On vacation, Going shopping

[JohnMichael]

Yes I am finally getting a break. I decided to hit one audio store. Well I may also go to Magnolia Home Theater to hear the B&W CM150's. Of course after reading the info about the speakers I do not expect a good demo. This is why they are vented speakers.

Vented box system

Ensures adequate ventilation to keep the speaker cool

Then I wanted to drive and hear the Nola Boxer. I went to the site to find a local dealer. I entered my information to learn about my closest dealer. I do not know why but I would love to hear this speaker. I think part of it is the success they have had in the past with small speakers. I received a nice email from Marilyn Marchisotto and she told me the nearest dealer is in Fairfield, NJ. Who the hell wants to go to NJ? Really is there anything to do there of interest? Am I annoying Mark yet?

So I am going to Dayton, OH to Hanson Audio. I am amazed by the brands they carry. They have Magico speakers and Boulder electronics and they will continue to have them after I leave but there are many brands I do want to consider. They even stock Monitor Audio so maybe they can be a trade in. Oh I just thought they might have trade ins. Anyway here is a link and I look forward to hearing some different equipment. I might even be able to hear the new Thiel 1.7 speakers.

Speakers - Hi-Fi Audiophile, Home Theater Surround

[JohnMichael]

I traveled to Genesis Audio to hear the Studio 20's and to Magnolia's to hear the B&W CM150. I have to say neither one is for me.

Genesis Audio was only interested in showing me the Studio 20's. When asked my budget I mentioned $2,000. I had never met a salesman who did not try to bump up my budget. I even asked about the Paradigms with Beryllium tweeters. He said they were nice but never offered to demo them. The budget can always be stretched but he must have made a judgement and did not want to spend time on me. No I did not take a stack of show tunes.

Then I went to Magnolia/Best Buy to hear the B&W CM150. The salesman was nice and tried to be helpful. He told me if they did not work in my system I could return them without a restocking fee. He tried to sound like an audiophile.

The sound of the Studio 20's was interesting. The lower frequencies were warm and detailed. Then when the higher notes were being handled by the tweeter they lightened and brightened. I had not heard a speaker that changed character to my ears as much as the Paradigm Studio 20's did. That is not a problem with my other three pairs of speakers. I am not saying they are better they just do not change character like the Studio 20's.

The B&W CM150's were a little thin and bright. Judging by how they were hooked up I doubt if I heard them at their best. I was surprised how small they were but I thought they looked bigger in pictures. The 150's build quality did not seem in the same league as the Paradigm's. I doubt if I return to hear any of them again.

[LeRoy]

Well, at least you're getting the curiosity satisfied while out touring the countryside. I have yet to hear a CM series speaker from B&W that has impressed. So, what else do you have on your must listen to list?

[Jack in Wilmington]

What happened to Hanson Audio, that seemed like a very promising shop. They didn't have any Revel's or PMC's to listen to at Genesis Audio?

[JohnMichael]

What happened to Hanson Audio, that seemed like a very promising shop. They didn't have any Revel's or PMC's to listen to at Genesis Audio?

I did not see any Revel or PMC speakers. They had Paradigm and Martin Logan but he kept on the Paradigm and never showed me even the Motion speakers. We had some hard rains today and it was tough going 40 minutes to Columbus so I have not made the trip to Dayton over 2 hours away. Two more days to make the trip. Of course what I heard today is making my speakers sound better.

[Jack in Wilmington]

That's funny cause Genesis's website says they sell Revel and PMC. I know how Mr. P feels about his Revel's. Looks like they need to work on a new web page. Well hopefully Hanson will have something to get your toes tapping. The weather has been terrible, it rained buckets this afternoon. I was out in it shopping for a new cell phone.

[JohnMichael]

Well, at least you're getting the curiosity satisfied while out touring the countryside. I have yet to hear a CM series speaker from B&W that has impressed. So, what else do you have on your must listen to list?

I really want to hear the Nola Boxer but no dealers in Ohio. Hanson has many interesting speaker brands like Dynaudio that I have always wanted to hear.

When I arrived home I had to relisten to my speakers. I brought out the RS6's which have sounded thin in the past. Tonight I am listening to them single wired with Ultralink stranded cables. They have regained some warmth and oddly deeper bass. Whenever I single wire the RS6's I use the upper speaker binding posts. The upper binding posts takes care of the upper driver and tweeter and the links only transmit signal to the lower bass driver.

I want something better than different so as I shop I am checking what my speakers are capable of doing.

