I had a listen today to two speakers: Scansonic MB1 (Michael Borresen of Raidho and Nordost fame) + System Audio Pandion 2 (an outcome of the very interesting open/public Q113-project lead by Ole Witthoft).
Tracks:
Lou Reed "Turning Time Around"
Van Morrison "Moondance" (Take 22) - extra track with lots of instrumental parts - on the Deluxe Edition of "Moondance"
Sting, "Practical Arrangement."
First I listened to the System Audio Pandion 2 on System Audio stands. From the first notes I liked that speaker very much for its grand stage and convincingly realistic rendition of the bass lines in "Turning Time Around." Very relaxed and controlled at the same time. I was extremely easy to pick out each instrument. Lou Reed's voice had that balance of tenderness and sarcastic bite that I like with him. All in all a very evenly balanced speaker that threw an enormous and very engaging sound stage. Van Morrison's "Moon Dance" (Take 22) was straight up this speaker's alley, again it made the music flow admirably and grandiosely.. And there was no problem playing loud with this speaker.
Switching directly to Scansonic MB1 - on Scansonic stands - probably was not fair after the "magnificent" Pandion 2.
Lou Reed "Turning Time Around:" In comparison to Pandion 2 the Scansonic sounded quite "dry"/ matter-of-fact. The soundstage seemed to be cluttered/ congested (as if there was not space enough for the instruments to take their proper places). And the ribbon ... I did not like it at first, as I had feared, but I think it may have been a matter of getting used to its different presentation from the Pandion 2. I certainly did not enjoy Lou Reed's "Turning Time Around" as much through this speaker as Pandium 2. As I listened on through the other more jazzy tracks, I thought that the ribbon treble calmed down a bit (or I simply got a bit used to it). But to me there was something off + in your face about Scansonic MB1 - perhaps it had not been allowed enough run in time?
If I manage to part with my Magnepan speaker + subs, I am afraid that they won't be replaced by the Scansonic MB1 unless I manage to have another audition where the speaker is able to convince me of its qualities. Thursday I may have half a week-long home demo of Gauder Arcona 40 (Isophon). Another possibility is the sweet Amphion Argon 3 - I already have the Amphion Argon 3L floorstander in the house. But I like having different flavours in the house, so what may seem an obvious choice could also become a bit "boring" in the long term. I could just keep the Magnepans + subs which would be good for my personal finances ...
Kind regards,
Peter