$3000 Speaker Search

Wow, that’s quite a list. Philharmonic slims were originally my goal but when Salk started producing the Song3 the slims went out of production. I’ll have to check out Revel. I’ve never heard them but people swear by them. 

All good options. I would definitely consider the Elacs, but doesn't look like they're very efficient, and I would want a floor stander. I had the B5's, B6;s and UniFi bookshelves before and liked them all, especially for the cost. I considered Zu and may try some, but the style is hit and miss and I'd have to have my wife's approval on that. Tannoy's are a definite possibility and I wish I could afford a set of floorstanders that have the alnico driver. Maybe a used pair will somehow come up within my budget. I posted a message on the Salk forum and Jim said they had used tube amps with the Song3's and they sounded great. I do have a Peachtree Nova 220se that I could use for more power but I prefer the sound of the Primaluna/Eastern Electric combo overall, but I think the PL and Song3's should be fine.

I am interested in Tekton, but not for this room. I already know my wife enough that with 1 look she would nix those in our living room. She is supportive of me having speakers, but they have to look good, and the Tektons I know won't pass. However, I have a 12x16 theater/music room downstairs that they would work in. However, I'm pleased with my current setup there for now. So that room will have to wait.

I think I’m going to demo the ProAc DT8, Spendor A6 and D7 and possibly some other models from Focal this weekend....

I'm still trying to stick to a $3000 budget, but I know that even if I get the Salk Song3's, after any mods to the finish and shipping, I'll be closer to $4k, and even more if I go to the Song3-A. Money isn't so much the issue as value and the diminishing law of returns. If I here something for $5k, or even more, that I have to have and fits my room and aesthetics then so be it. I just feel that $3-4k should get me where I want to go. That all being said I went out yesterday and listened to the following speakers: 

Aerial Acoustics 6t
ProAc D20R
Spendor A6R
Focal Kanta (ok, that is out of range but they had just put them out that morning and I couldn't not listen to them)

I wasn't really impressed the Aerial Acoustics 6t. I wasn't seriously considering them but the dealer was selling the floor model so I thought I'd listen. Very handsome speaker and the midrange and a beautiful liquid sound to them. The highs were detailed, but a bit recessed for me. I was disappointed in the bass. I actually thought maybe they were being crossed to a sub, but the sub was turned off. However, that wasn't the case. Suprised since on paper they go down to the mid 30's but I just wasn't feeling anything. I think it may have been the setup. They were pretty close together and weren't the feature setup in the room. That was the AA 7t's. When I say between those I got the full bass and they sounded great. Either way, the 6t's were too big and too much for what I got out of them, so I moved on. I would say, and this isn't meant as a slight to Aerial Acousticis, but they reminded me of my Aperion Verus Grands. Definitely more refined and detailed, but they look similar and both have a relaxed, smooth sound. I would say the Aperions give you at least 90% of the performance at 1/3 the cost. Just saying, for anyone who's ever been interested in Aperion.

The next place I went to carries a lot of speaker brands: ProAc, Spendor, Focal, Dali, Rega, Elac, PSB... I didn't have all day and the sales guy insisted I listen to the ProAc D20R and the Spendor A6R for today. He said to start at the top of the budget and work down and once you get to a point where you feel like you're giving up too much then you know where you need to be (good sales tactic).

So started with the ProAcs, which I loved. I know I said I wanted a 3-way, but I guess if the speaker delivers it delivers, and this delivered. It was like listening to my Totems on steroids, and with a smoother, lush top end, more detail and very dynamic. Really a great speaker, and handsome. However, I have some aesthetic issues with ProAc. First, I hate that they put the binding posts so high up. Makes me pay for longer cable and I don't like have cables hanging, and I HATE that you can easily see the posts for the grills when they're off. These aren't dealbreakers but if they had lower posts and magnetic grills they would be almost perfect. I was impressed with the tweeter. It was the first ribbon tweeter I've heard and it sounded airy, detailed, but not cold or harsh. It actually sounded a bit rolled off at the very top and I could listen to it all day.

Next was the Spendor A6R. I loved these as well, but they're a small step down from the ProAcs in performance (as they should be for $1000 less). Aesthetically they are similar to the ProAcs, but they put the posts in the right spot and do a better job concealing the posts with grill removed, but they're still there. I wish manufacturers would all use magnets! Anyway, another handsome speaker that would look great in my space and that I know my wife would like. How did they sound? Excellent as well, but a bit lighter in presentation compared to the ProAcs. The tweeter was great, with great air and detail, but not quite as natural as the ProAcs. Bass was tight and detailed, but with just a little less weight than the ProAcs. Imaging and soundstage were almost exactly the same, and both were excellent, similar to my Totems. I would be very happy with these speakers as well.

So, I was getting ready to leave but wandered upstairs where they were breaking in the Focal Kanta speakers that just arrived. Wow! Stunning look. Not for everyone, but certainly makes a visual statement. I saw pics earlier and didn't love them, but in person with the grey front and wood wrapped back they were stunning. And, the sound was intoxicating. Bass was super deep and smooth and detailed. The beryllium tweeters had so much air and texture it was amazing. It was a treat to hear these. They had only been out 2 hours, so when I go back to hear more options I will definitely sit with these for a couple tracks. Maybe one day...

Anyway, no decisions yet, but moving along.

Also, I respect Tektons and want some eventually for downstairs, but not this room. 

Spatials are certainly a speaker I’m interested in but I thought they needed more room and space. I also think my wife will veto the looks. I think they have a modern 80s aesthetic that I like but she thinks they look weird. I think that spatials could work someday in my downstairs room. 

For those with Spatial speakers, would they work in my room? My speakers are about 7' apart and 9' from my MLP. The front of my speakers are about 18"-24" from the wall -- 24" is the max. The right speaker is open on one side and the left is in a corner. I thought Spatials need a lot of room around them to sound their best. I am very interested in these speakers as I've heard great things and they seem very tube friendly. Just not sure they'll work in this space.