If you were to own another pair of speakers (not B&W) which would it be?

[rodH]

OK, if price were not as much of an object as it is now (I am currently running N804), the speakers I have been MOST impressed with, EVER are the Wilson Watt Puppies. I was in a high end store and they actually carried 3 brands that I am/was really interested in (B&W, Wilson, and Revel).

The revels sounded even to bright and harsh for my ears (which is saying something coming from a B&W fan).

The Wilsons were just so impressive in EVERY way. IIRC, they retail for around $28k, and they aren't very attractive in my small home, but I just can't get that sound out of my head. Powered by Levinson monoblocks and front end.

The sad thing is we next went to the B&W room listened to the B&W 800D, and this set up was so unimpressive compared to the Wilsons. All things considered, I also have to admit that they were powered by a Proceed set up, using a proceed pre/pro and a proceed 5 channel amp, also different music was played and it wasn't played as loud.

You can tell the guy/salesman was a big fan of the Wilsons, but to be honest, I can't deny I wasn't impressed. They were incredible, I just wish I had more time to do a fair comparison with the 800D.

Needless to say, I kind of wish I had a huge house and budget and had a pair of those Watt Puppies.

Anyone else with any "dream speakers" besides B&W???

[Relentless]

KHARMA
Grand Exquisite

[beden1]

Focal Grande Utopia Be. It's always nice to dream!

http://www.focal.tm.fr/catalogue-front/produit.php?langue=EN&idArbo=3&idProduit=64

[misterdoggy]

Meridian DSP 8000's (because I have meridian processor and can run dsp speakers)

but they Cost $$$$$$$$$$$

http://www.meridian-audio.com/p_d8k.htm

[btf1980]

Sonus Faber Cremona M.

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/sonus/prod_cremona_m.htm

I had the pleasure of listening to these speakers with an Mcintosh MCD-301 and MC252. To describe it in a sentence is almost impossible, but all I will say is that it was smooth like butter. Just wonderful speakers.

[rodH]

link to Watt Puppy

http://wilsonaudio.com/product/watt_puppy_8/gallery.php

[btf1980]

Watt Puppys are awesome speakers and are certainly out of my price range, but goodness they look ugly as sin. Definitely an acquired taste when it comes to the design. They look like trashbin receptacles.

[RebelMan]

What the heck I'll take the Kharma Grand Enigma.

[DM3000 Owner]

I have always wanted to hear the Eggleston Andras.

[PewterTA]

John Marsh's NeoD CCs or the M8Tas. :P



I'd have a tough time putting any type of "big money" into store bought speakers after hearing how good his sound.

[dknightd]

What the heck I'll take the Kharma Grand Enigma.

I imagine the imaging might be kind of vague with those.

I like the quad 2905 - except you can not drive them TOO loud, and
they wouldn't really fit in my room - so I'd need a house upgrade.
(My dad runs 2 2905 and 3 989 with 3 (soon to be 5 I assume) subs in a dedicated room - they really do sound very good, but I think I might be
happier with 5 802d (or maybe 800d if I could give them the space
they need) - my room is about 12.5' x 23.5', and the back part also has to serve as a hallway . . . )

Since money is a constraint for me, and likely always will be, I haven't really looked too hard at cost no object speakers. I do know if cost was no object on the speakers I'd want to make cost no object on the room as well.

ALL speakers are a compromise. I've never listened to the watt puppies, but would like to one day.

[artv4]

i have to say the revel salon 2. they were so lifelike

[beden1]

Here's an interesting link to the World's most expensive speakers. They also have associated links to the most expensive amps, etc. Have fun dreaming!

http://www.higherfi.com/spkrlist/speakerlist.htm

[beden1]

KRELL MRT - Master Ref Tube 16 x T1610 tubes, 2,000 watts and 2100lb
More info List $499,000 - Close Out price $4,900

Here's the deal of the century discounted to only $4900! Who will volunteer to help me move this 2,100 lb behemoth?

http://www.higherfi.com/spoofs/masterreftube.jpg

[dknightd]

Here's an interesting link to the World's most expensive speakers. They also have associated links to the most expensive amps, etc. Have fun dreaming!

http://www.higherfi.com/spkrlist/speakerlist.htm

I like the look of those Acapella Audio Arts
Sphaeron Excalibur - Just have to replace the sub component with one that was more hidden

I like the concept of using horns to impedance match a speaker to a room.
Perhaps ideally you could make the room part of the horn.

I also like the concept of one way speakers. There are advantages to eliminating pesky crossovers. An interesting option might be line arrays e.g. http://www.ids25.com/

Another interesting concept is plane wave woofers, can't find the link off hand, the basic concept is to launch bass off one wall, and actively absorb it on the opposite wall - could in theory eliminate room modes, the problem is that bass does not fall off (much) with distance from the speaker, so it might limit sitting position.

I like the concept of putting big speakers outside and arranging a seating and campfire area in the prime spot. Or better, have the band play in my backyard Sorry neighbors (Unless I had the land . . .)

Unfortunately none of those are really options for me, so have not explored these concepts.

