OK, Max, since you asked... []
I visited Music Matters and Frank Harvey to listen to the following:-
1. Dynaudio Excite EX32
2. Monitor Audio GS20
3. Neat Motive 1
4. Spendor A5
5. Proac Studio 140 Mk2
6. Proac D18
7. KEF XQ30
8. ??? Mystery Speaker X ???
First up, having spent a few minutes acclimatising at Music Matters with my Spendor S3e speakers, Primare CD31 and I30 source components, was the Dynaudio pair.
They made me sit up and listen. Previously I had known on some level or other that the Spendors, as nice as they are, were not quite delivering what I wanted. The Dynaudios proved it beyond reasonable doubt. Here is what I jotted down during my morning listening session:-
Spendor S3e (before hearing anything else)
Clear, warm/mellow and generally a pleasant listen BUT...
Bass is not tight enough (a bit too undefined)
Top end not quite crisp enough on occasion
Slightly closed-in sound
Overall balance is good, but something is lacking
Dynaudio Excite EX32
Immediate difference - improvement in all departments
Bass more controlled and tightened
Better balance
Top end crisper
Better sense of presence and spaciousness - seems less forced and easier to produce the music.
Scale and separation enhanced.
Attractive and classical looks
I like these
Immediately, although the Spendors are no slouch at delivering a musical and enjoyable experience, I was aware that the Dynaudio floorstanders had made a clearly discernible step up in my listening experience. They just took the music to a new level of enjoyment. I was keen to hear more. So next up were the MA GS20 speakers.
Monitor Audio GS20
These look the business
Uh-oh, loss of spaciousness (in all directions) - a more concentrated sound
Maybe too much fizz in the treble on cymbals - less control of the top end maybe?
Pleasant midrange effect and strong, fuller bass style
More of a rock gig experience: bass is more powerful and more dominant - forward?
Sounding good at low volumes - still digs out the detail and a sense of clarity when played relatively quiet - a very useful feature.
But overall they just didn't do it for me. It was the bass that I found too dominant, swamping some of the detail. I liked the look and the build quality but was disappointed with the whole package.
Neat Motive 1
A leaner, more refined and restrained sound than the MAs
Better bass control - more defined
Unfortunately, they need to go louder to get the full effect - harder to drive
Overall balance is an improvement over the MAs
The sense of space is back
However, are they a touch too bright and crisp?
Again, the sound at lower volumes is a definite improvement over the S3e delivery, even though a pale shadow of the way tracks should be delivered
I may prefer the Dynaudios - need to conduct a head-to-head
Each of the above improved on the sound of the S3e delivery. However, it was not a consistent improvement. Although the Monitor Audios look the business and have a lovely finish, the bass ‘bloom' was too much for me. I imagine that some systems can take the GS20 sound and do something wonderful in the rock department, but I need a consistent sound across various genres. So not for me. Therefore it comes down to the Dynaudio and Neat at this venue. The Dynaudios have the classical look and the Neats look more current, but sonically I was thinking that there was a certain extra something to the Dynaudio sound over the Neats - a bit of extra warmth and overall balance. Both delivered great detail and clarity and wide soundstage. The MA pair were just too concentrated and focussed at me (almost giving the same confined small box delivery of the S3e pair in a way).
All of which took us from 10.30 to 12.45 and only new 3 speakers demoed (I needed to be in Coventry by 2.00pm). Well, go on, just one more listen whilst I'm here, but it needs to be quick...
...but you will have to wait for that one! ) Suffice it to say, I left Music Matters at about 1.10pm and still needed to escape the traffic gravity well that is Birmingham.
I made it with a few minutes to spare (some posh bird in her BMW even vacated a parking space close-by, almost on schedule) I tried to lug my gear up to the top floor of Frank Harvey, but was not allowed - customers are there to listen, not to work. Moreover, customers are there to pick and choose their listening - aargh, so many speakers to choose from!
Well, it had to be the Spendor SA1 didn't it? Well, no, it didn't. I briefly gave it consideration at some point, but thought that with just one afternoon session, it should be floorstanders only. Maybe an opportunity missed? Maybe another day? But anyway, on to the Spendor A5, which was, I suppose, a logical move from the S3e. Notes:-
Spendor A5
I like the sound already - it takes the edge off the top end (comparing with the Neats)
Clear and airy sound
Good control of the top end - precise, clear and detailed
Bass not overblown or dominating
Definitely the S3e PLUS!!!
