Cessaro or Von Schweikert

[Folsom]

You do realize you are comparing a $60,000 speaker to a $200,000 speaker that has twice as many drivers???

So? Is there some reason crossover design should be stifling different relative to price? No. Integration (drivers) isn't limited by price really. Overall performance sure, but as far as being harmonious it's up to the designer even if it's an Elac $300 speaker pair. Your Endeavour's integrated some oddball, but powerful, midbass drivers with some mids and tweeters pretty much perfectly. You can find great executions anywhere in audio; but that doesn't mean talented because of coarse quality of drivers, cabinet, and crossover parts affect performance.

 

[Leif S]

So? Is there some reason crossover design should be stifling different relative to price? No. Integration (drivers) isn't limited by price really. Overall performance sure, but as far as being harmonious it's up to the designer even if it's an Elac $300 speaker pair. Your Endeavour's integrated some oddball, but powerful, midbass drivers with a pro driver midrange and audiophile tweeter, pretty much perfectly. You can find great executions anywhere in audio; but that doesn't mean talented because of coarse quality of drivers, cabinet, and crossover parts affect performance.

Integration has nothing to do with price. It has to do with the designers ability to design a network that is optimum for the drivers chosen. I'm not using a P.A. driver for the midbass in the Endeavor speakers. All of those drivers happen to be audiophile drivers so I'm not really sure what you mean by oddball lol. Thank you for the compliment though. I was very happy with the final design of the E-3 MkII speaker and it's price point.

 

[JackD201]

Guys remember that we're talking about a room with only 14 ft of depth here. The speakers being talked about are all 3 ft deep or more. Think about the remaining listening distance if the owner is not going to have his head smack against the rear wall. The OP also stated that he did not want the speakers to dominate the room visually. Just reminding everybody of the context here.

 

[MRJAZZ]

There is obviously a big difference between the systems you are considering; horn vs dynamic speakers. As a person who recently moved from horns to dynamic box speakers, I'll share my experiences. The horns excelled at midrange purity and had absolutely zero distortion. Bass integration was never perfect, as my Avantgardes played down to 300 hz with the horn before the subwoofer took over. Also, my horns had a very defined sweet spot, which was almost maddening. But I really miss that midrange purity, where music seemed to pour out of the speakers.

My new speakers, Quintessence Stealth's, give me what was missing in the Avantgardes. Most notably: driver integration, excellent tuneful bass, image accuracy, soundstage height and wide dispersion. Also, the ribbon super tweeter is a real star in this speaker.

Good luck on your quest.

I concur with this post.....

Cheers,.....

 

[LL21]

I could drop some serious coin.....

Yep! Just dont drink it all at once!

 

[Leif S]

Guys remember that we're talking about a room with only 14 ft of depth here. The speakers being talked about are all 3 ft deep or more. Think about the remaining listening distance if the owner is not going to have his head smack against the rear wall. The OP also stated that he did not want the speakers to dominate the room visually. Just reminding everybody of the context here.

I hate it when I bump my head lol.

 

[bonzo75]

Hi for that room size another contender is stenheim alumine 5, much better size, and lots of scale and bass

 

[asiufy]

If it's a horns x cones scenario, in that particular room, and taking in consideration the OP's goals, my choices would be an Avantgarde Uno XD or a YG Hailey. Either one would be considerably less than the original two choices, and are, IMHO, considerably better. You might even want to go with YG Sonja 1.2, but that's a little over budget and a little taller/imposing than might be desired.

 

[bonzo75]

Yes, YG Hailey or stenheim alumine 5

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I think that the Evolution Acoustics MiniTwo would be a perfect small room speaker having an adjustable small integrated subwoofer.

a local friend has this speaker in a 10 foot wide very small room and it sounds amazing. it's been used at a number of audio shows in small rooms to very high praise. exceptional bass and scale rendition.

 

[BruceD]

Some interesting observations abound-

In answer to the original Q--my pref would be for the Cessaro over the Von Schweikerts--I've heard two Pairs of the latters in Hi End systems in private homes

the Cessaro's at Shows and recently the Larger Carmen with Analogue Front end in a dedicated Room--that was the Clincher.

Purely subjective and I stress both brands are excellent performers--your ears are the final judge.

