JJ's Year 12: First Year of the New HT in a New House

[JJ]

Originally Posted by DerrellB

There is nothing bright about a Sonus Faber speaker. Honestly some would call them too warm for HT. I have heard the luito and cremona m's. For a strictly 2 channel system, the cremonas would be my pick hands down. I considered the Luito and Cremonas before getting Monitor Audio. I would think the new line would have similar characteristics. If you can get to hear them before assuming they are bright, that would be ideal especially considering the rest of their line is nowhere near bright.

Derrell, I'm basing the brightness assumption off of several generalizations - two reviews of the Veneres (albeit, fresh out of the box and not broken in) - the supposed stigma of the "chinese made speaker" (said so with full knowledge that my 683s are from there), and my fear of the B&W and Paradigm dome tweeter, now that my ears know Paradigm monitor, studio, signature and B&W 600 and CM. That's it.

I demo'd the Liuto's and Toy Towers a year ago, albeit, connected to incredible equipment:

Guys, I went to audio bliss and begrudingly returned to you.

Spent 2-3 hours at another hi-fi dealer today, demoing Sonus Faber Toy Towers, Sonus Faber Liutos, Totem Arros, Totem Tribe IIIs, Spendor A6s.

That wasn't the best part though. Although I knew I couldn't reproduce the gear in my own place for quite some time, the readout of the equipment was something else.

Bryston BCD1 and Conrad Johnson pre-amp and ET250s amp on one end, and Puccini CDP w/ VAC 300.1 tube amp and Mk2 pre-amp.

Bryston and VAC gear. Jesus.

It was a thing of beauty. The Totem Tribes blew me away. I was impressed with the Toy Towers as well (leather finish?!) - but the Arros and Spendor A6s left me wanting more compared to everything else. Sorry, Travis, but the Spendors were honestly a distant 5th. The dealer said he had a hard time moving any compared to the rest and was discontinuing carrying the line. I'd say 1 and 1A were the Tribes and Toy Towers. We listened to Muddy Waters, Burmeister demo CDs, some jazz, the usual Pink Floyd, and a songstress named Io.

A more detailed and long-winded review tomorrow at some point.

First day in my new gig tomorrow. I don't need luck though, the ever charismatic JJ will succeed.

[Show spoiler]

Of course, I would never willingly discard Sonus Faber based on presumptions, but I do have them.

Originally Posted by Intamin

I the digms are a metal done whereas these are a soft dome (I believe), so shouldn't be bright at all. I heard them briefly and liked em, and I know Rhett has listened and thought they were better b&w 804s. The GEs are great speakers tho too, so can't lose there.

Is that so?! I better go check Rhett's thread.

I already discarded the ML ESLs - apparently, via what I'm reading on reviews everywhere online, it requires perfect placement and have "sweet spots" - luxuries I don't have in my current place. They have to go where they have to go, there's only one spot.

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by JJ

Derrell, I'm basing the brightness assumption off of several generalizations - two reviews of the Veneres (albeit, fresh out of the box and not broken in) - the supposed stigma of the "chinese made speaker" (said so with full knowledge that my 683s are from there), and my fear of the B&W and Paradigm dome tweeter, now that my ears know Paradigm monitor, studio, signature and B&W 600 and CM. That's it.

I demo'd the Liuto's and Toy Towers a year ago, albeit, connected to incredible equipment:



Of course, I would never willingly discard Sonus Faber based on presumptions, but I do have them.



Is that so?! I better go check Rhett's thread.

I already discarded the ML ESLs - apparently, via what I'm reading on reviews everywhere online, it requires perfect placement and have "sweet spots" - luxuries I don't have in my current place. They have to go where they have to go, there's only one spot.

You wind anything there. We were texting the other day after he listened to them at magnolia with a mcintosh integrated. He then listened to 804s they had there. His text "Got to here the SF Venere 2.5 at MAV powered by Mcintosh IA with Oppo 103. Very impressed! It sounded better than the $7000 B$W 804�� "

Good luck on the quest. I've heard similar things about stats that they have a very small sweet spot.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Intamin

You wind anything there. We were texting the other day after he listened to them at magnolia with a mcintosh integrated. He then listened to 804s they had there. His text "Got to here the SF Venere 2.5 at MAV powered by Mcintosh IA with Oppo 103. Very impressed! It sounded better than the $7000 B$W 804�� "

Good luck on the quest. I've heard similar things about stats that they have a very small sweet spot.

rhett sent me those same texts.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Intamin

You wind anything there. We were texting the other day after he listened to them at magnolia with a mcintosh integrated. He then listened to 804s they had there. His text "Got to here the SF Venere 2.5 at MAV powered by Mcintosh IA with Oppo 103. Very impressed! It sounded better than the $7000 B$W 804�� "

Good luck on the quest. I've heard similar things about stats that they have a very small sweet spot.

Found a relatively local dealer. They had the South Florida unveiling of the Veneres just today! I wish I had found them earlier to make the event. Once I'm ready to purchase, I'm going to give them a visit.


I can see I've missed it when everyone had a get-together or something. I'm going to add all of you on Facebook now.

[rded]

Jj, why don't you just stick with a brand that you know and love in B&W if you fear the stigma of owning Chinese-made speakers?

Those SF Veneres look really nice in person and they sound pretty decent as well. I think they are SF's value/bang for the buck model! Think of all the 10/10s you'll get if you get them

[JJ]

Originally Posted by rded

Jj, why don't you just stick with a brand that you know and love in B&W if you fear the stigma of owning Chinese-made speakers?

