New speaker choice

[beach2mountain]

Travis welcome to the forum, looking at your list no doubt i would choose the Audionet Humboldt witth the Haley 2.2 i have heard this combo it doesn't get any better than this.
This is the integrated i wanted to purchase in the first place with a pair of Borresen 03s but budget wise it was too much for me this time around therefore i settled with a Diablo 300 + Thiel CS 3.7s combo and i'm still very happy with this rig.
Best of luck.

Thank you for the kind welcome and feedback...I've been in touch with Bill at GTT Audio and am hoping to get out there to hear the Humboldt paired with the Haileys. Best, Travis

 

[beach2mountain]

Did you consider keeping the McIntosh gear and spending the money on Sonja 2.2s or 2.3s. The Haileys are great speakers but the Sonja are on another level. Did you get to compare/audition the Sonjas?

What kind of music are you prioritizing?

Thanks Chuck...I didn't listen to the Sonja 2is but did listen to the Sonja XVis...insane set up, but they were way outside my price range and space constraints. In the discussions I had with YG and the reviews I had read, it seemed like the Hailey's were in the sweet spot of the YG line (and felt the extra $ could be better applied to improving my source components).

We listen to most genres of music except for classical...Americana, reggae, alternative, folk, classic rock, funk, etc..

 

[Cellcbern]

Hi guys, i'm starting all over again from scratch, my Thiel CS 3.7s are up for sale and i already have a potential buyer, therefore am searching for my futur end game speaker.
If i stay cone speakers my favorite choice today is Borresen Acoustics but i have 2 other alternatives : the Bayz Audio omnidirectional and the Alsyvox planar.
I will choose the electronics later on depending on speaker type.
Any experience ?

Look at Bache Audio 002AB:
-full range (22hz to 40 khz) with built in Class D amp powered subwoofer
-96db efficient
-wideband driver covering 500hz-8000hz so no crossover in the midrange
-legendary Japan made Fostex FT96-EX2 supertweeter

see: https://bacheaudio.com/portfolios/bache-audio-002ab/

 

[chuck]

Thanks Chuck...I didn't listen to the Sonja 2is but did listen to the Sonja XVis...insane set up, but they were way outside my price range and space constraints. In the discussions I had with YG and the reviews I had read, it seemed like the Hailey's were in the sweet spot of the YG line (and felt the extra $ could be better applied to improving my source components).

We listen to most genres of music except for classical...Americana, reggae, alternative, folk, classic rock, funk, etc..

Based on my experience owning XVs for over three years, I would spend the money on Sonja 2is. The big Mac will have drive them easily. The top module of the XVi is the same as the 2is. The Sonja 2is are closer to the XVis than to the Haileys. IMO it is an easy decision. If you are going to upgrade amps, I suggest adding Boulder to your list.

 

[Cellcbern]

Look at Bache Audio 002AB:
-full range (22hz to 40 khz) with built in Class D amp powered subwoofer
-96db efficient
-wideband driver covering 500hz-8000hz so no crossover in the midrange
-legendary Japan made Fostex FT96-EX2 supertweeter

see: https://bacheaudio.com/portfolios/bache-audio-002ab/

 

[AudioLibertarian]

Howdy...I'm a newbie lurker on WBF and wanted to jump right in on my 1st post...

After a visit to Arvada and a half-day spent in the YG listening room, I just ordered a pair of Hailey 2.2s with the upgraded Nordost wiring. Now I'm looking to upgrade our components. I'm considering the following amps/pre-amps/integrateds...

Audionet Humbolt
Ayre KX-R / MX-R Monos
Luxman C900u / M900u
Gryphon Diablo 300

Does anyone have experience with any of the above with the Hailey 2.2s? If so...thoughts?

Many thanks!

Travis

PS - My current set up includes B&W 802D3s, a REL #25 sub, McIntosh C2700/MC462, VPI Prime Signature, Aurender ACS 100, and Denali 6000s.

Yuu ve liked the sound of YG Haileys better than your BW 802D3? In what way may I ask? Have your listened to the flagship 800D3 with amplification& source chain that did not include any Mcinotsh gear? Just curious... Thanks

 

[beach2mountain]

Yuu ve liked the sound of YG Haileys better than your BW 802D3? In what way may I ask? Have your listened to the flagship 800D3 with amplification& source chain that did not include any Mcinotsh gear? Just curious... Thanks

For me, the 802s have a very thin and beam-y sound in our rather large room. It wasn't until we added the No 25 that we got a fuller sound and felt the room was "loaded" properly. Even with the fuller sound, the 802s do not have good off axis sound and are fatiguing to me...I jump song to song instead of listening to albums. They are incredibly detailed, but it feels like that's at the expense of being musical.

I did not do a side by side with the same sources, but felt like the Hailey sound was much fuller with better voicing to the speaker (beautiful mids, detailed but natural highs, and all very coherent and musical). In the end, I felt like the YGs could be a speaker to grow with my system instead of being a limiting factor (as I felt w both the B&Ws and McIntosh gear).

