Speakers at Bristol Show

Neat Iota Xplorer impressed many who heard them. The amp used was quite a bit less powerful than a 250 - Heed Elixir, 50w and £750 ish. I also thought the Kudos 505 was the best speaker I've heard by them, but personally I'd baulk at £6.5k. I also heard the active ATC 40s but not my cup of tea.

I heard the Dynaudio Special 40s and they sounded very good indeed, but with a full-blown Classic Naim rig behind them.

The Kudos 505s were even better and so they should be and I realise these are out of your price range. I mention it though because they were being driven by a 'bare' Nova and this combo was rather special IMHO. Here's an off the wall idea. If you sold your 250DR, would you be able to afford the 505s? Bonkers I know but bare Nova/505 combo is superb to these ears. This also goes against the grain of the 'source first' mantra which I have always leant towards. I guess however there are exceptions to the rule.

Did any of you heard these JBL Model 4312SE paired with Primare amp? Wow these speakers sounded fantastic. Sort of old fashioned clear and relaxed sound. For me this was the biggest surprise during Bristol show. Shame that these speakers, as far as I could find, are only available in the US.

Did anyone see the new Spendor A7's in the flesh? There is conflicting photos online with some showing at as 2 way similar to the A6R and another showing a 2.5 way similar to the D7. Which is correct?

Mercky 

Some kind soul has filmed the whole thing (uploaded to YouTube) and it shows the A7 as a 2 way speaker design.
The online stuff suggesting otherwise appears to be from 2010.

Mercky posted:

Did anyone see the new Spendor A7's in the flesh? There is conflicting photos online with some showing at as 2 way similar to the A6R and another showing a 2.5 way similar to the D7. Which is correct?

More like the A6R nothing like the D7 not sure what they were using to drive them but they were not doing them any favours.

PCD - yes, that's not sounding encouraging for Spendor is it?
I am looking for something that gets very close to the D7. I'll want to listen to them with my own Naim kit before I make any decisions mind.

1GiantLeap posted:

PCD - yes, that's not sounding encouraging for Spendor is it?
I am looking for something that gets very close to the D7. I'll want to listen to them with my own Naim kit before I make any decisions mind.

Wise move, I was quite disappointed at some of the sounds I heard at the show heard much better in previous years.

Stars of the show for me were Spendor D9 and PMC Fact 12 but cost a little high for me!! D7's seem to get good feedback.

Woj posted:

Did any of you heard these JBL Model 4312SE paired with Primare amp? Wow these speakers sounded fantastic. Sort of old fashioned clear and relaxed sound. For me this was the biggest surprise during Bristol show. Shame that these speakers, as far as I could find, are only available in the US.

Woj, these are available at a dealer in Copenhagen, I have long been tempted to go and hear them, your comments are refreshing and very welcomed.

I have allways been a fan of the old JbL sound even many of them have compromises they are in some ways great, perhaps more on modern or rock. I listen primarily at jazz and classical but have a lot beat/rock on vinyl from younger days, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple etc..

Strange if these speakers are not UK available ?

They are priced in the €3K region here, so not cheap

Woj posted:

Did any of you heard these JBL Model 4312SE paired with Primare amp? Wow these speakers sounded fantastic.

No surprise there! My Nait2 / JBL's completely put to shame my 82/Hc/250/ Dynaudio speakers on rock music.

Last year I went to see my friend how has got an old JBL Model 112. These sounded fantastic as well but these 4312 were just amazing - made me feel exciting possibly because they reminded me the sound from my youth.... We went to each room at the show but we only spent more time listening to these JBL's and the Audio Note. Although AN are not my favorite speakers (I think they are a little bit dull - lacking highs) but they had a live performance of cello player (Vincent Belanger). This was a good experience (which actually confirmed to me that AN speakers are lacking high frequencies) to listend to this musician. I even bought his LP which is beautifully recorded with a very good classical/jazz music.  Anyway...i think JBL should sound good with non-rock music. In the room we were listening to some rock and jazz actually and both genders sounded stunning. I found that these JBL 4312 can be purchased in the US just for over £600 pounds....If I only did not build my own speakers last month.....

Try the Obsidian Prophet Mk2 ..........  

Thanks for all the comments so far. Any more support for ATC SCM 11 - if they were on dem as promised in show catalogue? I heard higher spec Dynaudio Contour floorstanders partnered by, I think NDS/252/300, at Acoustica Show a couple of years ago and the sound was fabulous. I also heard cheap Dynaudio?? and Atom making a wonderful sound at, I think,  Bristol last year

I listened to ATC's. When i entered the room Pink Floyd song was played  (wish you were here) and while it sounded OK I have heard this song performed much better.   To me it was very dry and not engaging. 

A bit left field, but I thought the Harbeth SHL5+ were a welcome musical relief from the cacophony of many rooms. I’m seriously tempted to put these on my possibles list. Too laid back and not enough bass for most on this forum, but I found the longer I listened to them the more I wanted to stay listening. The exact opposite of almost every other room I visited. 

