Speakers home test > hmmm....

Reference Dynaudio.  No doubt modern amplifiers are more efficient and whilst I have no knowledge of the more recent Dyn models isn't the bigger issue more the space they require?  But yes Adam should definitely try them. 

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Reference Dynaudio.  No doubt modern amplifiers are more efficient and whilst I have no knowledge of the more recent Dyn models isn't the bigger issue more the space they require?  But yes Adam should definitely try them. 

Other than Class D, or those using switch mode power supplies, I'm sure there's any indication that modern amps are more efficient. 

I have no experience of Dynaudio speakers - do they need more space than comparable level speakers of other brands? (Regardless, at least space may not be an issue with Adam's room.)

Space is indeed sufficient.

It's the looks and the sound (in that order, as defined by SWAMBO). 

Any pair that my wife and I will audition must be approved on looks. If it makes it past that selection, then we can audition. And my wife has as keen an ear as me

Adam, I have used Dynaudio C2 with Naim for more than 10 years, I would not worry about power with this speaker. They are in my experience not harder to drive than other speakers in this price range (I would say easier than average), however some other Dynaudio speakers are a bit power demanding. I used them with 250.2, 300 and 300dr no problem at all, obviously with better results with better amps (I assume true for any not seriously flawed speaker design). I also used them temporarily with av recivers, no power issue to these ears. I have not heard the new Contour range but they seem to get rave reviews! Find a dealer and have a quick store demo, then decide I they qualify for your home demo list. I believe you probably will know with in a few minutes if they do the right things for you.

(side note, they work brilliantly with naim standard cables!)

I wish I had not read that, now my itch to upgrade from focus 260 to Confidence C2 is even worse 

I just fell in love with them when I heard them..... 

But Joppe you now moved on the Magico speakers, how does that compare to amazing C2?

Hope Adam doesn't mind me asking the question?

Adam, how are the MA Platinum 300IIs coming along. Any improvement or running in benefits yet?

I know most folk on here don't think Naim and MA mix but I am being constantly surprised by what the GX300s are capable of, particularly with the addition of th 555DR on my NDS. Having said this, there probably are better speaker matches with Naim. Can you get a Kudos demo in Poland? The 707s are very impressive with Naim gear.

Analog, my main reason for my move to new speakers was a slight bass richness after a move to a new appartment a few years  ago. Most would classify it as a mild case and argue that it sounded much better than the prevoius location (and me insane) with more sound stage and details etc.., but the richness stuck to my brain and here I am. 

This also show how esential a home audition is when possible!

As for Magico S1 vs. C2, hmmm hard to describe! But in the end the Magicos make the reproduced music appear more real or live. Obviously as they are roughly 1/3 in volume and a sealed design vs. a ported so bass output is not the same. Some would say lean, or even anemic! Definitively audition at home before you commit!

nigelb posted:

Adam, how are the MA Platinum 300IIs coming along. Any improvement or running in benefits yet?

I know most folk on here don't think Naim and MA mix but I am being constantly surprised by what the GX300s are capable of, particularly with the addition of th 555DR on my NDS. Having said this, there probably are better speaker matches with Naim. Can you get a Kudos demo in Poland? The 707s are very impressive with Naim gear.

Hi Nigel - not much better than my GX300’s at the moment. I think I’m at around 30-40 hours of playback on them. So need another 30-40 hours before I start evaluating them.

Some positive signs are gradually emerging and I like what I’m hearing. Hopefully by the weekend I should be able to start the proper evaluation.

As to Kudos - yes - easily available via my 2nd dealer. He will also arrange Sopra 2’s for a demo.

Timo posted:

If my recollection is correct, at the Acoustica show in Chester, the C30 were driven by a 300DR -- source NDS/555DR, sorry can't remember the preamp, but probably 252/Supercap. Quite a few Forum members attended the Chester show, so maybe someone else can recall the full set-up...

Indeed this was the set up, with superlumina cabling. I felt the C30's very much benefitted from the grunt of the 300DR though. C30's would definitely be on my audition list if I could afford. Can imagine the C60's would be magical. 

