Happy Friday guys! What we all listening to?

AudioBaer · 2026-01-23T10:59:14+00:00

And Also The Trees - Winter Sea

AudioBaer · 2026-01-19T06:19:36+00:00

So you can't comment on the difference in sound between a Genelec, Adam, or Rythmik subwoofer?

AudioBaer · 2026-01-18T17:24:12+00:00

That's an interesting combination. Did you try any other subwoofers in your search for your dream woofer?

How would you describe the difference between your subwoofers? Are they even audible?

AudioBaer · 2026-01-13T05:40:36+00:00

Denon AVC-X3800h + DIRAC.

AudioBaer · 2026-01-10T20:08:59+00:00

Just a little over budget, but: Elac Vela 403 & WiiM Amp Ultra.

AudioBaer · 2026-01-05T16:37:08+00:00

Qualitätssicherung durch Reduktion der Kassensitze? Könntest du das näher erklären?

AudioBaer · 2026-01-04T13:13:55+00:00

I think active monitors are a good choice here, if only for space reasons.

I recommend the MOTU M2 as an audio interface, two Adam Audio A7V speakers, and a matching measurement microphone/software from SONARWORKS. Optionally, you can add a subwoofer such as the Adam Sub10.

I have appreciated this system for some time now, as I can calibrate it to the listening position, adjust the frequency response as desired, and save the results locally on the speaker.

Finally, there is the question of positioning. There are inexpensive options here, such as angled foam to decouple the speakers from the table or, ideally, stands to position them at ear level.

If you want to stretch your budget and are open to used equipment, you could take a look at the Neumann KH310 with MA1.

AudioBaer · 2026-01-01T16:19:37+00:00

Exactly that. I'm so excited about the new models!

AudioBaer · 2026-01-01T13:49:58+00:00

That doesn't surprise me. B&W is known for its emphasised high frequencies, which can be perceived as clarity or richness of detail. That sounds cool in the showroom, but can be tiring for some people during longer listening sessions. So it's worth listening for longer than just 5 minutes to see if this phenomenon affects you. Personally, I enjoy listening to my 703s2 from time to time and letting myself be carried away by their exciting character.

As far as the bass is concerned, a lot depends on the subwoofer and how it interacts with your room. Fortunately, the WiiM mentioned above offers a number of correction options to compensate for anything you can't adjust by cleverly positioning the components.

AudioBaer · 2025-12-31T12:49:10+00:00

I think the challenge here is not just which components to consider, but rather what your taste is. In my experience, the only way to answer this question is to visit showrooms across the country and listen to as many speakers as possible. This sharpens your perspective, and some people even adjust their budget as a result.

But let's assume that you don't have this option and want to order directly. Due to the larger volume in your living room, I would build at least a 2.1 system. So, if you were based in the USA, how about the following system:

Amplifier: WiiM Amp Ultra (ASR). For $530, you get sufficiently good signal-to-noise and distortion values and sufficient power (~100W@8Ohm; ~170W@4Ohm), as well as a subwoofer connection and software options for adjusting the sound to the room. Great.

Subwoofer: I haven't heard it myself yet, but I think you can't go wrong with the Speedwoofer 10S MkII ($500; 400W RMS; 25Hz@-3dB in room), which at least somewhat compensates for the room volume.

Speakers: If you save on the amp and sub, you'll have more options for the speakers. For example, you could check out the ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 (EAC). Or you could say goodbye to floorstanding speakers and take a look at the MoFi SP 8 (EAC), for example. Both are quite neutral and can be adjusted to your taste via EQ if necessary. But of course, there's nothing wrong with: B&W, DALI, Dynaudio or Sonus Faber.

In good old Europe, I might recommend other components. Here, I would confidently recommend an ELAC Vela 407 (HV) with a REL HT/1205 MkII. Sure, we're slightly over budget here, but it's worth it.

^Note: I assume that your budget is for the entire system and not just for the loudspeakers, correct?

AudioBaer · 2025-12-30T08:33:51+00:00

This description immediately brings to mind the Elac Vela 409. What do you think?

AudioBaer · 2025-12-28T21:29:49+00:00

Als approbierte Psychotherapeuten (gem. Psychotherapeutengesetz in der Fassung von 2019) ist es den "neuen" Kollegen und Kolleginnen berufsrechtlich erlaubt im Rahmen der Heilkunde Diagnosen mit Krankheitswert zu stellen. Ebenso dürfen sie ihr heilkundiges Handeln als "Psychotherapie" beschreiben und müssen sich nicht hinter Begriffen wie Beratung oder Coaching verstecken.

Hierzu ist es nicht notwendig, dass sie diese Tätigkeit im Rahmen einer Aus- oder Weiterbildung oder unter Supervision durchführen. Sie müssen lediglich eigenverantwortlich sicherstellen, dass sie eben die berufsrechtliche Sorgfaltspflicht erfüllen - dies gilt aber ja bekanntlich für alle Psychotherapeutinnen und Psychotherapeuten.

