Sources:
Technics 1200 - Plinius Koru - Plinius 9100
Apple Airport Express for Spotify (so shoot me… it’s for the family)

I’ve switched out my audio research pre/power which I’m going to use as a second system but my everyday is now the Plinius integrated and I regret nothing!

I listen to all sorts of music, last three records I put on are Underworld - Drift, Smog - Dongs of Sevotion and Scientist - In the Kingdom of Dub, so my needs are many. I want more controlled low end, deeper bass and refined mids than I currently have with these image 2.5way 414s so looking at 3way floorstanders that can push some low air but do so in a very tight manner.

Trying to get speakers over the line with my wife who feels that the aesthetics are as important, if not possibly more important than the sound. I thought this scenario was a tired old cliche until it happened to me…

The crux of the issue is she would like speakers that look as minimal/clean as the rimu images we have. Timber (not walnut ideally as we already have walnut cabinetry) and black cones/components…

I had initially thought a pair of the monitor audio gold 300 5Gs were going to fit the bill, but the ebony/zebra high gloss finish got an absolute no. I’m not a fan of the silver cones, but they sound great!

Next up are Sonus Faber Sonetto Vs - these might be an option, but the silver hardware on the front gets a strong hmmmm - haven’t heard them yet, running off specs and reviews for now

Then there are Paradigm founders 100f - I like the black faceplate design of these, and honestly if they did a lighter wood version like American oak or something, they would meet the brief but looks like the black would be the only version with any hope of getting in the door…

Dynaudio Evoke 50s are squarely in the ballpark with looks, but they seem pricey for what they are, and they’re rear ported where-as the SF and Paradigm speakers are both base ported which helps me with room placement (I can’t have them miles out from the walls)

Budget began around the 7k mark because I was resigned to the fact that a pair of image revelation 2s was likely the best option for sneaking in a new pair, then a pair of demo MA golds came up for the same price, and have done again at avworld recently.

I’m now looking at @ 10k being my optimum top price, for sanity and to set a reasonable budget.

I’m keen for any reckons or thoughts on these models or other options. What would you do?

Jun 18, 2022 8:24:06 GMT 12 andychampionsound said:

" I want more controlled low end, deeper bass and refined mids than I currently have with these image 2.5way 414s so looking at 3way floorstanders that can push some low air but do so in a very tight manner. ... The crux of the issue is she would like speakers that look as minimal/clean as the rimu images we have. Timber (not walnut ideally as we already have walnut cabinetry) and black cones/components…"

What about the Image Revelation II's? if you like the Image sound and look the Image Revelations give you the same aesthetic with a superior woofer and two decent lower end drivers that are "tight" and well integrated. I have a pair and have never needed to second guess them - they just stay when other stuff changes. At least worth a look given your "prescription".

Jun 18, 2022 8:24:06 GMT 12 andychampionsound said:

Budget began around the 7k mark because I was resigned to the fact that a pair of image revelation 2s was likely the best option for sneaking in a new pair, then a pair of demo MA golds came up for the same price, and have done again at avworld recently.

paulsaints

I'm using an REL Strata 3 subwoofer with my Image 412/2's, Musical Fidelity M3Si amp, and have no problem with loose bass! Also the Images have Herbie's Cone/Spike Decoupling Gliders under them, a lot better sounding than spikes.

Article from Jim Smith which made me try out the Herbie's Gliders.....

www.psaudio.com/copper/article/spiking-your-speakers-whats-the-point/

Plus 1 for the gliders!

Living Voice?

turned-onaudio.co.nz/products/speakers/living-voice

Might be too expensive!!!

Friend in the audio club here is selling his Focal Electra 1038 Be speakers.

www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/electronics-photography/home-audio/speakers-and-stands/floor-speakers/listing/3634970198?archive=1&bof=j1uo654v

I did mention that this began with revelation 2s being the default option! I do still love the look of them, but interested in what’s out there that might be “better”. Bottom porting, ribbon tweeters, newer cone technologies, buzz words, hype and fairy dust are all considerations!

Jun 18, 2022 17:09:21 GMT 12 paulsaints said:

Jun 18, 2022 8:24:06 GMT 12 andychampionsound said:

" I want more controlled low end, deeper bass and refined mids than I currently have with these image 2.5way 414s so looking at 3way floorstanders that can push some low air but do so in a very tight manner. ... The crux of the issue is she would like speakers that look as minimal/clean as the rimu images we have. Timber (not walnut ideally as we already have walnut cabinetry) and black cones/components…"

What about the Image Revelation II's? if you like the Image sound and look the Image Revelations give you the same aesthetic with a superior woofer and two decent lower end drivers that are "tight" and well integrated. I have a pair and have never needed to second guess them - they just stay when other stuff changes. At least worth a look given your "prescription".

Nice. I’m looking to get a new pair rather than compliment the 414s (which I do love, I’ve just had them for probably 15 years now and want to upgrade) The 414s will head down south to Wanaka with the Audio Research pre/power system for holiday listening. Years ago my wife and I did a massive combined sort and cull of CDs and shipped all out favourites down there, and I’ve picked up a second hand CD player to have a nice listening system. We rent the house out so it has a little mini system stereo, but when we’re there we miss having a decent stereo.

Jun 18, 2022 19:08:32 GMT 12 neilsan said:

I'm using an REL Strata 3 subwoofer with my Image 412/2's, Musical Fidelity M3Si amp, and have no problem with loose bass! Also the Images have Herbie's Cone/Spike Decoupling Gliders under them, a lot better sounding than spikes.

Article from Jim Smith which made me try out the Herbie's Gliders.....

www.psaudio.com/copper/article/spiking-your-speakers-whats-the-point/

Hard to beat the bottom end of Golden Ear Tritons in a compact package

www.pqimports.co.nz/products/category/KWXNYPRF-floorstander/Triton%202%20Plus

When a drive unit receives a signal (think 10 or 12 inch woofers) the cone moves forward and then backward past it's resting state. Newton's Third Law of Motion correctly predicts that a force equal to that propelling the cone either forwards or backwards is balanced by an equal force trying to propel the speaker cabinet in the opposite direction. Since the speaker cabinet is comparatively heavy this effect won't be visible but it will try to cancel out or at least colour the sound. Putting spikes on your cabinet will reduce the effect of this opposing force and direct at least some of the energy in the cabinet to ground. It will probably help but whether it makes an audible difference is up for debate. Ditto for gliders but here the logic is less impressive. Jim Smith for example states in his article in support of gliders "I have come to believe that nothing is more important than a successful acoustic wave-launch into the room, and – of at least equal importance – how the listener receives it." I would love an explanation of what precisely "a successful acoustic wave launch" is and how you can measure it. I would also welcome an explanation as to why enabling your cabinet to move minimally backwards and forwards out of phase with the music signal improves the bass.