Monitor Speakers to match with Wadia 151...

[admin_exported]

Seems like there are too many options, as always, but I'm looking for some realworld advice—and to add options to my list that I'm not aware of. The Wadia outputs 50 wpc at 8ohms, and 75 into 4. I've heard from a few people that current can be just as important, and it's noted that the Wadia puts out strong, good current. Anyway...

I'm currently using a pair of Dynaudio Audeince 42s. I do love my Dyns, so a logical upgrade would be to the Dynaudio Excite x12. Seems like that has gotten a lot of great attention as being a reference point for options below $2,000, as long as you like the Dyn sound. Also, it's also a nomimal 6 ohm speaker, not 4, as Dynaudio states, so that should help with the Wadia.

So, my short list (without hearing most of them, as dealers are far off.)

1. Dynaudio Excite x12

2. ProAc Tablette Anniversary

I hear from a dealer they can be driven with modest, well designed amps. They don't need a tone of power.

3. Sonus Faber

Concerned about the sheer small size of the mid/bass driver, as I won't be using a sub.

4. Nola Boxer

???

I feel the Wadia provies good power to A42s well at upper-mid to loud volumes, and am looking for more detail at low to mid volumes. I am open to other benefits and surpirses as well!

After speakeing with Dynaudio direct, I ruled out the Focus line, as when Wadia and Dynaudio did a few shows together, they felt it wasn't a good match—which is why they stuck with the Excite series.

So, any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[CnoEvil]

Seems like there are too many options, as always, but I'm looking for some realworld advice—and to add options to my list that I'm not aware of. The Wadia outputs 50 wpc at 8ohms, and 75 into 4. I've heard from a few people that current can be just as important, and it's noted that the Wadia puts out strong, good current. Anyway...

I'm currently using a pair of Dynaudio Audeince 42s. I do love my Dyns, so a logical upgrade would be to the Dynaudio Excite x12. Seems like that has gotten a lot of great attention as being a reference point for options below $2,000, as long as you like the Dyn sound. Also, it's also a nomimal 6 ohm speaker, not 4, as Dynaudio states, so that should help with the Wadia.

So, my short list (without hearing most of them, as dealers are far off.)

1. Dynaudio Excite x12

2. ProAc Tablette Anniversary

I hear from a dealer they can be driven with modest, well designed amps. They don't need a tone of power.

3. Sonus Faber

Concerned about the sheer small size of the mid/bass driver, as I won't be using a sub.

4. Nola Boxer

???

I feel the Wadia provies good power to A42s well at upper-mid to loud volumes, and am looking for more detail at low to mid volumes. I am open to other benefits and surpirses as well!

After speakeing with Dynaudio direct, I ruled out the Focus line, as when Wadia and Dynaudio did a few shows together, they felt it wasn't a good match—which is why they stuck with the Excite series.

So, any thoughts?

Thanks!

Hi there, and welcome.

Can you give us an idea of what sort of music you like, how you prefer it to sound and in what size of room it will be in. This will make it easier to give meaningful advice.

Cno

 

[tino]

In the UK, the distributor of the Wadia 151 is offering the 151 with the Sonus Faber Toy speakers as a package. There may be some merit in that combination. I would be looking for a speaker that is around 88/90dB sensitivity or greater. I think the 151 would match quite well with the Triangle Colours - either the bookshelf speakers or the floorstanders. They would add a little bit more colour (pardon the pun) into the 151's fairly neutral tone. They are also 90dB efficient. Since I also have a 151, it's a combination I would also like to try at some point.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi. Thanks, Cno. I'm a musician from way back, so music is music, but there are styles that you can play towards, I imagine, right? My recent playlists:

Peter Gabriel—So, Us, Last Temptation of Christ

Carmen Consoli—Italian singer songwriter

Iarla O'Lionaird—Singer with the Afro Celts, solo work is more ambient than Electronica influenced

Pat Metheny and Charlie Haden—Jazz, guitar and double bass

Classical: Glenn Gould, Pablo Casals, Janine Jansen

Other—Allison Krauss, Karen Ann, Cara Dillon (trad Irish), Older Genesis, Joseph Arthur, Feist, Dido...it's a big mix.

I do really like the 'Dynaudio' bass I hear on PG's So from my current setup—when the volume is up a bit. So clean, solid, 'limited' bass is better than a wide ranging bass spectrum that doesnt have integrity throughout the range. Maybe I'm wanting to get that dynamic feel when the volume is lower.

What I tend not to listen to is honey coated pop or electronica or house. I'm not huge into jazz, but like a great trio.

Main room size is 3.3m x 5m, but an open floor plan opens up in the back to the kitchen. The monitors are in a section that is effectively 3.3m x 3.3m, behind a half wall.

Budget $2k.

 

[CnoEvil]

Thank you for the info.

Everywhere I look (except the Wadia website), it gives the specs as 25W @ 8 Ohms & 50W @ 4 Ohms.....so has there been a change in spec?

You will need efficient, easy to drive speakers and as it's class D (clean sounding)....maybe with a touch of warmth.

My suggestions would be speakers like Sonus Faber (as suggested by Tino), Rega, Audio Note and Kef R series.....Dynaudio are good, provided there is enough current to control them.

Triangle are very efficient and lively, but too forward for me....but saying that, you might like them.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi. I actually emaled Waida on the spec disparity a while back, and spoke with one of the main folks over there. He mentioned that they severely underrated the specs initially, and revised them post-release. So the original brochure, and many review websites, list the lower output. Wadia feels like a solid company, so I can't see them playing the numbers unfairly.

The Wadia does sound very warm, but I do have Dyns connected. I was concerned a D amp would be harsh—not the case. Triangles seem interesting, but no local rep that I can find.

I'm down to the Dynaudio x12, Sonus Faber Toy, and the Nola Boxer. The x12 isn't as sensitive as the others, but interestingly enough Dynaudio and Wadia did a few shows, and they paired the x12 to evidently amazing results.

 

[CnoEvil]

Glad you're getting sorted out.....I have a soft spot for SF, but the Dynaudio would also be a good match if it can drive them like you say. I know nothing about Nola Boxer.