Help CA Find New Speakers

[The Computer Audiophile]

23 minutes ago, Summit said:

Audio Physic and Revel make very good speakers at a somewhat reasonable price. Marten make some really great speakers, but the really good ones cost a lot unfortunately.

I've always loved Marten speakers. The sound and looks are right up my alley. 

 

If I could afford it, I'd buy the Coltrane 3.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Really interesting. Thanks for the info. 

 

Agree, no need to get bent out of shape ?

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 hours ago, rickca said:

This is a fun thread because I've never heard of some of the brands people are mentioning.

@The Computer Audiophile does your search for new speakers mean that we will see some speaker reviews from you?

Not sure yet. Speakers aren’t really in my wheelhouse like DACs and digital, so I want to make sure I can offer this community something of value for their time spent reading. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

8 minutes ago, rando said:

Between posting rubber chicken videos and getting ready for bed I started wondering where you at with this @The Computer Audiophile?

 

The last week has been crazy to say the least. I flew out to NYC twice (unplanned both times) to help an audio dealer at an install. Another guy setup a terrible network that couldn’t even stream audio and caused the dealer’s network based audio products to fail all testing. Yesterday i had the network running 5 streams of 4K video over the internet and 3 streams of 24/192 audio simultaneously without breaking a sweat. Flew home this afternoon. 

 

I know you didnt ask, but i feel like I’ve missed a week of my life and CA with my head buried in a laptop. 

 

I’ve narrowed down my speaker options to a handful of items. This thread really got me thinking about two systems. One that’s traditional and one that takes advantage of computer audio to the max (per prof. @wgscott‘s comments). 

 

I hope to have more to reveal soon. 

 

P.S. I’m moving my listening room to another part of the house as well. Much to discuss very soon. 

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 hours ago, Jud said:

 

Kind of amazing but not surprising that this is the current state of computer network expertise in the high end audio world. 

When I showed up and replaced every piece of equipment and configuration, his response was, "a network is a network." 

[The Computer Audiophile]

43 minutes ago, rando said:

How viable is this two system idea? 

Very viable

[The Computer Audiophile]

26 minutes ago, rickca said:

Here you go, Chris.  I can't imagine the price on these babies!  Listen to them at RMAF.  Another beauty from Denmark.

http://hifipig.com/us-first-for-raidho-acoustic-td-4-8/#more-44997

 

I’ll definitely listen to those ?

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, rando said:

After suggesting Chris create a sub-basement appeared to stir something.  I'm starting to get curious what this change is.  The ease with which he appears to have gained WAF is most mysterious of all.  Server updates are apparently happening on the East coast so it can't hardly be a dual purpose off site work facility. 

 

Did you buy an old bank building, @The Computer Audiophile?

I wish :~)

 

Much more to come. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 hour ago, blue2 said:

Hi Chris Any news? Have you made a shortlist, demoed anything?

Yes!

I have a short list. Down to three speakers. More to come. 

 

Plus, I need to sell my TAD CR1s. It makes writing that big check a bit easier :~)

[The Computer Audiophile]

12 minutes ago, jtwrace said:

And those are?  You might want to list the TAD's on this place called Superphonica.  

Ah, thanks for letting me know:~)

 

https://superphonica.com/all-products/speakers/compact-speakers/tad-cr1-compact-reference-loudspeakers/

[The Computer Audiophile]

22 minutes ago, Summit said:

 

Why do you have all your gear on the floor?

It's easiest for me to place the gear between the speakers, but I don't want to ruin the imaging by placing the gear higher off the floor. Thus, I purchased granite slabs for the gear. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

10 minutes ago, jtwrace said:

I'm sure you know about these too.  ?  You can put these on your granite as they can do pockets for the Isoacoustics Pucks too.  

Beautiful stuff. Perhaps time for a change when I move into the new listening room.

[The Computer Audiophile]

15 minutes ago, jtwrace said:

I'm sure you know about these too.  ?  You can put these on your granite as they can do pockets for the Isoacoustics Pucks too.  

I used to have a site bookmarked that sold tons of wood stuff for HiFi. The guy hand made it all with a beautiful selection of woods. 

 

Do you know any others that sell this stuff? I can't find my old bookmark :~(

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, Blake said:

and hey, by doing so I support the Amish

I'll just buy them from the Amish website :~)

[The Computer Audiophile]

38 minutes ago, audiobomber said:

Not beautiful and not cheap, but waaaaayyyy better than wood for audio: http://www.symposiumusa.com/main.shtml

The 90s called and asked for its website back ?

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

16 minutes ago, JMD54 said:

Chris

 

Are you talking about Timbernation?

 

www.timbernation.com

Yes!!!! Thanks!

[The Computer Audiophile]

On 3/5/2019 at 3:59 AM, blue2 said:

All quiet on the speaker front ? Any demo's? Short list?

 

I have my shortlist done. Here it in alphabetical order.

 

Focal Maestro Utopia Evo

 

Rockport Technologies Cygnus

 

Wilson Audio Alexia Series 2 

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 minutes ago, Dr Tone said:

Did your room size change recently?  Seems like mucho speaker for 15x17.

It's roughly 26x14 now with 9' ceiling.

[The Computer Audiophile]

27 minutes ago, audiobomber said:

The Cygnus make the others look like ugly ducklings. 😉

 

Chris, were you able to hear all of these in shops? Did you listen to others that didn't make the cut?

Sorry, I'm living vicariously through you. I'll likely never hear any of these, let alone own a pair.

I don't disagree. The Cygnus craftsmanship is incredible as well. 

 

I've heard them all but will spend considerable time with some Rockport speakers in the coming weeks, in a controlled environment. 

 

If I could sell my TADs I'd likely have a tough decision to make. Ah, first world problems. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

10 minutes ago, greyscale said:

Chris, have you ever heard the AERIAL T20 speakers?. been Stereophile class A forever.

I believe I have, but can't remember exactly where and when. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

I must say, the last couple weeks I’ve really been thinking about electrostatics. I miss the sound of these more than any sound in HiFi. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

19 minutes ago, Hugo9000 said:

I don't envy whomever will have the task of getting those up the stairs.  Heavy and awkward due to size.  😧 

I found a great local piano moving company. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

31 minutes ago, Jud said:

 

I always wonder with the electrostats that use dynamic drivers on the low end how good the integration might be.

 

And with full range electrostats, I wonder about the volume capability.

 

@esldude has SoundLabs (or at least had them last I inquired), so he may be a source of information.

Those are the two things going through my mind as well. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

I’m really looking forward to Axpona and Munich so I can hear some additional speakers. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

What subs are people pairing with two channel electrostat systems?

 

rel? JL?