I can't believe what I'm thinking re: LCD3 - Page 3

Why not just get a Smyth Realiser then? You get the best of both worlds; speakers soundstage and frequency response (with LFE generator) from stereo to 7.1 surround without upsetting your neighbors or the misses, and cost less than what some people here would spend on a headphone amp. For me, the Realiser is a Godsend. 

I have magnepan's and I absolutely love them, never looked for different speakers after obtaining them. I still very much enjoy my K1000's though, not only for times when I want to listen to loud music when people are sleeping, but also for a more intimate sound. There is something about listening to them that speakers can't do. Speakers and headphones both have their cons and pros, I'm glad I have both.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danz03 

Why not just get a Smyth Realiser then? You get the best of both worlds; speakers soundstage and frequency response (with LFE generator) from stereo to 7.1 surround without upsetting your neighbors or the misses, and cost less than what some people here would spend on a headphone amp. For me, the Realiser is a Godsend. 

I heard the Realizer at a meet and it really is good.

Still, it doesn't give you a true low-end the way speakers do.  You might be able to integrate a sub or other devices, but it's never easy to integrate those.  I'm happier with speakers that seamlessly integrate great bass.  My current pair goes deep without any hint of crossover or phasing issues.  

I've only used LCD-2 and HD800 with Realiser so far. The Realiser with the LCD-2 was able to recreate the bass response of my car hi-fi system (which has a crazy subwoofer) quite faithfully except for the seat vibration; the HD800 is near but not as good as the LCD-2. It'd be impossible to recreate sub bass response with headphones that cannot produce sub bass frequency in the first place. I think with the LCD-2 and a proper LFE system, it would be able to mimic theatre audio system with ground shaking bass without much problem.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik 

I heard the Realizer at a meet and it really is good.

 

Still, it doesn't give you a true low-end the way speakers do.  You might be able to integrate a sub or other devices, but it's never easy to integrate those.  I'm happier with speakers that seamlessly integrate great bass.  My current pair goes deep without any hint of crossover or phasing issues.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danz03 

The Realiser with the LCD-2 was able to recreate the bass response of my car hi-fi system (which has a crazy subwoofer) quite faithfully except for the seat vibration 

 

 So it was you who caused that seismic vibration that started the last tsunami!

Ahh enough time is past so we can joke about it now :|

I'd love to buy a realiser, but the price is an problem. especially when you build a system around it..

I wonder why smyth doesn't make stereo-only version of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by garetjax1 

... And planar speakers have a narrower sweet spot than traditional speakers.

Not if you know how to set them up and have enough room... 

First, MMG's are a great entry point.  My first planar speakers were SMG's (the original predecessor to the MMG's) back in the 80's.  Since then I have had several bigger Maggies, Apogee Stages, Agogee Grands and currently Martin Logan CLS's with Kinergetics SW800 subs (5 drivers per enclosure) SW800C (crossover designed specifically for the ML CLS). 

If set up with enough space between the rear of the speakers and the front wall, and sufficient space between the speakers and the side walls plus ample room between the speakers there is not only a huge, three dimensional soundstage with pinpoint imaging, there is also a generous sweet spot for serious listening sessions.   For more casual listening, no worries at all.   These are not speakers that like to be placed near walls, so placement is critical.   While having a deep room is desirable for an optimal listening position, planar speaker deliver amazing near-field listening experiences.

It is all about line-source vs point source.  Once you've experienced the openness and transparency of planar speakers you might be hooked.  The only speakers with dynamic drivers that float my boat are bi-poles and di-poles -- think Vandersteen, etc. -- and these sound much more like line source speakers despite their point source drivers.