Great question! I'm a 65 year old first generation metalhead and audiofile. My first speaker was 4 sansui 5500 bad ass speakers that did Black Sabbath and Montrose loud an proud! Later in my journey I had DCM time window's that sounded amazing. My current and best speakers by far for heavy metal are Legacy Focus. They are fierce and bass powerful! Driven by Carver Silver 9t's still haven't heard anything that comes close. Most speakers can't do metal music correctly!
Legacy focus are some serious high end geared speakers ! I can only imagine how good that must sound. And you're correct I'd say between all the speakers i currently have my Klipsch kg4 probably is best suited for metal. The kappas, most definitely not they are to tame for it. Thanks for sharing your story, love reading these ! Upcoming week I should get a legendary vintage (pioneer hpm100) speaker on the floor to review !
Infinity interlude 40s. Soon to be recapped with high quality parts. Paradigm mini v7 bookshelves, and polk lsi bookshelves. I haven't yet got my hands on high end yet but I have had a blast in my audio journey nonetheless. Thanks for the quality content.
That last part you said "I had a blast " that's really what this boils down too. It's a hobby , not an obligation it should be fun . When you can genuinely say that.... Clearly you're doing it right ! And thanks for the positive vibes, more to follow
What I've learned about Kappa 8.1's is, they love power almost as much as they love space. I've yet to find a modern speaker under $5k that I enjoy more.
Ohh they aren't going anywhere when set up right . It's a no brainer, they sound absolutely fantastic. And they cost half of what they ask for the series I to boast
I had a dog and a cat and some pretty expensive speakers. There is a person on ebay who makes custom covers. I had a pair made for my tower speakers the material is very thick and durable kinda like a bomber jacket and what's nice about that is no pet hair sticks to it either. I haven't owned 3 paris of speakers but my current are ATC 50a (actives) Love the balance from top to bottom, the detail is insane, Soundstage is massive. I'm able to crank the volume without ears fatigue unless it's a poor mastering. Only downside is to get that lower bass region I am having to look into subs. And unfortunately if I want to keep the integrity of what ATC does with music I'm likely looking at Rels which are not cheap. Great channel will be subscribing
Love your posts ! Very well thought out and I agree with everything you say here. And rels are still very well on top of the food chain if we are talking 2.0 subwoofer integration and quality of low end. Rel has never disappointed me !
My Favourite speakers that I've owned are. 1. Dahlquist DQ10's with matching subs and active crossover. - My wife likes them too! 2. Magnepan 1.4's - Imaging is amazing. 3. Infinity IL40's - Very dynamic - Love these!
My favourite speakers of all time, (which I refurbished and sold last year) were Infinity IRS Betas. I have also owned the first Kappa 8's and then 9's. Next would be the Proac K6 Signature, which are very musically involving. Finally, my current set-up which are Magnepan MG20.7i with a pair of REL #31 subs.
Interesting how we followed similar paths. I wound up with a magnepan Tympani . I prefer the kappa 8.1 simply because of my space being taken over by 6x4ft wide planars. Was just to much sacrifice for my liking, and with home theater magnepans (had the entire mg series in a home theater at one time) They are just to directive and lack the dynamic fortitude vs cone systems. I've owned 3 kappa 9 which I really didn't care for to much aside from them retaining good value. I then walked into the second series 8.1 and that one was proven definitely a better fit with my gear , room and above all ears. A good friend of mine has two sets of IRS betas, I almost bought one of his sets (asking was 8k off market offer) I was underway (no joke haha) and I got cold feet. I deemed it way to much money for a pair of speakers. And I started to get horror visions of me falling into this endless money pit. As I had to beef everything up I have . Not to mention, I had that time. The Tympani I I called him. And was honest about my doubts, he stepped over to Orion planars (massive 7ft or so planars) The IRS beta I even found a better speaker than the IRS v I've heard. I'd argue it's nudells best speaker hands down thanks to the lemim . It easily outdoes the emims (which u had also in my renaissance 80 and the rs1b I had) I didn't care for the emims that much, especially not when you're used to magnepans .
