Loudspeaker audition booked

Hi,

Not familiar with either model I’m afraid but enjoy the demo.  Let us know how it works out.  

Regards,

Lindsay

What is the price point on those 2 speakers

Didn’t @Simon-in-Suffolk have a good dive into these small but high quality boxes (perhaps not that) recently? I recall his high praise for Russell K, but some issues with sibilants on boys’ choir chorale (where he had live experience and very specific expectations) led him back to ATC (or PMC, totally different I know, but neither is common here, in my defence!). 

Enjoy your demo!

Regards alan

jsaudio posted:

What is the price point on those 2 speakers

The prices are around £1300 for the ATC and £1000 for the Russell K red 50.

 Ian.

I auditioned these speakers and they are quite different in their presentation. The Russell K's are more lively and exciting, but at the expense of coherence - treble and upper bass had a prominence which really worked with driving music like rock and electronica. The ATCs were more refined with ultimately more detail and nuances coming through, although would reveal a poor recording for what it was. Where they were similar is in their timing where both speakers excelled.

For that price point the Revel 106 punches far above its weight, I have compared these with the Russel k’s, and the Revels were far superior in every department.

alanbass1 posted:

I auditioned these speakers and they are quite different in their presentation. The Russell K's are more lively and exciting, but at the expense of coherence - treble and upper bass had a prominence which really worked with driving music like rock and electronica. The ATCs were more refined with ultimately more detail and nuances coming through, although would reveal a poor recording for what it was. Where they were similar is in their timing where both speakers excelled.

Thanks for this information. I'm looking forward to hearing the difference between them. It's the timing/speed which I'm wanting for my system.

Ian.

At the end of the day, you probably will want to try the one you like best at home, before spending your money.

I haven't heard the Russel K's myself but a friend of mine who auditioned several loudspeakers recently to use with his Naim system said they were too course at the top end for him.

best

David

David Hendon posted:

At the end of the day, you probably will want to try the one you like best at home, before spending your money.

I haven't heard the Russel K's myself but a friend of mine who auditioned several loudspeakers recently to use with his Naim system said they were too course at the top end for him.

best

David

Thanks David that's quite interesting to hear. I've heard this about the Russell K's a couple of times now. My living room is fairly forgiving with carpeted floor etc. But the ATC may just be better suited at the end of the day.

Ian.

I auditioned the Russel K120,s, they certainly get your attention and grab you by the throat and make you listen . I felt they would be tiresome and not something I could live with, and went for PMC 25.26. As ever, you need to listen for yourself, many people like these speakers.

Hi Ian

I know it's easy to spend other people's money but with your electronics, i.e. DAC- V1/NAP200, I'd be raising the budget to around £2K min. if you're looking for a worthwhile upgrade. Have you considered PMC? Not cheap but for good reason I think. Perhaps second hand is an option?

Dave

I'd suggest the approach of listening to more than two different speaker manufacturers while at the dealer. Seems the natural matter of events to me especially if you can immediately discount one over the other.

dave4jazz posted:

Hi Ian

I know it's easy to spend other people's money but with your electronics, i.e. DAC- V1/NAP200, I'd be raising the budget to around £2K min. if you're looking for a worthwhile upgrade. Have you considered PMC? Not cheap but for good reason I think. Perhaps second hand is an option?

Dave

Thanks Dave, I have considered PMC along with several other speakers. I'm sure they are superb with Naim electronics. But I've pretty much convinced myself that the ATC SCM11 would be just perfect for my ears. And from all accounts, sonically they punch way above their price. But as always the proof is in the listening. Let's see what Saturday brings, you never know I'm may decide they are not for me and end up going with something I've not yet considered.

Ian.

joerand posted:

I'd suggest the approach of listening to more than two different speaker manufacturers while at the dealer. Seems the natural matter of events to me especially if you can immediately discount one over the other.

Thanks joerand, yes I'll definitely see what's available and audition accordingly.

Ian.

Ian, be sure to exhaust all speaker candidates without becoming fatigued. Also important to get time alone in the room with the music you want to hear. I've found dealers typically play speakers at volumes much higher than I want. Their rooms are well-damped and they tend to select only tracks with best SQ. Play some edgy recordings you're familiar with.

I suppose you know all this, but having been there/done that, just wishing you a successful audition. It's hard for me to relax and evaluate the musicality of a speaker while the dealer is looking over my shoulder or others are in the room. I make it a point to go in during the relatively idle mid-week, mid-day times for speaker auditions before deciding what I want to get home for demo. Hope your Saturday demo goes well and good luck!

Ancient Mariner, 

I certainly look forward to reading about your experience auditioning the two (and more) makes of speakers mentioned. Its comparison I hope to do at some point!

Ancient Mariner posted:

David Hendon posted:

At the end of the day, you probably will want to try the one you like best at home, before spending your money.

I haven't heard the Russel K's myself but a friend of mine who auditioned several loudspeakers recently to use with his Naim system said they were too course at the top end for him.

best

David

Thanks David that's quite interesting to hear. I've heard this about the Russell K's a couple of times now. My living room is fairly forgiving with carpeted floor etc. But the ATC may just be better suited at the end of the day.

Ian.

In the summer I considered Russell K 50 and 100, ATC scm11 and Neat Motive 2 speakers to replace my PMC 20.21s. Easily the best in a carpeted room of roughly 21ft by 10ft were the ATCs. The Russell K 100 and Neats could not compare. The smaller 50 I did not listen to at home. The only reason I did not buy the ATCs was because an oak finish was not available.