 

[ctydwn]

ha I am obviously biased, but I agree, the Hailey's seem to have limitless headroom/speaker to build system around. The better the source, the better the components and cables, the better they continue to sound. Clarifying by 'better' not more expensive but those that are synergistic with YG and within those lines. Of course I imagine the Sonja 2.2is and up would offer similar if not greater headroom. Congrats beach2mountain. Keep us posted as you try different pairings.

 

[Ozan K]

ha I am obviously biased, but I agree, the Hailey's seem to have limitless headroom/speaker to build system around. The better the source, the better the components and cables, the better they continue to sound. Clarifying by 'better' not more expensive but those that are synergistic with YG and within those lines. Of course I imagine the Sonja 2.2is and up would offer similar if not greater headroom. Congrats beach2mountain. Keep us posted as you try different pairings.

I agree, they change character with any change in upstream components, to a degree that it is really astonishing

 

[AudioLibertarian]

For me, the 802s have a very thin and beam-y sound in our rather large room. It wasn't until we added the No 25 that we got a fuller sound and felt the room was "loaded" properly. Even with the fuller sound, the 802s do not have good off axis sound and are fatiguing to me...I jump song to song instead of listening to albums. They are incredibly detailed, but it feels like that's at the expense of being musical.

I did not do a side by side with the same sources, but felt like the Hailey sound was much fuller with better voicing to the speaker (beautiful mids, detailed but natural highs, and all very coherent and musical). In the end, I felt like the YGs could be a speaker to grow with my system instead of being a limiting factor (as I felt w both the B&Ws and McIntosh gear).

B&W tend to be shown with Mac amps,or Classe amps, which in my opinion do not reveal their true, tremendous potential.... Properly set up with some softer to neutral cables (cardas golden cross or Clear Beyond or similar ) the 802D3 and 800D3 that I ve heard, sounded simply amazing, Having said that , you are not the first who describes the D3 series thusly, and that is so unfair for them to get such reputation, mostly I think the associated gear and the set up is at fault. When me and my "golden eared" audiophile friend went to the Best Buy in Paramus, NJ to listen to 800D3 when they came out in the USA, the set up was so so , much to be desired .... At a different Best Buy location on Long Island , NY, the initial set up by B&W rep of your 802D3 sounded just jaw droppingly good, strangely enough with Mac amps, but none of those exhibited the piercing sound that you ve described. Few month later the Best Buy's Magnolia personell moved those 802D3 around within the same room, and they sounded quite mediocre and bland. I have not heard the new Hayles per se, but I ve listened to the various models YG in general over the years, and with the Nordost cables used the results could lead to even worse piercing sound, act 2, as Nordost cables tend to suck the soul out of music IMHO.... You know what you doing, but If I were you and funds are not a factor, i d try to listen to 800D3 with Symphonic LIne monoblock amps, either the Rg-4, or Kraft 300 stereo or Kraft 300 Monos, or Pilium amplifiers if feasible... Again, the combo of Symph LIne and 800D3 is just as good as almost pretty much anything in dynamic speaker world, at sane prices, and I don't use these words lightly.with none of the issues of beaming or dryness that you ve mentioned. The 800D3 also sound amazing with powerfull EL-34 based tube amps, easily on par with any 100 grand speakers from any brand. Also, this may be a moot point but the new D4 series are coming out in September....

There is a member here bonzo75, he also has had great experience with the combo, has written about his experience on his blog ... Should you stick with the Hayles, the Symphonic LIne, or Pilium amps would be a great match with YG as well... The above is just IMO naturally.

 

[Ozan K]

B&W tend to be shown with Mac amps,or Classe amps, which in my opinion do not reveal their true, tremendous potential.... Properly set up with some softer to neutral cables (cardas golden cross or Clear Beyond or similar ) the 802D3 and 800D3 that I ve heard, sounded simply amazing, Having said that , you are not the first who describes the D3 series thusly, and that is so unfair for them to get such reputation, mostly I think the associated gear and the set up is at fault. When me and my "golden eared" audiophile friend went to the Best Buy in Paramus, NJ to listen to 800D3 when they came out in the USA, the set up was so so , much to be desired .... At a different Best Buy location on Long Island , NY, the initial set up by B&W rep of your 802D3 sounded just jaw droppingly good, strangely enough with Mac amps, but none of those exhibited the piercing sound that you ve described. Few month later the Best Buy's Magnolia personell moved those 802D3 around within the same room, and they sounded quite mediocre and bland. I have not heard the new Hayles per se, but I ve listened to the various models YG in general over the years, and with the Nordost cables used the results could lead to even worse piercing sound, act 2, as Nordost cables tend to suck the soul out of music IMHO.... You know what you doing, but If I were you and funds are not a factor, i d try to listen to 800D3 with Symphonic LIne monoblock amps, either the Rg-4, or Kraft 300 stereo or Kraft 300 Monos, or Pilium amplifiers if feasible... Again, the combo of Symph LIne and 800D3 is just as good as almost pretty much anything in dynamic speaker world, at sane prices, and I don't use these words lightly.with none of the issues of beaming or dryness that you ve mentioned. The 800D3 also sound amazing with powerfull EL-34 based tube amps, easily on par with any 100 grand speakers from any brand. Also, this may be a moot point but the new D4 series are coming out in September....