Thanks! Great to hear about your speaker journey. My no.1 speaker has to be the Marten Audio Bird (current main system). Pros: Wonderful combination of revealing and very musical (beautiful midrange, textured mid bass, deep bass is potent, but not dominating). Some of the most coherent driver integration I’ve ever heard. The diamond tweeter from Thiel is nothing short of miraculous! Cons: On paper they should be fairly easy to drive, but really they are not. They need amps with the best possible powersupply. - Running the Birds with Krell monoblocks now. #2: Not a perfect speaker by any stretch, but oh man they are super fun - Tekton Design’s Double Impacts! Running these super efficient speakers with 300B valve monoblocks, and a Modwright LS100 valve pre. Natural sound that never sounds too soft or too rolled-off, and they can be resolving enough to do some nice revelations of inner details when they are set up right. Cons: Difficult to get setup right. Can dominate a room. The room needs to be big. #3: System Audio Rangers Master (not the regular type Rangers): so fast and hard hitting mid bass. Beautiful top-end, but sometimes the midrange can be a bit recessed. Works wonderful with both films and music. I ran them with double System Audio subs, and Electrocompaniet integrated amp. Sounded big, but played well on lower volume too.
I've actually heard the tekton Moab ! And I must say it's an impressive speaker to listen too. They are all relatively big guys from the tekton assembly line. And I totally agree with your experience there too, they need some serious room. Those speakers can blast the gums of your teeth haha. I just looked up the birds you have right now I assume ? Man that's a beauty 🤩😍 never heard of the brand. But that looks fantastic... Great speakers ! Thanks for the comments some brands I've not heard before. And who knows might venture in !
My favorite 3 is tough to pick. In no particular order is the following, NHT 3.3, I have owned these speakers on 2 occasions. The Genesis V's. Sold them when Genesis went out of business back in the early 2000s. The Pioneer/Tad S1EX, an excellent speaker for the money. I currently own the Nola Baby Grand Reference, I like them but not smitten by them. Why did I sell off speakers I liked? Because I am a gearhead and I love to try different speakers, sometimes selling what I really like to try something I may not like as much.
Well I'm not as rich as some but my favorite three speakers I've owned #1-paradigm signature s8 #2- infinity Kappa 7.1i/Ref6(very close) #3- Sinclair Audio Brighton 460T
Just as good as the original diaphragms and well worth doing it. It's super easy , I even replace them as easy as 10 min of work. And definitely recommended ! Bob offers fantastic replacements that are true to nudells
@@MichelLinschoten Yes the Dunlavys where pretty special and I had them paired with a Paradigm Servo 15 sub back in 1996 Most back then most didn't know what a sub was 😄 My Definitive Technology Mythos ST's (grandfather to the Goldenear Triton's) sound surprisingly good if given a good source
You don't hear definitive technology mentioned alot as a good speaker. I think they are heavily underrated too. It's because people automatically go into that "they are home theater speakers" Not understanding it's just a speaker like any other hifi speaker. There is no such thing as a home theater speaker in my book.
