Wmcmanus
President treasurer secretary and sole member of the Cayman Islands Head-Fi Club.
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2002
- Posts
- 11,830
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You should get a pair of Newform Research R645. They're a 91db efficient ribbon speaker with regular cone (dynamic) mid bass speakers and a great crossover. Really a nice, sweet but very full sound. I've had a pair for years, and love them! They used to be $2,265 new, but are now $3,568 new for the latest model (although the older model is what I have and I swear by them for anyone who wants the overall "feel" of elctrostats without giving up any bass at all). I always got a kick out of their oddball pricing.
You can sometimes find a used pair on Audiogon for much less (as I did way back when). Actually, there is a pair available now! These are show stoppers and from everything you've described, I know you wouldn't be disappointed with them. AudiogoN ForSale: Newform Reseach R645
The price for a new pair is really quite low because the Canadian company that makes them prides themselves on keeping their cost down, and only sells factory direct (in furtherance of their low cost, high quality commitment).
Because they're so efficient, practically any decent amp will drive them effortlessly. I always used Bel Canto digital amps and the match was perfect. The mid bass units are quite solid, so I suspect they would be safe around kids. Plus the ribbons themselves are well protected, so a kid would have to be trying to damage them to cause any serious problem.
The only drawback I ever had with them is that they kind of looked like goal posts. Not the most attractive design, but they sure sound good and are not in the slightest degree bass shy like my Maggies and Martin Logans are. No subwoofer needed, and my listening room is 15' x 35'.
As you'll see from their website, it's a home brew approach. No fluff at all from a marketing standpoint. They kind of do what they do and don't worry too much about fitting into a mold. http://www.newformresearch.com/
You can sometimes find a used pair on Audiogon for much less (as I did way back when). Actually, there is a pair available now! These are show stoppers and from everything you've described, I know you wouldn't be disappointed with them. AudiogoN ForSale: Newform Reseach R645
The price for a new pair is really quite low because the Canadian company that makes them prides themselves on keeping their cost down, and only sells factory direct (in furtherance of their low cost, high quality commitment).
Because they're so efficient, practically any decent amp will drive them effortlessly. I always used Bel Canto digital amps and the match was perfect. The mid bass units are quite solid, so I suspect they would be safe around kids. Plus the ribbons themselves are well protected, so a kid would have to be trying to damage them to cause any serious problem.
The only drawback I ever had with them is that they kind of looked like goal posts. Not the most attractive design, but they sure sound good and are not in the slightest degree bass shy like my Maggies and Martin Logans are. No subwoofer needed, and my listening room is 15' x 35'.
As you'll see from their website, it's a home brew approach. No fluff at all from a marketing standpoint. They kind of do what they do and don't worry too much about fitting into a mold. http://www.newformresearch.com/