Speaker pics - your own pair, your next pair, your dream pair

[luckiestmanalive]

We live in frugal times but that doesn't stop us thinking about what might be... so I thought I'd start a voyeuristic thread.

How about posting:
1. a pic of the make and model of loudspeakers you own and how you rate them;
2. a pic of the set of speakers you might realistically own next and why; and/or
3. a pic of your (current) dream set of speakers (cost no object, new or old) and why.

And, of course, I'll go first.

I currently own a pair of Audio Physic Sparks MkII. I love both their look (smallish size, the backward slant, the proportion and symmetry of the drivers and port) and their sound (gorgeous midrange, dynamics, imaging). Sure, they roll off at the bottom and top a little more than is ideal but I'm more than happy with what they do for me.

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Unfortunately, I love 'em so much I struggle to imagine owning another set but I wouldn't turn down a pair of Audio Physic Tempo 25s. They most closely match the look I love but are supposed to be quite a step up in sound quality.

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It might be a bit lame but the tempos are both my next and dream set of loudspeakers at this stage. Still - I have only had my Sparks about 3 years yet. Is there a seven-year itch with loudspeakers?

[too_tall]

Well, I have several sets of speakers floating about.

A pair of Image 412's in the bedroom. These are running on a wee NAD 3020e being fed direct from a little HRT streamer+ in turn being fed by a linux running laptop. It took coaxing to get this to work on the linux OS ( no images, so lifted one from the web, although I suspect everyone on here knows what they look like )
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Then I also have my old Electras, which were at one point very badly damaged. After many, many hours of rebuilding, and quite a considerable sum spent on professional restoration, I have got them back to perfect structural condition and near perfect cosmetic condition. They are currently sitting boxed in my storage room, so again, image from the web. These are probably going to turn into my rear speakers. Overkill, but still, they are truly excellent speakers which will easily run with, or, in my opinion better, B&W 802d's.
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Current main speakers are probably fairly well documented here on Audioenz, but for those newer members,
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Still running the same Perreaux amplification, but now being fed by either an Onkyo processor or a Bel Canto DAC3 which is going to be going at some point before too long as its a little timid. A thorough step upwards as well as sideways from the Electras - these speakers are not as ultra detailed as the Electras, but more musical and definitely have bass which is not only realistic but also has texture that I have rarely heard in any system. Easier to listen to, and you don't actually miss anything in the music, as all the subtleties are there in spades, just not in your face. These run with a Focal chorus center channel ( I need to upgrade it ) and 2 pairs of Focal sib's for surround and front wide duties - not in image. Absolutely no need for a subwoofer.

Also sitting in boxes - Mission 773's, 783's, Pioneer PAX20's in huge cabinets, some Richard Allen 12" driver powered cabinets, pair of Eminence powered twin 15"+ horn pa speakers, JBL eon 515's with 518 sub... I hoard stuffs :p

And the last part of the question - what to from here?

Buggered if I could tell you actually. To scale down the mains yet retain the sonic abilities... well, I am not sure what would manage. I have listened to some of the new Electra 1038be's7269 and they are stunning and actually go very deep, have the same ability to deliver 3d, holographic like imaging, but just are not as subtle and svelte yet literally able to take the leadheads off the roof when its called for. Then, I have also heard the Diablo Utopia 7270
and with a suitable sub, they would be a stunning setup on the right electronics. Do I have a tendency to like Focal? Apparently so. But its based on what my ears tell me - I love the Focal Be tweeters - IMO no tweeter can match them. Their midrange drivers also offer something which I favor over other drivers. And as an overall package, including the sonic abilities, aesthetics and finish, they have few rivals ( Sonus Faber being one, but they tend to not be quite as well suited to my way of listening :) )

[luckiestmanalive]

Nice sharing, TT! I love that you repaired your old Electras. My Sparks were unloved before I bought them, due to transit damage and dodgy repairs. I replaced the repaired circuit with an entirely new one AP had in stock (I was pleased and surprised to find they still carried it in stock!) so they sound like they should.

Love the look of the Diablo Utopia...

[Papa Hemi]

I too am a hoarder, and I do like to change speakers periodically. Currently in our listening area are a pair of Goodmans 201 in open baffles (documented elsewhere).

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In the TV room a beloved pair of Richard Allan CG8T in folded TQWT

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I am (almost) always happy with what I have, I don't really yearn for anything bigger or flasher. I can always switch into the old Corals (seen in the side of the first pic) if I feel like a wall of sound as against the more delicate nature of a single driver.

Pushed tho I would have to choose these for my listening area...

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... and these for the TV room.

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[webbed]

Linbrook Signature Monitors by Tyler Acoustics, USA. Really nice speaker, excellent crossovers, very detailed, fast, great imaging. Really happy with them.

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Next speaker, would love a pair of Maggies.

Lust speaker,Decade D10's by Tyler.