@@MichelLinschoten I got the Mythos ST's after I sold the Dunlavy's as I downsized Sandy Gross designed them They are the Grandfather to the Goldenear Triton's Could they use a bit more inner detail, sure but I love that they are full range with a small footprint They go down close to 20 hz Here is a song of my stereo rig with the Mythos ruclips.net/video/Mns0BRYo6dA/видео.htmlsi=ujStFiTHC1JOPNJm
Very nice video I saw your comment on your channel regarding magnepan vs ... You're not wrong magnepans lack dynamic range (alot) vs a cone. I have had great success with placing two subs either flanking or behind the listening position and play with the phase of them a little bit . I used 4 subs (18 inch two in the rear and my monoliths on the front) with the rear set out of phase. And rolled of a little vs the front, basically making my livingroom a isobaric configurated sub. It was fantastic, but took lots of work and effort to get that right. Cones are inherently the "more complete" package vs maggies. I think that's where for me they lacked the most magnepans that is. I've had every single mg model, lrs and the flagship magnepan Tympani I . All fantastic in their own way, but I always keep swerving back to cones somehow. It's just fulfilling my needs more ... Edit: I think I deleted your comment by accident 😳 I am sorry about that ! Definitely didn't do that on purpose
I’m using the kappa 8 for surround speakers, kappa 9.1 for rear surround. IRS Beta in front, Kappa 6 in center. Kappa 5 for rear height. The room looks like Stonehenge, big towers surrounding the listening position. 😅
Yup been there with magnepans ! 6ft speaker all around the room never again. I now use two kappa 8 one on the front one on the side and rears are kappas 6. The IRS beta i almost bought last year friend of mine had two sets. He sold one for 8k only to me as a friend . I didn't do it, it's to much for a speaker and I don't definitely have the system or room to run them properly. So I appreciated the offer but passed on them Fantastic speakers offcourse just be careful with the lemim they are rare and unobtainium. One hell of a system you're playing with
HAHA! Those first ones look a LOT like my old JBL's which have been my favourites for 2 whole decades! I am curious what these actually are, they obviously are much more expensive! Got rid of them because of their butt-ugly veneer and my wife also thought they were much too big.
Haha nou die JBL's van mij (JBL S412PII) met dat lichte fineer waren behoorlijk lelijk. Deze zijn met echt hout gemaakt? En ik heb gegoogled, ze zijn ook heel plat? Die van mij waren 120 bij 40 bij 40 als ik het me goed herinner.
Great question! I'm a 65 year old first generation metalhead and audiofile. My first speaker was 4 sansui 5500 bad ass speakers that did Black Sabbath and Montrose loud an proud! Later in my journey I had DCM time window's that sounded amazing. My current and best speakers by far for heavy metal are Legacy Focus. They are fierce and bass powerful! Driven by Carver Silver 9t's still haven't heard anything that comes close. Most speakers can't do metal music correctly!
Legacy focus are some serious high end geared speakers ! I can only imagine how good that must sound.
And you're correct I'd say between all the speakers i currently have my Klipsch kg4 probably is best suited for metal. The kappas, most definitely not they are to tame for it.
Thanks for sharing your story, love reading these ! Upcoming week I should get a legendary vintage (pioneer hpm100) speaker on the floor to review !
Infinity interlude 40s. Soon to be recapped with high quality parts. Paradigm mini v7 bookshelves, and polk lsi bookshelves. I haven't yet got my hands on high end yet but I have had a blast in my audio journey nonetheless. Thanks for the quality content.
That last part you said "I had a blast " that's really what this boils down too. It's a hobby , not an obligation it should be fun . When you can genuinely say that....
Clearly you're doing it right !
And thanks for the positive vibes, more to follow
I have a pair of IL40's in my office system. I love them!
What I've learned about Kappa 8.1's is, they love power almost as much as they love space. I've yet to find a modern speaker under $5k that I enjoy more.
Ohh they aren't going anywhere when set up right . It's a no brainer, they sound absolutely fantastic. And they cost half of what they ask for the series I to boast
I had a dog and a cat and some pretty expensive speakers. There is a person on ebay who makes custom covers. I had a pair made for my tower speakers the material is very thick and durable kinda like a bomber jacket and what's nice about that is no pet hair sticks to it either. I haven't owned 3 paris of speakers but my current are ATC 50a (actives) Love the balance from top to bottom, the detail is insane, Soundstage is massive. I'm able to crank the volume without ears fatigue unless it's a poor mastering. Only downside is to get that lower bass region I am having to look into subs. And unfortunately if I want to keep the integrity of what ATC does with music I'm likely looking at Rels which are not cheap. Great channel will be subscribing
Love your posts ! Very well thought out and I agree with everything you say here. And rels are still very well on top of the food chain if we are talking 2.0 subwoofer integration and quality of low end.
Rel has never disappointed me !
My Favourite speakers that I've owned are.
