Wilson W/P 7, 8 or Sasha (any model) with VTL preamp (2.5 or 7.5) and VTL amplification.
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.
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.
136 responses Add your response
So Blindjim tell us what you value in speakers. Are we talking midrange? big fat sound? Bright sound? Sound stage, hight, width, depth of stage? Do you like transparency? Do you like speaker that get you really envolved? Emotion? Do you have the gear to support these things. Is your upstream very transparent? All this would help us. Best Jim |
QUAD ESL2912 WITH 4 KEF sub-woofers and 2 Raal Ribbon Ribbon Tweeters... http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/product-detail.php?pid=11 Few things can approach the transient response of an electrostatic speaker. |
I have always liked Martin-Logans (though they were always with a subwoofer, usually beyond my budget). I liked the newest, bigger Maggies. Never ever liked Golden Tritons, I thought they were un-listenable or so restricted to a sweet spot they were worse than almost any electrostatic I have ever heard. Good dynamic speakers - Vandersteen, Wilson, etc., I usually liked (especially those two mentioned) but to me they were possibly missing just a bit that I hear from electrostatics or good ribbons. At the LA Show, I really liked the Wilson-Benesch, mbl, and liked the bigger RaidHo in previous shows (one or two away from the top), but those are all way beyond the budget the OP mentioned. For realism and accuracy,as well as sound stage, I liked Bob Carver's new ALS (Amazing Line Source) which are well within your budget, do wonders in a big or small room, come with a good (maybe not great) sub, and are almost infinitely configurable, as they come with an outboard cross-over (and a dynamic sub adjustment with the external sub amplifier). They are a mix of ribbons and dynamic conventional speaker cones. They were so close, imv, to big Martin-Logans that I bought a pair from the second production run. |
mr_m said: …the Treos are in hard cabinets. The sub has top panels and socks. Yeah. I was. Thank you. , Stephan Said, Bastanis Speaker are the Best i ever heard http://www.bastanis.de/index.php/audio/open-baffles-1/open-baffle-sagarmatha-duo thanks much for the input. Cheers, Jim pryso 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. Cool. Thanks a lot. Active subs on panels would be the only panel speakers that would interest me, if then. To date, IMHO, the articulation and imaging of panels is alluring, if setup well, yet they just lack the boogie factor I’m prone to lust for periodically. I’ve been poking about online articles and user opinions regarding way too many speakers. Its confusing but enlightening. Some names have not appeared here from other A’goners, like YG; Legacy Aries; GamuT; AZ Cresendo, Daedalus, Salk, Focal, or even Coincident. Lots of panels, a couple horn mentions, some open baffle sorts and I must admit I’m still stuck in the mud on seeing traditional built cabinet types as hwere I’d be prone to hang my hat. Old habits die hard. |
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. |
Hello, this Bastanis Speaker are the Best i ever heard sounds holographic like a Electrostatic Speaker combinated with a active Ripol Bass great. http://www.bastanis.de/index.php/audio/open-baffles-1/open-baffle-sagarmatha-duo Cheers, Stephan P.S a little good Tubeamp 7- 10Watts works very well.. |
Doug... PM me. Thanks. swampwalker If I was going to drop that kind of coin, I would definitely listen to the latest from Horning and Classic Audio Reproductions, driven by tubes. Thanks Swampwalker. Long time huh? Are these horns? I’ll probably be able, but not so sure I really want to lay out that much. So, I’m thinking squeakers between 90 and 95db or so, give or take a db or two. Around $10 to $15K or so. To go all in, I’d be lurking at pre owned stuff from Magico or something that begins with an “A” or an “E”. mr_m Vandersteen Treo CT. with Vandy 2Wq sub(s). Very good sound that won't break the bank. IMO. Thanks. These are in hard cabinents? |
blindjim Well I have been an audio dealer for about 12 years and am retiring. The speakers that I am taking with me are the Wilson Benesch Vectors. Best that I have ever heard. Easy to drive, 30 tube watts. No subwoofer. They make music so accessible. Will work in small room, or very large room. Good luck Jim |
pryso Janszen Never heard of 'em. but that don't mean nuttin'. yes. I'm still taking notices. I'm catching up after a few years out of the loop. Thank you. the only sure thing I know, is I don't know enough yet. although, the next direction will definitely include tubes. Where, what and how many, is the question. I'm thinking either mixed as pre and amp, or in both pre and amp. speakers will be the dictator. |
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. |
