Got the Sonus Faber Lumina ii Amator on Randy's advice and boy am I not disappointed, what a great speaker. I can't stop listening to it, I am loving mine!
Thanks, Randy for the effort and the video. I generally love the tone and personality of your stuff. That aside, OMG. . those Christmas music interludes using the same clip. . I liked the cleverness of the concept, but it was water torture after the second occurence; I would have confessed to anything if used for an interrogation. Different selections used for each interlude-insertion would have stopped my ears from bleeding.
Hey dude. I’m new to audio stuff in general. Your channel has been really helpful for me. Your cadence, advice, no bs approach, etc. all make for a great channel to watch. Keep it up, and merry Christmas to you and yours!
Parts Express has the replacement for the AIR series of speakers called the Classic Series. Their B65 replaced the B652-AIR and it's on sale for $69.98. Unfortunately they don't have the AMT tweeters anymore, but I'd like to see a review on them.
Randy: You need to try the Dayton Audio Classic Series B65's. Not much bass below 70 Hz but good mids and highs - tied in with a modest sub, they're great. The "wood" option cabinets look fine. And all for $70 a pair. Seriously, you need to try them.
This was a cool one.. spot-on editing and short perfect inserts.. and you nailed the presentaion ! almost expected the Q Acoustics 30 or 50 to be on there.. so many speakers though and they can't all make the list even if some are also pretty great! Very nice job, man. ...and I'd love to have super Lintons and maybe I'll spring for a set someday !
I hoped to see the latest Dali's you reviewed in this list... Also it would be nice if you could review the classic line from Dayton Audio (b40 or b65). They look great and don't seem to sound all that bad. I think they'll be able to put up some fight in the under $100 category.
Which of the under $500 speakers would be better paired with SVS SB-1000 Pro. Used for both music and 5.1 surround. They would replace Epos ELS3 fronts.
Always look forward to your 'award season ' for your great perspectives and recommendations. Thank you so much for sharing. I just may 'need' some more Elac in my life. 😂
I like the 3.0 better but it’s much warmer and more rolled off on top. The 5.2 is really solid. But I’d go 3.0 unless you want pancake flat frequency response.
I'm looking for a simple system for my TV in the bedroom (5x5 meter), size like Sonus Faber Lumina II bookself wireless connect to Apple TV, pls suggest?
Hope this comment helps with the algorythm and make you feel good :D haha :D For next year - I would love to see more Sonus Faber - they realsed their new Sonetto G2 line. Bit expensive for the channel perhaps, but damn those look dope :P
The Wharfedales may be half the 5K price point I warned you about some months back Randy, but the day is coming when a UPS truck deposits are pair of $$$ speakers on your doorstep. Porch Pirates are no better than carjackers and I hope you don't have to deal with either this holiday season.
I have the Sonus Faber Lumina 2's but not the Amator. I love them. I also had to try the KEF LS50 META because they were $999 at best buy and I have a 60 day return. I know randy doesn't like them. The SF sound "bigger" but I think the kef is more 'clinically' accurate. the kef reminds me of old Thiel speakers. highly accurate but perhaps not as "fun" sounding. Not sure if I want to keep the kefs or return them yet. randy, would the Technics SU-GX70 integrated be an improvement over the emotiva pt1 and A2 on the Sonus faber? or the leak 230? Arcam A25?
That's my biggest worry too. I don't want a louder treble than the regular Lintons. I also bought the Denton 85, and, unlike with the Lintons, the treble is lifted.
So many of the speakers reviewed are rear ported. Unfortunately, my speakers are 2' from the front wall so I need a front ported speaker to match to my Marantz NR1200.
This myth about rear ported speaker really needs to be put to bed. Rear ported speakers can be used close to the front wall - all that happens is that the bass output increases. If you're really close, like a couple of inches, then the low bass will also be extended further downwards which can be quite useful for small standmount or shelf mounted speakers. Certainly at 2 feet from the front wall you won't hear any difference between front ported and rear ported speakers.