1. Dahlquist DQ10's with matching subs and active crossover. - My wife likes them too!
2. Magnepan 1.4's - Imaging is amazing.
3. Infinity IL40's - Very dynamic - Love these!
Thanks for sharing!
My favourite speakers of all time, (which I refurbished and sold last year) were Infinity IRS Betas. I have also owned the first Kappa 8's and then 9's. Next would be the Proac K6 Signature, which are very musically involving. Finally, my current set-up which are Magnepan MG20.7i with a pair of REL #31 subs.
Interesting how we followed similar paths. I wound up with a magnepan Tympani . I prefer the kappa 8.1 simply because of my space being taken over by 6x4ft wide planars. Was just to much sacrifice for my liking, and with home theater magnepans (had the entire mg series in a home theater at one time)
They are just to directive and lack the dynamic fortitude vs cone systems.
I've owned 3 kappa 9 which I really didn't care for to much aside from them retaining good value. I then walked into the second series 8.1 and that one was proven definitely a better fit with my gear , room and above all ears.
A good friend of mine has two sets of IRS betas, I almost bought one of his sets (asking was 8k off market offer)
I was underway (no joke haha) and I got cold feet. I deemed it way to much money for a pair of speakers. And I started to get horror visions of me falling into this endless money pit. As I had to beef everything up I have . Not to mention, I had that time. The Tympani I I called him. And was honest about my doubts, he stepped over to Orion planars (massive 7ft or so planars)
The IRS beta I even found a better speaker than the IRS v I've heard. I'd argue it's nudells best speaker hands down thanks to the lemim . It easily outdoes the emims (which u had also in my renaissance 80 and the rs1b I had)
I didn't care for the emims that much, especially not when you're used to magnepans .
Thanks! Great to hear about your speaker journey. My no.1 speaker has to be the Marten Audio Bird (current main system). Pros: Wonderful combination of revealing and very musical (beautiful midrange, textured mid bass, deep bass is potent, but not dominating). Some of the most coherent driver integration I’ve ever heard. The diamond tweeter from Thiel is nothing short of miraculous! Cons: On paper they should be fairly easy to drive, but really they are not. They need amps with the best possible powersupply. - Running the Birds with Krell monoblocks now.
#2: Not a perfect speaker by any stretch, but oh man they are super fun - Tekton Design’s Double Impacts! Running these super efficient speakers with 300B valve monoblocks, and a Modwright LS100 valve pre. Natural sound that never sounds too soft or too rolled-off, and they can be resolving enough to do some nice revelations of inner details when they are set up right. Cons: Difficult to get setup right. Can dominate a room. The room needs to be big.
#3: System Audio Rangers Master (not the regular type Rangers): so fast and hard hitting mid bass. Beautiful top-end, but sometimes the midrange can be a bit recessed. Works wonderful with both films and music. I ran them with double System Audio subs, and Electrocompaniet integrated amp. Sounded big, but played well on lower volume too.
I've actually heard the tekton Moab ! And I must say it's an impressive speaker to listen too. They are all relatively big guys from the tekton assembly line. And I totally agree with your experience there too, they need some serious room. Those speakers can blast the gums of your teeth haha.
I just looked up the birds you have right now I assume ? Man that's a beauty 🤩😍 never heard of the brand. But that looks fantastic...
Great speakers ! Thanks for the comments some brands I've not heard before. And who knows might venture in !
My favorite 3 is tough to pick. In no particular order is the following, NHT 3.3, I have owned these speakers on 2 occasions. The Genesis V's. Sold them when Genesis went out of business back in the early 2000s. The Pioneer/Tad S1EX, an excellent speaker for the money. I currently own the Nola Baby Grand Reference, I like them but not smitten by them. Why did I sell off speakers I liked? Because I am a gearhead and I love to try different speakers, sometimes selling what I really like to try something I may not like as much.