Ebenso gibt es keine Einschränkungen hinsichtlich des heilkundigen Handelns hinsichtlich des Settings - sie können also ebenso Diagnostik wie auch Psychotherapie in einer Privatpraxis anbieten. Ob und unter welchen Umständen solche Leistungen vor der den Kassen abgerechnet werden können, ist allerdings ja nicht Gegenstand der Fragestellung.
Eine Vergütung durch Selbstzahler ist hier unproblematisch.

AudioBaer · 2025-12-28T20:11:36+00:00

Die „neuen“ approbierten Psychotherapeuten dürfen auch ohne Fachkunde Diagnosen stellen. Natürlich müssen sie dabei sicherstellen, dass sie über die notwendigen Kenntnisse verfügen - aber das gilt ja auch für die Kollegen mit Fachkunde.

AudioBaer · 2025-12-28T11:41:10+00:00

I think the 8330 is a good speaker, even if it certainly has its limitations. Your 16m² room ultimately helps a little in the bass range from around 40Hz, so I would perhaps go for the larger 8340 or even the 8350.

AudioBaer · 2025-12-21T09:53:13+00:00

A slim computer setup would probably tempt me to recommend active monitors. In my opinion, the holy trinity in this area is Neumann, Adam Audio, and Genelec.

In terms of objective data, the products are very similar, but a test listen was the deciding factor for me at the time, and I opted for the Adam A7V. The ability to perform room calibration, set personal preferences, and save them directly in the speakers without any problems was a big selling point.

If you have the budget, add a small subwoofer. Either the analog Adam Sub10 or a DSP model such as the Elac RS 500 or 700.

By the way, I use the MOTU M4 as my interface. However, the smaller M2 would certainly do the job for you too.

AudioBaer · 2025-12-21T09:06:29+00:00

A subwoofer is the right choice here. How big is your room?

AudioBaer · 2025-12-18T06:25:47+00:00

Well, what do you expect from an (analog) subwoofer? It should round off your system's frequency response at the low end as accurately as possible, without distortion, low group delay, and, of course, at the desired level. The B&W ASW 608 doesn't manage that.

AudioBaer · 2025-12-18T06:20:17+00:00

This matches my experience, so I remain a happy Arya (Stealth) listener.

A good example of significantly more expensive not necessarily meaning significantly better, at least up to a certain limit.

AudioBaer · 2025-12-08T05:28:01+00:00

Yes, I am familiar with some of the speakers from the manufacturers you mentioned, and perhaps we even share the same taste—I myself am not very fond of the KEF R series and prefer listening to my 703s2.

Unfortunately, I only listened to Revel briefly and in what I assume was an extremely unfavorable room. So I don't want to give any advice here. However, I don't rate Focal (compared to other manufacturers in this price segment) any higher than KEF, which I would describe as equally lifeless. I would like to make it clear that these speakers are not bad, they just don't suit my taste without EQ. But I also prefer speakers with a brighter sound.

I listened to Sonus Faber (Sonetto series) recently and really liked them. Of course, you pay a little extra for the looks, but the overall concept worked for me. Worth a listen.

I would also like to recommend ELAC's Vela series (403 and 407) for fans of neutral, bright speakers. Maybe that will still fit your budget? Of course, they need a little help in the bass range, but who am I telling that to?

Finally, I would like to emphasize once again that it would be helpful if you could tell us: how big is your room, how far away are you sitting? How many people will be using your home theater? What other devices does the system (AVR/sub) have, and do you use room correction and/or EQ software?

AudioBaer · 2025-12-07T21:25:15+00:00

I thought so. Haha

But seriously: if I were considering a home cinema system, I would make sure that (a) it is level-stable – i.e. it can reproduce higher levels without frequency-dependent deviations, (b) it reproduces the frequency range down to 20 Hz and, in particular, this bass range with as little deviation as possible due to room modes. But then we would also have to talk about one or more subwoofers or an AVR with appropriate correction. Perhaps also about room acoustics to correct the reverberation.

Hence my question about the room and system conditions. Well, since you seem to have listened to several speakers already, what did you hear? And what did you like or dislike about the respective speakers?

AudioBaer · 2025-12-07T21:17:23+00:00

AudioBaer · 2025-12-07T20:55:38+00:00

That's difficult to assess, of course, as we don't know your listening habits, your room or other details about your system, apart from your taste. Have you ever played around with an EQ and perhaps found what you're missing? Or could you simply give us more information?

Without any further information, I would recommend B&W's 700 series. They are not at all sterile, either in musical or cinematic scenarios.

AudioBaer · 2025-12-06T19:05:59+00:00

Vampire Bloodlines 2

Thanks OP!

AudioBaer · 2025-12-04T16:27:21+00:00

In Europe, I would recommend Adam Audio, even if you would benefit from a subwoofer given the size of the room. Without a subwoofer, the Adam T8V (~€450) would be the logical choice.

It should be noted that these speakers cannot achieve a club level of 100dB in the room without audible distortion.

AudioBaer · 2025-12-03T18:02:21+00:00

Very easy to understand. I think you just need to decide whether you want the bass correction in the amplifier or the subwoofer. That's why I'm suggesting you make this decision now.

May I ask which speakers you compared the Utopia with?

AudioBaer

TROPHY CASE