Linn Forums

linnrd · 2012-04-29, 23:00

(2012-04-29 19:22)Rufus McDufus Wrote: 804 Diamond is a great suggestion! Particularly as my local dealer is a B&W stockist. It's not that easy finding stockists for some of the more unusual speakers.
I should give the PMC Fact 8 a listen at least as it does get great reviews...

I would recommend aiming a tad higher. The 804Diamond is not a bad choice, whereas the 803Diamond is...much more cohesive. Note, however, that your choice of amplification will be restricted if you get 80xDiamonds, so be prepared to be boxed in if you go that route. The Fact 8 and some active ATCs are also worth listening to, especially the latter. I never particularly found the Focal Electras listenable (heard them through Bryston 28Bs and found them too shouty and thin). Oh...and Totem are actually not too bad sounding, especially with their later line-up.

rad · 2012-04-30, 11:25

Sonus Fabers seem to go well with Linn. This was originally recommended to me by my dealer in Dubai, and on that advice I went (about a year ago) from Dynaudio to Sonus Faber Cremona M's. Then recently to my Amati Futuras.

klimaxer · 2012-04-30, 14:41

I have a set of KEF XQ40s and they really are excellent for the money.

I have kept them and swap occasionally with my 242s. I hate to say it - but for some music I actually prefer them. They are much brighter than the 242s. Well worth an audtion, and I can only imagine what the KEF reference series sound like.

Bruce

Vereina · 2012-04-30, 15:37

Well, being totally unbiased and objective, I would have to recommend ATC .... Wink

(That's simply because I have ATC 'speakers myself, not because of any commercial connection.)

Of course, the reason I have them is that, when I was building my current system (initially with active SCM20s), I felt that they were the best option. That is absolutely not to say that Linn do not make good 'speakers, too - I had active Kabers in my previous system for over a decade - but I do think that the quality and accuracy of the ATCs is quite outstanding. Bear in mind that, with active 'speakers, you can get very minimalist. I started my current system with just a CD player (with variable output) and SCM20s.

Another factor is that something comparable in the Linn range (which I suspect is probably 350s driven actively with Klimax amps) does begin to get just a little expensive ....

I realise that the ATC active models are by no means small, so probably do not meet your criteria, but I don't think you would go far wrong with the SCM40s. The ATC amplifiers are well worth trying, too.

Aside from ATC, Sonus Faber is undoubtedly another good choice, as is Shahinian (a friend of mine moved to that brand from Isobariks). Given what you said about size, I presume electrostatics are out of the question .... Shy

Vimtokid · 2012-04-30, 15:43

You mention Focal in your original post and I'd give them a try at least. I'm obviously biased as I own a pair of 1027Be, but I couldn't be happier within the context of my setting and with my Linn amps. They do seem to get a mixed response as Linnrd found, and in fairness I've heard them sound grim at hi-fi shows with different set-ups. They are revealing, but mine have plenty of weight and I don't find them harsh, just fast and detailed.

jbc · 2012-04-30, 18:13

A number of good suggestions on this thread.

One thing that Linnrd brought up that I think warrants additional emphasis is the partnership between speaker and power amplifier. The selection of a speaker based on sonic characteristics alone does not guarantee that you will get good results at home - unless you carefully consider the matching power amplifier. Simply put, I don't think you can consider speakers alone.

Some speakers require an amp with a very beefy power supply (high current and damping factor) to sound their best, and others are a little more amp friendly. Generally, a big woofer in a big cabinet needs a big amp. If you want deep, impactful bass, you'll need a big amp too. Try powering a pair of B&W 800D's with a low powered tube amp, and you'll end up with anemic and uninvolving sound, effectively wasting your money on both the speaker and amplifier.

When you consider the total costs of a speaker plus appropriate power amplifier(s), the active speakers can seem to be quite competitive. The next go-around, I'll definitely consider those options more closely.

Right now, however, I largely made my current choice based on something that would sound good with the amplification I have.

Best,
JBC

Rufus McDufus · 2012-04-30, 18:45

Exactly jbc. I will have to test with the Tundra (at least, though hopefully test some at home) because it is not the most powerful amp, though very efficient. I know it's fine with a pair of 350Ps though.

jbc · 2012-04-30, 19:16

If you can do a home audition, or take your amp to the retailer, that's definitely the best bet. One caveat with the 350P is that the bass is aktively driven with amps in the speakers. An 'external' power amp only drives the midrange and higher, which would likely make the load the amp sees something like an Akurate 212 (which you have already). It's the passive bass where you'd potentially run into problems.

I am curious to see what your observations are as you audition, so please keep us updated.

I tend to find that most speakers are either tonally accurate and dynamically constrained, or dynamically good and tonally inaccurate. Some do one 'trick' really well, like imaging. There aren't that many speakers which have good tonal accuracy and dynamics.

Good luck with the searck.

linnrd · 2012-04-30, 22:57

(2012-04-30 15:43)Vimtokid Wrote: You mention Focal in your original post and I'd give them a try at least. I'm obviously biased as I own a pair of 1027Be, but I couldn't be happier within the context of my setting and with my Linn amps. They do seem to get a mixed response as Linnrd found, and in fairness I've heard them sound grim at hi-fi shows with different set-ups. They are revealing, but mine have plenty of weight and I don't find them harsh, just fast and detailed.

The problem with the Focals is that they are far too often not setup well and with the wrong electronics driving them. I find that the inverted tweeter tends to beam a tad and the speakers sound better with less toe-in. The demo I was subjected to had the 28Bs pounding through with the speakers aimed right at the listener, in a room with a concrete floor with a thin rubber backed carpet on top. Not ideal, imho. I heard the Diablos under a different set of circumstances and they did acquit themselves rather well, I thought.

linnrd · 2012-04-30, 23:03

(2012-04-30 18:13)jbc Wrote: When you consider the total costs of a speaker plus appropriate power amplifier(s), the active speakers can seem to be quite competitive. The next go-around, I'll definitely consider those options more closely.

It is worth checking out the Lipinski 707 with the amp designed in the stand. It is one of the more neutral speakers around and does have the snap with transients and dynamics. To paraphrase the engineering chestnut: neutrality, dynamics, affordable. Pick any two. Tongue