[bumpyhead]

Sorry if this is OOT for this forum but I am considering an expansion of my No.1 pastime's environment by adding a high end bookshelf speaker with an integrated amplifier to my current HD800S and an active speaker set.

Both speakers I am drooling over at the moment are slightly above my budget but a bigger issue is I just can't make a choice. Your inputs will be a great help.

 

[nvfan]

Focal Sopra

B&W 805D3

I would say neither, the Kef Reference 1 and Revel M126BE are both far superior in these speakers price class. They have uniform, wide dispersion and flat listening axis frequency response, and textbook Harman curve power response.

The Sopra 1 has better FR than the B&W but is somewhat directional above 8K due to the 1.125" tweeter, and will slightly lack in air, whereas the B&W 805D3 has better dispersion but an extremely "interesting" tuning that will likely be very fatiguing long-term. But if I had to choose one, the Sopra is better.

 

[bumpyhead]

I would say neither, the Kef Reference 1 and Revel M126BE are both far superior in these speakers price class. They have uniform, wide dispersion and flat listening axis frequency response, and textbook Harman curve power response.

The Sopra 1 has better FR than the B&W but is somewhat directional above 8K due to the 1.125" tweeter, and will slightly lack in air, whereas the B&W 805D3 has better dispersion but an extremely "interesting" tuning that will likely be very fatiguing long-term. But if I had to choose one, the Sopra is better.

Thank you very much for the information.
Yes, I was also more or less leaning toward Sopra.
The two alternatives you recommended never popped up on my radar. I will definitely look them up. Thanks again.

 

[MaggotBrain]

Sorry if this is OOT for this forum but I am considering an expansion of my No.1 pastime's environment by adding a high end bookshelf speaker with an integrated amplifier to my current HD800S and an active speaker set.

Both speakers I am drooling over at the moment are slightly above my budget but a bigger issue is I just can't make a choice. Your inputs will be a great help.

Do yourself a favor and look into ATC SCM Pro speakers. They may not be the best looking speakers out there, but they sound phenomenal. You will want to feed them from a good DAC, but they have amp built in.

 

[bumpyhead]

Do yourself a favor and look into ATC SCM Pro speakers. They may not be the best looking speakers out there, but they sound phenomenal. You will want to feed them from a good DAC, but they have amp built in.

Thanks but I am not considering an upgrade from the Elac active speakers I have.

 

[nvfan]

Kef Reference 1 measurements:

https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/i...&catid=77:loudspeaker-measurements&Itemid=153

Revel M126BE:

I would also check out Buchardt S400.

https://www.buchardtaudio.com/s400-detailed-description

 

[koven]

Raidho XT-1 is my favorite under $10K. But between 805 and Sopra, I prefer Sopra.

 

[Gego]

Thanks but I am not considering an upgrade from the Elac active speakers I have.

To add, ATC also has an amazing passive lineup (Hifi).
Just make sure you get something with their middome tweeter and their SL drivers. They have been known to be one of the best for years.

Also the best advice i can give
Aways try before you buy. Especially in this price range.

 

[rays12]

If you are looking for a bookshelf with great bass response, it's hard to beat the old L series line of ADS. I would also recommend the old DMC Time Frame line . It's would take up no more space than a bookshelf with a stand but it uses a tranmission line to help with it's low bass output. You can find info on bookshelf speakers online here

 

[Tjj226 Angel]

Just to toss in my 2 cents, I prefer the audio note AN-J speakers over everything mentioned.

The only catch being that they might be slightly larger than what you are looking for. If the size will work, then with your budget I believe you can get the audio note AN-Js and an audio note tube amp to go with it.

 

[Whitigir]

Sony SA-Z1

 

[thomaskong78]

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa130i-evolution-acoustics-mm-micro-one-monitors

How about this?

It give nice midrange due to ceramic driver.

 

[F208Frank]

Sopra seems popular, what is everyones go to site for used higher end speakers?

 

[ekfc63]

In that price range I'd be auditioning the Kudos 505 with isobaric bass drivers, so no lack of low end. Alternatively the new Magico 1

 

[miko64]

Try marten.se duke2 - gorgeous sound