What's the (best sounding) High Resolution Speakers You've Heard?

Audioquest

If price isn't a consideration, MBL is sharing the top spot with Wilson Audio, Magico, YG on my list. As far as my real world affordability goes, I've owned several pair of $5000 and under speakers (Revel, Veritas, Magnepan, Logan, Acoustat, etc), and the current Carver Platinums I have are the best to date. Wide and deep soundstage which is not narrowly focused as most I've had, very natural and detailed, and fast. The boxless design really give superb low frequency quality. They are fussy with all upstream gear though which can make or break the experience. I do really like the Polk 2.3's I recently picked up, but haven't really compared them to the Carvers as they are a pain to move to another floor.

reeltrouble1

Face wrote: »

I have 4 woofers from Magico 6's under my bed. :eek:

the real question is what you do with them when they are on instead of under your bed.........

I've been in jail...........

Are you ???????

megasat16

Ricardo wrote: »

Yes the modded MMG's sound better to my ears. I have a pair of micropro 3000's with the maggies, but for most music I don't need them. The wood frames added a lot of low end.

Wood is my favorite materials to enhance the bottom end too. Did you send the MMG to get modded or you did it yourself? Or you mean the mod like in XO upgrades?

mhardy6647 wrote: »

You forgot the 57s :-)

hehe...I leave it out there for you. Dual Stack Quad? Hell Yeah!

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

Sound Lab.

RT1

The big ones may be but too big for my room. Even Mega can't get these big things. How sad! If I move these into the room, I am pretty sure I am the one to move out of the house. Oh well....

TroyD wrote: »

The 988 is a pretty signifcant step up over the 63 in terms of bass and treble extension. Midrange is same. The 2805 is another pretty signifcant step up over the 988 in terms of dynamics. So, coinage not being an option....go 2805 (or 2905 same speaker, two more panels for more bass).

The 63's are getting a little long in the tooth and the panels don't last forever....and they are expensive to fix. The build quality on the 988/2805's is vastly superior.

BDT

Well, I missed 2905 on Agon at a great price. And I also missed a chance to grab SoundLab at a decent dealer price.

I've been busy at work so no time for speaker demo. I hope it'll be soon to listen to some Maggie, Quad and Soundlab at the dealers.

Ricardo

megasat16 wrote: »

Did you send the MMG to get modded or you did it yourself?

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101950&highlight=MMG%2A

resperc

Wilson Watt-Puppy, version 8 (the last one before the new Sasha). It was awesome. If only I had and extra 25 or 26 grand lying around...

TroyD

Megasat16,

If you are interested in Quads, lemme know. I have a pair of 988's and have been thinking of moving them down the road....

BDT

megasat16

Face wrote: »

What is that, Kenwood amps?

What is Ken Wood Amps? May be seeing is not believing? :biggrin:

megasat16

Ricardo wrote: »

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101950&highlight=MMG%2A

Thanks! I've read that thread before. Pretty neat work with the woods and I love the jewel box case for the XO parts.

resperc wrote: »

Wilson Watt-Puppy, version 8 (the last one before the new Sasha). It was awesome. If only I had and extra 25 or 26 grand lying around...

I wish the same too.

TroyD wrote: »

Megasat16,

If you are interested in Quads, lemme know. I have a pair of 988's and have been thinking of moving them down the road....

BDT

Ok! Thanks for the offer. I will keep it in mind. I hope you are getting the bigger Quad too. The newer ones look really nice.

Face

megasat16 wrote: »

What is Ken Wood Amps? May be seeing is not believing? :biggrin:

Ok, sorry. Phase Linear, right? :biggrin:

I'd love to hear a pair of Revel Salon 2's.

reeltrouble1

not all sound labs are giant.

RT1

toucanet

resperc wrote: »

Wilson Watt-Puppy, version 8 (the last one before the new Sasha). It was awesome. If only I had and extra 25 or 26 grand lying around...

