Thank You for this test, super helpful. Stax S3 is somewhat lean, but it has great breathing room for a closed back and is easily the best Bang for the Buck, If I had to go wireless though? Bathys all the way. Personally Going to probably buy the new Focal Azurys.
It seems that the transient response of the newly reissued WE300B tubes has been deliberately slowed down, perhaps to create the characteristic rich sound typically associated with tube amplifiers？
You are doing a great comparison. Your way to compare speaker is unique on your tube, your definitely can do more and attract more viewers. This Monitor Audio Studio speaker is lacking in midrange, critical for human voice. All Monitor Audio speaker are overpriced themselves against competition in recent years.
Accuphase is my preference. I have a certain hearing impairment which predisposes me to favour the lower-mids and the base notes. I don't hear the full spectrum of the mids so that when I hear mids and highs that are minimally "unpleasant" or "off", that's easily amplified into harshness, lack of balance, and/or overbearing sibilance, etc. Because the Luxman seems to predominate (over the Accuphase) in the mids, it more often "runs roughshod" of my listening comfort zone so that by default, Accuphase comes across as the more pleasant experience for my ears. Like hearing aids, it's great that amp manufacturers adopt unique/different sound signatures so that there's always an amp or two that's right for someone with compromised hearing profile.
I do not understand why you would even put the LS3/5A in this test, to me its clearly much outclassed by the other speakers, the other speakers are high end and transparent to varying degrees, the LS3/5A almost sounds coloured. for if is no contest, i think the TAD was the most natural, KEF most neutral and B&W played nice too, they all played much better than the LS3/5A
TAD sounds better but you put those technics too close to the back walls, i think they need more back space , judging from your recording on my monitors...i think i will go for technics its cheap here in EU 🤓TAD is for millionaires here...
Thanks a lot for this comparison, amazing performance vs. price of the Chinese tube, a little harsh and less precise in bass. Takatsuki and new WE are very close, over all I prefer the WE a little more balanced for my taste. Unfortunately Takatsuki 300b is hard to get here in Europe. Airtight 300b mono very impressive, even when playing hard rock...
Tj 300b/n is relaxed sound., Takatsuki is have a good bass. I prefer Tj 300b/n mesh plate. My other favorite tubes are Psvane T mark II , it’s a very smooth presentation.
Thank you for the very helpful comparison video. LS3/5A sounds the most natural to me. TAD and B&W seem to be good at expressing details, but B&W doesn't have good transitions in the mid-high range, giving it a mechanical feel. TAD is also clear, but I feel a resonance-like sound in the midrange. The sound of the LS3/5A has a smoother transition from the midrange to the high range, and perhaps because of the compact, closed design, there is less resonance from the box, allowing me to immerse myself in the music. I think it's amazing considering the price difference.
I did a test in my shop in the 90 ies of small monitors and Rogers LS3/5a came out winner by large....no other speaker was so studied by listening tests....
Great comparison recording! They are all good, very hard to tell if anything is different. Based on the look alone, I like Focal the best. I also think it's sound is well rounded. And, I think it will be great to include HD800S in the comparison.
Currently use the HD6XX and NAN-6 EQ'ed to harman. As much as I enjoy the dynamics on Focals, combine that with their peaky tuning and I find them harsh at times. Moreover, the drivers on my Elex would die once every 3-12 months so I don't think Focal is a brand I'd want to own again. If I ever get a HD800, it'll be for comfort lol.