Well I'm not as rich as some but my favorite three speakers I've owned
#1-paradigm signature s8
#2- infinity Kappa 7.1i/Ref6(very close)
#3- Sinclair Audio Brighton 460T
Ahh tanner ! Good to see you here so the kappa made it in the top 3 very good ! Still want to try a good paradigm
The diaphragm from American vintage. Yeah I saw a video on replacing the diaphragm on RUclips already did it make a difference when you replace them
Just as good as the original diaphragms and well worth doing it. It's super easy , I even replace them as easy as 10 min of work. And definitely recommended ! Bob offers fantastic replacements that are true to nudells
@@MichelLinschoten I ordered four I decided to do all of them at one time. I hope that solve my problem
I really was trying to find out was that the problem I had with my speakers
I would have to say, the Dunlavy SC lll's, Innersound Isis and currently my Magnepan 7's second runner up is my Definitive Technology Mythos ST's
Dunlavy are are incredible speakers hands down 🙏
@@MichelLinschoten
Yes the Dunlavys where pretty special and I had them paired with a Paradigm Servo 15 sub back in 1996
Most back then most didn't know what a sub was 😄 My Definitive Technology Mythos ST's (grandfather to the Goldenear Triton's) sound surprisingly good if given a good source
You don't hear definitive technology mentioned alot as a good speaker. I think they are heavily underrated too. It's because people automatically go into that "they are home theater speakers"
Not understanding it's just a speaker like any other hifi speaker. There is no such thing as a home theater speaker in my book.
@@MichelLinschoten
I got the Mythos ST's after I sold the Dunlavy's as I downsized Sandy Gross designed them They are the Grandfather to the Goldenear Triton's
Could they use a bit more inner detail, sure but I love that they are full range with a small footprint They go down close to 20 hz Here is a song of my stereo rig with the Mythos
ruclips.net/video/Mns0BRYo6dA/видео.htmlsi=ujStFiTHC1JOPNJm
Very nice video I saw your comment on your channel regarding magnepan vs ...
You're not wrong magnepans lack dynamic range (alot) vs a cone. I have had great success with placing two subs either flanking or behind the listening position and play with the phase of them a little bit . I used 4 subs (18 inch two in the rear and my monoliths on the front) with the rear set out of phase. And rolled of a little vs the front, basically making my livingroom a isobaric configurated sub.
It was fantastic, but took lots of work and effort to get that right.
Cones are inherently the "more complete" package vs maggies. I think that's where for me they lacked the most magnepans that is.
I've had every single mg model, lrs and the flagship magnepan Tympani I . All fantastic in their own way, but I always keep swerving back to cones somehow. It's just fulfilling my needs more ...
Edit: I think I deleted your comment by accident 😳 I am sorry about that ! Definitely didn't do that on purpose
I’m using the kappa 8 for surround speakers, kappa 9.1 for rear surround. IRS Beta in front, Kappa 6 in center. Kappa 5 for rear height. The room looks like Stonehenge, big towers surrounding the listening position. 😅
Yup been there with magnepans ! 6ft speaker all around the room never again. I now use two kappa 8 one on the front one on the side and rears are kappas 6.
The IRS beta i almost bought last year friend of mine had two sets. He sold one for 8k only to me as a friend .
I didn't do it, it's to much for a speaker and I don't definitely have the system or room to run them properly. So I appreciated the offer but passed on them
Fantastic speakers offcourse just be careful with the lemim they are rare and unobtainium.
One hell of a system you're playing with
HAHA! Those first ones look a LOT like my old JBL's which have been my favourites for 2 whole decades!
I am curious what these actually are, they obviously are much more expensive!
Got rid of them because of their butt-ugly veneer and my wife also thought they were much too big.
Kappa 8, alright. :)
Zo zo gaat nogal tekeer eh 😆
Lelijk enz,infinity kappa 8 inderdaad, smaken verschillen haha
Haha nou die JBL's van mij (JBL S412PII) met dat lichte fineer waren behoorlijk lelijk.
Deze zijn met echt hout gemaakt? En ik heb gegoogled, ze zijn ook heel plat? Die van mij waren 120 bij 40 bij 40 als ik het me goed herinner.