If you like these, go to a Wilson dealer and listen to the new Wilson Audio Sophia 3 loudspeakers. It will be worth the time.

megasat16

Face wrote: »

Ok, sorry. Phase Linear, right? :biggrin:

I think the extra long working hours are taking a toll on your visions. Needs Eye Drops? :biggrin:

I'd love to hear a pair of Revel Salon 2's.

I don't mind Revel Salons but If I choose box speakers, it will be from Sonus Faber or Focal Utopias only.

Face

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

the real question is what you do with them when they are on instead of under your bed.........

I've been in jail...........

Are you ???????

Yes, my own prison. :eek:

reeltrouble1

megasat16 wrote: »

If I choose box speakers, it will be from Sonus Faber or Focal Utopias only.

which in your case would leave you in the sandbox..............

catch my late act, I'll be here all weekend.

RT1

megasat16

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

which in your case would leave you in the sandbox..............

catch my late act, I'll be here all weekend.

RT1

Sandy beaches with the small G strings are where I enjoy....But boxy speakers are of a bit concerns for my sands...once they are trapped inside, there is no way to get them out of the boxes.

You don't have any date or something like that? No fishing trip? No chasing rabbits? :biggrin:

I have to drive to San Diego for Sound Lab demo but I am extremely busy right now. And I am not even sure they have the bigger Sound Lab but we'll see......

Rich (SCompRacer) has suggested me Sander ESL panels and I am liking from what I see. But the price tag isn't easy to ignore.

reeltrouble1

you wanna play you gotta pay.

go big or go home.

RT1

tonyb

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

you wanna play you gotta pay.

go big or go home.

RT1

All in favor,,,say " I "........I !!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think I can ever be without a big pair of speakers.

megasat16

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

you wanna play you gotta pay.

go big or go home.

RT1

How BIG?

reeltrouble1

look at the M-1/ M-2 for SoundLab, the 20.1 for Maggie, CLX for Logan and the InnerSound......there is not much similarity between a panel and a planar.....

if you wanna go smaller....quad quad quad quad........

then build a box rig.........

speakers speakers speakers....get ya some speakes......the new Polks are high on my list.

RT1

veerapaneni

for me B&W 800 I beleive.

megasat16

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

look at the M-1/ M-2 for SoundLab, the 20.1 for Maggie, CLX for Logan and the InnerSound......there is not much similarity between a panel and a planar.....

if you wanna go smaller....quad quad quad quad........

then build a box rig.........

speakers speakers speakers....get ya some speakes......the new Polks are high on my list.

RT1

Me buy BIG SPEAKERS! You Buy ME a Mansion! I NEED SPACE!

I am aware of the differences between Planars and ESLs.

I got to ask....How do the ESL guys avoid from Arcing? It's my main concern with the ESL panels.

mhardy6647

My new Altec 604E Duplex-loaded corner cabinets are 9ft^3 internal volume (i.e., they're not small). No replacement for displacement. Not "the highest resolution speakers I've heard" but I am thoroughly pleased with them. A bargain compared to modern "good" speakers, and easy to drive to boot (using SE 2A3 amps right now).

reeltrouble1

megasat16 wrote: »

I got to ask....How do the ESL guys avoid from Arcing? It's my main concern with the ESL panels.

Sound Lab uses a diffusion ring around the perimeter of the panel. As the panel has a charge at some point its going to need to be replaced. Of course they last for years and years, but by running the bias properly the life can be extended considerably, along with that many have found unplugging them after listening is quite viable with no loss of SQ when you replug them for listening sessions.

RT1

SCompRacer

megasat16 wrote: »

I got to ask....How do the ESL guys avoid from Arcing? It's my main concern with the ESL panels.

Starting with the InnerSound Eros MK III’s, Roger Sanders created the UltraStat panel. They have a high-value insulating material over the stators easily identified by long slots instead of holes. The earlier Eros I and II speakers had metal stators. The first design had sharp edges around the holes in the stator, the second design sported smoother countersunk holes. The powder coating might not adhere properly to a sharp edge and could arc.

