Hi all, after almost succumbing to purchasing Monitor Audio Gold 300s a year or so back, I decided to just hold fire and give myself some time. But i've recently come back to thinking about new speakers, and now our puppy is in a fully mischievous phase, I'm still not in a hurry, but I was wondering if anyone has any opinions or experience to answer a few questions about the Shahinian Arcs.

Firstly i'm going to hopefully add a photo of the room here to assist with context, and don't give me grief about the proximity of the couch and cabinets etc, it's about compromises! I am wondering if the upward firing Arcs, and their different approach to imaging/soundstage might be a good option for our situation?

For equipment: I've got an Audio Research SP9mk2 into an Audio Research VS55 tube amp pushing Image 414mk2s currently, and i am barely pushing the gain, so I know the 55 can push a lot of power for it's supposed numbers.

I had thought for the type of space, and the footprint, standard towers were going to be the right choice, but i've heard my friend's old vintage arcs so many times, and been really impressed with them. They're also quite a subtle cabinet, and their incredible sound seems to be at odds with the size of them! And the Mk2s are improved on those. I'm okay with the price difference between these two options, and really, should probably reset my thinking and start again with the Shahinian budget, and see what my options are at that price point too.

My friend does have them quite forward in the room, and with 2 kids, a delightful but loony labrador and a smaller house I don't have the luxury of that option, so i'm not sure if i'd be disappointed with the real world results of having them here, and not benefiting from optimal placement...

The smartest thing to do, and I will do it, is to have my friend bring them round to my house and test drive them, but for those here who have experience with either or both of the MA Gold 300s and Shahinian Arcs, i'd love to hear your thoughts!

Now to try and upload the picture...

Heard plenty of Shahinians.

A very different presentation to your MA, Images.

They sound like a more sophisticated Bose.

Omni dispersion means they need a lot of space and are heavily influenced by the room they are used in.

As you don't have the luxury of space, stick to direct radiators that will work close to a wall.

Plenty of choice at the Arc's RRP.

Mar 7, 2022 9:47:27 GMT 12 michaelw said:

Heard plenty of Shahinians.

A very different presentation to your MA, Images.

They sound like a more sophisticated Bose.

Omni dispersion means they need a lot of space and are heavily influenced by the room they are used in.

As you don't have the luxury of space, stick to direct radiators that will work close to a wall.

Plenty of choice at the Arc's RRP.

Thanks Michael, reads like sound advice. Can't quite tell if Bose reference is thinly veiled insult towards the Shahinians! 

There's a similar audio aesthetic - sound, sound everywhere.

The best I've ever heard Shahinians was a pair of Hawks + Double Eagle woofers at Peter Thomson/Plinius place when he still lived in PN.

Big, dynamic, expressive and relatively un-coloured by Shahinian standards.

I had Shahinian Obelisks (mk1) - extremely musical and immersive. (I 'graduated' from Image References to Hawthorne Open Baffles to Obelisks)
Heard Arcs (mk1) at Soundline in ChCh too; in a large room, out from the walls - impressive indeed.  

fyi - I ran the Obelisks with Perreaux (ss 200w), Mapletree valve KT88 monoblocks (40w) and Ecofan valve 6A3 stereo amp (5w).  You know what?  the 5w Ecofan was the most satisfying!   
  
What Michael says: Arcs  will need plenty of room and be room dependent, so your 'in room' listen of yr friends Arcs will sort your decision.
Look forward to your report and decision/s

"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]

Ecofan 6A3 rules. Bettered only by First Watt SIT-3.