Conference hips::uk_audioo

Did you hear the Museatex panel speakers at Penta?  What did you think?  I know
they're more expensive and they're far bigger than the ones you mention, so
maybe you weren't interested, but I'd be very interested to hear other
opinions of them.

A couple of months ago I listened to the Sonus Faber Electas for a couple of
hours in combination with Audio Research amplification and Oxford Acoustics
record decks.  The combination sounded subjectively very, very slow and didn't
image at all.  By 'slow' I mean all sense of urgency in the music was gone. 
Even an Alligator Records disc was polite and restrained - these normally have
a driving, foot-tapping, live presentation:  you can't ignore them.  At the
time I attributed this to the Electas but I'm not so sure now; I tried my
SL600s in the same system a few weeks later and it still seemed slow, but it
did image.  Changing to transistor amplifiers - Mark Levinsons, don't remember
the number - made this a lot better.  Though I was not impressed with the
Electas I'm sure they could sound a hell of a lot better than they did (I
didn't try them with the Levinsons, only my SL600s).  They certainly sounded
better at Penta, but not enough for me to really notice them.

I actually prefer the sound of SL600s to SL700SEs.  To me, 700s sound rather
hard or harsh and less convincing than 600s.  Less satisfying musically, I
guess.  It's hard to say exactly what I don't like.  I have lived with SL600s
for a couple of years, though, and have been very happy with them.  Have you
auditioned them?  They're much cheaper than 700s.

I've heard a couple of AE models on a few occasions, don't remember names:  the
little ones and some somewhat bigger ones.  They sometimes sounded real good,
especially the little'uns, and sometimes rather naff.  I heard somewhere that
they're not very consistent so the difference might be the speakers themselves. 
That suggests that if you buy them, you should listen to the set you're about
to buy.

Nick

	I think the more important and interesting thing is to choose the
	power amp. What power amp will you use to drive the speakers?

	Chak.

    re: .1  Thanks for the suggestions - I'll try some of the other
    Celestions.
    
    re: .2  I was thinking about Audiolab 8000s, but I haven't really
    looked at this seriously as yet.  It's going to be a few months before
    I can start buying anyway.  Suggestions would be appreciated, but I'll
    probably be asking in here closer to the time.
    
    If it makes a vast difference, the system will be predominantly
    CD-based, but I may add a tuner and/or cassette deck.  Having carefully
    read most of the CD/vinyl arguments, and listened to very good examples
    of both, I feel that any difference in sound is outweighed by
    the convenience of CD.  That's just my humble opinion, and it's not
    prepared to be changed! :-)
    
    
    
    Mat.
    *:o)
    

    
    I listened to SL700s of some sort at the Penta show, and didn't like
    them at all. They sounded too bright for my taste. Perhaps that would
    mitigate against them in a CD system ?
    
    Trevor

Wow.  A CD player, then Audiolab 8000 (A or C&P? - just interested), then
SL700s, could be a pretty unforgiving combination.  I haven't heard such a
system myself but... If this is your current idea, make sure you listen, at
length, to all three together.

As well as getting input here, discuss this with a dealer you can trust, and
listen to alternative systems.  Not components, systems.  Do you have a real
good idea of the kind of sound you're looking for?

Nick

I am now using a pair of Celestion 3 and Audiolab 8000A as the centre channel
of my Dolby-Prologic surround system. Sometimes I use this 'cheap' system to
play some chamber or voice. The sound is acceptable.

Chak

    I paid a visit to Reading Hi-Fi at the weekend.  If this one listening
    session is anything to go by, then I'd heartily recommend them.
    
    I listened to the following system, which is close to what I was
    thinking of building:
    
    		Celestion 700 (but not the Special Edition)
    		Meridian 203 converter + Meridian ??? transport
    		Exposure pre/power amplification
    
    The reason I'm not sure of the details is because the system was being
    set up for a demo for another customer.  I was originally only having a
    quick look, but got chatting and it just happened that they were doing
    the demo of the above in the afternoon.  It seemed too good an
    opportunity to waste!
    
    Anyway, the outcome was that I very much liked what I heard.  Now I
    *really* know the meaning of depth and imaging! (Anyone like to dispute
    that :-) ?) 
    
    I'd probably be going for the Meridian 206B player, because I don't
    think I can afford a separate transport/converter arrangement as yet. 
    It seems that I'll be including an Exposure amp or two when I get down
    to serious comparative listening, although the Audiolab hasn't been
    ruled out (I'd go for the 8000P, but maybe substitute a different
    pre-amp for the 8000C in answer to an earlier note).
    
    Apparently, the Celestion 700 Special Editions only really differ from
    the old 700s in being a lot easier to drive.  Can anyone confirm that
    this is the case?
    
    I won't bore you all any more until I am starting to buy! :-)  However,
    any useful opinions will be gratefully digested.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Mat.
    *:o)
    

I suddenly recall that I had heard AE1 from the Acoustic Energy a long time ago.
700 is good. But I think it is worthwhile to listen the AE1 before you make the
decision.

Chak.

    
    Better late than never.
    
    My personal reference for small but great speakers is Harbeth P3.
    The Rogers LS3/5A is also excellent but P3 will still win over the
    margins.
    
    The P3 comes in 4 different makes of wood : oak, walnut, rosewood 
    and the most expensive ebony.
    
    My choice is opened to challenge.
    
    Steve

    
>     My personal reference for small but great speakers is Harbeth P3.
>     The Rogers LS3/5A is also excellent but P3 will still win over the
>     margins.
    
    Is the P3 a sort of modernised LS3/5A, about the same size ?
    
    I've only heard LS3/5As briefly, but from what I heard, I agree with
    the received wisdom that they are great for speech and classical music,
    but not really good for pop/rock music. 
    
    Trevpr

    I've got LS3/5a and would agree with Trevors comments. I love them and
    in the nightmare scenario that I get home and the HiFi is nicked, they
    would be replaced identically as I love the sounds they make. I
    understand that they are now available in a Bi-Wirable form which would
    seem worth having. Harbeth, Rogers and Spendor still make them, though
    I think the Rogers are more expensive due to the Biwiring and more
    expensive veneers used (the cherrywood is my favourite). 
    
    I agree that they are not a speaker for all tastes and have some
    peculiarities (16Ohm impedence for example) but if you read a review of
    any minimonitor in the HiFi press I bet you that the LS3/5a is
    mentioned in it as a reference.
    
    I'd also listen to the P3 , I think the SPICA (wedge shaped speaker)
    has many of the same proporties as well. Also this new american speaker
    the Lineaum (Linoleum !?) sounds interesting.

    I rememeber some audio noters mention that B&W 801 is a power hunger
    , how about the B&W 804/3 ? How would you guy compare these speaker to
    Theil CS1.2, Mirage M7, small SCM, KEF105 ?
    
    I am interested the reviews of these speakers.
    
    Thanks
    Parry