He also uses a coating that he claims won’t corrode and it is imbedded into the diaphragm material itself so that it cannot come off. Since the coating doesn’t absorb water, humidity has no effect on it. He claims if an arc should form, the coating disperses it so that the arc does not cause a hole in the diaphragm. I've never experienced a problem with the UltraStat panels, while I have with the earlier metal stators. I was able to repair those with his help.

mhardy6647

Don't play an ESL too loud and it shouldn't (ever) arc. Extremes of weather (humidity) are the only other real issue, I'd think. Modern ESLs are much more real-world friendly than the earlier ones. As an Quad ESL-57 owner, I have to be a little cautious :-)

megasat16

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

Sound Lab uses a diffusion ring around the perimeter of the panel. As the panel has a charge at some point its going to need to be replaced. Of course they last for years and years, but by running the bias properly the life can be extended considerably, along with that many have found unplugging them after listening is quite viable with no loss of SQ when you replug them for listening sessions.

RT1

SCompRacer wrote: »

Starting with the InnerSound Eros MK III’s, Roger Sanders created the UltraStat panel. They have a high-value insulating material over the stators easily identified by long slots instead of holes. The earlier Eros I and II speakers had metal stators. The first design had sharp edges around the holes in the stator, the second design sported smoother countersunk holes. The powder coating might not adhere properly to a sharp edge and could arc.

He also uses a coating that he claims won’t corrode and it is imbedded into the diaphragm material itself so that it cannot come off. Since the coating doesn’t absorb water, humidity has no effect on it. He claims if an arc should form, the coating disperses it so that the arc does not cause a hole in the diaphragm. I've never experienced a problem with the UltraStat panels, while I have with the earlier metal stators. I was able to repair those with his help.

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Don't play an ESL too loud and it shouldn't (ever) arc. Extremes of weather (humidity) are the only other real issue, I'd think. Modern ESLs are much more real-world friendly than the earlier ones. As an Quad ESL-57 owner, I have to be a little cautious :-)

Thanks Fellas! I have to think whether ESL is really my thing or not. Time to audition speakers next week.

Did I tell anyone I blew two Carver woofers already? I play LOUD and my plats are always over fed.

I don't have moisture problem in Sunny SoCAL but arcing is still something to consider when I play them loud.

Innersound seems safe for me but the price tag isn't too friendly. SoundLabs might cost me more later than what I bargained for when time to replace those static diffusing rings?

reeltrouble1

no you dont replace those.......sorry for the confusion, the panels last years and years, as said panels have come a very long way, if you drive the SL to the stator it makes a little tick to let you know but does not harm the panel, the diffusion ring allows stray voltage a place to drain, remember the SL show a capacitive load not reactive.

It matters not so much which panel you might find your nirvana in as everything suggested is a fine stat, they are going to give the resolution you talk about like no box can, since the entire panel produces the sound at once, seamless clarity, soundstage, presence, tone and with the SL ample bass. If you simply want to play at awesome gain......get your SDA groove on. One thing I can say about my panels......they make listening at lower levels much more involving, but when you want to rock, no problem getting plenty of gain. I do suppose though I generally hang between 80-95 db, so not exactly soft.......

a trip to the SL website offers plenty of info on stats in general and of course the SL specific technologies.......if you write to Dr. Roger West, owner and designer of the speaker he will respond in short order to questions.

RT1

SCompRacer

megasat16 wrote: »

I play LOUD and my plats are always over fed.

Like Ted, I'm usually in the 80-90dB range. Every now and then, I like it loud and do 115dB. Not for long though...gotta make the ears last.

Some sellers ask too much. I'm thinking present days are pretty much a buyers market. I got my Mk III's for $2800, seen folks on the 'gon asking $3300 or more for them. The III.5's usually go higher due to the automotive finish.

Hawkeye

I'm another one who listens at 80-90. I'm more interested in the sound vice pure volume. Of course, I have driven my Mickeys to the PowerGuard feature (excess of 1000 watts) and never arced the panels. My room is the limiting factor for spl. It is quite small and overloads at very high spl and the sound turns to mush.

By the way, there is a guy at the MLO site offering the Spire for $4700 including shipping. Nice price for a $8k plus speaker. I have no affiliation with this sale, just passing it along since we're talking ESL's here.

Gordon