I really enjoy your channel, the products that you review, and the comments that you provide. I started watching your channel with the first cable making video you made and with that I hope I am lucky enough to win these cables...Thank you for what you do!!!
I was just about to post the exact same comment lol. I enjoy watching this channel slowly grow from that very first video that caught my attention. One of my hobbies is making digital and analogue interconnects and have picked up very useful advice from here. Good work T-mar!
@@Tharbamar Oh thats alright. I've already amassed quite a few DIY interconnects in just about every configuration possible. So far, my ears seem to enjoy RG6 coaxial terminated with MCM Gold RCA connectors
I am a new follower to that channel. Finally, a music lover who understands what this hobby is all about. I stop by at least once a day. Keep up the good work and thank you for keeping the tradition alive.
I love how you bring your honest thoughts on practical affordable audio. It allows many who are getting into the game to know you don't have to mortgage your home to have a high-end system.
I was surprised by the final choice of the B&W 603 s2 AE. I really thought you were going to choose either of the Wharfedales. Great channel. Keep up the fabulous job!
I was too. I thought the Quads would take top honor. I am sure the 603 S2 AE's are very similar in sonic characteristics to the 606 S2 AE's that I just sent back. I chose the Quads over them. Not that the B&W's are bad, in fact quite the opposite. VERY good speaker. If I hadn't have heard the Quads or owned a dynamic speaker like the ZU's, I would have kept them. The B&W's sounded like a tower speaker. That's how much authority they played with, but I just like how real everything sounds on the Quads. Nothing over hyped.
I really appreciate how your videos are slow in pace and step by step. I have had several ideas for some of my own projects after watching your how-to videos.
One of the few reviewers that actually know what the hell they're talkin about so take note!🤓🤗 And as you can see with the edit, I actually made that comment before knowing you was giving away speaker cables which I hope tells you something!😇
Was beginning to feel like KEF had paid off every reviewer online to pump the LS50 Metas! Tharbamar is a breath of fresh air in this space giving his honest thoughts. Glad I stumbled upon this channel!
@Peace I just got them for 3 weeks and I got to admit that I did not like them at all in the beginning.... But since break in start to get huge positif effect on them I would say : - Big sound (not sound like a small speaker) - Bass presence. - and the most important which I was the most disappointed in the beginning: voice which start to be more present. But I realized that my room di not suited them because of stationary frequency that I got....that I don't with my previous concept 20
Hi it’s been more than a year this thing your videos I believe you are one of the most knowledgeable and honest and I mean honest person I ever heard keep on doing your job thank you for your contribution
Those Elysian 2 are simply beautiful. I've always wanted a pair of Wharfedales! In my youth were their E-Series. The E-50 actually cost more than my JBL L-166. So I settled. Went through a lot of vapor deposit aluminum dome tweeters back then! Lol My introduction to KEF eventually led me to their Reference 105/3S over my B&W 802 Matrix S2. I wonder could the old generation Uni-Q driver be swapped for the new stuff? 🤷 I still like them that much!
Hey, Quad S-2 took second place?! Lol. That’s a super good looking list. I can see why you picked the B&W 603 Anniversary, the new 6 series is super good. I just got done listening to 606 S2 Anniversaries for about a week now. I ended up sending them back but it was hard to do so. I really enjoyed them, I just enjoy the Quads more. If you get a chance to audition ZU Audio Speakers in 2021, I’d highly suggest it. Especially the Omen Dirty Weekends at a starting price of only $1000, they’re a steal! Very fun and engaging speaker. Thanks again for all of your straight forward reviews. You too have a wonderful day!
@@Cooliewhistles , I already have one pair and another pair on the way. That’s how much I love them. I’ve been rotating other bookshelves in and out of my two channel room for 3 years. I finally have something worthy of keeping for years of enjoyment. The other pair are going into my living room system. And I have absolutely no idea why these don’t get the praise they deserve. It’s simply a fact that nobody knows anything about them. Damn shame, a great speaker gets overlooked because of no presence in the US market. People only remember the panel Quad speakers. It’s so simple, if you want to hear your music sound like real music, real instruments and real voices with no exaggerated highs, mids or low’s, I’ve never heard a speaker do it better than the Quads.