Those SF Veneres look really nice in person and they sound pretty decent as well. I think they are SF's value/bang for the buck model! Think of all the 10/10s you'll get if you get them

Rhett, I demo'd the CMs and I've owned the 683s for years. I know the B&W sound. I want something else. (To say nothing of the GEs completely smashing the CM line to pieces)

I don't fear the stigma, actually - the 683s are offshore, after all!

I'm going to set up a demo date for the Veneres soon, and report back. Since you've demo'd them already, care to offer a more detailed analysis? Few sentences? Glib remarks?

[rded]

Originally Posted by JJ

Rhett, I demo'd the CMs and I've owned the 683s for years. I know the B&W sound. I want something else. (To say nothing of the GEs completely smashing the CM line to pieces)

I don't fear the stigma, actually - the 683s are offshore, after all!

I'm going to set up a demo date for the Veneres soon, and report back. Since you've demo'd them already, care to offer a more detailed analysis? Few sentences? Glib remarks?

I would not describe the Veneres as "warm". They are quite neutral. They have decent bass, the highs are ok but really no sparkle there...something's a miss in the midrange. I guess I am just used to the Dynaudio sound. But to my ears, the midrange sounded hollow(not recessed). For a 2.2k floor stander, they sound pretty darn good. I was also able to A-B the Veneers vs the 804Ds on th fly because MAV has that control hub that enables you to switch receivers/IAs and speakers instantly. To my surprise the SFs sound more "coherent". But the 804s have more bass...they better have because they are close to 4x the price of the Veneres.

For the looks, the veneres are top notch! If I were to get them, they'd do really well for strictly HT.

What amp do you have? The SF's maybe somehwat hard to drive. The Mac n' cheese err... Mcintosh MA6300's volume had to be turned to 12 o'clock and it was not even moderately loud while playing John Mayer's Born and Raised album-which is my opinion does not have many demanding tracks to push an amp.

[JJ]

Emotiva XPA3, 200w x3.

After the front three, the receiver/processor is the next to get upgraded, that VSX03 is also four years old!

[rded]

Originally Posted by jj

emotiva xpa3, 200w x3.

After the front three, the receiver/processor is the next to get upgraded, that vsx03 is also four years old!

buy buy buy!!! Now now now!!

[prerich]

GM JJ!!!! I see that you have Wharfedale surrounds, you may want to demo the Wharfedale Jade series ?

[JJ]

Originally Posted by rded

buy buy buy!!! Now now now!!

Originally Posted by prerich

GM JJ!!!! I see that you have Wharfedale surrounds, you may want to demo the Wharfedale Jade series ?

Hey Rich! I'm still in the gathering options stage, so any and all options for a front three in the $3k-$4k range are welcome!

Provided they meet the criteria I put around here somewhere.

[ixlegitballinxl]

Haven't read too far back on your thread... Have you ever demo'd Paradigm?

[JJ]

Originally Posted by ixlegitballinxl

Haven't read too far back on your thread... Have you ever demo'd Paradigm?

The Signature S4s, connected to a Linn Majik system in a room w/ a similar feature to mine - high ceilings. Played many SACDs, including one I'm (and everyone else is familiar with) - Pink Floyd's DSOTM.

Didn't like it at all. Bright, bright, bright, bright. I couldn't get the high end out of my head. I kept wondering if there was a horn tweeter hidden somewhere. Bass was great, for being a monitor speaker, but jeez.

Considering my own room probably makes speakers brighter than they are due to the increased reflective surfaces - I didn't think it was a good idea, unfortunately. Removed them from contention after that.

Haven't seen you in AGES, Joe, what you been up to?

[ixlegitballinxl]

I hear ya! I have 0 carpet in my house.. and 14-20ft+ vaulted ceilings.. sound bounces around like crazy! I almost pulled the trigger on that series a couple years back, but life got in the way! I've just been working on my house. Lots of upgrades. Just finished cabinets/granite in kitchen and adding the HT experience to my bedroom!


Your place looks awesome! My buddies call my house "the panty dropper", I'll share that phrase with ya.


Using Chair rail to cover your wiring is genius!

[JJ]

Oy, that looks good.

[rded]

Originally Posted by JJ

Oy, that looks good.

Did you audition them yet or buy them for that matter?

There's also a Venere 3.0 which is a "full range" version coming soon but I don't know if you can wait for its release.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by rded

Did you audition them yet or buy them for that matter?

There's also a Venere 3.0 which is a "full range" version coming soon but I don't know if you can wait for its release.

LOL, no, not yet.

Probably won't buy until mid-/end-January.

Considering all my possible audio options for my budget, including new receiver, w/ the 3-4 I have set aside for this. Come late Dec, prior to XMas, I'm going to make a bigger push to sell the B&Ws/

[rded]

Originally Posted by JJ

LOL, no, not yet.

Probably won't buy until mid-/end-January.

Considering all my possible audio options for my budget, including new receiver, w/ the 3-4 I have set aside for this. Come late Dec, prior to XMas, I'm going to make a bigger push to sell the B&Ws/

So when are you planning to audition the Veneres? Unless you've done that already...

[JJ]

Now I'm starting to consider selling my VSX-03 and getting an Emotiva UMC-200 + UPA-500 to go with my XPA-3, to go on top of my front three update.

Anybody have experience with that combo?

[sandman922]

Originally Posted by JJ

Now I'm starting to consider selling my VSX-03 and getting an Emotiva UMC-200 + UPA-500 to go with my XPA-3, to go on top of my front three update.

Anybody have experience with that combo?

i heard one with a upa 700 at audioholics gtg it sounded awesome