Love it. The S40s get trashed on ASR but blew me away in a demo on stands in a treated room. I could definitely hear the cabinet resonance at loud volume but the tweeter and bass extension and slam are just amazing for a 2-way bookshelf. Such a shocking performer. For comparison, $10K Revels floors floorstanders I heard right after left me cold with their excessively clinical high end. Contour 60i, as well. If my room was smaller I would probably pick up a pair and just run room correction and boost the mids a little.
Good review from a Filipino have ordered a pair of Elacs debut 2.0 b6.2. Was choosing between Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 but because of its rear port most reviews tell it is difficult for proper placement unlike the B6.2.
So mine modest opinion: SMC 19, SMC11, Tekton Impact and than LS50. Both models of SMCs benefit of additional subwoofer. Mine choice should be SMC 11 plus SVS 1000 SB
I have the Opticon 1 and had the Menuet SE. The Opticon 1 for me are easy on the amp, do not require as much power as the SPL per watt exceeds what Dali published. The Menuet SE were more difficult as it drops as low as 3.5 ohms and about 4 give or take dbl less per watt than Opticons. Also, the Menuet SE was too refined for my tastes. On a sub, the Opticon 1 is a very nice speaker system for both music and movies. The Rubicon 2 falls in between the power needed to drive to higher SPLs. Don't know how they perform at lower volumes but expect it will have more bass, midrange weight and clarity over the Opticon 1 I have. By how can't say. Probably a bit brighter too. As to difficulty driving, I think they would be an easy enough load and more power by an amp with good current output will tighten and speed up the bass. Tempted myself, but I like the form factor of the smaller Opticon 1 and on a sub, I am probably close enough to Rubicon performance at the SPLs I listen at. If you want higher SPLs say for rock, etc., the Rubicons would perform better, sound larger, etc. At 14 in tall, still packs a punch in a relatively small cabinet that needs at least say 15 inches from back wall. Can't say which amp would be best for the Rubicon but I like/prefer smooth over too energetic of an amp for longer listening. Alot of options and many would work with differences in flavor. I tend to avoid amps with an over emphasis on bass that's boomy and sluggish vs tight and fast.
I just got around to installing my CX A80, but I was not aware it did not give you the option to attenuate lower frequencies on the speaker outputs,such as a high pass crossover . I have those slim paradigm millinial series full range speakers , and they are distorting from low frequencies. I have a 12 inch paradigm sub for lower frequency duties . Not sure what my options are other than using passive bass blockers for the main speakers or a passive crossover network ?
Love the holographic sound signature and the wonderful instruments separation of the Tannoys. But it sounds lean too to my ears. Do you know a pair of speakers that are as good as these Tannoys in terms of the above mentioned strength but don't sound lean? Thinking of upgrading but don't know what to upgrade to. Have you heard of the Fyne audio 502s maybe?
As the ATC 19s are my reference speaker, I should compare the Revel M126Be to them some time. ATC will excel in the mids as that's their thing, I get all the based needed from dual subs covering 100hz and below. In a two way speaker, something has to give and adding base is the easy part. Great mids and highs are not...BTW, as of now (2024) they cost approx same in the US, give or take a few $.
I just subscribed to your channel! As a student of sensory and social psychology who's had a lifelong interest in audio an instrumentation I find this topic fascinating. Keep up the good work even if none of the more mainstream audio channels are listening! At least, you will resemble a super tweeter! Thanks for the great material. You are appreciated!
If you do not like building why did you? I run mine into a pair of DIY Hestia OB Speakers which are about 91 spl. Plenty of volume for my modest living room. And for twice the price the Aegir should come out ahead although in hifi this is often not the case. I push my Amp Camp with an Emotiva PT2 preamp and it pairs nicely.with it. I very much enjoy the building part so it works for me.
I own both of these. The zu are better for live and instrumental music... But are more sloppy and less precise than the ls50. Ls50 is more of an audiophile speaker. The zu are more enjoyable than the ls50 for certain types of music.
Roksan used to be available in the US, but I had problems with some of their product in the 90's. They seem to have made some changes, improved their product, and decided not to come back to the US.
Why is the sound secoundary ? Its the reason I have loudspeakrs to improve the sound quality, thats what HiFi is about. I use a HiFi System to listen to music and not music to listen to the gear. Its like a bought a house and garden with lawn so I can own a lawnmower and use it ;-)
Thanks for your great channel. So which is the best amp by ranking, what is the best amp and what is the second best amp in this comparison? Kind regards
Thank you for the review. I do not know the 5si what I have here is the xs2 and I also do not find it to be calling attention to details. Musical it is a lot. Voincing being how they are this amplifier till now gived me the most sence of realinzm in human voice compared to many amplifiers. What I do not like is thet midbase bump, which kindf of is a part of its overall musical presentation but to me up until now only sealed speakers did work or I had to place anythink at least 4 feet from the wall. What I love about this amp is its upper frequencies which I find to be just right. I know my last two sentences are quite oposit of what normaly is liked and not liked about naim gear:) , However rega elex - r and any other is absolutely not acceptable for me because it as only amp which I tried kind of changes some sounds, and as well as it is able to play some things realy nice it is also able to errase texture
I put the LS50 Meta's side by side with the Totem Bison monitors. Same size woofers, but the Totem was better in everything except cabinet coloration. The Kef enclosure was pretty inert. For me, the Totem was a no-brainer. I want to get a pair of these ATC's and put them next to the Totems and see how they compare.
This whole comparison is about 1 guys opinion and we NEVER even get a comparison on this site, just a bunch of talking. I could get that from an article or blog!