@@munadiharsono9829 It's a completely different listening experience. The Quads are an, IMO, the perfect "audiophile" speaker. It does everything right. Very balanced, massive deep sound stage. It's the complete aural experience. It's my go to speaker for vocals, acoustics, jazz, instrumental. I get goosebumps with some female vocals. Now the ZU's do that too but they are my go to speaker for big scale dynamics. More of a lively sound. They are what I would call an "audiophile" rock speaker. If I want to listen to Metallica, NIN, Primus, that's the speaker I would go to. The ZU's are the complete package, they give you an aural experience along with a palpable , tangible and visceral experience. Like being at a live venue. Those scale dynamics. Kick drums punch you in the chest. And man do they sound good doing so. I had Primus cranked, not too long ago, on my ZU's with 107db peaks! And they still played with composure. I've never found the ZU's limits. And I have abused them. I couldn't do what I do with the ZU's with the Quads. If I could chose only ONE speaker to live with everyday forever. The ZU's hands down. But....... I get to mix it up and listen to multiple systems. But if vocals, acoustics, jazz, instrumental are your only genre of music and you don't need nor want to rattle the pictures off of you walls. I might go with the Quads. With that said, the ZU's are no slouch with all that type of music either, I can be playing Megadeath one minute and Diana Krall the next. They're that good. Hope that helps.
@@jeffadams9699 Thanks for the comprehensive insight, surely will audition Zu's. have been searching for an endgame speaker to compare with glowing reviews of Tektons.
Impressive review for top 5 speakers. I'm surprised you liked the cost no object Wharfdale stand mount over rhe TAD 1 Looks like I missed the drawing for your DIY cables. Will try catch next one.
Completely agree on the Quad S2 pick. I tested it and liked it so much I upgraded to the Quad Z2. And happy ever since (paired to a Musical Fidelity M5si)
@@skylordsrebornpvpreplays5795 SQ is very simular, the bass on the S2 is actually very good, but if you have a bigger room, the Z2 will fill it better. Overall, the Z2 tops the S2 as it should. Not a huge difference however, and you need a good pre/amplifier, DAC, cables, power filter, etc. to hear the difference I believe. If your pre+amp/integrated is under 1500 euros and you use cheap cables, etc. and if you are streaming over wifi, etc. you probably not going to hear a huge difference.
@@RFerreira2009 see my other reaction, basically they play better in my room. The S2 were maybe just on the small side..... but overall not a huge difference, just a bit more power, bit more space, stage, etc. Still great with female vocals..... Can't wait to one day try the Quad Artera Pre and Stereo with the Z2s....... just to hear if that matches even better than my Musical Fidelity M5si.
Thank for your best of speaker review. A couple of those speakers are on my bucket list. I find myself living vicariously through your thoughtful reviews and comments throughout the year. Wishing you and your family the very best in the new year!!!
Loved your reviews in 2020. Detailed, honest and informative, they helped me narrow down choices that is very important when you’re unable to audition them in person. Keep up the great work and have a wonderful 2021.
Just come across your channel and already looking to make my cables from here on out. My family is now getting to the age where I can start build my system up again. Currently have B&W 604 s3 which I have always loved running of of a Denon AVRX6500H. Home Theater for now but once I get my living areas back ill switch back to 2 channel. Again thanks for all your info. Oh yeah these cables would be the icing on the cake for my current setup.
Thanks for another great video sir. Glad to see you picked the B&W speakers. B&W are great speaker makers. I own their original 606 bookshelf speakers and like them very much. Have a great day.
So glad I came across your channel as I dive deeper into the hifi world. As a US based fan, I'm excited to have the chance to win a pair of your beautifully crafted speaker cables. Thanks!
Tharbamar, Thank you for making these videos. They keep getting better and better. I only hope that you can continue to climb the Hi-Fi ladder and share your journey with us.
I absolutely love you channel you are one of my favorite reviewers. But I can't believe the SVS ultra towers or the SVS ultra bookshelf speakers didn't make your list. I just purchased them bast off your review and they are good.
Glad I stumbled upon your channel. Great information and with little to no bias - keep it up. Actually looking at the 606 s25 bookshelves mostly for home theater. But might give up the sub and switch to the towers. Hmm
I purchased a pair of GoldenEar BRX stand mount or bookshelf speakers and I'm blown away with them. I would like to hear your thoughts on this speaker.
My vote would be for Q350's most bang for the buck! Paired with the Topping D30 and you have quite a powerful system. I might even pair it with Reisong -10 amp.. then.. Nirvana
Thanks for your time and effort you put into your videos. I have a hard time taking things in and your slower paced speaking makes it easier for me. Much appreciated!
Tharbamar, thanks for this best of 2020 list. A couple of months ago I went to my local audio retailer to listen to the B&W 603 S2 AE and thought it was a mellow speaker. I probably need to go back to give it another listen as I tend to prefer speakers like the Quad S2. The Topping DAC is something I had not really considered so highlighting that DAC is a good thing indeed. Will now have to consider the Topping DAC. Thanks again and Happy New Year.
I really love your shootouts, I don't live in a area where you can really do a lot of speaker auditions, only a few brands are available so I need a frame of reference. Your comparisons offers exactly that.
I have a pair of Kef Reference 101 speakers that have served me well for years. I would love to hear the two other Kef's on your list to see how they have progressed over the years. +1 on the cables. I may try making a pair. Great educational video.
