I apologize for being so late
to chime in, but I would strongly support the Spatial Audio M3 Turbo
recommendation. They are ideally suited to the criteria you have listed –
especially the sound stage component. They are efficient, dynamic, and very
musical. I spent a full year on a travel odyssey auditioning speakers to
replace my Klipschorns – which I happily enjoyed for 17 years. I listened to
many of the speakers on the list above. I settled on the Spatials and haven’t
had a moment of regret. In fact, I’ve continued auditioning other speakers over
the past two years, and my choice has been validated many times over. These are
wonderful speakers, and so far I’ve not heard anything in their price range
that would come close to making me consider trading them out. I hate to admit
it, because I dearly loved my Klipshorns, but these surpass the K-horns in
every way. Since acquiring the M3s, I’ve
become a sound stage connoisseur (maybe “junkie” is a better word). I’ve
replaced my amplifier (now tubes) and some other upstream components with the
intent of enhancing the soundstage, and the M3s have responded magnificently to
every tweak. They are producing a sound
stage that often has me shaking my head and laughing out loud at how amazing it
is. And they don’t sacrifice any detail
in producing that sound stage. Everyone’s tastes are different, but based on
what you’re looking for, you really should hear these speakers.
$3000 Speaker Search
I'm celebrating my 20th year working for the same company this coming spring (knock on wood). I decided to treat myself to some new speakers to celebrate. My budget is about $3k. I generally purchase used/demo gear only, but I'm open to something new since this is a special purchase for me. I stream music only and my current system is a Primaluna Dialogue One integrated, Eastern Electric MiniMax Dac Plus and Totem Acoustic Hawks. I like the Hawks a lot but I think the highs are a bit "etchy" and sometimes a bit bright. I'd prefer a 3 way speaker and something more efficient that the Hawks since I'm pretty committed to the tube integrated. I generally listen to indie rock, jazz, and acoustic rock. I listen to a lot of other music, but these are the genres most important so the speaker must excel with string and percussion instruments as well as vocals. I'm also more interested in a speaker with excellent imaging and soundstage over detail, but I also want a natural and dynamic sound. My listening space is a nook off the main living space. It's supposed to be a dining area I think. It's about 11x12, but open on one side to about 1000-1200 sq ft living space. You can watch this youtube video to see my system and room. Since the speaker is in my main living room it will have to be a good looking speaker, preferably in a wood finish, and it can't be huge.
I'm looking for any suggestions given my equipment, music tastes, room, and preferred genres. My current favroite is the Salk Song3 or maybe Song3-A, even though I haven't listened to them. I had Songtowers before and loved them so I'm pretty sure I'd be happy with these, but not sure if going the Song3-A is worth the extra money for me. If you have any other suggestions let me know. I'm in Portland, OR so I have a lot of good brands to listen to around here but its not a huge audiophile town. Thanks!
I'm looking for any suggestions given my equipment, music tastes, room, and preferred genres. My current favroite is the Salk Song3 or maybe Song3-A, even though I haven't listened to them. I had Songtowers before and loved them so I'm pretty sure I'd be happy with these, but not sure if going the Song3-A is worth the extra money for me. If you have any other suggestions let me know. I'm in Portland, OR so I have a lot of good brands to listen to around here but its not a huge audiophile town. Thanks!