After six months without speakers and a move to a larger listening room, I’m finally ready to start shopping again.  I’ve most recently owned Philharmonic Audio 2’s, which were fantastic, but didn’t provide the dynamics and emotional connection I’m looking for when paired with my current equipment.

I’m looking for dynamics, realism, emotion, a big sound stage and holographic imaging.  I want to be “floating” in the music per se.  My new room is an exposed basement room measuring 17’ x 23’ with open hallways on both ends and multiple windows and a sliding glass door.  I plan on adding room treatments soon after moving in.  

My listening preferences are all over the board but lean heavily towards classic rock, throwing in some jazz, pop, and solo guitar music along the way.

My chain consists of:  PC > Wyred DAC 2 (no upgrades yet) > Decware Torii MkIV w/EL34’s

I’ve always wanted to try the high sensitivity game, so I’ve been driving myself crazy trying to decide between the following:

Zu Omen Def
Zu Soul Superfly
GoldenEar Triton II
Tekton Pendragon
Spatial Hologram M2 Turbo’s
DIY Audio Nirvana Alnico 12’s
Or Decware DM 946, although there aren’t many reviews out, any input from Decfest goers?

I live in Southern WI, so my options for hearing these speakers are very limited.   I have demoed the Triton II’s and loved the disappearing act; those things imaged like crazy, I just want to make sure I’m not missing out with any of my other options and they are on the lower end of high sensitivity.

Has anyone heard these types of speakers that can make a comparison between pairs?  I’m open to any other recommendations as well.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Bob

i have zu omens.  i've been pretty happy with them.  also, i live in WI if you are interested in hearing my pair.

I have the Torii MkIV and the Triton IIs, and I think the Triton's sound really great.  I would describe their sound as spacious and resonant.  The deep bass is excellent and the highs are clear but not shrill.  Every speaker has it's weakness, and for the Triton's I think the mid bass could be a bit more articulate.  There are a lot of great speakers out there and I would love to hear Decware's someday.  I like to audition speakers in my home before I commit, and the Tritons were available locally, along with Focal, B&W and a few others, but there really isn't a lot of choice in Boise, ID.  Overall, though, I like the Tritons a lot with the MkIV, and after two years with them I'm still pretty satisfied. Hope that helps.

I have the Triton 1s with the OPPO 105.  I am currently driving them with the Emotiva Mono-blocks - but have ordered the MKIV.  I have read several people that have this combo and all seem to be very pleased!  Looking forward to it!!  Anyone have any tube rolling advice with this setup let me know - I am open to it.

I have heard the MG944s 94db (no longer made, but used pairs are available) and the DM947s 94db (DM945s with the cabinets) plus the new speakers Bob Zeigler is working on ~91/92db (I call them the El Caminos).

Best Rock speakers I have heard with the Torii are the MG944s.  The El Caminos are a close second with better bass - but they need to be played louder to get the soundstage I think you are after.  The best soundstage and imaging by far is the DM947s but it has less bass than the El Caminos.  I think these are Steve's current favs.

I don't know how far north you are in WI, but a trip to Decware would allow you to hear all these speakers plus others I have heard but not enough to comment on.  Might be worth the drive.

I'm currently breaking in a pair of DM946 speakers, 60 hours or so on them and they are really starting to open up. Good bass for a stand mount, open and transparent top end and plenty of presence and detail through the mid. I'm driving them with a coincident dynamo and they have plenty of impact and great dynamics for only 8 watts. With 25 I imagine they would be monsters. Whether they would have enough bass for your room I couldn't say, my room being slightly smaller than yours. You really need to have a listen but I love them so far!