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~$15K floorstanders: opinions sought

There a chance I'll be able to make a significant investment in my speakers within a few months, and jump from $4K/pr Focal 926 to something in the 10-15K range. I'm running krell gear and have no intention of changing electronics, they are perfectly suited to my ears - - but if new speakers expose weaknesses, then I'll tackle that later.

Here's the thing: aesthetics matter to me, a lot, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I love my art and home and music is a huge part of my lifetime joy. These are some of the brands /models that I personally think are beautiful, and I'd love to hear from folks who could speak to a possible pairing with Krell. I like precision, speed, clarity, and firm bottom. 

Room is approx 18x20x9. New or used is ok.

Von Schweikert Endeavor SE
Vienna Acoustics Klimt The Music
Magico S3
JBL Synthesis (4700, 9900, etc.) 
Spatial (loved the demos I heard but not sure if OB would work in my space)

Appreciate any insight, despite the aesthetic emphasis. 
wassaicwill

Showing 8 responses by steve59

steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
in that price I went with a newer pair of meridian dsp 8000 because I was getting frustrated with the component and room inconsistency messing with the sound. Not for everyone for sure and not much room for tweaking if thats your thing. Amazing presentation at the used prices they can be had for.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
I listened to a speaker with as plasma tweeter and walked away thinking, just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be done. That was a few years ago and they might be improved now. 
Again
VA 'the musik'
Kef 'blade'
meridian 'dsp 8000'
Dutch&Dutch
Kii 3
paradigm 'persona 7f'
usher 'be20 dmd'
In no specific order and obviously at this price component matching with the passive models will determine results
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
I liked the VA sound and wanted more than the beethovens could deliver. I tried several  of the $20k range List (bought used tho) and home demo’d a few. The salon2 I resold Because 250/425 wpc couldn’t push the woofers and I couldn’t get a convincing sound stage. The Usher be20dmd were really good, pretty efficient with a good mid range. I could probably have kept them but a pair of Meridian Dsp 8000’s came up and I offered what I got back from the salon2 sale for kicks and the seller accepted. These are amazing, but a complete system, not much room to tweak.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
VA ’The musik’ , Dynaudio C4 mk2, Kef Blade.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
The coax tannoys? I listened to a pair, I think a single 8 or 10'' woofer and the mids sound really colored when out of the sweet spot. Listening chair, sure, great speakers, but walk around the room and not so much.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
I'm going to get a couple old metal garbage can lids, remember those? and march down the street banging them together shouting persona 7f next time paradigm runs the 20% sale.

The Kef and Revel reference speakers I had were really tricky to power with end result me reselling because my amp didn't allow them to reach their potential. a couple brands I've been pleasantly surprised with because they actually sounded good when I brought them home were the Usher be20 dmd, very nice, but large and heavy, and now the persona 7f speakers that if you can find them used have gotten down to the $15k price. My wife thinks they're pretty and for all the people that say paradigms burn their ears off, haven't listened to the persona line yet. 

Reading the reviews of the Kef Blade if you have the room and right components sound like world beaters, the part that keeps me away is after spending all that coin on speakers they need to play nice with my existing components.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
bump, Any progress? What I have been doing is checking resale prices here and buying speakers I can spend some time with without worrying about losing my shorts reselling them. I bought the salon 2 used for $11k and resold them for same, all I was out was the gasoline and time picking them up. I can say the same for several other pair and it really helps to have them home where time isn't against you when deciding. The way I see it If I want the speaker new I can still resell the used model I decide on and order thew new model in the finish I like.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,812 posts
 
I’ve heard only good things about the sopra 2.
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