Rega R3 or R5

Alexander New member Username: Batonwielder Post Number: 5 Registered: Jun-08	Posted on Monday, June 09, 2008 - 18:56 GMT Hello. I've auditioned both of these speakers and I just can't decide! My room is about 12'x14' and listen mostly to classical music. Which do you think is more suited to my listening space and taste? Thanks.
Art Gold Member Username: Artk Albany, Oregon USA Post Number: 7023 Registered: Feb-05	Posted on Monday, June 09, 2008 - 19:38 GMT The 3 should do very well in your listening room. I have the 5's and use them in a larger room. I've said before that the primary reason I bought the 5 over the 3 is that I had an audio store credit to use up, the 5 allowed me to complete the transaction. The 3's are a great little speaker, enjoy!
Frank Abela Gold Member Username: Frank_abela Berkshire UK Post Number: 3010 Registered: Sep-04	Posted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 10:18 GMT Alexander, I take it that you've auditioned the speakers in the store but not at home. If so, I'd go for the 3's. They have a lighter touch with less bass than the 5, and they also have lower box colouration in the mid-bass. Also, in a 12x14 room, the speakers probably have to live close to a rear wall, in which case the 5's will excite the boundaries quite a bit whereas the 3's will not. However, I'm a little concerned on one front. The 3's have a fairly small presentation. 'Classical' covers many sins. If you're into Mahler and Wagner, then you will miss some of the scale and weight that the 5's give you. I also like classical music, but I prefer piano concertos and the romantics like Debussy and Ravel which are more about orchestral interplay. In this the 3's would be preferable I think. Difficult choice, but overall I would prefer the 3s. Incidentally, you could ask your dealer if you could try the speakers at home. Some dealers do this. The difference may be enough to help you make a decision.
Alexander New member Username: Batonwielder Post Number: 6 Registered: Jun-08	Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 04:23 GMT The 3's would sit way below my listening height. Are they voiced with such a low height in mind, or would I have to put something underneath and bring them up to my listening height?
Art Gold Member Username: Artk Albany, Oregon USA Post Number: 7035 Registered: Feb-05	Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 11:43 GMT Used the spikes to tilt them slightly or place them on home made plinths.
Frank Abela Gold Member Username: Frank_abela Berkshire UK Post Number: 3018 Registered: Sep-04	Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 14:31 GMT They are designed to be listened to at the height they're at. Some people like to tilt them slightly backwards but I never really felt this to be necessary -perhaps this is a sign I'm losing my high frequency acuity.
Art Gold Member Username: Artk Albany, Oregon USA Post Number: 7036 Registered: Feb-05	Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 17:31 GMT Not sure that is accurate...perhaps. However the same midrange and high frequency drivers are employed for both the R3 and R5 and they are different heights...hmm. I would say that you want the tweeter lower than your ear with these speakers. At least that has been my experience.
Gavin Gold Member Username: Gavdawg Albany, New York Post Number: 1164 Registered: Nov-06	Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 18:28 GMT "perhaps this is a sign I'm losing my high frequency acuity" have you been tested recently?
Art Gold Member Username: Artk Albany, Oregon USA Post Number: 7037 Registered: Feb-05	Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 19:46 GMT I'm sure Frank's hearing is fine...hmmm...he does like a bit hotter sound than alot of folks...Frank are ya ok man? ...lol...just giving ya a hard time Frank.
Nuck Platinum Member Username: Nuck Post Number: 10356 Registered: Dec-04	Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 22:46 GMT Do the upper drivers have a great north/south dispersion field?
Art Gold Member Username: Artk Albany, Oregon USA Post Number: 7039 Registered: Feb-05	Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 01:17 GMT Not really Nuck. Certainly not compared to my Epos. What I've always like about my Rega's is that they are a very simple design...nothing fancy...no special tweeter that fills the room side-to-side and top-to-bottom. Just straight forward music man that's all ya get.
Frank Abela Gold Member Username: Frank_abela Berkshire UK Post Number: 3022 Registered: Sep-04	Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 11:08 GMT Hmmm, I haven't been tested in years, but if anyone wants to try themselves out, have a look here: http://www.freemosquitoringtone.org/ I tested it out on my laptop with my Sennheizer PXC250s and could only hear up to 16.7khz which ain't bad for a 44yo. Of course, the test isn't scientific since nobody knows how good the replay system is. And no, I'm not OK. I'm depressed. I'm going in on Tuesday for a knee operation, just a minor op to sort out some torn cartilege. And what's worse? That same day, the shop is having a Naim open day with a top of the line Naim active system (with my cartridge on the front if you please) costing around $200k - and it looks like I'm gonna MISS IT!! Am I gutted or what?! You bet I am... The Rega treble units have fairly typical dispersion. The problem with treble is that it tends to beam as frequency increases but like I said, I've never had a problem with the R3s being lower, and as Art says I quite like things hotter than many. Frank.
Art Gold Member Username: Artk Albany, Oregon USA Post Number: 7041 Registered: Feb-05	Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 11:16 GMT Now don't be depressed, the knee will get some attention and will be fine and the so what about the Naim gear...wait a minute...anyone have a Prozac. Speedy recovery to you Frank.
Michael Wodek Gold Member Username: Mike3 Wylie, Tx USA Post Number: 1334 Registered: May-06	Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 00:01 GMT I tried the test too Frank and was also pleased with my results. Dude,just take an aspirin after the surgery and got to the event. Have them do your surgery first thing in the morning. You can recover after the event.
Nuck Platinum Member Username: Nuck Post Number: 10363 Registered: Dec-04	Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 01:53 GMT Sorry to hear, Frank, heal well and really really fast! Like on the way to the shop!
Frank Abela Gold Member Username: Frank_abela Berkshire UK Post Number: 3033 Registered: Sep-04	Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 15:59 GMT Heh, thanks guys...

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