"All that happens is bass output increase" That's all? I currently own rear ported speakers and I can tell you that they add a very noticeable boom to my room. While there are speakers designed to be placed near the front wall, mine aren't one of them. If this were a myth, speaker manufacturers wouldn't supply foam plugs for the rear ports to control bass output. Moving speakers away from the front wall and out into the room often clears up that bloated bass and adds clarity to the music. People have been fighting room gain/bass bloat for decades when speakers cannot be placed farther out into the room. Rear ports are placed in the rear of the speaker to boost bass. It only makes sense that the bass will get reinforced as the speaker is moved closer to the front wall.
I love my emotiva xb2s. I use my pc as the source going to a geshelli j2s dac with sparkos 3602 op amps, going to the topping a70 pro that goes to the fosi za3 with muses02 op amps. It’s my near field desktop system. I never have to turn the preamp above -48Db and the music fills the room. I’m thinking of upgrading the speaker amp to two schiit galahorns soon.
I have heard 2 or 3 people recommend the WiiM amp with the new Elac’s. Steve from HuffHiFi said it was a match made in audio heaven for less than $800. I’m sure it’s a winner. Good luck.
@@R2D2-V2D2 I am going to listen to the iii and V g2 in the next week or so, hopefully they live up to the hype. How does the ii compare to other Sonus Faber's you've heard
You got the xsg totally wrong I'm running them with a $275 dollar bellari pre amp And a Van Alstine Omega Star power amp. You can literally step into the sound system.
I've had some very disillusioning experiences in my life but few compare to the veil-stripping experience of watching every supposedly independent YT audio reviewer cave to the over-cozy manufacturer-reviewer ecosystem by flogging the unholy bejesus out of the Wharfedale Super Linton all at the same time. People use words like "heartbreaking" and they rarely mean it, but to know that I've been binge-watching 15-minute commercials every day for three solid years is actually kinda heartbreaking.
Makes no sense whatsoever to exclude anything from a best of list. Plus imagine the fun & suspense of watching a favourite component win the same category year in year out… 😂
here in mexico the technology is very very expensive, for example, that speakers of 100 usd, here it cost like 300 usd, and many things are expensive in mexico that become mexico the most expensive country in the world
After looking at the Sonos Faber, you realize how many nicer speakers put money into the sides of the speakers like real wood, and then have a generic black front baffle. But yet, what do you spend the most time looking at? The front baffle! That's one thing I loved about the Polk RTiA series, real wood baffle.
@@TriAmpMyFi I should have been clearer, but I was referring to the vinyl wrap that is often used to cover speakers, that is made to look like wood, through the imprinting of a pattern that resembles woodgrain. Because that vinyl wrap is made to appear to be wood, but as far as I know does not contain any wood or wood fiber, I think of it as "fake" wood. And so my thinking was that if there is a "fake" wood, then it would need to be differentiated from "real" wood. But you're right, simply saying "wood" should be itself convey the differentiation from "fake wood".
Sonus faber lumina II is horribly bright speaker with 5 db rise on the treble and becomes fatiquing at higher spls.Why cant they make a accurate and neutral speaker? There are alot of speakers that are better designed than sonus faber under 2000 and 1500$.
@cheapaudioman if you were to give a piece of advice, better one of these Elac and Emotiva or the old Monitor audio 100 bronze for rock music and movies? Thank you.
Why don’t you do another category for active speakers? Nobody buys separates and passives anymore. They take up too much space and sound crap unless you spend a fortune.
@@vmmotors1580 Sony speakers are great if you don’t have a lot of money and want a decent sound cheap. Are there better options for a little more money? of course, but… it’s a good starting point and it sure better than listening to an Alexa Dot.
Man, this guy became the most annoying audio salesman on RUclips. Every single piece of chi-trash gets an adjective like amazing, mind-blowing, awesome, full of detail and clarity etc. I bought a SMSL SU-1 DAC on Randy's advice and three days later I returned it to Amazon. It sounds fatiguing, headache inducing, thin and harsh. Oh and it also heats up like an oven at max power. I have two HP DACs/amps acquired at the same price point and they're much better than the SMSL in every single aspect. I just would like to know how much money these chi-fi companies like SMSL, Fosi, Aiyima and others pay for the uninformed, misleading and otherwise useless advertisements? They must pay well for sure! So much crap being glorified when it should be banned for killing the enjoyment of music.