Yes, I liked the Spendor A5 sound, which picks up where the S3e leaves off. Did I want to hear the A6 pair at over £2k? Given more time, that would have been a "yes", but I needed to hear others in my price range, which meant a quick discussion and the arrival of the ProAc Studio 140 Mk2.
ProAc Studio 140 Mk2
Visually, initial impression of another Spendor A5 but looking indefinably more ‘serious' and somehow classier.
Easier to drive - sounding decent at lower volume level
Actually - more spacious sounding, freeing the music more
And this is where the note-taking stopped!
...Because I sat there and became intoxicated with the ProAcs, which delivered everything the Spendors did but even better. They take the Spendor sound and move it up to another level, delivering a performance that simply left me smiling in vacuous pleasure. Well, maybe a slight exaggeration, but you hopefully know what I mean and I was certainly smiling and nodding as I listened.
The music was simply unleashed to do what it should do: enthral and entertain.
Yes, partnered with the Primares, the ProAcs left me smiling and appreciating the tracks as, one by one, I fed CDs into the drawer. I would have loved to spend the whole afternoon and beyond listening to track after track. So, it was with a certain degree of trepidation that I opted to give the ProAc D18 speakers a listen. I thought they were an extravagance (and temptation) too far - at over £2k. But, in for a penny...
...and such a disappointment!
I actually found them, by comparison with the Studio 140s, lacking in life and dynamism. For me, with my system, they were flat and uninspiring. They didn't seem to have any life or enthusiasm. I expected great things - huge temptation - after the 140s, but despite the rather smart physical appearance, they didn't seem to deliver the goods. Too flat and neutral(?). Accurate and controlled, but lacking any form of life. Boringly frustrating and yet a boon because they tempted me not one iota.
And so to the wild card. This was the KEF XQ30. I'd not considered the speaker and, in truth, not known of its existence. But, with a little time to spare, I was willing to give them a listen. I found them to be similar to the Neats; possibly slightly livelier, but would need a direct comparison to be sure. Like enthusiastic puppies - eager to please and be liked. However, the ProAcs had won the day.
Therefore, unless my third port of call, in a couple of weeks, holds a big surprise, I reckon I will be the proud owner of a pair of ProAc Studio 140 Mk2s before Christmas.
Oh, and for anyone who is still keeping up with this lengthy post and has kept a count, yes, there is one more speaker I listened to, but that belongs on a separate post. []
I visited Music Matters and Frank Harvey to listen to the following:-
1. Dynaudio Excite EX32
2. Monitor Audio GS20
3. Neat Motive 1
4. Spendor A5
5. Proac Studio 140 Mk2
6. Proac D18
7. KEF XQ30
8. ??? Mystery Speaker X ???
First up, having spent a few minutes acclimatising at Music Matters with my Spendor S3e speakers, Primare CD31 and I30 source components, was the Dynaudio pair.
They made me sit up and listen. Previously I had known on some level or other that the Spendors, as nice as they are, were not quite delivering what I wanted. The Dynaudios proved it beyond reasonable doubt. Here is what I jotted down during my morning listening session:-
Spendor S3e (before hearing anything else)
Clear, warm/mellow and generally a pleasant listen BUT...
Bass is not tight enough (a bit too undefined)
Top end not quite crisp enough on occasion
Slightly closed-in sound
Overall balance is good, but something is lacking
Dynaudio Excite EX32
Immediate difference - improvement in all departments
Bass more controlled and tightened
Better balance
Top end crisper
Better sense of presence and spaciousness - seems less forced and easier to produce the music.
Scale and separation enhanced.
Attractive and classical looks
I like these
Immediately, although the Spendors are no slouch at delivering a musical and enjoyable experience, I was aware that the Dynaudio floorstanders had made a clearly discernible step up in my listening experience. They just took the music to a new level of enjoyment. I was keen to hear more. So next up were the MA GS20 speakers.
Monitor Audio GS20
These look the business
Uh-oh, loss of spaciousness (in all directions) - a more concentrated sound
Maybe too much fizz in the treble on cymbals - less control of the top end maybe?
Pleasant midrange effect and strong, fuller bass style
More of a rock gig experience: bass is more powerful and more dominant - forward?
Sounding good at low volumes - still digs out the detail and a sense of clarity when played relatively quiet - a very useful feature.
But overall they just didn't do it for me. It was the bass that I found too dominant, swamping some of the detail. I liked the look and the build quality but was disappointed with the whole package.
Neat Motive 1
A leaner, more refined and restrained sound than the MAs
Better bass control - more defined
Unfortunately, they need to go louder to get the full effect - harder to drive
Overall balance is an improvement over the MAs
The sense of space is back
However, are they a touch too bright and crisp?
