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$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!
abd1
cordobaman's avatar
cordobaman
30 posts
 
Very much enjoying my Revel Performa3 F206. Were a bit forward in the beginning, but as they break in they get better and better and better by the day.  They are cosmetically very nice, I like the magnetic grills.

Been a few late nights lately, just one more song....
kollamala
36 posts
 
Would recommend Pranafidelity Bhava speakers.

jjaudiosolutions.com
pennsy
152 posts
 
Room acoustics mean just as much as speakers. Speakers normally sound vise ve the equipment driving them and room acoustics combined. Tower speakers when combined with the right sub can be amazing! For your price range I’d shoot at Polk! What model depends on sub! Never heard towers solo that filled the bill. All the best.
bondmanp
1,810 posts
 

I am a little late to the party, but I would recommend the speakers I own, Ohm Walsh 2000 ($2800/pr). They are available in a wide variety of veneers, are not too large, and work well in my space, which, like yours, is a smaller nook open to a larger area.


I am not sure they are a good match for your amp, but a quick call to John Strohbeen of Ohm would anser that question (don’t email, you will get a much faster reply by phone).


They come with a 120 day home trial, so you are only our the round-trip shipping if they are not for you. I tried them 8 years ago, and kept them. I am still very pleased with how they sound, and IMHO, they offer an incredible bang for the buck.

bassdude2's avatar
bassdude2
21 posts
 
These may be the "best speakers in the World" - certainly for their price and size - read the reviews, and you'll understand.

 I’ve got 2 pair - and... I’ve not heard anything to challenge them at many times their price. Though, they do have exceptional resolution of detail - if you’re not a fan of that.

http://www.wavetouchaudio.com/products.html

http://www.wavetouchaudio.com/reviews.html

Otherwise... I’d 2nd the recommendations of the Spatial Audio OB’s and the Magnestand’s (which I also have).

Nothing else mentioned comes close to any of these.


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