Try the big PMC's that were at the National Stadium. They are pretty special- though at the Stadium they were strangely being fed by Cyrus gear :-( [last year the were fed by Esoteric gear and sounded much much better IMHO ]

Wugged Woy posted:

Try the big PMC's that were at the National Stadium. They are pretty special- though at the Stadium they were strangely being fed by Cyrus gear :-( [last year the were fed by Esoteric gear and sounded much much better IMHO ]

Which PMCs were they?

What I think of as big ones start with the MB2s (standmount, with their own stands - but the size means they don't normally get considered as standmounters!), and they have a larger one otherwise visually similar (but 15" bass driver) called BB5. And both MB2 and BB5 have an optional additional bass cabinet (identical in size and appearance) that replaces the stand (and raises the main cabinet) making a stack about 6ft tall, giving even fuller bass and better dynamics (not that most people are likely to think the MB2 lacking!)

Innocent Bystander posted:

Wugged Woy posted:

Try the big PMC's that were at the National Stadium. They are pretty special- though at the Stadium they were strangely being fed by Cyrus gear :-( [last year the were fed by Esoteric gear and sounded much much better IMHO ]

Which PMCs were they?

What I think of as big ones start with the MB2s (standmount, with their own stands - but the size means they don't normally get considered as standmounters!), and they have a larger one otherwise visually similar (but 15" bass driver) called BB5. And both MB2 and BB5 have an optional additional bass cabinet (identical in size and appearance) that replaces the stand (and raises the main cabinet) making a stack about 6ft tall, giving even fuller bass and better dynamics (not that most people are likely to think the MB2 lacking!)

Yes, they were the MB2's  . They are now my 'desert island' speakers. Would have to blind- fold the missus, however.......... 

Wugged Woy posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Wugged Woy posted:

Try the big PMC's that were at the National Stadium. They are pretty special- though at the Stadium they were strangely being fed by Cyrus gear :-( [last year the were fed by Esoteric gear and sounded much much better IMHO ]

Which PMCs were they?

What I think of as big ones start with the MB2s (standmount, with their own stands - but the size means they don't normally get considered as standmounters!), and they have a larger one otherwise visually similar (but 15" bass driver) called BB5. And both MB2 and BB5 have an optional additional bass cabinet (identical in size and appearance) that replaces the stand (and raises the main cabinet) making a stack about 6ft tall, giving even fuller bass and better dynamics (not that most people are likely to think the MB2 lacking!)

Yes, they were the MB2's  . They are now my 'desert island' speakers. Would have to blind- fold the missus, however.......... 

Those were my favourites after my mammoth auditioning tour. But even ex-demo they were too costly, but the old EB1i model I had also auditioned during the tour were a close second, and affordable. When I was offered the ex-dem MB2SEs at a surprising extra discount just after l'd got the EB1s home and set up it was so tempting to change, although  it was still a big price difference. However what swung it was that in my room I'd have had the modify the stands, and in terms of practicalities I'm aware that their even greater weight - sitting on stands - could present a handling problem as I get older and more decrepid... 

Do I regret turning them down? Sometimes, in a way, then I remind myself of the reasons. Then I carried on with my DIY speaker experiments, and have a plan either to build a floorstanding version of the MB2, or modify my EBIs to bring the mid and top up to MB1 standard (see thread on ATC modiied PMCs).

For now there is a very short list, which has been approved by the Boss for auditioning in our living room.
The short list selection criteria are based on sound and looks. This is going to be a tough one....

Monitor Audio Platinum 300II (currently in situ and still sounding bad); Foca Sopra (either 2 or 3). 

No PMCs - not even the very slim and elegant Fact 12?

It’s a tough call here....  

Forgot to add - Atohm GT3 will also be auditioned at home.

Suggestion: find lots of adverts/pics of really ugly speakers and have them constantly visible - magazines, computer screen etc - after a few weeks something that is just rather boring might be perceived as looking good! A few suggestions for starters: (excluding any you know your wife likes) Antony Gallo Reference 3.5 (naked). B&w 802, Wilson Audio Maxx 3, Focal Grande Utopia, Avantguarde Duo (or indeed any speakers with multiple horns protruding) etc.

My wife knows I like Tannoy Westminster Royals. Ever since we stumbled across a pair (in a tiny shop!) she has not commented on the size of speakers even when I have contemplated larger than my old IMF RSPMs. (However, the Tannoys would be a question of her or the speakers...). Size may not be a consideration, but the comparative factor might still work.