have you listened to Paradigm Atoms?
Oh yes, auditioned them at Spectra a week ago. Cute and able sounding speakers, perfect for my PC should I convert it to a 'proper' HTPC.
But that's all there is to it, cute. Tinny bass that's the problem although I cant blame the atoms because of its smaller drivers.
Then again, the Paradigm Titans IS ANOTHER STORY. I love it but yes it also happens to belong to another income tax bracket level of several orders of magnitude.
anyway,
Final audition of the 4 shortlisted speakers with the HK3470+Pioneer DV595 DVD/CD/VCD/MP3/WMA Player
1. Klipsch RB-61 - 'Nelson's little HHOORRNNSS' - Still my reference sound for bass, treble, midrange, sound staging and imaging.
2. B&W 685 - way out of my budget (26K cash, 29.5K card according to the snooty sound dimension sales person) but I auditioned it with the HK 3470 anyway (as stand-in to the now scratched off Infinity Primus P162). The B&Ws had PERFECT bass and midrange, SPECTACULAR sound staging/imaging, Highs were ultra refined but lacked that 'tingling' sensation I was expecting.
Note: B&Ws were also the snootiest speakers in the shortlist - perfect with jazz/instrumentals/classicals and vocals with the HK. It sounded crass with rock/dance/MP3s. (i can now hear tormentor say "pairing.. pairing")
3. Mordaunt-Short Aviano 2 - it sounded 'ngongo' with the Cambridge Audio equipment, although it improved the bass and highs enough paired with the HK 3470, alas, it still lagged behind the Klipsch RB-61 as reference for midrange and highs.
4. Polk RTi A3 - Lacked bass with the bada tube amp, but got PERFECT scores with bass and treble (tingling treble reminiscent of the KEF Q50 of a neighbor). Midrange performance isn't as good as the B&W 685,but the sound staging and imaging is at par with the B&W as far as my ears and equipment are concerned.
Verdict
Winner: Polk RTi A3s
1st Runner Up: Klipsch RB-81
2nd Runner Up: B&W 685 (if it were priced at 18K it would have ended at 2nd)
Thank you speakers: Infinity Primus P162, Mordaunt-Short Aviano 2
Finally, after several weeks of auditioning, tedious to and fro equipment shuffling,
I present to you my new speakers, my new love - The Polk Audio RTi A3 Bookshelves (had a little help with blue-tac LOL
)
Grilles on
Grilles off
Left speaker
Right speaker
from my listening spot - look ma, NO MORE TOE-INS!