Is more expensive better? What I learned from comparing 5 differently priced speakers.
Vložit
- čas přidán 3. 07. 2021
- #hifi #speakers #audiophile #stereo #audioreviews #highfidelity
My new Patreon account : / thomasandstereo
Gear mentioned in this review
----------------------------------------------------------
Exasound E28 DAC
Modwright LS100 Tube preamp
Moon W5.3 Power amp
Mcintosh MAC6700 integrated amp
Purifi class D power amp
Doge 7 DAC
Doge 8 DAC
KLH Model 5 speakers
Wharfedale D225 Speakers
KEF LS50 Speakers
Cabasse Minorca MC40 Speakers
Totem Sky Speakers
REVEL M106 Speakers
-----------------------------------------------------------
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/48PxwspDvrE/mqdefault.jpg)
This video spoke right to my heart! I too, as an old man on a fixed income, has mostly vintage gear, I have found in my journey that even the parameters of what I like have changed. As I have swapped out gear over the years, my definitions have become so different than what I thought they were. They have become much more refined. Once I find a piece of gear that I really fall in love with, it becomes easier to tailor other gear(some by listening to reviewers, some by trial and error) to my loved pieces. My system is getting very close to what I want it to be, and I have stopped caring about what others think of my choices, and just enjoy it, because it makes me happy! Thank you for your part in that journey!
Sounds awesome
Yes, taste, equipment synergy and room. Never forget the room.
My room is a nightmare. The whole sound stage is four feet to the left… 😕
I'd really like to see a similar test with audiophiles doing a blind test with about 5 very different levels -- speakers that are 100K, 20K, 10K, 1K, $200.
Very enlightening. You not only hit the nail's head, you showed how to pick which nail to hit. Good work!
Thank you, Thomas. I'm always learning from your videos - it's endless I think. Since I'm a newbie this video really hit home. I was starting to sense what you spoke about but you really captured the words and explained how I can take the information from a review that's pertinent to me.
Thank you for sharing your friend’s thoughts and yours. You sum up a collective ton of experience in a very easy to understand and relatable way. Much appreciated.
I will never get tired of your audiophile stories because I know I will learn something from it. Keep up the good work Thomas. Cheers! 👍
Consistently providing granular detail, and greatly expanding my knowledge base. Very enjoyable and much appreciated.
You're on a roll, Thomas!! Both the last video and this one resonates so true. It's not clean and clear cut, but it is truth on how this all works in the end-and it's all in the details.
Keep up the streak!! 👍🙌💪
Thanks for your stories which are relatable and make listening to you even more interesting. If possible, never stop the stories.
Glad you like them!
Agreed.
Your stories and approach to this hobby are always so refreshing and accessible Thomas. I love this format you have been using. Carry on with the good work and context! Cheers.
Hi Thomas. Wonderful story. I ever say about a gear: 1) what some love others hate it, 2) no one can hear with each other's ears 3) At the end is your pocket that pays the bill, so choose by yourself matching your taste and your budget
Great narrative and wise words..
I wish you were around when I started my audio journey.
You could have save me thousands Thomas!
I certainly hope, the younger ones among us take notice of your advice.
Greetings from Sydney. 🇦🇺
Hey bud I just recently found you on here and I really enjoy your videos. I appreciate the break downs and all the knowledge that you have and share. Priceless! I thank you kindly sir...
Great video Thomas and you nailed it when you described what is important and what to look for when choosing a hifi product.
You really nailed it Thomas! It's so informative, thank so much, and more vids like this please.
This is the kind of informative and educational video we've come to expect from you Thomas. May it long continue. In order to find your preference in sound you have to be able to listen to a wide range of speakers and systems which isn't an easy task. Having local audiophile friends certainly helps. By the way this vid appeared at the top of my list this morning!
Thanks, and I noticed the video is going really strong in terms of views. I wonder is it because youtube promotes it so you got the notification, (Unlike my last video) or it is because the topic is more interesting.
Thomas, this is the best teaching video on how to pursue audio that I have seen. Not just what you present though. Your style is also perfect for me. Being willing to try blind tests moves you ahead of all other video folk.I can easily follow your meaning. Keep up the good work!!
Really enjoyed your video Thomas! Very informative! So many variables!.......so many !
I am happy to see your audiophile friends can enjoy a conversation! Sadly, the few audiophiles I met were so close minded they became verbally agressive if I didn't agree with them. I wish people were more civil in sharing their opinion! Great video!
