Time for a change??

Polarbear posted:

There is nothing to be baffled about Peter, I have simply served my time with the ART's, I have had them for ten years, they have grown with my system and have been here for longer than any other speaker I have had. I just fancy a change, I really enjoy the Kudos speakers when I visit Peters and spend time there enjoying them. Its obvious to me that things have moved on since I bought the ART and am looking forward to the next chapter in my journey 

Enjoy: Any demo with Peter is always a pleasure!

Michael_B. posted:

Polarbear posted:

There is nothing to be baffled about Peter, I have simply served my time with the ART's, I have had them for ten years, they have grown with my system and have been here for longer than any other speaker I have had. I just fancy a change, I really enjoy the Kudos speakers when I visit Peters and spend time there enjoying them. Its obvious to me that things have moved on since I bought the ART and am looking forward to the next chapter in my journey 

Enjoy: Any demo with Peter is always a pleasure!

I know   I have to drive by his place every night, I often pop in for coffee and a listen 

Michael_B. posted:

northpole posted:

I'm baffled.  Or rather, should your living room be?  Just wondering PB if there are any passive acoustic baffles available which could help tune your room to damp out excessive bass enabling the Arts to better perform and allow you to enjoy all the other bits which made them appeal to you in the first place.  Or does there come a point where certain laws of physics dictate "Houston, we have a problem".

Looking forward to reading how you get on with the Kudos family!

Peter

Good point. I think my old office/listening room you visited, Nigel, was carpeted at the time. Later on I ripped out the carpets and had a solid oak floor laid on top of the old floorboards, which tightened up the bass remarkably - and that was just with the SL2s and an nSub..... None of which applies, of course, if your room has a solid floor.

Shhh, don't mention that to Karen, she would love a solid oak floor. Not sure it would suit our place though and its not been that long since we had our last re-fit. The last re-fit with new carpet and underlay did improve SQ somewhat 

I was at a local Audio Show today with an old non-audiophile buddy and he (and I) thought the Goldmund setup had the most 'natural sound' - and the speakers were in white & black!

I missed that one, what was the audio show?

Salon Audio Montréal Audio Fest

Well, I don’t understand how changing a carpet for solid flooring can improve bass, and neither do I understand the transient nature of liking a pair of speakers for a while then tiring of them, or wanting more if they were so right earlier, so I think I have to back out of this thread.

all the best with what you decide to go for.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Well, I don’t understand how changing a carpet for solid flooring can improve bass,

all the best with what you decide to go for.

I can understand how changing from carpet to hardwood would increase bass response as hardwood is much more sound reflective than carpet, especially if there was an underlayment as well, but I wonder how it would tighten up the bass for the same reason.  If the room with carpet was sonically kind of soft, mushy, or dead then I suppose the new floor being much more lively and perhaps even resonant would be of benefit.

Tallan posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Well, I don’t understand how changing a carpet for solid flooring can improve bass,

all the best with what you decide to go for.

I can understand how changing from carpet to hardwood would increase bass response as hardwood is much more sound reflective than carpet, especially if there was an underlayment as well, but I wonder how it would tighten up the bass for the same reason.  If the room with carpet was sonically kind of soft, mushy, or dead then I suppose the new floor being much more lively and perhaps even resonant would be of benefit.

In my case the big difference was I believe due to reduced floor flex and resonance with the additional layer of solid wood. I'm no expert on the theory, but believe that the reflection/absorption aspect of carpet is more likely to impact treble frequencies than bass.

The difference in sonic characteristics was, however, very noticeable.

PB - these could be right up your street

Graham Audio VOTU.

Michael_B. posted:

Tallan posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Well, I don’t understand how changing a carpet for solid flooring can improve bass,

all the best with what you decide to go for.

I can understand how changing from carpet to hardwood would increase bass response as hardwood is much more sound reflective than carpet, especially if there was an underlayment as well, but I wonder how it would tighten up the bass for the same reason.  If the room with carpet was sonically kind of soft, mushy, or dead then I suppose the new floor being much more lively and perhaps even resonant would be of benefit.

In my case the big difference was I believe due to reduced floor flex and resonance with the additional layer of solid wood. I'm no expert on the theory, but believe that the reflection/absorption aspect of carpet is more likely to impact treble frequencies than bass.

The difference in sonic characteristics was, however, very noticeable.

"but believe that the reflection/absorption aspect of carpet is more likely to impact treble frequencies than bass."

Maybe.  Most speakers are designed with the tweeters at (approximately) ear level as those drivers beam their sound rather directly.  Woofers on the other hand are almost position-agnostic (almost) as low frequencies reflect all over - this is why many sub-woofer setups have only one box; stereo imaging occurs far more at the mid & high frequencies.  You also have the distance effect; with a standmount speaker the tweeters may be 32" or more above the floor while the woofers are usually almost floor level.  I forget the precise math but I believe it's an inverse square: energy at twice the distance will have one quarter the power and so forth.

In any event you hear what you hear and that's all that matters.  

I would suggest that you consider Magico and YG Acoustics speakers. These are at the top of my short list when I change from my current NBLs. I was prejudiced against all the metal in these speakers, especially the YG with aluminium drivers, but hearing them won me over. I do not think I have ever heard anything better.

Good luck.

Hans

I would have a listen to Magico speakers before any decision. I have only heard S1 mk2 (small floor stander) but thoose I bought... The bigger siblings are supposed to be even better...

Any suggestions as to where I can hear a pair of bigger Magico's in the UK?

  Hello PB.  ,  Active NBLs out !     Just installed a pair of Wilson Sashas ( passive)fantastic Improvment !

Hi PB

There are a couple of sellers on a well known auction site with what look to be big Magicos available for sale but i'm not sure of their demonstration availability.....

Oxford Audio?

KJWestone in central london have the big ones on dem i believe

I can already see the problem with the Magico’s. £56k for the M3’s!  For that money, I think I would be looking at the Statment pre amp. 

Hi PB,

How about the Magico S5 mk II?  They are even cheaper (!) than the M3 but retain the twin 10" drivers that you like.

No temptation then...

Best regards, FT

KJWestOne in London have the M3 and are looking to get the M6. They also have other models of Magico so you could compare to see what the significant additional cost brings.

Good luck, it is a very exciting position to be in!

Well its the end of an era tonight, the big ARTs have left the building and heading up North. I had them for over ten years and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Now on to the next chapter of MJJHTF.  

So what are u using for speakers now, PB?

david

I wonder if a pair of Kudos Titan 808 might make an appearance?

Foot tapper posted:

I wonder if a pair of Kudos Titan 808 might make an appearance?

Methinks it'll be a long-term run in the bear's lair for those FT.