thanks much. recent entries to the audio world have gotten my speaker buying trigger finger. Prudence, we all know her, says slow down big boy. No. she actually said it! so I will and listen to everyone's esteemed consel. randy-11 Persona, Revel, Vandies, etc. if you cannot live with giant panels in the room Panels frighten me. I always feel someone is hiding behind one waiting to pounce on me. Cones are more my cup of tea. Although, I’ve heard some outstanding flat speakers, though in fairly ‘spensive arrays. Those with subs seem to keep my interest. I just can’t seem to get very far away from the impact and punchy aspects of Big Band Jazz, R&B and Blues which speakers must deliver. . dweller In that range I'd look at: Wilson Sasha (version I or II), Eggelstonworks Andra III, Vandersteen Quatro Wood and Magico S3 or S5. Agreed. Tanks. boxer12 Lowther speakers are the way to go. My pleasure entirely. Tanks for the path less traveled. randy-11 for life? that could be 40 years if bought about age 30 it could be just a few months depending on the doctor too. ‘just saying. Not many go into anything passionately figuring its gonna be all over quickly. The fullness of our dedication surprisingly watch only their clocks, and formulate their own epitaphs, and will depart from us unexpectedly. , were we the sole prophet of the term we had intended for the partenership. terry9 What Randy said. I’m sure. Falling out of love hurts more than falling in. plenty of Quaad owners sure say so. c53 Tanks. Only come close to buying a pair of APs. glennewdick Living Voice OBX-RW3 Super. Thanks. zavato Revel Studio 2 and Salon 2 I’ve never been able to warm up to either. Likely from the setup, not the speakers. 4425 Wilson Yvette. Spectacular. Wilson, like the Revels have not been ones which have utterly grabbed me. Both IMHO, required something more or less in their setups. Tubes? Wires? Purely on basis of ‘potential’ and expense, I have been attracted to Sophias and Egg works Andreas, in past years. That affinity has worn thin. Especially with the onset of some newer tech and arrangements in present materials, metals, and cabinent construction techniques. gsm18439 Zu Def 4, Audio Note ANE, and Living Voice. Check. In home audition? The primary obstacle associated with this endeavor. It sucks. But yeah, dropping that sort of dough is gonna take a bit of pondering and ruminating, and a whole lot of praying. gdhal Golden Ear Triton Reference. No sub required/needed. Cool. Thanks. The VSA + Endeavor union has gained in prominence in my book, but especially the Endeavor 3.2. At $7K they’re said to be exceptional over achievers. Too bad the next steps up to the 5, or VSA VR 55 are so extraordinarily priced so far apart, at $35K and $60K respectively. Now that there is Yikes money!! Its not serious money. Serious money is when you get chastised for spending or trying to spend it on such things by the money itself! Yikes money is what someone you know will say when you screw up and actually tell them how much you paid. Well, its either ‘yikes’ or ‘Crazy’ money. This is of course once they have returned to consciousness. I usually think of money in different terms so I don’t faint dead away hearing what some stuff costs. I prefer to think of the prices in Yen, or Pesos or Sea shells and pieces of colored glass or beads. I quit telling my ‘uninitiated’ friends what things cost long ago. I won’t tell them now unless they want to either touch it or borrow it. Keeping prices confidential cuts way down on any ensuing ‘interventions’ people might arrange for me later. |
Audio Physic Avantera+ https://goo.gl/images/gQYNkH Bought this year, keepers. Also love the Vandersteen Quattro Wood. |
What Randy said. I bought Quad 2905's about 10 years ago. Since then, I've hotrodded them, bought more of them, and become more and more committed to them. So the analogy is apt. I built my own full complementary push-pull amps to drive them, and changed the step-up transformers to a Vanderveen design (75:1). With +/- 25 VDC rails, the amplifiers cannot drive the Quads into protection - it's theoretically impossible. Therefore I could eliminate the protection circuits with impunity, with corresponding gains in transparency. Oh, and changing to air-gap capacitors for the delay ladder didn't hurt either. Long live Class A plus ESL !!! |
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for life? that could be 40 years if bought about age 30 I'd think technological advances in cone materials, surrounds, etc. would occur over that time period (besides the ability to run numerical calculations for a non-rectangular enclosure & etc.) -- diffraction effects, phase alignment and other things have all occurred in my lifetime and I expect others will too I only kept my first set of Maggies for 20 years or so and very significant upgrades were made in that time period. |
The wedding vow thing always intimidated me a bit (although I've been married for a long long time), but equating that to speakers made me laugh. Anyway, if you want a commitment, I guess Lowther speakers are the way to go. This is straight from there website:
Lowther Is For Life What we mean is that once Lowther Loudspeakers are listened to, audio and hi-fi perfectionists stay with them for life, and those that stray come back. The reproduction is the most life-like available, and gives the feeling of being in the concert hall. Marketing aside... My experience with them has been positive & I've been listening to them for approx. 15 years. They do require low powered tube amps (single ended preferred IMHO). I have the fideleo horn cabinets & use an REL sub for deep bass, as Lowthers in this cabinet have very little by themselves. What they do have is speed with a wide deep stage & wonderful 3d imaging. You can get speaker cabinet plans free with your purchase of drivers from "Commonsense Audio". There are a lot of different configurations. If you're inclined you can make them yourself. If not, a cabinet maker could do it for you. Either way, you'll be way below the 25K mark including the sub. I don't see them mentioned much around audiogon so suspect others have a different opinion on there value than I do. |