Tarheel_
07-01-2011, 10:17 AM
You may recall my co-worker is looking for a solid 3.1 setup mainly focused on music.
We did the Magnolia thing and he ordered some Polks online, but still not happy...he decided to up the budget a bit.
We visited a place in Raleigh:
http://www.audioadvice.com/audio-video-brands.php
Here's what we listened to using his demo CD
Bookshelf:
- B&W CM5
- PSB Alpha
- PSB Image B
- Aerial Accoustics Model 5B
- Peachtree 5.25
Full Range
- Aerial Accoustic 7T (Rosenut)
Our opinions slightly varied, but not much...
Top bookshelf: The AA 5B ($2200/pair). This speaker throws enough sound that you'd swear it was a full range speaker. Detail, imaging, crisp instruments were all top notch. Unless you watch a lot of movies, sub is optional with these...they go that low. Build quality was well above normal.
B&W CM5 was disappointing, especially when we learned the price point these go for (priced close to AA)...fast response and nice upper end, but i felt the mids lacked and bass wasn't tight..wonderful fit and finish. While listening i could not take my eyes off the 803 Diamond in Cherrywood..WOW, what a statement speaker. We did not hear them though.
The PSB speakers we did not agree on...i preferred the Image B, he liked the Alpha...the Alphas were only $280 pair and for that money they are great speakers. I felt they lacked dynamic range though, but the Image B extended the D range enough for me. Don't shoot me here, but i'd put the Image B against the B&W and expect them to sound close...not alike, but close in musical detail.
Peachtree speakers were small, but beautiful. Boy they throw an enormous amount of sound with a nice detailed, airy sound. It had it's limited based on size, but overall I was impressed. I would never own these, but those with very limited space and have a need for good sound, you can do much worse. They were $600/pair I believe.
The grand finale was a move to the upper end demo listening room. In front of us was a single chair staring directly into ML gear flanked by twin mono ML amps priced at $50k for the pair. Speakers were Vandersteens, Aerial Acoustics and Magnepan. Based on our impression of the AA bookshelf, we asked to listen to the AA 7T speakers ($9980/pair). They are new this year and wrapped in Rosenut, they are gorgeous. We started with an old Elvis song and it was dynamite. The 3D imaging was incredible...bass hit low, but delicate (hard to explain). Mids were detailed and airy...the sound just came at you in droves. Overall, it really out classed my Revel Performas F30s on every level. Of course, the $50k in source gear helps, but believe me they were a treat to listen to. We both enjoyed our time.
I'm trying to steer him to purchase from a local specialized shop. They were helpful, had multiple rooms and were not unapproachable. I sure hope these type of places survive this economy. My Revel dealer sure didn't.
Thanks for taking time to read my opinions. What a great way to spend 2 hours over lunch!
We did the Magnolia thing and he ordered some Polks online, but still not happy...he decided to up the budget a bit.
We visited a place in Raleigh:
http://www.audioadvice.com/audio-video-brands.php
Here's what we listened to using his demo CD
Bookshelf:
- B&W CM5
- PSB Alpha
- PSB Image B
- Aerial Accoustics Model 5B
- Peachtree 5.25
Full Range
- Aerial Accoustic 7T (Rosenut)
Our opinions slightly varied, but not much...
Top bookshelf: The AA 5B ($2200/pair). This speaker throws enough sound that you'd swear it was a full range speaker. Detail, imaging, crisp instruments were all top notch. Unless you watch a lot of movies, sub is optional with these...they go that low. Build quality was well above normal.
B&W CM5 was disappointing, especially when we learned the price point these go for (priced close to AA)...fast response and nice upper end, but i felt the mids lacked and bass wasn't tight..wonderful fit and finish. While listening i could not take my eyes off the 803 Diamond in Cherrywood..WOW, what a statement speaker. We did not hear them though.
The PSB speakers we did not agree on...i preferred the Image B, he liked the Alpha...the Alphas were only $280 pair and for that money they are great speakers. I felt they lacked dynamic range though, but the Image B extended the D range enough for me. Don't shoot me here, but i'd put the Image B against the B&W and expect them to sound close...not alike, but close in musical detail.
Peachtree speakers were small, but beautiful. Boy they throw an enormous amount of sound with a nice detailed, airy sound. It had it's limited based on size, but overall I was impressed. I would never own these, but those with very limited space and have a need for good sound, you can do much worse. They were $600/pair I believe.
The grand finale was a move to the upper end demo listening room. In front of us was a single chair staring directly into ML gear flanked by twin mono ML amps priced at $50k for the pair. Speakers were Vandersteens, Aerial Acoustics and Magnepan. Based on our impression of the AA bookshelf, we asked to listen to the AA 7T speakers ($9980/pair). They are new this year and wrapped in Rosenut, they are gorgeous. We started with an old Elvis song and it was dynamite. The 3D imaging was incredible...bass hit low, but delicate (hard to explain). Mids were detailed and airy...the sound just came at you in droves. Overall, it really out classed my Revel Performas F30s on every level. Of course, the $50k in source gear helps, but believe me they were a treat to listen to. We both enjoyed our time.
I'm trying to steer him to purchase from a local specialized shop. They were helpful, had multiple rooms and were not unapproachable. I sure hope these type of places survive this economy. My Revel dealer sure didn't.
Thanks for taking time to read my opinions. What a great way to spend 2 hours over lunch!