Unlucky. My SU-1 does not run hot. Sounds like yours has/had an issue. Give him a break, he actually calls them out when he thinks they aren't good. I've bought a few items on his recommendations and never been disappointed. I don't always agree with his descriptions, but hey that's the subjective nature of audio.
I just want someone to love me the way Randy loves Emotiva
😂 Underrated comment of 2024
@@Aethelwulf91 I love you that way
😂😂😂😂😂
Great comment.
Finally, a comment that makes me laugh. Feel the burn, Randy, feel the burn.
This guy first convinced me into becoming audiophile with class d amplifier and afterwards into buying elac debut 3. Well played, sir. 😅
Got the Sonus Faber Lumina ii Amator on Randy's advice and boy am I not disappointed, what a great speaker. I can't stop listening to it, I am loving mine!
You like bright speakers in general or just Lumina?
@@justoutlaw6423 la serie amator no es brillante
@@justoutlaw6423there is nothing bright sounding about this speaker.
Thanks, Randy for the effort and the video. I generally love the tone and personality of your stuff.
That aside, OMG. . those Christmas music interludes using the same clip. . I liked the cleverness of the concept, but it was water torture after the second occurence; I would have confessed to anything if used for an interrogation. Different selections used for each interlude-insertion would have stopped my ears from bleeding.
Been waiting for this news! Just chopped my Dynaco A25’s into firewood in anticipation of some plastic-fantastics!
I had the pleasure to listen to the Lintons and they are fabulous.
Thanks!
I have had the micca rb 42 for a few years and upgraded to the elac debut this year and I love it. It drops some bombs
Sonus Faber, very beautiful and great sounding.
@@billywindsock9597 Billy! I think I’m coming to London next year. Shoot me a message
You sir, you there!! That's enough of that jingle. Too far.... you went too far.
😄
Polk R100 can be found around $450 new $399 renewed. Winner under $500 and not even close.
Hey dude. I’m new to audio stuff in general. Your channel has been really helpful for me. Your cadence, advice, no bs approach, etc. all make for a great channel to watch. Keep it up, and merry Christmas to you and yours!
Parts Express has the replacement for the AIR series of speakers called the Classic Series. Their B65 replaced the B652-AIR and it's on sale for $69.98. Unfortunately they don't have the AMT tweeters anymore, but I'd like to see a review on them.
Randy: You need to try the Dayton Audio Classic Series B65's. Not much bass below 70 Hz but good mids and highs - tied in with a modest sub, they're great. The "wood" option cabinets look fine. And all for $70 a pair. Seriously, you need to try them.
Nice, thanks again Randy!!!
I love the lumina styling soo much
Thanks for sharing Randy
This was a cool one.. spot-on editing and short perfect inserts.. and you nailed the presentaion ! almost expected the Q Acoustics 30 or 50 to be on there.. so many speakers though and they can't all make the list even if some are also pretty great! Very nice job, man. ...and I'd love to have super Lintons and maybe I'll spring for a set someday !
Brilliant list, thank you brother
I hoped to see the latest Dali's you reviewed in this list... Also it would be nice if you could review the classic line from Dayton Audio (b40 or b65). They look great and don't seem to sound all that bad. I think they'll be able to put up some fight in the under $100 category.
Under a hundred bucks is nothing short of amazing - cheap but good enough +
Me encanta tu canal! Saludos desde España! ❤❤
Which of the under $500 speakers would be better paired with SVS SB-1000 Pro. Used for both music and 5.1 surround. They would replace Epos ELS3 fronts.
I have a pair of Micca 1st generation and use them for my computer / near field listening. They are truly fantastic.
Micca. Gen2. Is amazing.
just ordered the Dayton Audio Classic B65's for $70 .. they were on Steve Guttenberg's year end list .. we shall see !!
Always look forward to your 'award season ' for your great perspectives and recommendations. Thank you so much for sharing. I just may 'need' some more Elac in my life. 😂
So where would svs fall in or what about rsl?
You ARE important, Chief!!!