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[pocoloco]

I am currently speakerless having sold my setup :(

The new Hoyt Bedford Type 1's will most be my next set unless I can scrounge enough $$$ for the Omega/Zu equivalent
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seems a bit plain considering all the exorbitantly priced loudspeakers available but I always had a thing for the QM10 & QM60 :p 7281 7282

[AgrAde]

Well, I guess I already have my "attainable dream" speakers, the Image Revelation 2s. To me they look perfect, sound fantastic and no matter what I do to the rest of my system, they won't be a limiting link in the chain.

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Ultimate? I wouldn't mind having a go on the Dynaudio Evidence Master :o

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[rocksteady]

nice Revelations! - what is the veneer/colour on those?

[AgrAde]

I'm told they're the ones in the photograph on the website:
http://www.imageloudspeakers.com/products/revelation2.asp

They're a real wood veneer with a thin coat of paint, satin sort of finish and you can see the wood grain quite clearly up close. They're white during the day and under bright lights, but when I dim the lounge down they do something strange and look quite dark grey. Almost like they've been painted with primer. Looks great though, and I love the lack of grilles.

[chris]

I'm told they're the ones in the photograph on the website:
http://www.imageloudspeakers.com/products/revelation2.asp

They're a real wood veneer with a thin coat of paint, satin sort of finish and you can see the wood grain quite clearly up close. They're white during the day and under bright lights, but when I dim the lounge down they do something strange and look quite dark grey. Almost like they've been painted with primer. Looks great though, and I love the lack of grilles.

The colour is Resene BLACK WHITE and the lacquer we use is from Mirotone. There are approximately 8 coats of lacquer on the real wood veneer. And yes, this pair are unique, and the same ones on the Image website. Happy listening.

[AgrAde]

I would not have guessed that there's 8 coats on there. Thin coats! Perhaps the wood soaked up a bit. "Black white" is a very fitting name.

[foveaux]

1. a pic of the make and model of loudspeakers you own and how you rate them:

Hawthorne Silver Iris' - open baffle
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15" coaxial on top, 15" bass below; own rudimentary baffle design - musically satisfying to my ears - valve amplification matches nicely

2. a pic of the set of speakers you might realistically own next and why:
As above - I have the upgraded 15" coaxials and crossovers - Hawthorne Sterling Silvers' to install when I get some time, by all reports a significant rung up the SQ ladder

3. a pic of your (current) dream set of speakers (cost no object, new or old) and why:
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Hawthorne's best to date - reports on performance are great - could be the ultimate expression of 'open-baffle' sound. I'd be very happy with that,
or
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Yamamoto's 'open-baffle' speakers are sure to deliver too (They could keep the grill cover though!).

I'm clearly in 'man-cave' territory with these speakers - big obvious drivers are not acceptable in the family lounge and I prefer grill-less drivers set against timber!

cheers, f

[Luis]

You've obviously experimented with placement and ended up with the speakers close together, on the deck and in front of some shrubbery. Intriguing.

[Cooksferry]

You've obviously experimented with placement and ended up with the speakers close together, on the deck and in front of some shrubbery. Intriguing.

After a couple of his usual generous tipples the speakers sound good anywhere. ;)
I would love to hear them in a good sized room, shame you didn't have them in Av. St. with your current setup Foveaux.

[luckiestmanalive]

Looks like you favour man-size drivers, f! None of this cow-towing to WAF-mentality by namby-pamby brow-beaten husbands! The open-baffle idea is intriguing...

[foveaux]

You've obviously experimented with placement and ended up with the speakers close together, on the deck and in front of some shrubbery. Intriguing.
haha :D...WAF high on placement though!


Looks like you favour man-size drivers, f!
Rose-tinted memory is a cruel master I serve...(many) years ago in a shop in Golden Bay (manufacturing jeweller - Takaka?) I serendipitously heard some 15" dual concentric Tannoys (Monitor Golds I like to think) in some big gorgeous natural wood cabinets, on the end of valve amplification; and yes, vinyl was being played. I have that sound etched into my DNA.

My listening experience has me focused on :
- Point-source: as near as possible - (and here I concur with pocoloco -his named speakers + crossover-less, get the tick)
Hoyt Bedford Type 1's/Omega
- most musically satisfying midrange
- effortless, dynamic, fluid and coherent sound with my valve amps
= 15" drivers ;)


The open-baffle idea is intriguing...
I was heading down the Linkwitz Orion pathway, then detoured to Hawthorne. Very happy I did.


After a couple of his usual generous tipples the speakers sound good anywhere....ah, the audiophile's secret tweek...cheers Cooks


I would love to hear them in a good sized room, shame you didn't have them in Av. St. with your current setup ...one day mate...one day...

C'est la vie, f

[omegaspeedy]

Current speakers Spendor SP2/3r2 and below some SP100 or Harbeth 40.1's would be my current dream speaker.

[Papa Hemi]

Someone else has a nice newish current speaker then - Siggwan Mod 1s - I hope they went to a good home.

[omegaspeedy]

Someone else has a nice newish current speaker then - Siggwan Mod 1s - I hope they went to a good home.

Still pending Papa, I stated 'Pick-up Only' and someone from Wellington bought them so if he can arrange pick-up he will get them otherwise they will go back for sale (or I'll keep them because I love them:)).