The Search for Rich Meaty Sounding Standmount Speakers

[Hawkwind16]

I have recently upgraded my main system with some Roksan Caspian M2's (very nice) and some Focal Aria 905 speakers.

I'd like to move the 905's to my upstairs system 2, and invest in some new/secondhand bookshelf speakers to get the best from the Roksan's.

I want a full rich meaty sound with good midrange for vocals, piano,guitar, violins etc rather than a thin bright sound with aggressive treble or deep bass - ie more 'heart'. I dislike a wall of percussion and drums between me and the lead music ! Room is about 15 sq.m.

My budget is up to £1k new but i may go higher for the right speaker, which might equate secondhand to something with an original RRP of c£2k

Focal Aria 906 is on my shortlist (I like the 905's but would like more heart), and I ought to check out the Kef LS50. Anything else to look at ? I've heard ATC's are a bit lean, what about PMC's ?

I may also consider retro or specialist speakers.

Thanks Guys

 

[Nelis87]

The topic title sais floorstanders, in the post you speak of bookshelfs *scratch_one-s_head*

Anyway the "meatiest" bookshelfs I heard was the svs ultra bookshelfs. Great speakers. Floorstanders I don't know, to much to choose from.

Ls50 are good speakers but wouldn't describe them as meaty

 

[Al ears]

Meaty is your description it may not mean the same thing to others.

What can you get to actually audition is more to the point.

 

[CnoEvil]

Check out Kef R300 and R500s...which i would describe as "Rich and Meaty". You would need to dem with your amp.

 

[Hawkwind16]

The topic title sais floorstanders, in the post you speak of bookshelfs *scratch_one-s_head*

Anyway the "meatiest" bookshelfs I heard was the svs ultra bookshelfs. Great speakers. Floorstanders I don't know, to much to choose from.

Ls50 are good speakers but wouldn't describe them as meaty

Ooops sorry I meant bookshelf / standmounters

 

[CnoEvil]

Ooops sorry I meant bookshelf / standmounters

IME. The R300s are about the Meatiest Standmounts for 1k.

 

[rainsoothe]

Hi. Audition Spendor, but care with the Caspian matching (same goes for Kef R). Also, the 906 are better than the 905. And, if you find a sh pair, definitely check out B&W PM1. They sound so right, and it feels like they could be matched with anything. You might also like PMC and ATC.

Ah, and I almost forgot: if you have the room for them and can find them, Wharfedale Jade 3 seem to be exactly what you're looking for.

 

[rainsoothe]

Ah, floorstanders. Then Wharfedale Jade 5, Spendor A5R (or the new A2) or a used Martin Logan Motion 20 (40 might be too bassy for a room that size)

 

[Hawkwind16]

Hi. Audition Spendor, but care with the Caspian matching (same goes for Kef R). Also, the 906 are better than the 905. And, if you find a sh pair, definitely check out B&W PM1. They sound so right, and it feels like they could be matched with anything. You might also like PMC and ATC.

Ah, and I almost forgot: if you have the room for them and can find them, Wharfedale Jade 3 seem to be exactly what you're looking for.

Thanks - what's the issue with amp matching ?

 

[jimmy1]

Klipsch heressy 3's look suave, never heard them though but they worth just havin a geez of the pictures

 

[CnoEvil]

Hi. Audition Spendor, but care with the Caspian matching (same goes for Kef R). Also, the 906 are better than the 905. And, if you find a sh pair, definitely check out B&W PM1. They sound so right, and it feels like they could be matched with anything. You might also like PMC and ATC.

Ah, and I almost forgot: if you have the room for them and can find them, Wharfedale Jade 3 seem to be exactly what you're looking for.

Thanks - what's the issue with amp matching ?

Warm meaty amp + warm meaty speakers could be ott, is probably the worry...which is why I specifically advised a dem (which should happen anyway).

 

[DocG]

First off, maybe you can correct your OP title, to get rid of the floorstander/bookshelf confusion.

As for suggestions, I second Cno's advice to try the R300.

The B&W PM1 is a great speaker too, and I think the Caspian has the grunt to drive it.

And then there is Guru Audio. This scandinavian brand has had some distributor/dealer issues in the UK; not sure if all is well now. But if you can try their Junior (new) or Q10 (SH), they are definitely worth a demo. Meaty? Oh, yes!

 

[Hawkwind16]

First off, maybe you can correct your OP title, to get rid of the floorstander/bookshelf confusion.

As for suggestions, I second Cno's advice to try the R300.

The B&W PM1 is a great speaker too, and I think the Caspian has the grunt to drive it.