[Snap]

Totem.... I like them.... one of the best things to come out of Canada!

[ShadowZA]

I'll take a pair of Vivid Audio G1 GIYA's please

http://www.vividaudio.com/downloads/...a_Preview2.pdf

[dknightd]

I'll take a pair of Vivid Audio G1 GIYA's please

http://www.vividaudio.com/downloads/...a_Preview2.pdf

Those look very interesting! Too red for me, but, I'll bet you can have them in an colour you want.

[rodH]

Watt Puppys are awesome speakers and are certainly out of my price range, but goodness they look ugly as sin. Definitely an acquired taste when it comes to the design. They look like trashbin receptacles.

This is the main reason (and size) I haven't bought a pair of used ones.

[Tommy]

Sonus Faber GUARNERI MEMENTO

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/sonus/prod_guarneri_memento.htm

[wettou]

Sonus Faber GUARNERI MEMENTO
http://www.sumikoaudio.net/sonus/pro...ri_memento.htm

Yes give me five

[Aldo]

What the heck I'll take the Kharma Grand Enigma.

And don't forget a new home!
Thats the biger Size matter statement I ever saw!

[Aldo]

Sonus Faber Stradivari!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One of the best rated Stereophile speakers!
Im shure the Wilsons are great but I do not like a Pinball Ferrari red machine in my hall.

[Zoran]

Beside 803S and 805S, I already own Dynaudio Confidence C1.

Dream..?? Dynaudio Confidence C4, or Dynaudio Saphire..!!

[misterdoggy]

You know Guys

I'm real happy with my 802D's and HTM1D

This is already a dream

[worldys]

OK, if price were not as much of an object as it is now (I am currently running N804), the speakers I have been MOST impressed with, EVER are the Wilson Watt Puppies. I was in a high end store and they actually carried 3 brands that I am/was really interested in (B&W, Wilson, and Revel).

The revels sounded even to bright and harsh for my ears (which is saying something coming from a B&W fan).

The Wilsons were just so impressive in EVERY way. IIRC, they retail for around $28k, and they aren't very attractive in my small home, but I just can't get that sound out of my head. Powered by Levinson monoblocks and front end.

The sad thing is we next went to the B&W room listened to the B&W 800D, and this set up was so unimpressive compared to the Wilsons. All things considered, I also have to admit that they were powered by a Proceed set up, using a proceed pre/pro and a proceed 5 channel amp, also different music was played and it wasn't played as loud.

You can tell the guy/salesman was a big fan of the Wilsons, but to be honest, I can't deny I wasn't impressed. They were incredible, I just wish I had more time to do a fair comparison with the 800D.

Needless to say, I kind of wish I had a huge house and budget and had a pair of those Watt Puppies.

Anyone else with any "dream speakers" besides B&W???

i have had w/p 7, sf amati homage and 800d in the same room with the identical upstream electronics,each had their strengths but in my opinion the 800d gave the best all around presentation, wp were the most accurate but did not seem particulary dynamic and did not exite, sf were very well balanced, amazing detail without any harshness, hit the highs perfectly (violin was amazing), they had the best crafstmanship of the three, they were just a liitle to0 laid back overall, 800d was just right for my taste, very forward and alive, great detail across the frequency range, never harsh even a loud volumes, big soundstage, low but not in the least muddy

the next speaker i try will be dynaudio evidence temptation (master is still out of my league for the moment), my dream speaker will be the nautilus once they update the drivers

[RebelMan]

You know Guys

I'm real happy with my 802D's and HTM1D

This is already a dream

Congrats dog!. :T Now where are the (new) pics? :P

[RebelMan]

And don't forget a new home!
Thats the biger Size matter statement I ever saw!

I only picked them for their extreme cost and size. Aside from the Nautilus, I believe I have reached full contentment with my 800D. If I had to reach outside B&W I would probably turn my attention to the price comparable Sonus Faber Elipsa as a realistic alternative. On a performance level I would set my sights on the dreamy Stradivari. I do not care for the aggressive Wilson line but of the range the WP are in the sweet spot for me.

[RebelMan]

Totem.... I like them.... one of the best things to come out of Canada!

I agree some of them are quite amazing. My favorite is the Forest.

[Snap]

I agree some of them are quite amazing. My favorite is the Forest.

yes the Forest are AWESOME... I did a system with the top of the line Tribes.... those things were BAD AZZZZZ as well!

Model 1 I think is my fav!

[gross30]

I will just keep dreaming for a set of Von Schweikert VR-11's. I have never heard them, and chances are probably never will, but that look. Wow...... :T

[george_k]

Quad ESL-2905 if I had the room otherwise Sonus Faber Stradivari

[Nolan B]

I think I would drop everything and move to B&O. Beolab 5s all around. 65'' Plasma with the blue aluminum finish.

[misterdoggy]

Congrats dog!. :T Now where are the (new) pics? :P

Hey Rebelman,

I actually am boasting before I have the HTM1D in hand. It arrives at Lyon Airport tomorrow and I hope it clears customs for me to go and get it Tuesday.