I've been confused on my journey on what products to purchase mainly because there is no place to demo the products. Your videos led me to one of my best hifi purchases the Diamond 225. Since I am a fan of those speakers I want more so after your Evo 4.2 praise those will be my next purchase. Thanks for helping me with my decisions in this not so easy match up of a hobby.
I bought both Quad S2 and Kef Q350 based on your recommendation. Only kept the Kef at the end because of its deeper bass and more relaxing mid/highs. But Quad has much higher build quality.
Surprised that you ranked The Meta and Wharfedale at number three. I've have both and I definitely think the Wharfedale is a better Musical sounding speaker and even works well in a 2.1 system when watching TV. Keep up the great work and the videos coming.
Great videos. Always looking forward to your opinions. I have enjoyed watching your cable building videos as well. Every step is clearly documented and leaves nothing out. Well done.
Wish you could review the focal Aria 948 comparison to the bower and Wilkins you mentioned here for the top 1st place see what one you really like better then ! Those are the 2 speakers on my radar I want to buy !
Nice list. Big fan of your channel. I've owned the Quad S2, original KEF LS50, ELAC UniFi UB5, and KEF Q150. All nice speakers. I have an old B&W center channel for my home theater, but would love to try newer 600 or 700 series. I also tracked down a Denon PMA-2000IVR mainly due to your glowing review of that unit and I've also been a longtime Denon fan (my first stereo receiver was a Denon DRA unit).
Better order soon. They are becoming hard to find. I had to wait for a pair to hit a companies warehouse for me to order another pair. They put them up on their website just to sell them to me then took them back down. Crutchfield already shows them as discontinued.
@@jeffadams9699 I think it's something with shipping restrictions so they can't export to the US. I found them on a british online store (and ordered a pair to sweden), there was something about this on their website. Could be some other reason though...
Wow the 603S2 AE made the top of the list. Very surprised. I love your reviews and I’ve seen you enjoy B&W sound in the past. It is great value I will admit. I auditioned the 603 after my def techs fell victim to a lightning storm a while back. I also auditioned the 700s, KEF Rs, and Paradigm Prestige and Premier. The B&W 603 was at the bottom in listening tests. It wasn’t the Anniversary and in a very large room but it just couldn’t fill the space. Beautiful treble, ok imaging, short of satisfying bass and fell flat under high enough power in the space. Leaves me to wonder if the AE model is worth another listen.... After weeks of listening, and to my surprise, the equally priced Paradigm Premier 800f’s are in my living room.
Nice to see the Wharfedale Evo 4.2 make your list. Will be picking up a pair soon. Surprised with the B&W . Will have to investigate those. But, not usually one for bright speakers. Which I find with B&W. Keep up the great reviews!
Can't argue that. Not to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet but I really thought it would be the #2. In fact I'm trying to get a pair based on your multiple comparisons.
D'you think any of these speakers would make good studio monitors? btw if I get picked I'll deffo pay for postage to the UK ha no hesitation! Kudos on your competition though dude it's a lovely idea to give something handmade away..
Thanks for the reviews well done..You always include /synergy / matching / value...I'll check the headphones on your list too...Like I need more pairs,,,,Thanks
After watching video I love the 1 speaker I really like , the video held me how to choice the speaker , I don’t speaker English well but I try to :) I love watching your video Everyday after working, I love to see new technology:) , thank you for your help and explain.
@@Anand.Asrani I've only had it plugged in for about 10-15 hours so I can't really say yet. The first few hours was rough, it was boomy and unpleasant. After a few hours of break-in, things started to mellow out. I came from a pair of Klipsch floorstanders, the Evos are smooth, balanced, and very pleasant to listen to. I do miss the lively treble of the klipsch at times but I do find myself sitting through longer listening sessions. Also, for my room at least, the bass is plenty.
Thank you for providing such useful and accurate information on all of your videos. I have learned SO much from your videos. Thanks and Happy New Year!
I always thought B&W were too bright, but I might have to give that 603 s2 AE a listen. And those speaker cables would work nicely in my bedroom system!
I thought the same too Marc. But coming from a pair of Monitor Audio Bronze 2 bookshelf and Rotel A14 integrated to now a pair of B&W 703s2, those Bronze 2’s were so much brighter then my current setup. The 703 s2 is not bright at all with the right components and currently how I’ve have them setup. I just added a pair of heavily discounted QED Supremus speaker cables and wow was I amazed at the difference it made the system now sounds so smooth, more detailed and better bass performance.
Love my Sony Hap-z1es. Been using it as source for my Yamaha NS-2000 speakers that I have had for awhile. Your reviews are great and have me contemplating the Elysians. Cheers! Keep up the great content.🎶
Very interesting choices. Unfortunately I've never heard any of them in person. I really enjoy your cable videos too. I have made my own based on your recommendations. Thanks!
