2017 ‘Keeper’ speakers under - $25K


Heading towards the second half of 2017, I thought to ask here what other’s feel based on their experiences, wants or desires, exactly which recent production speakers under $25K, would be the ones you would want to marry.

Or be in a very long term fundamentally though not totally committed, relationship.

One wherein if they promise to satisfy on demand, you promise to keep them clean and sufficiently supplied with power and the purest of signals, not to leave dirty clothes on the floor, and to take the trash out daily, er, uh, regularly.

Actually, those last two items are predominately conscience driven and do not command perfect adherence.

Which speakers hands down just flat out captivated your attention, fancy, or were so compelling they made a significant impact.

In short, Speakers that have taken your breath away .

As speakers are merely one part of the ching let’s qualify things somewhat.

1. Speakers which can run very well in medium sized rooms. EX. 14 to 18ft wide, and 17 to 25ft long or deep, with ceilings from 8.5ft to 10ft H, or so.

2. If a sub was or should have been added, please, mention that as well.

3. If an Ultra high end setup, massive SS power amps, Tubes, or flea watt amps, were feeding and or driving them noting it would be appropriate.

4. Recent production since 2015. New or used.

Although it seems prudent to list only current production speakers, I know adding on the facet of pre-owned adds a lot more choices for the ‘desert island’ I got mine, you get your’s, scenario, but what the hey. It beats that 250 to 500 plus hours of run in new units usually insist upon.

If links to accounts or info on them is available, please include it.

As this is about options anyhow, let no design be excluded.

blindjim

Showing 2 responses by pryso

blindjim, assuming you are still considering more recommendations -

Several brands/models fit your list, and many good ones have been suggested.  But I believe the current Janszen models belong there too.  As a long time hobbyist I've owned monitors and floor standers, cones and panels (electrostatic and planar), HE and inefficient, and for my taste the Janszens offer the best balance overall.

I'll say considering sonic performance, room placement, component compatibility, looks, construction quality, and cost, I'm extremely satisfied with my Janszens.  David offers both stand mounted and floor standing models, while the latter can be passive (if you'd prefer to choose your own amplification) or powered.  I don't have subwoofers as mine extend with reasonable levels down to at least 40 Hz.  He offers an extended bass version with the powered model but I've not heard that.

Even friends who are not audiophiles offer positive comments upon hearing my set up.
Jim, Janszen is an old company with a history back to the '60s.  David Janszen's father developed advancements in electrostatic panel designs for his own company as well as others, such as the famous KLH Nine full range electrostatics.  I became aware of them in the '70s when they offered a few hybrid models which appeared like other standard bookshelf speakers but utilized electrostatic mid/tweeters with dynamic cone woofers.

More recently David revitalized the company with updates to his father's basic designs.  Reviews have been offered in TAS and Positive Feedback as well as owner comments online.

None of this is to be confused with the Jensen speaker company.