Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
Totem Model 1
We get requests all the time from readers who want to know what audio components others have purchased. What we're looking for is a description of what loudspeaker products you own and why you like them. Here goes . . .
I use Vienna Acoustic speakers for home theater and audio. I have Vienna Acoustics Bach for mains, Hadyn for rears and I ordered the Theatro for center channel. The Bach are terrific for audio only listening. I called Sumiko and received instructions for setup including filling the bottom compartment with sands adjusting spikes so the speaker sits at an angle and a few other tips. I love the Bach, sweet highs and tight bass. I highly recommend the entire Vienna Acoustic line.
I am lucky to own a pair of horn speakers made by Living Voice, a UK company. They are huge and hugely expensive, but when I heard them at a hi-fi show, I knew that these were the speakers I had been searching for. The right horns, used with a simple SE amp, playing those large black discs, is the only way I can listen to music, as opposed to hi-fi. As yet, Living Voice Air Scouts are not imported into the US, and if they were, they would unfortunately cost well over $30,000. However, you have your own Bruce Edgar with his Edgarhorns for a lot less than this. I urge everyone to seek out and listen to horns. Although large, I listen to mine in a 12x10 foot room and they are glorious. These are the speakers I will be buried with.
My main system uses PSB Stratus Mini speakers. My room is only 15.5' X 13' X 7' so I wanted a high quality mini monitor that I could afford. Based on J.A.s review, I listened to the PSBs and found them to give me the type of sound I was looking for. Good imaging, soundstaging and bass down to about 40hz in my room. Are they the best, probablly not. But they sound good to me and were affordable, so I'm happy.
I have three sets of speakers: main system Thiel CS 2 ( soon to be replace by CS 2.3)powered by a Audio Research VT 100 MkII; outboard TV speakers Rogers LS3/5A's currently run from the TV; secondary music system in the "Computer Room" Met 7's powered by a Bryston 2B
A couple of years ago a bought a pair of Audio Concepts Sapphire IIIs along with their Titan powered subwoofer. No other equipment purchase has added as much to my enjoyment of music. The Sapphires are transparent, expressive, rhythmically right. And the Titan sub blends in seamlessly.
Wilson WITT, Series II: Purchased after trading in WATT/Puppy 5.1 (the upper frequencies made most all of my CD's far too harsh to listen to) and Dunlavy SC-IV and to me, in my home with my equiptment, presents a more complete presentation of recorded music and is very satisfing!!!
My speakers for the last 10 years have been Magnepan's MG1, and this year I'll be upgrading to the Magnepan 1.6QR, moving the MG1s to the rear for my surrounds. I love the smooth, large sound of these speakers. My speaker for life.