Again, the sound at lower volumes is a definite improvement over the S3e delivery, even though a pale shadow of the way tracks should be delivered
I may prefer the Dynaudios - need to conduct a head-to-head
Each of the above improved on the sound of the S3e delivery. However, it was not a consistent improvement. Although the Monitor Audios look the business and have a lovely finish, the bass ‘bloom' was too much for me. I imagine that some systems can take the GS20 sound and do something wonderful in the rock department, but I need a consistent sound across various genres. So not for me. Therefore it comes down to the Dynaudio and Neat at this venue. The Dynaudios have the classical look and the Neats look more current, but sonically I was thinking that there was a certain extra something to the Dynaudio sound over the Neats - a bit of extra warmth and overall balance. Both delivered great detail and clarity and wide soundstage. The MA pair were just too concentrated and focussed at me (almost giving the same confined small box delivery of the S3e pair in a way).
All of which took us from 10.30 to 12.45 and only new 3 speakers demoed (I needed to be in Coventry by 2.00pm). Well, go on, just one more listen whilst I'm here, but it needs to be quick...
...but you will have to wait for that one! ) Suffice it to say, I left Music Matters at about 1.10pm and still needed to escape the traffic gravity well that is Birmingham.
I made it with a few minutes to spare (some posh bird in her BMW even vacated a parking space close-by, almost on schedule) I tried to lug my gear up to the top floor of Frank Harvey, but was not allowed - customers are there to listen, not to work. Moreover, customers are there to pick and choose their listening - aargh, so many speakers to choose from!
Well, it had to be the Spendor SA1 didn't it? Well, no, it didn't. I briefly gave it consideration at some point, but thought that with just one afternoon session, it should be floorstanders only. Maybe an opportunity missed? Maybe another day? But anyway, on to the Spendor A5, which was, I suppose, a logical move from the S3e. Notes:-
Spendor A5
I like the sound already - it takes the edge off the top end (comparing with the Neats)
Clear and airy sound
Good control of the top end - precise, clear and detailed
Bass not overblown or dominating
Definitely the S3e PLUS!!!
Yes, I liked the Spendor A5 sound, which picks up where the S3e leaves off. Did I want to hear the A6 pair at over £2k? Given more time, that would have been a "yes", but I needed to hear others in my price range, which meant a quick discussion and the arrival of the ProAc Studio 140 Mk2.
ProAc Studio 140 Mk2
Visually, initial impression of another Spendor A5 but looking indefinably more ‘serious' and somehow classier.
Easier to drive - sounding decent at lower volume level
Actually - more spacious sounding, freeing the music more
And this is where the note-taking stopped!
...Because I sat there and became intoxicated with the ProAcs, which delivered everything the Spendors did but even better. They take the Spendor sound and move it up to another level, delivering a performance that simply left me smiling in vacuous pleasure. Well, maybe a slight exaggeration, but you hopefully know what I mean and I was certainly smiling and nodding as I listened.
The music was simply unleashed to do what it should do: enthral and entertain.
Yes, partnered with the Primares, the ProAcs left me smiling and appreciating the tracks as, one by one, I fed CDs into the drawer. I would have loved to spend the whole afternoon and beyond listening to track after track. So, it was with a certain degree of trepidation that I opted to give the ProAc D18 speakers a listen. I thought they were an extravagance (and temptation) too far - at over £2k. But, in for a penny...
...and such a disappointment!
I actually found them, by comparison with the Studio 140s, lacking in life and dynamism. For me, with my system, they were flat and uninspiring. They didn't seem to have any life or enthusiasm. I expected great things - huge temptation - after the 140s, but despite the rather smart physical appearance, they didn't seem to deliver the goods. Too flat and neutral(?). Accurate and controlled, but lacking any form of life. Boringly frustrating and yet a boon because they tempted me not one iota.
And so to the wild card. This was the KEF XQ30. I'd not considered the speaker and, in truth, not known of its existence. But, with a little time to spare, I was willing to give them a listen. I found them to be similar to the Neats; possibly slightly livelier, but would need a direct comparison to be sure. Like enthusiastic puppies - eager to please and be liked. However, the ProAcs had won the day.
Therefore, unless my third port of call, in a couple of weeks, holds a big surprise, I reckon I will be the proud owner of a pair of ProAc Studio 140 Mk2s before Christmas.
Oh, and for anyone who is still keeping up with this lengthy post and has kept a count, yes, there is one more speaker I listened to, but that belongs on a separate post. []