Thomas needed a mic to drop at the end of this one. You did nail it.
Great video, I enjoyed the story. More people should do tests like that. Especially for younger and more inexperienced audiophiles that can be a great help to discover their own taste and priorities in sound.
Great insight. I, as a so-called much older audiophile, have changed my music parameters from once being critical and analytical to just listening to music for it's pure pleasure and enjoyment.
Thank you for your work. Your passion to the craft is unrivaled and infectious!
Glad you enjoy it!
Love your thoughts and the way you put them into words.
Yep - Nailed it. Thanks Thomas and greetings to you and yours.
Beautiful, lovely video, excellent explanation of something so many people gloss over... personal taste and personal choices. Superb, thank you :)
Love this Thomas! :))) keep them coming! Really miss your opinions on things and your stories/experiments! This is why ur channel is the best!
Thank you! Will do!
This video concept comparison was most useful. Would be great to see a similar comparison for tower speakers.
This is the best video of breaking down peoples preferences and taste as it pertains to audio gear. 👏
Hi Thomas,
really enjoy these type of videos, as you always say it's a matter of taste.
Take Care
Once again Thomas, terrific video. Very educational with loads of valuable information that makes falling down the rabbit hole more enjoyable and easier to navigate. It is truly an amazing thing how much of this is subjective, and how synergy plays a big role. Synergy I discovered is everywhere, I especially see it's nature unfolding in gardening, in the paying close attention to soil composition, fungi, environment like cardinal directions, companion planting, etc. all must have a symbiotic relationship with one another for optimal health much like the synergy between electronics and speakers. Thanks Thomas.
Excellent, as usual! Thanks for helping us quantify taste more precisely :-)
You speak allways to the heart , continue your way , love it
Can’t wait for more of your regular reviews. 👍
Working on the KLH.
Finally a video that has given insight as to how to better approach my musical interest !!!
Owned the Cabasse minorca for about 5 years. It is a great speaker, especially when combined with a sub to handle the lower bass. I got it as I wanted the good aspects of the KEF Q300 (midrange/voices and imaging) and at the same time get as much as possible from what the Klipsch RB81 offered (liveliness, rhythm, low volume listening) in one speaker. The Minorca did a good job with that. Would it be great to see Thomas' take on its bigger brother, the Bora.
I love your stories Thomas - absolutely nailed it! Great watch 🔥
Not a bad idea with the playlist! One likes to listen to you, you’re good at thinking ;)
Great video Thomas, couldn’t agree more with you on this.
I prefer content like this to gear reviews. The trouble with reviews is that without context it can be a bit make believe. Thanks a bunch!
Good video, nice comments. People do not realize how +1 db here or -2db there make curves similar... but are preferred by on or other
This was a particularly good video, Thomas. Thank you for what you do.
Glad you enjoyed it Richard.
Excellent Video Thomas!
Great analysis. I have updated my notes.
Thanks for this video- really enjoyed it. I miss the days of my local hifi stores where we could just talk equipment for hours. Believe it or not, there are almost no high end stores left in the Silicon Valley and many of my purchases as based on CZcams reviews. But agree, all based on taste and components and dare I say, cables. I prefer these days a much warmer sound that I can enjoy for hours. I’d rather test with Diana Krall versus the Sheffield Drum Record these days. And I’ve realized that what you love, is generally not what I gravitate to so I had to laugh about your comment about Mr Vintage.
I always like your opinions and viewpoints
First video of yours I saw. Very informative - and I love your 'taste'... of humor man!
Glad you enjoyed!
Great video, the Cabasse caught my eye as I owed a pair of Bora's ... Funny thing is, I did the exact same experiment last night whilst listening to a Kate Bush Song that sounded so good through my LS50 driven through PS Audio mono's into an Auralic Altair G1 streamer. A REL S3 helped with some lower end... I then changed my speakers to B&W 606, played the same song and again with my $7k Dynaudio's... All 2 way bookshelves... I did it again and again, same song and must admit the $2k LS50 to my ears sounded the best...most expensive does not always equal the best for certain music in particular set ups and rooms....system matching makes such a difference too... Lovely video Thomas
You really make a difference when compared to other CZcams Channels! Always neutral and focusing on the essentials. So many truths also in this video! You got my highest respect!! I have in my more than 45 years of hifi hobby experienced the same. Taste and synergies and there ist no best, only it suits you or not.