And then there is Guru Audio. This scandinavian brand has had some distributor/dealer issues in the UK; not sure if all is well now. But if you can try their Junior (new) or Q10 (SH), they are definitely worth a demo. Meaty? Oh, yes!

Yes the title is an error - its standmounts i'm after (as per earlier correction post)

 

[DocG]

First off, maybe you can correct your OP title, to get rid of the floorstander/bookshelf confusion.

Yes the title is an error - its standmounts i'm after (as per earlier correction post)

I got it. But if you edit the title in your first post, it wil be totally clear for everyone. *smile*

 

[Hawkwind16]

First off, maybe you can correct your OP title, to get rid of the floorstander/bookshelf confusion.

Yes the title is an error - its standmounts i'm after (as per earlier correction post)

I got it. But if you edit the title in your first post, it wil be totally clear for everyone. *smile*

Ok got it

 

[Alberich]

If you have the opportunity to demo a pair of Haydn Grand's I believe they could be what you're looking for. They certainly have that meaty midrange you're after, great with vocals, piano and violins, three specifics you mentioned.

 

[robdmarsh]

This is maybe a suggestion in a lower budget than you were of spending but have you considered Elac unifi b5?

I have the Elac debut b5, which I think are wonderful speakers, and I should mention that when I was trying them out I also tried Monitor Audio silver 1, which I notice you have in your profile. The Elac b5 are considerably cheaper than the silver 1, but IMO they are a better speaker and have a meaty sound, which is still detailed yet untiring, while I found the silvers were refined yet less engaging. The unifi b5 are a standmounter a couple of rungs up the ladder but they have received rave reviews the other side of the pond and cost about £600 new, maybe even £499 if you look around. The trouble with Elac is auditioning them here in the UK. For some curious reason, they haven't really gained traction here, indeed the most well-known high street retailer is selling the debut series at well under rrp with no fanfare at all, as if they believe that carrying them is a mistake. I had to order my debut b5 in but got them at a steal.

Look at the reviews online and the reputation of Andrew Jones, their engineer. I think they are certainly worth a listen.

 

[Hawkwind16]

Hi. Audition Spendor, but care with the Caspian matching (same goes for Kef R). Also, the 906 are better than the 905. And, if you find a sh pair, definitely check out B&W PM1. They sound so right, and it feels like they could be matched with anything. You might also like PMC and ATC.

Ah, and I almost forgot: if you have the room for them and can find them, Wharfedale Jade 3 seem to be exactly what you're looking for.

Thanks - what's the issue with amp matching ?

Warm meaty amp + warm meaty speakers could be ott, is probably the worry...which is why I specifically advised a dem (which should happen anyway).

Hi

This is a bit of an old thread now but can you tell me why you think the Focal Aria 906 are preferable to the 905's ? Bigger sound / better bass ? My room miay be abit small for the 906's but I'll consider upgrading

 

[drummerman]

I was very impressed with Revel's Concerta 2 M16.

 

[CnoEvil]

Hi. Audition Spendor, but care with the Caspian matching (same goes for Kef R). Also, the 906 are better than the 905. And, if you find a sh pair, definitely check out B&W PM1. They sound so right, and it feels like they could be matched with anything. You might also like PMC and ATC.

Ah, and I almost forgot: if you have the room for them and can find them, Wharfedale Jade 3 seem to be exactly what you're looking for.

Thanks - what's the issue with amp matching ?

Warm meaty amp + warm meaty speakers could be ott, is probably the worry...which is why I specifically advised a dem (which should happen anyway).

Hi

This is a bit of an old thread now but can you tell me why you think the Focal Aria 906 are preferable to the 905's ? Bigger sound / better bass ? My room miay be abit small for the 906's but I'll consider upgrading

I am not familiar enough with those 2 models to give specific comment.

 

[radiorog]

I was very impressed with Revel's Concerta 2 M16.

Just from the reviews, +1
These are on my list of auditions.

 

[Hawkwind16]

Sorry i think i picked up on the wrong response in the thread.

 

[Hawkwind16]

Hi. Audition Spendor, but care with the Caspian matching (same goes for Kef R). Also, the 906 are better than the 905. And, if you find a sh pair, definitely check out B&W PM1. They sound so right, and it feels like they could be matched with anything. You might also like PMC and ATC.

Ah, and I almost forgot: if you have the room for them and can find them, Wharfedale Jade 3 seem to be exactly what you're looking for.

Hi - Can you tell me why you think the Focal Aria 906 are preferable to the 905's ? Bigger sound / better bass ?

My room may in fact be a bit small for the 906's but I'm considering upgrading