This video would have been perfect before Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales ;)
I was hoping you would have tried the KEF $1300 three way. Maybe even the $1200 SVS.
Fun as always comma Randy.
We don't have Emotiva in Europe. What are the alternatives? Also can you compare the Elac Debut 3 to Wharfedale Diamond 12.2?
Are the Dali Oberon series speakers still worth getting?
Are the Klipsch R51M 85-Watt Bookshelfs good?? Priced at $230 for the pair.
Randy, please don’t say voluptuous anymore. 😂 I’m kidding. Great video.
Would you please consider doing a review of the Emotiva XB1 vs the XB2 similar to how you did a comparison to the debut 3.0 6.5 vs the 5.25 versions
I remember asking you to do portable speakers years ago
Year ago
Hi Randy, would you choose ELAC Debut 3.0 over UniFi 2.0 series? how do they compare?
I like the 3.0 better but it’s much warmer and more rolled off on top. The 5.2 is really solid. But I’d go 3.0 unless you want pancake flat frequency response.
@ thank you! What series out of those 2 for a center channel?
I'll promise to be better next year Santa 🎅 if you could find a way to put a pair of Linton speakers under my tree 🎄
I'm looking for a simple system for my TV in the bedroom (5x5 meter), size like Sonus Faber Lumina II bookself wireless connect to Apple TV, pls suggest?
I have the older Micca, and it's great value.
Hope this comment helps with the algorythm and make you feel good :D haha :D
For next year - I would love to see more Sonus Faber - they realsed their new Sonetto G2 line. Bit expensive for the channel perhaps, but damn those look dope :P
The Wharfedales may be half the 5K price point I warned you about some months back Randy, but the day is coming when a UPS truck deposits are pair of $$$ speakers on your doorstep. Porch Pirates are no better than carjackers and I hope you don't have to deal with either this holiday season.
I have the Sonus Faber Lumina 2's but not the Amator. I love them. I also had to try the KEF LS50 META because they were $999 at best buy and I have a 60 day return.
I know randy doesn't like them. The SF sound "bigger" but I think the kef is more 'clinically' accurate. the kef reminds me of old Thiel speakers. highly accurate but perhaps not as "fun" sounding. Not sure if I want to keep the kefs or return them yet.
randy, would the Technics SU-GX70 integrated be an improvement over the emotiva pt1 and A2 on the Sonus faber? or the leak 230? Arcam A25?
I agree with almost everything you said....except that it is OK to like Fruit Cake :)
Well, I don’t know. I thought fruitcake was only supposed to be used for doorstops.
Hey, Randyman, what are the Super Lintons like for listening fatigue? I bought the Linton 85th for this reason. Thanks.
That's my biggest worry too. I don't want a louder treble than the regular Lintons. I also bought the Denton 85, and, unlike with the Lintons, the treble is lifted.
How do they compare to, Sonus Faber Lumina V, Diptyque dp115, Vivid Kaya S12 or Dynaudio Evoke 30?
So many of the speakers reviewed are rear ported. Unfortunately, my speakers are 2' from the front wall so I need a front ported speaker to match to my Marantz NR1200.
This myth about rear ported speaker really needs to be put to bed. Rear ported speakers can be used close to the front wall - all that happens is that the bass output increases. If you're really close, like a couple of inches, then the low bass will also be extended further downwards which can be quite useful for small standmount or shelf mounted speakers. Certainly at 2 feet from the front wall you won't hear any difference between front ported and rear ported speakers.
"All that happens is bass output increase"
That's all? I currently own rear ported speakers and I can tell you that they add a very noticeable boom to my room. While there are speakers designed to be placed near the front wall, mine aren't one of them. If this were a myth, speaker manufacturers wouldn't supply foam plugs for the rear ports to control bass output. Moving speakers away from the front wall and out into the room often clears up that bloated bass and adds clarity to the music. People have been fighting room gain/bass bloat for decades when speakers cannot be placed farther out into the room. Rear ports are placed in the rear of the speaker to boost bass. It only makes sense that the bass will get reinforced as the speaker is moved closer to the front wall.
Emotiva can't seem to keep the Xb2 in stock. Every time I've checked for the past couple of months, they have been sold out.
