best speakers for Soundstage & Imaging?

[CraigDS]

 

[Balderdash]

Quad Electrostatic. Bet you don't buy a pair though!

 

[MajorFubar]

Small ones. Well that's what I've found over the years. (Never been lucky enough to try Quads!)

 

[CnoEvil]

Kef (R series / Reference)

 

[busb]

My Totem Arros excel at imaging if not power handling. They only have 4" bass/mid drivers so can't possibly do bass (until you hear them!) Narrow speakers generally image well. What they lack in terms of absolute grunt that big drivers give is made up for in dynamics at medium volumes.

 

[plastic penguin]

In this particular area, imaging, Totem Arros are staggering.

 

[Singslinger]

If its small bookshelf speakers you're after, I'd recommend listening to the small but very impressive ProAc Tablette Anniversary. Or if you're after a slightly warmer sound, the Harbeth P3ESR.

 

[hoopsontoast]

Either small mini-monitors like the ATC SCM7 for soundstage precision, Quad 57's for 'vocals-in-the-room' soundstage, Magnepans for Soundstage height and probably Kef Reference 205/2's for a combination of all.

For sheer size and massive soundstage, various DIY horn setups do something no others speakers could.

The best amp I have heard that did the best defined, width and precision was the Decware Zen.

 

[CraigDS]

Kef R Series and Totem speakers sound like an interesting place to start. I looked into the Totems and they sound like a well made and quality speaker. What amps work well with them? Also What amps work well with the Kef R100's?

 

[empacher]

Kef R Series and Totem speakers sound like an interesting place to start. I looked into the Totems and they sound like a well made and quality speaker. What amps work well with them? Also What amps work well with the Kef R100's?

Totems do very well with Naim and some tube amps from what I understand.

I really like my Totems with the Brio-R. I have heard of others that have partnered Totems with older higher end Rega amps. The Totem Arros and Brio-R could be a fantastic combination. People will say you need more power with the Totems and maybe that is true if you crank your music or for some other products, but the Brio-R is a solid amp and IMO has no problem gripping the Totems from low to even moderately loud volumes.

As always a good demo will tell you.

 

[Thompsonuxb]

I always thought the amp was the more important part of the equation when it came to imaging and soundstage. I've found a change in amp can affect these aspects of music, when all that has changed is the amp - speaker placement unmoved.

 

[CraigDS]

What amps are god for soundstage and Imaging?

 

[Al ears]

What amps are god for soundstage and Imaging?

I hope you meant 'good'.

In my opinion the answer is none.

Soundstage and imaging are what speakers do.

.....this is rather a circular post isn't it.

..........said a voice from deep in the far righ-hand side...

 

[6th.replicant]

In this particular area, imaging, Totem Arros are staggering.

And Totem Forests even more so

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Monitor Audio's GX and Platinium speakers with Ribbon HF units are also excellent producing soundstaging and imaging

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[ellisdj]

Monitor Audio's GX and Platinium speakers with Ribbon HF units are also excellent producing soundstaging and imaging

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

I am glad these have got a mention - tha platinums imaging is stunning in the right environment - even the big PL300

The GX is very good as well

 

[daytona600]

electrostatics or ls3/5a