Downsizing - Speaker recommendations

edorr

WBF Founding Member
May 10, 2010
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So I am the happy and proud owner of the evolution acoustics MM3, but I see a significant downsizing of living space on the horizon and will need to downsize my speakers accordingly. Last year I tried the JBL 4367 but frankly they did not make the cut on the acoustic, small ensemble type music I am listening too mostly. I am going to try another pair or two in 2018 and am intersted in recommendations for smaller footprint speakers. To give you a flavor of my preference, I was very impressed with the Magico S3 MKII at a show, loved the Giya at a show as well. Never cared much for Wilsons, loved my Avalon Eidolons. Any recommendations of speakers you think I should listen to? If nothing works out, I'll hold on to the MM3's until I actually move, but I would much prefer to downsize my system earlier.
 

bonzo75

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Feb 26, 2014
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For acoustic small ensemble stats on valves are hard to beat. Try stacked quads
 

GSOphile

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Sep 3, 2017
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The Magico S3 Mk IIs definitely have the small footprint, and the sealed enclosure design gives some flexibility in speaker placement. Love mine.
 

Barry2013

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Oct 12, 2013
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Have you listened to YG speakers?
Mine (Kipod Signature passives) are very good with chamber music and the very recent HiFi Plus review of the Sonja 2.2s clearly indicates they are outstanding. Their less expensive models like the Haileys would in my view be very worthy of audition.
 

dan31

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2010
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If I had the cash I would buy the vivid G4. Great for a smaller space. I want a pair, but it's not in the cards for some time.
 

Pb Blimp

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Oct 30, 2017
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Have you listened to YG speakers?
Mine (Kipod Signature passives) are very good with chamber music and the very recent HiFi Plus review of the Sonja 2.2s clearly indicates they are outstanding. Their less expensive models like the Haileys would in my view be very worthy of audition.

I know the guys at MSB absolutely love the YG's. I love the sealed ribbon tweeter in Raidho D3.1's for acoustical music but I have been told I have water in my ears.
 
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Al M.

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Sep 10, 2013
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So I am the happy and proud owner of the evolution acoustics MM3, but I see a significant downsizing of living space on the horizon and will need to downsize my speakers accordingly. Last year I tried the JBL 4367 but frankly they did not make the cut on the acoustic, small ensemble type music I am listening too mostly. I am going to try another pair or two in 2018 and am intersted in recommendations for smaller footprint speakers. To give you a flavor of my preference, I was very impressed with the Magico S3 MKII at a show, loved the Giya at a show as well. Never cared much for Wilsons, loved my Avalon Eidolons. Any recommendations of speakers you think I should listen to? If nothing works out, I'll hold on to the MM3's until I actually move, but I would much prefer to downsize my system earlier.

How large will the new space be? In my room of 24 x 12 x 8.5 feet I am very happy with a monitor/sub combo, with monitors now being Reference 3A Reflector, sub my trusted REL Storm III. Works wonderfully on acoustic, small ensemble type music, but also on rock (really) and larger ensembles, e.g. 20 players. A bit limited for large-scale orchestral music, but still very good. I play small ensemble/jazz at about 90-94 dBA peaks, orchestral around 95 dBA (ca. 100 dB) peaks, rock fluctuating around 90 dBA.

Incredible resolution (on the Octave amp that I plan to buy), marvelous soundstage, great, tight bass (very good mid-bass for rock, too), fantastic dynamics and presence of players in the room.
 

microstrip

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May 30, 2010
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In such conditions for this type of music I would consider an used old B&W Silver Signature SS25.

https://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/272/index.html

I still keep a mint pair just for the case I ever need downsizing. BTW, they are true 8 ohm speakers, excellent for tubes (also think OTLs :)), a rare characteristics nowadays.
 

Al M.

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BTW, they are true 8 ohm speakers, excellent for tubes (also think OTLs :)), a rare characteristics nowadays.

So are the Reference 3A Reflector, and with a sensitivity of 92 dB to boot (the B&W Silver Signature SS25 have a a sensitivity of 88 dB). Not that it matters, the Octave R320 tube amp (or the Octave MRE220 monoblocks) that I plan to buy can drive difficult loads. But the Reference 3A have been reported to be comfortably driven by SET amps of <10 W/ch (they certainly fare well with my current 15 W/ch triode push-pull amps).
 

microstrip

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BMCG

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Oct 1, 2016
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If you loved the Eidolons....then consider the PM4.

at 49"x 12" x 17" (HxWxD)....would have thought consistent with small to medium size rooms.
 

sbo6

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May 18, 2014
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Tad CR1s with a pair of JL Audio F112 subs + the JL Audio CR1 crossover for a 3 1/2 way and adjustable low frequencies.
 

Empirical Audio

Industry Expert
Oct 12, 2017
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Great Pacific Northwest
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I have had TAD, YG Acoustic, Salk and other speakers in my exhibit rooms at shows for 12 years. I finally found a small speaker that beats them all:

Vapor Audio Cirrus Black:

http://www.vaporsound.com/speakers/cirrus-black/

Even though these are 2-way stand-mounted, they beat the bass on most 3-ways. Very fast too. Vocals sound very live. They are around $8K depending on finish. Lots of custom finishes available. Vapors are the flattest response speakers I have encountered, and they only use the very best drivers and crossover parts.

Another good speaker is certain models of Focal.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
 

sbo6

VIP/Donor
May 18, 2014
1,660
593
480
Round Rock, TX
I have had TAD, YG Acoustic, Salk and other speakers in my exhibit rooms at shows for 12 years. I finally found a small speaker that beats them all:

Vapor Audio Cirrus Black:

http://www.vaporsound.com/speakers/cirrus-black/

Even though these are 2-way stand-mounted, they beat the bass on most 3-ways. Very fast too. Vocals sound very live. They are around $8K depending on finish. Lots of custom finishes available. Vapors are the flattest response speakers I have encountered, and they only use the very best drivers and crossover parts.

Another good speaker is certain models of Focal.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

I heard Vapor Audio at RMAF a few years back. IMO, meh... At the same show were the TAD E1s which were just much more coherant, accurate and musical. Just another opinion...
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
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People who like Magico tend not to like Rockport so this is a long-shot -- but I nominate the Rockport Atria.
 

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