Eventually, only a few weeks ago I purchased the new ProAc Tablette 10 which suited me perfectly, perhaps you could give those a listen also.

joerand posted:

Ian, be sure to exhaust all speaker candidates without becoming fatigued. Also important to get time alone in the room with the music you want to hear. I've found dealers typically play speakers at volumes much higher than I want. Their rooms are well-damped and they tend to select only tracks with best SQ. Play some edgy recordings you're familiar with.

I suppose you know all this, but having been there/done that, just wishing you a successful audition. It's hard for me to relax and evaluate the musicality of a speaker while the dealer is looking over my shoulder or others are in the room. I make it a point to go in during the relatively idle mid-week, mid-day times for speaker auditions before deciding what I want to get home for demo. Hope your Saturday demo goes well and good luck!

Many thanks joerand for the very good tips, much appreciated.

Ian.

Charles44 posted:

Ancient Mariner posted:

David Hendon posted:

At the end of the day, you probably will want to try the one you like best at home, before spending your money.

I haven't heard the Russel K's myself but a friend of mine who auditioned several loudspeakers recently to use with his Naim system said they were too course at the top end for him.

best

David

Thanks David that's quite interesting to hear. I've heard this about the Russell K's a couple of times now. My living room is fairly forgiving with carpeted floor etc. But the ATC may just be better suited at the end of the day.

Ian.

In the summer I considered Russell K 50 and 100, ATC scm11 and Neat Motive 2 speakers to replace my PMC 20.21s. Easily the best in a carpeted room of roughly 21ft by 10ft were the ATCs. The Russell K 100 and Neats could not compare. The smaller 50 I did not listen to at home. The only reason I did not buy the ATCs was because an oak finish was not available.

Eventually, only a few weeks ago I purchased the new ProAc Tablette 10 which suited me perfectly, perhaps you could give those a listen also.

 

Thanks Charles44 unfortunately as good as the new ProAc Tablette 10 is. I'm almost certain the dealer I have booked the audition with doesn't sell ProAC speakers. I would have to book a separate audition elsewhere. Which of course is no major problem.

Ian

joerand posted:

Ian, be sure to exhaust all speaker candidates without becoming fatigued. Also important to get time alone in the room with the music you want to hear. I've found dealers typically play speakers at volumes much higher than I want. Their rooms are well-damped and they tend to select only tracks with best SQ. Play some edgy recordings you're familiar with.

I suppose you know all this, but having been there/done that, just wishing you a successful audition. It's hard for me to relax and evaluate the musicality of a speaker while the dealer is looking over my shoulder or others are in the room. I make it a point to go in during the relatively idle mid-week, mid-day times for speaker auditions before deciding what I want to get home for demo. Hope your Saturday demo goes well and good luck!

Such a lot of hard earned wisdom and good advice in this post ... Obviously well worn experience for Joe! Dealers play what they think sounds impressive and sadly, that’s rarely good music. They will probably use a streamer, so ask in advance if you can bring 4 or 5 of your own CDs for them to rip into their system for you to listen to, just in case their selections are all ‘marginal’ for your tastes. Equally, make sure your selected discs are your favourite music as opposed to what sounds impressive on your current system. Pretend your taking along your desert island discs. This is the music that long-term you really want to hear sound as involving as possible. Above all, relax, take it at your pace and have fun. 

kevin J Carden posted:

joerand posted:

Ian, be sure to exhaust all speaker candidates without becoming fatigued. Also important to get time alone in the room with the music you want to hear. I've found dealers typically play speakers at volumes much higher than I want. Their rooms are well-damped and they tend to select only tracks with best SQ. Play some edgy recordings you're familiar with.

I suppose you know all this, but having been there/done that, just wishing you a successful audition. It's hard for me to relax and evaluate the musicality of a speaker while the dealer is looking over my shoulder or others are in the room. I make it a point to go in during the relatively idle mid-week, mid-day times for speaker auditions before deciding what I want to get home for demo. Hope your Saturday demo goes well and good luck!

Such a lot of hard earned wisdom and good advice in this post ... Obviously well worn experience for Joe! Dealers play what they think sounds impressive and sadly, that’s rarely good music. They will probably use a streamer, so ask in advance if you can bring 4 or 5 of your own CDs for them to rip into their system for you to listen to, just in case their selections are all ‘marginal’ for your tastes. Equally, make sure your selected discs are your favourite music as opposed to what sounds impressive on your current system. Pretend your taking along your desert island discs. This is the music that long-term you really want to hear sound as involving as possible. Above all, relax, take it at your pace and have fun. 

Thanks Kevin, yes I'll definitely be taking along some of my favourite music with me. It's a good way of comparing things, to some degree anyway. Really looking forward to it, not long to go now.

Ian.

So how did the demo go? 

Yetizone posted:

So how did the demo go? 

Thanks Yetizone. Decided to go with the ATC in the end, just edged for me. So I've ordered them in cherry and will take approximately 4 weeks to arrive. I'll be doing a more detailed write up tomorrow.

Ian.

Fab - congrats on the new purchase!

Ancient Mariner posted:

Decided to go with the ATC in the end, just edged for me. So I've ordered them in cherry and will take approximately 4 weeks to arrive. I'll be doing a more detailed write up tomorrow.

Congrats Ian! Looking forward to your write up. I've been waiting almost seven months for the lone ATC dealer in my region to get in a pair of SCM40v2 for demo. They are reportedly in shipment now (fingers crossed). I suppose you'll be getting the 12 or 19, but I'll still be very interested to hear the factors in your decision to go with ATC.