Since it weighs 220lbs I will need a few friends to help bring it from the car to the house.

So while everybody is talking about dream Speakers, for me, the HTM1D is a dream come true. Truly the most impressive Center speaker out there ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x(

I will post picks by the end of the week :T

[jericho]

I absolutely would chose for the McIntosh XRT 1K speakers

[misterdoggy]

Design is important to me Looks and Design

McIntosh is very ordinary IMHO

Sonus Faber has incredible design and craftsmanship, as everything Design Italiano is ie: Ferrari to Versace and gets high marks.

I don't care for Wall's of Sound, or a speaker that relies on quantity rather than quality.

Take the Klispch Horns La Scala for years a great speaker.

I am an artist and designer and IMHO the design of B&W is right up there. Certainly if you want to impress both in the design and performance, you need look no further than the Nautilus ......

I listed Meridian DSP8000's which go for $40-$50k for a pair, but they really don't suit me or I would have headed in that direction.

No B&W my dream and I am happy and haven't changed since the D's came out.

Probably won't until the next version

[wettou]

Hey Rebelman, I actually am boasting before I have the HTM1D in hand. It arrives at Lyon Airport tomorrow and I hope it clears customs for me to go and get it Tuesday. Since it weighs 220lbs I will need a few friends to help bring it from the car to the house. So while everybody is talking about dream Speakers, for me, the HTM1D is a dream come true. Truly the most impressive Center speaker out there. I will post picks by the end of the week :T

Un Français, bonjour Mr. Doggy congratulation on your new purchase. :T

I tried the HTM1D but prefered three 802Ds (L,C,R) identical speakers is so much better for me all the tweeters are the same level makes a hughe difference with movies.

[misterdoggy]

Wettou

you have the height which I do not

but it will be interesting

[skuzzyb]

It was as tossup between the Thiel CS307s and the 802Ds. In the end I went with the 802s because I wanted all my speakers to be timbre matched (more or less, or at least from the same family, im my case B&W 800 family).

I think the Thiels are CS3.7s are an amazing sounding speaker and worth consideration if anyone is looking at spending relatively serious dosh on speakers.

All in all I have what I have always wanted and really do not want or need anything else... well, except for that Audio Research Reference CD7 CD player.

[Relentless]

KHARMA
Grand Exquisite

It may be a toss up between the Kharma's and these.....MBL 101 X-treme

[emig5m]

Anyone else with any "dream speakers" besides B&W???

Legacy Audio - probably the Focus or Classic towers with the Studio bookshelves as surrounds. Actually they where my original first choice over B&W. They have the most impressive wood finish I've seen in person, especially their high gloss rosewood, the finish looks 3 dimensional - beats B&W in this regard hands down. Those Wilson speakers take ugliness to a new level! :E

Anyway I might of wound up with Legacy over B&W but their not as easy to obtain as B&W was for me. I can drive less than 15 minutes away and take home a set of B&W's for in home testing, get prices, buy them, at normal store hours, etc... But with Legacy it's hours of driving to places that are strictly demo locations, some only by appointment, and can't take what I see on the floor to take home and try - this is what sold me the B&W's...how I liked the performance of them in my own home comparing back and forth with my old speakers. I simply said- box those ones up I want to try them in home. Plus B&W had more ranges to choose from for every type of budget range - the B&W 600 series was cheaper and easier to obtain and was a solid upgrade path from my previous speakers so B&W won me out this time around.

[wkhanna]

Sonus Faber Cremona M.

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/sonus/prod_cremona_m.htm

I had the pleasure of listening to these speakers with an Mcintosh MCD-301 and MC252. To describe it in a sentence is almost impossible, but all I will say is that it was smooth like butter. Just wonderful speakers.

I read the recent review in 'Stereophile' on those.
From what they said, I would have them high on my list.

I heard the Janszen EL's and got to talk with the designer, David Janszen. My review can be found here.

V nice.

[Mark_NZ]

Jamo R909 - the overall best loudspeaker I have heard on real world electronics. The R909 has an incredible neutral and accurate fast bass, open high resolution midrange and detailed, if slightly soft, treble.

In comparison to 803D, (though the 801D is probably the fairer comparison), the R909 has a deeper cleaner bass, much better imaging depth, higher resolution cleaner midrange and overall more neutral balance, especially through midbass and midrange.

The 803D has a bit more tonal colour in the midbass, slightly easier on the ears midrange, more precise imaging and that lovely creamy treble due to the diamond tweeter.

While I think the R909 looks great for a large dipole, I love the elegant design profile of the 803D, especially in Rosenut.

[ChrisssB]

*sigh* why oh why you ppl ask such questions????

well I could easily ditch my 804S for some Sonus Faber Cremona M...

[joetama]

I really honestly don't like the sound of many other brands of speakers.

I tend to like a few pro-audio systems and compaines better than most Home Audio speakers.

But, the ones that I do like in the Home Audio world is Dali, PMC and Thiel. Some people find Dali boring but, I find them to be extrodinarly clean and natural. Thiel, is just oddly nice sounding.