[Mr Peabody]

In addition, it's a buyer's market and deals can be had on Audiogon for less than listed, however, if you do get something you aren't satisfied with it can be a hassle to flip and often times a loss. As much as many of us are Dynaudio fans, it's not a guarantee for JM. As an example, Frenchie isn't a big fan, but after all these years I have yet been able to pinpoint what moves Frenchie, LOL. Neither of us are impressed by Sonus Faber, for me not that I dislike them, just didn't do anything for me either.

It's a shame Nola isn't more widely distributed, they were on my list back when I still had my CJ gear and looking for something different. I'd still like to hear them. Harbeth makes a nice monitor, although IMO think they are over priced which puts them in a league with some tough competition along with not being the best of values.

[Jack in Wilmington]

There is also a nice looking pair of Nola Boxers on Audiogon, but they're located in Canada and I'm not sure what that does to the shipping costs.

Like you, I'm not sure what drives Frenchie either. I've never been to a dealer that carries Canton, but from what I've read, they are excellent speakers. I find SF to be very dependent on upstream electronics. I've heard them sound dull and unengaging and also at other times very dynamic. I'll bet you Pass Labs could shake the cobwebs off a pair.

[harley .guy07]

. I'll bet you Pass Labs could shake the cobwebs off a pair.

I think you might be right. As being the owner of the baby of the same series as Mr. P's amp except the .5 which for the 150 adds a lot but I would think would have the same basic qualities of his 250. I would think if the SF's are any good the Pass amps would bring it out. I have loved mine and even though I have the Dyn audience series the Pass brings out more in them than I have ever heard before and probably more than I have personally ever heard in a speaker in their price class. I have heard these speakers with CJ, and also with my system as it has grown over the last few years and it is better now than I could of imagined it could have ever been without a major speaker upgrade.

[JohnMichael]

Even though I did not like the Paradigm Studio 20's enough to purchase them they did teach me something. I have often found the RS6's thin sounding and I attributed that to metal drivers. The Studio 20's with their aluminum woofers sounded full and warm with good weight to the cello of the string quartet I had played. Once I was home I pulled out the RS6's.

I placed the RS6's in their usual place. At that point all that thin sound was back and I was missing the Studio 20's and some midbass. I was going to return the JBL's back in place so I pulled the RS6's forward while still playing since the piece was almost over. All of a sudden it was like someone turned a contour level. The bottom end filled in nicely. They were out further in the room than I would like visually but the sound speaks for itself.

I keep waiting for something to happen since several times in the past I thought I had achieved good sound. They had never sounded this good. Imaging is better and I think being out in the room more I have much less early reflections. Since the speakers are now closer to my chair the direct sound reaches me quicker than any reflections. If I had good sense I would be embarrassed that it took me so long to have them sounding good. I guess my design interests interfered with good audio experimentation with placement.

[blackraven]

Glad to hear that you have them sounding good. I always wondered about the fact that you found the RS6's thin in the midarange. My Monitor Audio S1's have a nice full, slightly warmer midrange. But the S1's are bookshelfs and 1 generation removed from the RS's.

[Jack in Wilmington]

It shows you that all metal tweeters are not created equal. Mr. P's f52s have metal tweeters and he loves the sound.

[JohnMichael]

It shows you that all metal tweeters are not created equal. Mr. P's f52s have metal tweeters and he loves the sound.

All drivers in the RS6 are ceramic coated aluminum magnesium. Now in their new position they sound very uniform while using the same materials from tweeter to mid/woofers.

[JohnMichael]

It has been nice enjoying the music. As I was getting ready this morning I was listening to "Gershwin's World". Everything is sounding so good. I have had no interest in switching to my other speakers. I am glad I did not buy new speakers but discovered how good the RS6's can be. I have wanted a pair of speakers I could leave in place and enjoy long term. I had the speakers and I finally found the place. Now I need to retract every negative thing I have said about the speakers.

The combination of Marantz SA8001, Goertz TQ2 IC, Krell S-300i, Rocket 44's and Monitor Audio RS6's create a sound that is on the warm side of neutral, detailed with very good imaging. Of course the better the recording the better the sound. Of course vinyl is IMHO a step up in performance. Yes folks I am finally happy.

[blackraven]

Congrat's on finding audio nirvana! That's quite a nice system you have there JM.

[frenchmon]

The combination of Marantz SA8001, Goertz TQ2 IC, Krell S-300i, Rocket 44's and Monitor Audio RS6's create a sound that is on the warm side of neutral, detailed with very good imaging. Of course the better the recording the better the sound. Of course vinyl is IMHO a step up in performance. Yes folks I am finally happy.

To-shay my man....To-shay! Especially the part about vinyl!