Speaker demos - summary
Posted: 2011-11-06 16:21
Hi, having spent app. 6 months evaluating speakers (Linn dealers, my living room, other Linn owners rooms, non Linn dealers) I think it's time for a summary with my thoughts.
As usual musical performance if nothing else specified
Majik; 109 > 140 > Isobarik
Akurate a big step above Majik regardless of age or speaker model.
mkII is better than mkI. The new 242 base is great.
Klimax; still haven't heard them sounding fantastic. 320 is to my ears better than 350.
The better non Linn speakers are roughly on Majik level. = quite good.
Some of the better presented below;
- B&W; 802D very nice, also the sound. 805D quite ok (804D and PM1 not so good)
- Dynaudio Confidence C1 Signature. (7k€ standmount) Ok in mid/treble but the bass was undefined and not as musical as mid/treble. Overall better than the Audiovector described below. Too small to be interesting for me.
- ATC; NIIICE sound but not as musical as Linn better offerings. Not as detailed either. ATC has the old Linn sound so Isobarik lovers going to LOVE the sound. Not difficult to understand that they are popular!
Did I mention the BASS performance? WOW Spot on!
Love the look.
- Atohm GT 3.0. (8k€) Cleraly better than Sonus F, Klipsch and Audio physics Avantera, around same price interval.
- Tannoy. Sweet mid, nice sound. Bass lacked some timing. Need to compare more models.
Tannoy has a direct character in the sound that I like. I also like the approach with few elements and simple Xover. Simplicity rules!
Some of the not so good below:
- Ovator 600 (400 better but Audiovector Avantarde Arante Si3 was clearly a LOT better, also soundwise) A HUUUGE disappointment. Heard Ovators in two different shops and same result.
With a 20k€ Naim setup (their best streamer) and 400's, the Naim system was KILLED by a Meridian setup (Meridan HDD, their small active speakers and 2k€ pre) for less than half the price.
With the Audiovectors instead of S400, the Naim setup was better but still not as musical as the Meridian setup.
- Sonus Fabers; Heard many different models and all have the same house sound. Nice sound but too laid back. No slam and restricted dynamics. Best of SF models were Cremona Elipsa (25k€?)
- Canton (a big 4-way around 25k€) Liked the sound though... Neutral with good bass and slam.
- MBL. (30k€) New technology that spread the sound in all directions. Spread the sound in the room as the old Bricks, GREAT!
Ugly.
Summary, non Linn speakers:
Worst timing and worst sound; no contest - Ovator. What a disgrace.
Best sound and best timing; 802D. A serious alternative to full range Linn speakers if you can trade some musicality for sound?
Need to hear more of; Tannoy!
So folks, what's your experience?
As usual musical performance if nothing else specified
Majik; 109 > 140 > Isobarik
Akurate a big step above Majik regardless of age or speaker model.
mkII is better than mkI. The new 242 base is great.
Klimax; still haven't heard them sounding fantastic. 320 is to my ears better than 350.
The better non Linn speakers are roughly on Majik level. = quite good.
Some of the better presented below;
- B&W; 802D very nice, also the sound. 805D quite ok (804D and PM1 not so good)
- Dynaudio Confidence C1 Signature. (7k€ standmount) Ok in mid/treble but the bass was undefined and not as musical as mid/treble. Overall better than the Audiovector described below. Too small to be interesting for me.
- ATC; NIIICE sound but not as musical as Linn better offerings. Not as detailed either. ATC has the old Linn sound so Isobarik lovers going to LOVE the sound. Not difficult to understand that they are popular!
Did I mention the BASS performance? WOW Spot on!
Love the look.
- Atohm GT 3.0. (8k€) Cleraly better than Sonus F, Klipsch and Audio physics Avantera, around same price interval.
- Tannoy. Sweet mid, nice sound. Bass lacked some timing. Need to compare more models.
Tannoy has a direct character in the sound that I like. I also like the approach with few elements and simple Xover. Simplicity rules!
Some of the not so good below:
- Ovator 600 (400 better but Audiovector Avantarde Arante Si3 was clearly a LOT better, also soundwise) A HUUUGE disappointment. Heard Ovators in two different shops and same result.
With a 20k€ Naim setup (their best streamer) and 400's, the Naim system was KILLED by a Meridian setup (Meridan HDD, their small active speakers and 2k€ pre) for less than half the price.
With the Audiovectors instead of S400, the Naim setup was better but still not as musical as the Meridian setup.
- Sonus Fabers; Heard many different models and all have the same house sound. Nice sound but too laid back. No slam and restricted dynamics. Best of SF models were Cremona Elipsa (25k€?)
- Canton (a big 4-way around 25k€) Liked the sound though... Neutral with good bass and slam.
- MBL. (30k€) New technology that spread the sound in all directions. Spread the sound in the room as the old Bricks, GREAT!
Ugly.
Summary, non Linn speakers:
Worst timing and worst sound; no contest - Ovator. What a disgrace.
Best sound and best timing; 802D. A serious alternative to full range Linn speakers if you can trade some musicality for sound?
Need to hear more of; Tannoy!
So folks, what's your experience?