ShardsOfMe
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2011
- Messages
- 7,317
- Reaction score
- 767
- Points
- 1,859
- Location
- Gateshead, United Kingdom
Your wisdom please, fellow AVF’ers .
I have upgraded my old Arcam Solo Movie 2.1 2007 DVD to an Arcam Solo Movie 5.1 2016 (Blu-ray/streaming version), although I only ever use my systems for 2.0 (or perhaps 2.1 - read on) music use - I have found that the Arcam …Movie units are so much better for this than their …Music counterparts.
The new Solo is paired with my old Zensor 3s and whilst it sounds pretty great so far, I can’t help but feel that the Zensors are holding it back.
I have the option of Oberon 1s at a very reasonable price (£170) that I can pair with my spare Cambridge S80 sub to help with the bottom end, or at least until I find a DALI sub .
I am also looking at Opticon 2 Mk. 2s as what should be a substantial step-up. These are more expensive but still a decent price against list (£540 against £899).
Whatever I choose, I can’t stand mount the speakers because of room limitations - everything is on a solid wood rack/unit. Zensor 3s are about as big as I can go - I did previously have Spektor 2s and they were a better size though with the expected compromises.
I listen to everything from classic rock and pop, through ‘tunes the milkman would find it hard to whistle the next morning’ outré jazz, to the occasion bit of classical. I love the Arcam and DALI combination and am not looking at other brands, but am a bit lost as to where diminishing returns come in within the DALI range.
So, your opinion please - do I stick with the Zensor 3s; sidegrade to the Oberon 1s (with or without sub - opinions would be good here also); or go for the Opticon 2s? Will I hear the extra £360 with the Opticons over the Oberons?
And, as a curve ball, what about Alteco-C1s as fronts? They would solve the room issue - but I don’t know whether Altecos should even be under serious consideration.
Thanks in advance! The new Arcam is the nicest piece of kit I’ve ever owned; I just want to do it justice with a sensible pairing - and I know you guys will give me honest, unbiased and practical advice .
I have upgraded my old Arcam Solo Movie 2.1 2007 DVD to an Arcam Solo Movie 5.1 2016 (Blu-ray/streaming version), although I only ever use my systems for 2.0 (or perhaps 2.1 - read on) music use - I have found that the Arcam …Movie units are so much better for this than their …Music counterparts.
The new Solo is paired with my old Zensor 3s and whilst it sounds pretty great so far, I can’t help but feel that the Zensors are holding it back.
I have the option of Oberon 1s at a very reasonable price (£170) that I can pair with my spare Cambridge S80 sub to help with the bottom end, or at least until I find a DALI sub .
I am also looking at Opticon 2 Mk. 2s as what should be a substantial step-up. These are more expensive but still a decent price against list (£540 against £899).
Whatever I choose, I can’t stand mount the speakers because of room limitations - everything is on a solid wood rack/unit. Zensor 3s are about as big as I can go - I did previously have Spektor 2s and they were a better size though with the expected compromises.
I listen to everything from classic rock and pop, through ‘tunes the milkman would find it hard to whistle the next morning’ outré jazz, to the occasion bit of classical. I love the Arcam and DALI combination and am not looking at other brands, but am a bit lost as to where diminishing returns come in within the DALI range.
So, your opinion please - do I stick with the Zensor 3s; sidegrade to the Oberon 1s (with or without sub - opinions would be good here also); or go for the Opticon 2s? Will I hear the extra £360 with the Opticons over the Oberons?
And, as a curve ball, what about Alteco-C1s as fronts? They would solve the room issue - but I don’t know whether Altecos should even be under serious consideration.
Thanks in advance! The new Arcam is the nicest piece of kit I’ve ever owned; I just want to do it justice with a sensible pairing - and I know you guys will give me honest, unbiased and practical advice .
Last edited: