Is it wrong to buy speakers...

[JohnMichael]

...because they are so beautiful?

I received the MusicDirect catalog and fell in love with these speakers.

[basite]

aim one higher:

http://www.focal-fr.com/catalogue-docs/EN/6/img/860.jpg

same size, better speaker...

I wouldn't know how they'd go with your onkyo though...
you might wanna check out Monitor audio too, and dynaudio, and totem...

heck, if you can, you should definately check out thiel too, those 1.6's are really nice, and go well in smaller rooms too :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[GMichael]

One should never buy speakers based on what they look like.

But if they have a few good reviews and a 30 day return policy, then what the heck. I say go for it.





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[basite]

oops, sorry the pic didn't open, anyway, here's a link to the speakers I was suggesting
http://www.focal.tm.fr/catalogue-front/produit.php?langue=EN&idArbo=6&idProduit=39

they're the same size, even from the same brand, just one serie higher, big improvement though...

anyhow, I would definately check out Monitor Audio too, depending on your budget, either the silver line or the Gold line, I like the gold line alot, but for the same money as a Monitor audio GS20 you could get a Thiel CS1.6 too, which I'd prefer over the monitor audio :)

link to monitor audio site:
http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/range.php?range=2
and their gold serie
http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/range.php?range=1

link to thiel CS1.6's
http://www.thielaudio.com/THIEL_Site05/Pages/models/Current_Models/cs1_6/cs1_6nws.html

you could check out B&W's new 600 line too, they're much better then the previous one, but i'd take the thiels if budget allows you to :)

definately listen to some of them :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[JohnMichael]

oops, sorry the pic didn't open,definately listen to some of them :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.



The picture did open. It was a large file and I was impatient. I have listened to the Thiel 1.6 when they first came out and there is a dealer close so I will again check them out. When you live in an area where there is not a wide product range and most shops are so into HT that they do not even want to bother with you it is difficult to shop. The last audio store asked me to have a seat in a chair until they could figure out who best to help me since I was only wanting two channels.

[audio amateur]

although focal's have never struck my fancy:D Maggies do, so do MA's GS60's for example & many others of course:) many, many others.. The list is quite huge. Well, take Sonus Faber, some of their models are simply gorgeous. But 'Audiophiles' will tell you to go listen before anything else. And that's what you should do. if you can..

[JohnMichael]

It was just love at first sight. I would not spend $1,000 or more for speakers without listening to them first. I bought the Ascends because of the designers ideas and they were only $348. I bought the Onkyo based on reviews and the fact I won the money for it. When I am ready to put big money into speakers a dealer will be tired of me before I make my decision. I would hate to buy speakers in the $1,000 to $2,000 range and not be able to listen to them after a month. I can not afford to make that kind of mistake. The Onkyo is a nice enough amp that it is calling for better speakers.

[audio amateur]

Perhaps you should try the Sierra-1's?

[johnny p]

I have to admit, "looks" were a LARGE driving force in my buying decision..... mostly b/c my wife was breathing down my back during the selection process..... I didn't purchase speakers in the upper ranges of price to warrant a full blown home audition.... but I listened to them in their showroom (I know... very deceiving) and made a selection my budget, and wife's judging eye, could both agree on. Maybe my wife likes the phallic aspects of the nautilus tweeters!!!!! I hope that wasn't it!

[JohnMichael]

Perhaps you should try the Sierra-1's?



They are on my short list. If they are as good as Dave and the independant reviewers say they are I should enjoy them. I like the CBM 170's but could use a little more bass.

[musicman1999]

Those 716's look better in person but the 816 are better although i don't like the look as much.I have a set of Cobalt 816s and they sound terrific.

bill

[Mr Peabody]

Hopefully there might be some place closer to you but a store here in town carry FoCal. I haven't heard them yet..I've been meaning to go in and check them out and to see what NAD sounds like these days. They also carry Dynaudio and Martin Logan.

[bobsticks]

Prolly not at all as long as they give you the goods as well. There's a pair of Acoustic Zen Adagios and a set of Sonus Faber Grand Pianos on the 'Gon right now within your price range. Can't imagine either would let you down in matters of sonics or aesthetics.

By the way, the fact that you're even bringing this up tells me that you're happy with the Onkyo. Congrats on that successful purchase.

[audio amateur]

They are on my short list. If they are as good as Dave and the independant reviewers say they are I should enjoy them. I like the CBM 170's but could use a little more bass.

Funny thing is the bass driver is smaller!

[basite]

Funny thing is the bass driver is smaller!

so?...


there also is a pair of thiel CS1.6's on the gon, one pair for $1350...
and another pair for $1.5k

I'll second Stick's opinion on the Sonus Fabers too though :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Feanor]

...because they are so beautiful?

I received the MusicDirect catalog and fell in love with these speakers.

Real men don't care what their speakers look like. :p

As for me, I'm not all that macho; I appreciate a handsome speaker. My taste runs to a somewhat understated designs like these PSP Synchrony's (with the grills on) ...

[GMichael]

Real men don't care what their speakers look like. :p

As for me, I'm not all that macho; I appreciate a handsome speaker. My taste runs to a somewhat understated designs like these PSP Synchrony's (with the grills on) ...

A handsome set for sure.

[audio amateur]

so?...


...more surface area tends to equate deeper bass response. But obviously not in this case

[basite]

not really, a well designed medium sized (like 8") woofer in a matching cabinet can produce more bass than a 12" in a bad designed cab...

it's true that a bigger woofer gives more bass than a smaller one, if the sensetivity is about the same, but it's not true that the bass from the bigger woofer will be lower because the woofer is bigger...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[audio amateur]

That's why I said 'tends' to equate. The design of the Sierra-1's is different and yields lower bass from a smaller woofer.

[audio amateur]

I like the finish on those Bill

[topspeed]

Whether or not we'll admit to it, aesthetics matter, particularly if your speakers are sitting out in the room for the whole world to see. Sound is primary of course, but all things equal, I can't think of anyone that would prefer an ugly speaker to one that is beautiful. The cherry wood veneers on my speakers are furniture grade, an important asset as they are arguably the focal point of my living room.

If you want to see some beautiful cabinet work JM, check out Dali, Sonus Faber, Salk, Tyler, and yes, B&W. Meadowlark used to build some gorgeous speakers, but alas they went the way of the DoDo a few years back.

[JohnMichael]

Prolly not at all as long as they give you the goods as well. There's a pair of Acoustic Zen Adagios and a set of Sonus Faber Grand Pianos on the 'Gon right now within your price range. Can't imagine either would let you down in matters of sonics or aesthetics.

By the way, the fact that you're even bringing this up tells me that you're happy with the Onkyo. Congrats on that successful purchase.


I have heard very nice things about the Adagios. The Grand Pianos should also be very nice. Audiogon would be a good way for me to buy speakers that would normally be out of my price range. I have never bought used but it might be worth a try.

The Onkyo is nice but I am waiting for my HiFi Tuning fuse to hear how nice it can be. Or to find out I spent $30 for a fuse. I also received the taller pillars for my speaker stands and the Ascends are now up where they should be. A definite sonic improvement. The Onkyo is a very nice integrated amp that should be with me for a number of years.

[Rich-n-Texas]

One should never buy speakers based on what they look like.

But if they have a few good reviews and a 30 day return policy, then what the heck. I say go for it.





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When oh LORD are you going to paint those walls!!!

Sorry GM, but while I was in exile I saw the light.

[audio_dude]

Meh, I'm still loving those monsters florian has.

[emorphien]

Nope, it's not wrong. But you're just in luck, Focals are pretty darned good.