Fed up with my speakers

[Sailor4W]

Hello @Damon!

Thanks so much for your impressions regarding the Amphion 1. You very well phrase what the Amphion reviews I read so far. Am I correctly putting it by saying they sound even and certainly not aggressive the way I now perceive my ATCs? All reviews state that they don't over-represent anything but they seem to be quite balanced in sound characteristics. That's basically what I am looking for.

Thanks for mentioning the Totems, I was looking into them and they seem to be a real alternative.

I haven't checked if SAM is an option for the speakers I shortlisted, but naturally, SAM would come in handily! But I refrain from only looking into speakers with SAM profiles.

Hi @Sailor4W

Glad my post was a bit helpful. On the Amphions and an aggressive high end/ treble, I was actually worried that they would be sort of 'starp' on the treble. I assumed the aluminium tweeter would tend that way, just because it is metal. I found them almost the opposite. After living with them for a year or so, I would say the treble is actually quite gentle, and if anything, slightly less than neutral. I felt no treble fatigue, or glare, (etc) even though I had on a stock Sonos Connect (which is a bit grainy) and the NuPrime integrated is neutral in it's sound.

The dealer who carried Devialet has Harbeth, ATC and Monitor Audio. I personally always found the Monitor Audio speakers a bit sharp, or tipped up on the high end, but certainly very quick and dynamic. Even so, it would really be just another legitimate type of sound quality.

As @Snoopy8 said, speakers are really personal. Years ago, a very good local shop sales person said that everyone there (staff) would generally have selected the same turntable, amp, cassette deck (years ago, remember?) but they all preferred different speakers.

Ah, perhaps ProAc is another very good option. Used perhaps? I had a pair of the original Tablets for years and loved them, and they have made a lot of really outstanding small speakers. I'm sort of tempted to find a pair of the Atohm speakers that came with the Devialet Ensemble. I heard them and really liked them with SAM and a D200.

Good luck with the search. Be sure to enjoy it!

Hello @Damon!

You do encourage me of looking further into the Amphions! They seem to do many things right. After being more and more plagued by the brightness of my ATCs, I have two main points I want to focus: one, of course, is gentle treble, and better bass response than my ATCs. And you do confirm what I was hoping for.

I heard good things about ProAc's Tablets, another speaker I shall include it definitely into my shortlist. I am little bit skeptic about those LS3/5a designs, but if done right, it can be very good. I'll see if there's a dealer in Switzerland.

Regarding Atohm, I am totally unfamiliar with them, but will follow them up.

Yes, of course, choosing speakers is a very personal matter. Yet, certain aspects must be fulfilled. I am concentrating on bookshelf speakers, as our living room isn't large and floorstanders will be just too bulky. The design should preferably be modern and it should fit into our living room. Naturally, above all, the speakers must sound good, but if all three parameters go together, all the better!

I am very much looking forward to comparing some of the speakers! It will be fun.

Of course, I keep you all informed!