Oh Ran-Man, nobody stock-shots like you....
What up Cheap! E squared......brilliant.
I love my emotiva xb2s. I use my pc as the source going to a geshelli j2s dac with sparkos 3602 op amps, going to the topping a70 pro that goes to the fosi za3 with muses02 op amps. It’s my near field desktop system. I never have to turn the preamp above -48Db and the music fills the room. I’m thinking of upgrading the speaker amp to two schiit galahorns soon.
Hated the Xmas music after the first 2 times. Had to fast forward. Excellent video as usual!
For the same price, 2 channel listening. Super Linton or Sonus Farber Lumina 3 floor standing tower.
what amp would you recommed to pair with the Elac Debut 3.0? I only want to play music from a PC so wouldn't need anything fancy, thanks
I have heard 2 or 3 people recommend the WiiM amp with the new Elac’s. Steve from HuffHiFi said it was a match made in audio heaven for less than $800. I’m sure it’s a winner. Good luck.
He’s going to tell you the best amp to pair your speakers with will be the one that they sell on Amazon so he can get a kickback
I have them paired with fosi audio bt20a pro.
Thank you for the video!! Can you please review Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2?
@@R2D2-V2D2 oh yeah! I'd love to see that review!
@ I have these speakers
@@R2D2-V2D2 I am going to listen to the iii and V g2 in the next week or so, hopefully they live up to the hype.
How does the ii compare to other Sonus Faber's you've heard
I wish I had a lot of money to keep buying the products which you claim on each video to be the best ...
You got the xsg totally wrong
I'm running them with a $275 dollar bellari pre amp
And a Van Alstine Omega Star power amp.
You can literally step into the sound system.
I really wanna compare the Elac to the Sony SSCS5.
I was hoping the Kanto Ora made the list.
In your affiliate link you have a typo. You put RB instead of MB42. The link does go to the MB.
I've had some very disillusioning experiences in my life but few compare to the veil-stripping experience of watching every supposedly independent YT audio reviewer cave to the over-cozy manufacturer-reviewer ecosystem by flogging the unholy bejesus out of the Wharfedale Super Linton all at the same time. People use words like "heartbreaking" and they rarely mean it, but to know that I've been binge-watching 15-minute commercials every day for three solid years is actually kinda heartbreaking.
Makes no sense whatsoever to exclude anything from a best of list.
Plus imagine the fun & suspense of watching a favourite component win the same category year in year out… 😂
Is anyone else freaked out by the Santa? And the Xmas party could not look more contrived.
it's stock footage. it's the best I could do on short notice
@@cheapaudioman I know. It adds to your wry humor, which I appreciate!
From $100 to $500 is a big jump. Maybe a $100 to $249 category?
I am missing Amphion Argon 1 on this list!?
I would rather buy some used vintage speakers over all of these options for less money.
Be honest. The Lintons or the Arendal 1723's if you had 1 choice.
1723 over regular linton but super linton over 1723
@cheapaudioman Is it because the top-end is more nuanced in its sound profile? Is the soundstage comparable?
8:40 Try "Love is Strong" by the Rolling Stones, on those speakers. 😂
here in mexico the technology is very very expensive, for example, that speakers of 100 usd, here it cost like 300 usd, and many things are expensive in mexico that become mexico the most expensive country in the world
Super Linton is under 2000 in Europe. Just.
Need to test Paradigm
I'm glad you are back. About 8 months ago someone else took over your channel. He looks like you, but I didn't enjoy his videos.
Great job 👍
Can you try to get the Epos ES-7N to review in 2025 Plzzzz! 👍
Is that you as Santa?
Sir, where were that review on Black Friday 😢
Loved the video. I only ask that you remove that atrocity off of your left wrist and replace it with a real watch lol. JK. Keep up the good work!
Why are you sharing the single price of the Micca? That’s odd. 190+ a pair. 🤷🏻♂️
Ward season so Randy makes the most commission of Amazon. Haha
Big money. Randy
After looking at the Sonos Faber, you realize how many nicer speakers put money into the sides of the speakers like real wood, and then have a generic black front baffle. But yet, what do you spend the most time looking at? The front baffle! That's one thing I loved about the Polk RTiA series, real wood baffle.