Thanks for your always interesting Videos!
Thank you!
Your experiences and stories are my favorite part of this channel. It's like attending a lecture on audiophilism by a master.
Also you look quite dashing in that polo!
Extremely useful presentation...
Than You Thomas!
Glad it was helpful!
I restarted my Audiophile path. I spent my money, and I continue to pursue better sound. I do not believe a certain dollar level buys you better performance since, there is no best but there is better - to a point. Based on your test, from what I can gather, if you were new to audio and wanted to start your path, you would have an extremely tough time when everything needs to match up to provide the best outcome. That is a lot of experimenting.
Hi tom, I like the stories, as much, as the reviews, more hifi chit chat please... Thanks Antony, Warrington
Glad you like them!
Taste and synergy! Great advice Thomas!
Great video, very helpful.
“Nailed it“ 😄💪 Best mic drop
Cool test Thomas! thx
Thanks for this. I own a pair of hsu hb1 mk2 bookshelf speakers and hsu stf2 subwoofer.. I like bright sound, top treble and punchy bass just like u. Hsu recommends Onkyo and Pioneer receiver. So I bought my first receiver Onkyo TX NR 414 back in 2012, I got the exact sound I needed. But this amp suffered the hdmi issues that plagued Onkyo after a 5 years of use. So decided to buy Denon X1500h, It has this warm, subdued sound which I have difficulty adjusting to. I have turned via Audyssey, manual tuning - its sounds ok, but obviously does not have Onkyo sound that I am used to. Unfortunately I in Ghana, Africa and so I was unable to ship back due to high shipping and duty charges here. Nice review and I would agree to the system matching to get the sound needed. I sent an e mail to Hsu and they recommended that I stick with Onkyo. I have subscribed to your channel. Thanks
100% correct. The Nyquist theorem would explain the sampling times for HD sound.
Love such content! More!
Nice, glad it was fun for you.
All true, I agree. Good blind test too. Thanks.
Some very sensible advice. Great video
Enjoyed this one!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video and so addresses the fundamental goal which is your subjective pleasure with the system.
Link to my lastest KLH video: czcams.com/video/uZtAQJfYMsU/video.html
My new Patreon account: www.patreon.com/ThomasAndStereo
I think i found something! lol when you have time check out NODE
Wireless Multi-Room Hi-Res Music Streamer?
This past week I found a set of Transparent MusicWave Ultra 2516 cables in perfect condition, in a thrift store for $60.00. Do you have any idea how they rate in comparison to other Transparent cables, and do you have any idea of their original price?
I rate speakers and systems based on how they make me FEEL. The better it conveys emotion, the better the system. Everything else is secondary to me. Great video my friend, keep up the good work
The video looks pleasant and sounds good. You put your heart into it, so do I, ha ha.
My take on this is very simple. The minute you start really enjoying your favourite music is the key to knowing which speakers/ set-up is right for you.
I agreed with everything you said in this video, especially when you said 'nailed it'
This was a wonderful speaker experiment and what emerged from it was an infinite set of quality factors. I guess that is what makes hi-fi such a joy. You do, however, need to pay extra $$$ for a speaker whose cabinet is well made and doesn’t produce vibration or resonance at peak volumes, it sounds just as good at low volume as well as high, has low impedance for increased sensitivity and the cones are made to withstand sharp rises and falls in dynamic range, delivering the music fast without fatigue. My speakers (Energy ESM 3) are now nearly 35 years old, purchased for $800AU in 1987. The only parts I had replaced 17 years ago were the woofers, which had deteriorated. The tweeters are still original! My ESM 3s still deliver a punchy sound and will faithfully render all the fine detail that my MC cartridge picks up from the vinyl on my Linn LP12.
Thoughtful and insightful... makes good listening....Thank you...
Glad you enjoyed it!
This video really shows that the only thing that matters when evaluating something, is how good it preformes at the hierarchy of goals that are set.
Thanks so much for this video Thomas. For the first time in my life I realise that I’ve been chasing a sound that I didn’t even know what it was!! I’ve been buying equipment based on great reviews and not based on my taste!! The question is how on earth do I figure out exactly what it is that I like. I still remember the first time I heard high end audio and it gave me goosebumps,. I’ve been chasing that for years but never managed to replicate it again
czcams.com/video/2CKey_opnmE/video.html
I had the ls50s for 6 months, then had the revel m106, the revel wiped the floor with the ls50 in every way, my current favorite bookshelf, tonally just right and bass quality top notch. But, i do like my old ads L570/2 just as well as any other bookshelf but they are quite a bit bigger than any of these.