BruceD

 

[Folsom]

Integration has nothing to do with price. It has to do with the designers ability to design a network that is optimum for the drivers chosen. I'm not using a P.A. driver for the midbass in the Endeavor speakers. All of those drivers happen to be audiophile drivers so I'm not really sure what you mean by oddball lol. Thank you for the compliment though. I was very happy with the final design of the E-3 MkII speaker and it's price point.

Oops, right the midrange isn't a pro driver, I was mixing up carbon drivers. It looks like another brand's, too. The Dayton units are a little odd because they perform well but measurements give rise to a fair bit of talk among driver nerds. And yes big compliments to a great speaker.

Guys remember that we're talking about a room with only 14 ft of depth here. The speakers being talked about are all 3 ft deep or more. Think about the remaining listening distance if the owner is not going to have his head smack against the rear wall. The OP also stated that he did not want the speakers to dominate the room visually. Just reminding everybody of the context here.

I believe that's a factor in where the horns are also playing a strength. Because they direct sound forward you can place them closer to walls so long as the bass doesn't have rear firing elements - but may need a little treatment for bass anyways. If all drivers where horns you could park them right up against the wall .

 

[asiufy]

I think that the Evolution Acoustics MiniTwo would be a perfect small room speaker having an adjustable small integrated subwoofer.

a local friend has this speaker in a 10 foot wide very small room and it sounds amazing. it's been used at a number of audio shows in small rooms to very high praise. exceptional bass and scale rendition.

Oh my, +1 to that! That's a great speaker as well! It images like a mini-monitor, but with great extension!

 

[Leif S]

If it's a horns x cones scenario, in that particular room, and taking in consideration the OP's goals, my choices would be an Avantgarde Uno XD or a YG Hailey. Either one would be considerably less than the original two choices, and are, IMHO, considerably better. You might even want to go with YG Sonja 1.2, but that's a little over budget and a little taller/imposing than might be desired.

I like how you say the YG's are better since you sell them lol

 

[Leif S]

I like how you say the YG's are better since you sell them lol

Forgive me but I just find it amusing when a OP ask a question between 2 different brands and other posters come in pushing their brands.

 

[jeff1225]

Forgive me but I just find it amusing when a OP ask a question between 2 different brands and other posters come in pushing their brands.

Haha too true! I was trying to give my impressions of horn vs. dynamic and inadvertently discussed a different brand......I'll fix that.

I'm thinking the VS speakers would be a better choice in that smaller room due to the adjustable bass and horns really need space.

 

[Leif S]

Haha too true! I was trying to give my impressions of horn vs. dynamic and inadvertently discussed a different brand......I'll fix that.

I'm thinking the VS speakers would be a better choice in that smaller room due to the adjustable bass and horns really need space.

Thank you but I wasn't referring to you. I was referring to the dealers

 

[Leif S]

Haha too true! I was trying to give my impressions of horn vs. dynamic and inadvertently discussed a different brand......I'll fix that.

I'm thinking the VS speakers would be a better choice in that smaller room due to the adjustable bass and horns really need space.

Oh wow.............I really like your listening room

 

[jtinn]

Let's do an apples to apples comparison

You do realize you are comparing a $60,000 speaker to a $200,000 speaker that has twice as many drivers???

Yes Leif, you are correct. I would say the proper apples to apples comparison would be our 40k Evolution Acoustics MiniTwo versus the VR 55. The 50k MMTwo would also be unfair to compare to due to the fact that it has a 15 inch active woofer as well as two ceramic mid range drivers and is just much more speaker. If all he is looking for is price range, he would have to compare our 65k MMThrees to your 60k VR 55's.

 

[Hieukm]

Thanks everyone for their comments, especially jeffrey_t, Leif, Bruce, Jack, Folsom about the equipment and Mike/Lloyd for the booze recommendation.

The reason i shortlisted Cessaro and Von Schweikert was due to their size/weight/suitability for small space as mine room. Thus my preference for the Wagner and VR-55 models than the Alpha/Ultra 9 models.

Next part, i would like the speaker to portraits crazy dynamics/resolution, very deep sound stage and excellent imaging. As my location and time dont allow me to audition these speakers appropriately hence i very much value your opinions and expertise.

P/S: The MM3 is an interesting choice. YG Hailey is not as i have auditioned the YG Camel i found it to be a bit dull.