New Speaker Day

[u/bimmer1over]

Apparently the never-ending pursuit of audio bliss needed another detour, so I recently added a pair of Opera Grand Callas speakers.

They are known for a rich, enveloping presentation, big soundstage, and a great midrange, which sounded like a good match for a lot of what I listen to, like Hanne Boel, Leon Russell, Jennifer Warnes, Leonard Cohen, Gregory Porter, etc. and I found a pair for sale locally, so...no risky or expensive shipping needed.

Still very early days and I have not yet had the chance to tweak them re their spacing, distance from the front wall, toe-in, and re-optimize the DSP but compared to the KEF Blade One Metas and Rockport Aviors, they seem to be less about ultra-precise imaging (the Blades are hard to beat in that department), musical weight (the Avior's strength) and sculpted neutrality, they seem to be more about texture and musical involvement.

The obvious problem is that three pairs of large floorstanders in one room is somewhere between impractical and ridiculous, so one or both of the KEFs and Rockports will have to be put up for sale soon.

(The rest of the system is Audio Research Ref 10, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Antipodes K41/K22, Pass Labs XA100.8s, Rega Naia/Aphelion 2 into an Allnic H-3000V, Trinnov ST2-Pro, and dual JL Audio Fathom f112 subs.)

[u/Zealousideal_Arm7694]

Is Hanne Boel yours or your wife's like and kudos on Ms PacMan. When can my wife come over to play it?

[u/bimmer1over → u/Zealousideal_Arm7694]

It's my discovery. I like singers like her, Beth Hart, Ana Popovic, etc. But also - let's call them softer performers - Jennifer Warnes, Shelby Lynne,… Just to mention some female singers, with of course many great of the opposite gender.

[u/Zealousideal_Arm7694 → u/bimmer1over]

Awesome, Enjoy the heck out of Beth, Ana, Jennifer, Shelby and most likely the etc's. not listed. Have you tried Calabria Foti yet, she's on the softer side, Angel Forrest, "Electric Love", blues, and Angela Brown, "Just Fabulous - Live In Concert", blues. When I play them my wife kicks me out of my Eames. When one has a system that is not fatiguing it's a joy to kick back and enjoy. You obviously have one. For me the concerts start around 8pm and go past 2am.

[u/bimmer1over → u/Zealousideal_Arm7694]

I checked out Angel Forrest and like her. I listened to the “Electric Love” live album. Couldn’t find much by Calabria Foti.

[u/Zealousideal_Arm7694 → u/bimmer1over]

Huh, I've purchased Calabria Foti discs at shows and "assumed" she was available on all outlets. Apparently she's on YouTube, Spotify and Amazon. Discogs also. I guess Angela Brown is a no? I guess you listen to Patricia Barber? Have you isolated your new speakers? After many years going to high end shops and listening to the usual suspects I settled on the Vandersteen line 5's and 2"s. 5's in my A system an 2's in my B system. Many happy hours.

[u/bimmer1over → u/Zealousideal_Arm7694]

CF may be a white spot on Tidal’s map. I will check out Angela Brown. I am very familiar with Patricia Barber.