What types of wood are not real wood?
@@TriAmpMyFi I should have been clearer, but I was referring to the vinyl wrap that is often used to cover speakers, that is made to look like wood, through the imprinting of a pattern that resembles woodgrain. Because that vinyl wrap is made to appear to be wood, but as far as I know does not contain any wood or wood fiber, I think of it as "fake" wood.
And so my thinking was that if there is a "fake" wood, then it would need to be differentiated from "real" wood.
But you're right, simply saying "wood" should be itself convey the differentiation from "fake wood".
It's just around the bend.
And around and around...😂
The CAMmies!
nailed it. that had never occurred to me but I'm stealing it!
@@cheapaudioman Yes, please do. Just give me a shout out! (Jonathan Rutz) Been a long time sub and met you last year at CAF. Thanks!
Actually, if someone likes fruit cake over chocolate cake, they need to sit there in their wrongness and be wrong.
Best speakers over 1k. To 3k
Voluptuous 😳🥴🥰🤪
Just for you Randy, I always unsubscribe and then re-subscribe every video when you tell me. Just so you know that I validate your feelings!
That’s so validating to hear
Sonus faber lumina II is horribly bright speaker with 5 db rise on the treble and becomes fatiquing at higher spls.Why cant they make a accurate and neutral speaker? There are alot of speakers that are better designed than sonus faber under 2000 and 1500$.
$99 to $449? .. lol. Not so cheap audio man..lol.
Sorry, but a person who prefers fruitcake over chocolate cake is just wrong. Of course, I am a cherry pie man myself.
I wish you would go back to honest reviews and not just an affiliate link operation😢. Look at your top viewed videos vs what you create now.
I’ll take a look at it. Thanks for the feedback
I subscribed and then unsubscribed like you asked. Happy holidays!
Lololol ouch. Hot coffee😢
I love you
Right back at you
@cheapaudioman if you were to give a piece of advice, better one of these Elac and Emotiva or the old Monitor audio 100 bronze for rock music and movies? Thank you.
Why don’t you do another category for active speakers?
Nobody buys separates and passives anymore.
They take up too much space and sound crap unless you spend a fortune.
Sony. Speakers. Are junk
@@vmmotors1580 Sony speakers are great if you don’t have a lot of money and want a decent sound cheap. Are there better options for a little more money? of course, but… it’s a good starting point and it sure better than listening to an Alexa Dot.
@@vmmotors1580 ni sabes nada, una marca de prestigio y de tantos años piensas que es basura? Sony tiene líneas más Premium que deberías escuchar
@@MrShuaTV. I respect. That.
I must say, micca. Gen. 2. Are amazing. And only. $99
@@GIANNIANTONELLO when you listen to better speakers, you understand that Sony sucks
Man, this guy became the most annoying audio salesman on RUclips.
Every single piece of chi-trash gets an adjective like amazing, mind-blowing, awesome, full of detail and clarity etc.
I bought a SMSL SU-1 DAC on Randy's advice and three days later I returned it to Amazon.
It sounds fatiguing, headache inducing, thin and harsh. Oh and it also heats up like an oven at max power.
I have two HP DACs/amps acquired at the same price point and they're much better than the SMSL in every single aspect.
I just would like to know how much money these chi-fi companies like SMSL, Fosi, Aiyima and others pay for the uninformed, misleading and otherwise useless advertisements?
They must pay well for sure! So much crap being glorified when it should be banned for killing the enjoyment of music.
. Is that the Ferrum WANDLA "HP" or is it the Hewlett-Packard "HP"?
Unlucky. My SU-1 does not run hot. Sounds like yours has/had an issue. Give him a break, he actually calls them out when he thinks they aren't good. I've bought a few items on his recommendations and never been disappointed. I don't always agree with his descriptions, but hey that's the subjective nature of audio.
Mine does not run hot either. But I will not pretend like it’s a game changer of sorts. It’s decent for the price though.
I like the SU-1. I have a number of good DACs and I like it a lot.
@@TriAmpMyFi HP (headphone) AMP/DACs