

Can't find current pricing but have read everything from $2k to $4k depending on australian dollar (stands included)

 

[r_w]

I've never heard any speaker as good as ATC actives and they cost max £40k (for 300 ASL top model) and that price includes 8 amps perfectly tuned to each drive unit.

 

Can't see how any passive speaker can be worth much more than £20k.

 

Just my 2p.

[whoozwah]

There are all genre speakers too you know. I play everything from pop, country, rock, hard rock, metal, and renaissance music without issues.

 

Are they perfect? Nothing's perfect ever. I do wish they went lower and had better bass... especially for house, trance, hip hop, etc. but then everything cannot be Emerald Physics either.

 

I'd hope that any speaker sold at a 6 digit price can handle any type of music you throw at it.

[MikeJazz]

There are several reviews that favor these Evolution Acoustics MM7 over the $185K Magico Q7s...and several reviews favoring the $3K Evolution acoustics Micro ones (for mids and highs) over the $185K Magico Q7s.

 

The Evolution Acoustic micro ones for only $3K may be worth considering for me down the road...they really did sound superb.

 

True, they are a favorite of mine. I considered for a moment to switch from my quad esl's, because of their transient response and smoothness, couple with reasonable dynamics.

 

No sign of edginess in the highs...very very engaging, a true revelation!

 

Later I auditioned Raidho's, and these ones really expand on Micro Ones properties.

 

If I find a used MMicro Ones in good condition I might fell for them again...

[Dr Tone]

Huh. Over 200 grand for a set of speakers. I'd be curious how well they could handle metal. I'd almost be willing to bet that you won't hear average recordings demo'd on any of those mega-buck speakers. But it would be interesting to hear it to see if it sounds good with say, a Sevendust song or something like that.

 

From my experience most all speakers that measure close to flat don't do metal well at reasonable volumes. 200k or 2k. It's a genre that loves a little color.

[master]

I'd hope that any speaker sold at a 6 digit price can handle any type of music you throw at it.

 

Not always. There are "specialist" speakers too and for some the genre of music actually dictates the speaker.

 

I've a friend who had to upgrade his speakers as his interest in music deepened in a particular genre - classical. Classical music is very dynamic that most speakers can't handle. Vienna Acoustics handled them well, but in particular Marten Bird handled them very well. Most other "popular" speakers could not handle the large dynamics of classical music.

 

I've never heard any speaker as good as ATC actives and they cost max £40k (for 300 ASL top model) and that price includes 8 amps perfectly tuned to each drive unit.

 

Can't see how any passive speaker can be worth much more than £20k.

 

Just my 2p.

 

Have to agree with the ATCs. Some of the very best I've heard. I had the SCM11 for a while and truly spectacular for what they cost. The SCM19 and the SCM40 too are amongst the absolute best that I've heard.

 

Not many talk of the Brits on CA though. Not the ATC and not the Harbeth's which again are superlative for what they cost, especially the Super HL5 plus.

[whoozwah]

Not always. There are "specialist" speakers too and for some the genre of music actually dictates the speaker.

 

I've a friend who had to upgrade his speakers as his interest in music deepened in a particular genre - classical. Classical music is very dynamic that most speakers can't handle. Vienna Acoustics handled them well, but in particular Marten Bird handled them very well. Most other "popular" speakers could not handle the large dynamics of classical music.

 

Interesting. I wonder what the average cost would be for speakers that handle the most commonly listened to genres (let's say top 40 pop/rock/metal/electronica) from a mass market perspective.

 

There's no doubt that a lot of audiophile gear is made to make jazz/classical/easy listening/female vocals sound good (nearly all equipment does this as these genres are recorded/produced with more care given to dynamics) but lets say for your average dude off the street that wants a set of speakers that are going to make average music sound good to him, what's gonna be a good price for a set of speakers for him?

[master]

Interesting. I wonder what the average cost would be for speakers that handle the most commonly listened to genres (let's say top 40 pop/rock/metal/electronica) from a mass market perspective.

 

There's no doubt that a lot of audiophile gear is made to make jazz/classical/easy listening/female vocals sound good (nearly all equipment does this as these genres are recorded/produced with more care given to dynamics) but lets say for your average dude off the street that wants a set of speakers that are going to make average music sound good to him, what's gonna be a good price for a set of speakers for him?

 

Honestly (and I may receive some flak for this) something like the JBL LSR305 studio monitors are excellent for most folks and most genres. They go pretty deep (or you can go for the LSR308), the waveguide makes them excellent in imaging, they are powered so you save on the amp, and they cost less than $300 a pair. They image well, have excellent detail and dynamics, and handle everything well... probably the one weak link is they don't go very loud, but more than enough loud for nearfield listening, just not party speakers.

 

Truly exceptional speakers and they ably demonstrate that good sound can be had at even a tiny budget these days.

 

The only additions would be a source/transport and a DAC (SMSL makes some excellent budget DACs), so for like under $400 to $500 you could have an excellent sounding setup.

[whoozwah]

Honestly (and I may receive some flak for this) something like the JBL LSR305 studio monitors are excellent for most folks and most genres. They go pretty deep (or you can go for the LSR308), the waveguide makes them excellent in imaging, they are powered so you save on the amp, and they cost less than $300 a pair. They image well, have excellent detail and dynamics, and handle everything well... probably the one weak link is they don't go very loud, but more than enough loud for nearfield listening, just not party speakers.

 

Truly exceptional speakers and they ably demonstrate that good sound can be had at even a tiny budget these days.

 

The only additions would be a source/transport and a DAC (SMSL makes some excellent budget DACs), so for like under $400 to $500 you could have an excellent sounding setup.

 

Word. See, this is the kind of stuff that should be on the cover of all the audiophile magazines and even stuff like crutchfield and in Best Buy. Great sound for everyone.