Shropshire Hills posted:

Thanks for all the comments so far. Any more support for ATC SCM 11 - if they were on dem as promised in show catalogue? I heard higher spec Dynaudio Contour floorstanders partnered by, I think NDS/252/300, at Acoustica Show a couple of years ago and the sound was fabulous. I also heard cheap Dynaudio?? and Atom making a wonderful sound at, I think,  Bristol last year

I also heard the Dyn Contours at the Acoustica show and greatly enjoyed the sound.  Likewise the Dynaudio Emit M20s driven by an Atom were a fun combination.  However, I would not give up on the ATCs without hearing them first; at least I think they deserve a listen.  You might note that Acoustica now stock ATC and have indicated that ATC will be exhibiting at this year's show (April 14-15).  Why not pop up to Chester and have a listen either at the show or at the Acoustica showroom?

People's tastes in speakers vary so much that you need to take all assessments of speakers, mine included, with a pinch of salt, but the one thing nearly all listeners seem to agree on is that ATC's active speakers really are something special.  And that includes the active 19s which might suit your small room better than the 40s.

Roger

Hi Roger

Thanks for your input. Yes I recently realised that Acoustica now stock ATC and so I will certainly head along and listen to both ATC and Dynaudio and perhaps a few others at their March show. ATC appeals as they are sealed boxes, like my n-Sats, and so can be positioned close to a rear wall and they seem to generally get plenty of approval.  Active ATCs would be great but too expensive for now although as they include power amps there is a considerable saving in money and boxes there. An updated 272 with the new streaming platform (if it ever comes) and ATC 19A should be rather tasty

Bob

nigelb posted:

I heard the Dynaudio Special 40s and they sounded very good indeed, but with a full-blown Classic Naim rig behind them.

The Kudos 505s were even better and so they should be and I realise these are out of your price range. I mention it though because they were being driven by a 'bare' Nova and this combo was rather special IMHO. Here's an off the wall idea. If you sold your 250DR, would you be able to afford the 505s? Bonkers I know but bare Nova/505 combo is superb to these ears. This also goes against the grain of the 'source first' mantra which I have always leant towards. I guess however there are exceptions to the rule.

Always told you so Nigel - right speakers right room

Hi Nigel

i don’t really need the 250DR with the Nova but I am hoping there will eventually be a new 272 with the updated new platform. If so I will trade the Nova in and go for a 272/250DR plus maybe a power supply on the 272. If the 272 is not updated then probably a NDX2 and either a Supernait 2 with the 250DR traded towards a power supply on one of the boxes or, heaven forbid, go better with 282/250DR. Short answer it’s staying for now and keeping all options open and decide later in the year

Bob

kevin J Carden posted:

A bit left field, but I thought the Harbeth SHL5+ were a welcome musical relief from the cacophony of many rooms. I’m seriously tempted to put these on my possibles list. Too laid back and not enough bass for most on this forum, but I found the longer I listened to them the more I wanted to stay listening. The exact opposite of almost every other room I visited. 

Yeah, I don't know what it is about this speaker. Every time I have spent time listening to it I am always a bit captivated. Almost zero fatigue...

It's so important to demo speakers at home as they will sound completely different to what you hear at a show. Your shortlist of ATC SCM 11, Dynaudio Special 40, and PMC 25/23 is a good one. I would also add SCM19, SCM40, SCM19A, and SCM40A if budget and room allows.

I own SCM40A and consider them a masterpiece  

Shropshire Hills posted:

Hi Nigel

i don’t really need the 250DR with the Nova but I am hoping there will eventually be a new 272 with the updated new platform. If so I will trade the Nova in and go for a 272/250DR plus maybe a power supply on the 272. If the 272 is not updated then probably a NDX2 and either a Supernait 2 with the 250DR traded towards a power supply on one of the boxes or, heaven forbid, go better with 282/250DR. Short answer it’s staying for now and keeping all options open and decide later in the year

Bob

Bob, very sensible approach. I got a bit carried away with how superb the Nova is with the new Kudos 505s. If you are interested, try and get a demo one day of the Kudos 505s with either your Nova or your planned amplification. I think you will be amazed.

kevin J Carden posted:

A bit left field, but I thought the Harbeth SHL5+ were a welcome musical relief from the cacophony of many rooms. I’m seriously tempted to put these on my possibles list. Too laid back and not enough bass for most on this forum, but I found the longer I listened to them the more I wanted to stay listening. The exact opposite of almost every other room I visited. 

With your present choice of speakers, i'm not surprised. I'll be interested in what you end up with, Kevin. 

James

Halloween Man posted:

It's so important to demo speakers at home as they will sound completely different to what you hear at a show. Your shortlist of ATC SCM 11, Dynaudio Special 40, and PMC 25/23 is a good one. I would also add SCM19, SCM40, SCM19A, and SCM40A if budget and room allows.

I own SCM40A and consider them a masterpiece  

Thanks Halloween

I will certainly add the SCM19 and 19A to the list. The 40’s will definitely be too powerful for my small dedicated listening room. The 19A looks a good choice and the saving by omitting the power amp makes them very competitive. Do you have a pre-amp or use your Hugo for this purpose? Is there a good ATC dealer in the Midlands you can recommend?

Out of interest, a few years ago I spent many happy hours listening to a fine pair of ATC SCM40s in the company of a couple of ex-pats who live on the edge of a small village at 2000’ on the west side of La Palma, a small island in the Canaries. Rob, the owner, could not find any Spanish dealer who could supply the speakers. ATC came to the rescue and shipped a pair direct to him at what he told me was a very decent price 

Bob