🔊 What we so hardly need back…..is the old fashion analogue equalizers in our hifi-systems - I always love mine analogue equalizer -
v good tom, really appreciated
All great Audio food for thought. With price NOT the top criteria, it makes our individual audio journeys more FUN!
i am just happy to see an appearance of the wharfedale 225, great value buy i made a few years back.
had a few speakers after that so i am gaining experience and maybe a taste for sound i like.
now i am trying to make my own speakers, and i am thinking how am i going to get the sound i like from driver selection and dsp?
When audiophiles meet…. IMHO this is one of your best ideas! More more more!
Another great video!
Great video. The issue with this type of test is that everyone prefers a different set of sound characteristics and therefore will choose the speakers that match those characteristics. Some prefer bight, dynamic...other prefer warm, laid back...etc. Great to see videos like this though. I think where price comes in and makes a difference is with power handling, freq range, dynamics, build quality, aesthetics, distortion....etc. I currently own the Revel Performa 3 F208's and am wondering what the best upgrade would be within my price range...less than 10k a pair...Would love to go to the Revel F328 BEs but at 16000 a pair they are a little too pricey for me.
Thank you. Very good!
Very interesting, thank you.
Very good audiophile wisdom for newcomers
A number of very good points I own the top Revel and I know they have sounded best with the high power amps- they seem to really shine when you feed them an 800WPC amp like a Krell.
Enjoyed your story. I am a little more like Mr. VINTAGE. I have a lot of older equipment mixed with a little bit of new equipment and I enjoy a sound with a lot of beautiful mid range. I enjoyed hearing about these different speakers in the different viewpoints of the people that listened to them.
I like the 220 and 225 I just wouldn't want to be bound only by it. But it's a hell of a starting point into affordable HiFi. Nice commentary about your and ones HiFi journey and evolution into HiFi.
I commented earlier,about my polk and JBL speakers.i listen to my music in virtual mode ,cause I like a lot of base and that's how I get both woofers to work it's awesome.
This was a Great video, Thank you.
Great information 🙂
Thanks for watching!
It all comes down to one’s individual taste. And then it comes to room dimensions and acoustics, speaker placement & positioning, then season that taste to your ears. I like seeing credible measurements and lab reviews coupled with sound tests and impressions, but that would not be the decisive factor to purchase. If one watches enough reviewers covering speakers one has listened to awhile, one can start to tell which direction the reviewers preferences lean. If that matches w/what you like, then it’s a speaker to consider. This was a great topic to share. First, identify what overall sound signature one prefers.
good advice Thomas!!
Thanks!
if there is a Nobel Prize for analytical assessment of audio equipment/gear, you would be a likely candidate.
Love your videos and reviews, Thomas. Always insightful, with a bit of cheeky wit to make them interesting. But this one was esp. good for me at least to watch :-D
The Frugal Audiiophile-Wanna-Be in Vancouver
Glad you enjoyed it!
👏👏🏻👏🏼👏🏽👏🏾👏🏿👏👏🏻👏🏼👏🏽👏🏾👏🏿 😇 Wonderfully done to share insightful view on one's taste & preference. Have a wonderful audiophile time. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
I am fully with you. Taste and synergy of components are what make components the best _for you_!
From my early days until now, I am always astonished how, components dissappoint if I swap e.g. DACs of me and a friend of mine in our systems. We selected our components carefully to match our systems to meet our taste. He likes loud and lifelike dynamic forward presentation. And his system is impressive in this regard. I like natural tonality and effortless microdynamics and rythm. And my system does not disappoint. The astonishing point is that our favorite DAC made the others system perform worse which we both agreed.
very good. Would be great if you would include the amp thats a good match with the speaker table. thanks
Taste and synergy still matters like it did back in the 1990s. And I'm glad to know that my first hand hearing experience with the given set of speakers tested here more or less within the ballpark of the group's assessment. I find Revels have an opacity in the upper band and this is sort of their speaker's house sound. To my ears, I'll probably gravitate towards the Cabasse if they'll pass muster on how reallistically they can play the horns on Holst's Mars or the Marshalls on a minimalist 1990s punk rock.
The Wharfdale is a giant killer. It will hang with speakers double its price. There is everything for everyone.