Quote Originally Posted by theaudiohobby
Grrr !!! Quad 2905 and AN E are seriously limited speakers in comparison to the Tannoy Westminster and B&W 801. The B&W801 is 92dB and flat down to 20Hz (anechoic) which is some of the reasons it's a popular studio classical music monitor, it will fill a large room with solid low-distortion bass without any room support( see links above) and why it's less suitable as a domestic speaker as most domestic listening room are relatively small. The Westminster is 99dB/1m but with considerably less deep bass ~30Hz and it is aimed squarely at the domestic market. In comparison AN-E and the Quad are dynamically constipated.and no one will seriously consider either as credible classical music studio monitor.
Oh TAH you're so ridiculous - I have heard all 4 speakers and you've heard none of them. What's more my dealer carries thre of them and used to carry the Tannoys - I actually like the Tannoy more than most - but there is a reason the Tannoys are in the "used to carry" pile. For one the Westminster is a monster speaker. And umm you were waxing the Quads as the best speakers ever made - what happened - now you hate them? Quad is not good for classical music? Huh? So let me get this straight - you love the Westminster more than the Quad now? Well on that we agree I would prefer the Westminster too in a large room. And trying to make an argument over what I already said is odd. The Westminster is higher sensitive can play louder and has more impact - umm already said it. The N801 meets its spec in an enechoic chamber - the AN E requires corner gain and speced in room - the N801 can play louder to boot. And before you get on about the bass - frankly I'll be happy to say the N801 has 10hz more or do you want 50hz more at higher level? Heck let's say the N801 goes deeper by 30hz in room and is 30db more sensitive than the E and has a flatter frequency response - happy now TAH? So TAH what do you win? I've heard all four loudspeakers and to one degree or another like all four speakers. Reading the graph and looking at the pretty pictures of the speakers you post does not change my listening experience of the four loudspeakers.

My dealer carries or carried all four of those loudspeakers. What is curious is that most of the people who have listened to all four (add the 20.1 from Maggie) hears it exactly the same way that I do - and everyone who works there does. Do you have an explanation for that? I make a very big allowance for why someone would like the Westminster or the 2905 over the AN E - but it is interesting that you can see no reason how anyone could like the AN E over those speakers. Why for example does a Quad or westminster or N801owner trade their speaker in for an AN E? Of course I have actually listened to the four and I know of he sonic strengths and weaknesses of the lot of them and know where the strength of the AN E can seduce the Westminster lover and would have them make the switch. I also know why someone would still choose the Westminster. The Tannoy upscale stuff is stuff I could live with long term - I don't consider the AN E to be a "better" speaker and frankly I wish Soundhounds had found a way to keep the line because I think it's better than some of the other stuff they carry. At this point in fact the Westminster is my second choice - and if I had a bigger room might be my first choice.