I was a HT guy but sold everything and started from scratch with HiFi. As in my Signature, I have finished my setup almost but the last mile is still pending. I run my Music through Mac Mini Optical to MF M1 DAC and then RCA to PM11. I have been auditioning very many speakers but my audtioning experience has not been very effective.
I come from B&W speakers in HT (CM7) and I thought CM9 will be good for me. But when I did some auditions that is when I had some major challenges. I went by general top recommended speakers from various places. My short list had B&W CM9, KEF IQ 90, KEF Q700, Dynaudio Excite X32, PMC GB1i. But all the speakers sounded either too small or less wide sound stage and some were even muffled.
The emerging champion in these auditions was surprisingly Dynaudio Excite X36 which is a 2 star rated product but no matter how many different ways we tried, X36 always sounded the best in details and involving (+ good base too!) and no coarseness at all.
This is where I thought it is good to pause and asking other experienced listeners for opinions. Please let me know what speakers would you match in my system. Budget could be around 1500 Pounds for both speakers but I am more than fine with used market.
PS: The Marantz is giving too much bass even with out PV1 in place. I need to tune the sub and integrate it well
PPS: Coming from CM7, I thought I will be floored by CM9 performance. I heard them at two places. They sounded too narrow soundstage and very disappointing. X32 being a 5 star winner was too weak in comparison of X36 (details, finess, lack of harshness). I am only sharing this view so that it might be a little more clear about what kind of sound I generally like. Also, I am very confused with ratings I read and my own observation in audition rooms.
I come from B&W speakers in HT (CM7) and I thought CM9 will be good for me. But when I did some auditions that is when I had some major challenges. I went by general top recommended speakers from various places. My short list had B&W CM9, KEF IQ 90, KEF Q700, Dynaudio Excite X32, PMC GB1i. But all the speakers sounded either too small or less wide sound stage and some were even muffled.
The emerging champion in these auditions was surprisingly Dynaudio Excite X36 which is a 2 star rated product but no matter how many different ways we tried, X36 always sounded the best in details and involving (+ good base too!) and no coarseness at all.
This is where I thought it is good to pause and asking other experienced listeners for opinions. Please let me know what speakers would you match in my system. Budget could be around 1500 Pounds for both speakers but I am more than fine with used market.
PS: The Marantz is giving too much bass even with out PV1 in place. I need to tune the sub and integrate it well
PPS: Coming from CM7, I thought I will be floored by CM9 performance. I heard them at two places. They sounded too narrow soundstage and very disappointing. X32 being a 5 star winner was too weak in comparison of X36 (details, finess, lack of harshness). I am only sharing this view so that it might be a little more clear about what kind of sound I generally like. Also, I am very confused with ratings I read and my own observation in audition rooms.