There is a member here bonzo75, he also has had great experience with the combo, has written about his experience on his blog ... Should you stick with the Hayles, the Symphonic LIne, or Pilium amps would be a great match with YG as well... The above is just IMO naturally.

I had similar experience with a set of B&W 802D (older d version, not diamond)

It was a speaker I tried 15 years ago with high expectations at a dealer and was highly disappointed and bought a Wilson Sophia 1 instead.

3 years ago, I moved to a multi floor house and needed a second system for my study. I came across a second hand 802d at a different seller and enjoyed it much with different amplication and bought it.

I used it everyday for the next 18 months with Pass Int 250 and was very happy with them to a degree I thought it was one of the best speakers I ever owned.

When I got the Hailey 2.2, I used them together for some time and there were times that I did not see much difference btw two with a Constellation amplifier then.

It was a great speaker no matter how you slice it

I am sure that the new version is even better.

The summary for me is they sing if careful match is made with right partners.

 

[bonzo75]

The D3 series is quite good, it is full bodied with nice midbass weight and integration. Both B&W and YG are good, but different. YG disappear more like elecrostats when set up properly. B&W are weighty. Their own subs are good and well integrated with the floorstanders. If someone heard them thin, it was probably the Mac amp

 

[AudioLibertarian]

The D3 series is quite good, it is full bodied with nice midbass weight and integration. Both B&W and YG are good, but different. YG disappear more like elecrostats when set up properly. B&W are weighty. Their own subs are good and well integrated with the floorstanders. If someone heard them thin, it was probably the Mac amp

The new B&W D4 series have been presented to selective group of journos via an invite-only YOUTUBE event couple of days ago, I wonder if anyone is willing to spill the beans, or knows any details & willing to share?

 

[gds7368]

The new B&W D4 series have been presented to selective group of journos via an invite-only YOUTUBE event couple of days ago, I wonder if anyone is willing to spill the beans, or knows any details & willing to share?

Per another website, there was a closed YouTube D4 presentation to invited journalists who are not permitted to share any information until September 1st.

 

[Ozan K]

Hi guys,
I am planning to go for a change in one of my speakers just for the sake of trying different brands.

The alternatives that are "available"

- Graham 5/8
- Tad Evolution 1
- Tidal Contriva Diacera SE
- Raidho D3 V2
- Focal Stella Utopia EM
- Wilson Alexia 2
- Diesis Audio Caput Mundi

I know they are very different from one each other and dont have much in common but would love to hear your take on this.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Audire]

What's your room demensions? What type and power of amps, etc.

Out that group I've only heard the Radio which I didn't care for personally. I also heard the Wilson Alexia 2 which are exceptional in the right room with the proper electronics (I heard them with Audio Research)...

Edited for spelling

Hi guys,
I am planning to go for a change in one of my speakers just for the sake of trying different brands.

The alternatives that are "available"

- Graham 5/8
- Tad Evolution 1
- Tidal Contriva Diacera SE
- Radio D3 V2
- Focal Stella Utopia EM
- Wilson Alexia 2

I know they are very different from one each other and dont have much in common but would love to hear your take on this.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Elliot G.]

Hi guys,
I am planning to go for a change in one of my speakers just for the sake of trying different brands.

The alternatives that are "available"

- Graham 5/8
- Tad Evolution 1
- Tidal Contriva Diacera SE
- Radio D3 V2
- Focal Stella Utopia EM
- Wilson Alexia 2

I know they are very different from one each other and dont have much in common but would love to hear your take on this.

Thanks in advance.

I don't know where you live but if you get the chance to listen to the Divin Marquis I don't think you will be disappointed. If you live in the US come visit

 

[Ozan K]

What's your room demensions? What type and power of amps, etc.

Out that group I've only heard the Radio which I didn't care for personally. I also heard the Wilson Alexia 2 which are exceptional in the right room with the proper electronics (I heard them with Audio Research)...

Edited for spelling

Room around 30 sq meters
Amplification : I will change it according to the speaker, so no limitation there

Thanks

 

[AudioLibertarian]

Room around 30 sq meters
Amplification : I will change it according to the speaker, so no limitation there

Thanks

Are you already bored with your YGs and Nenuphars? That was short!

 

[Thieliste]

Hi guys,
I am planning to go for a change in one of my speakers just for the sake of trying different brands.

The alternatives that are "available"

- Graham 5/8
- Tad Evolution 1
- Tidal Contriva Diacera SE
- Raidho D3 V2
- Focal Stella Utopia EM
- Wilson Alexia 2
- Diesis Audio Caput Mundi

I know they are very different from one each other and dont have much in common but would love to hear your take on this.

Thanks in advance.

I would put Borresen 03s instead of the Raidho D3s in your shortlist.