Acoustic Zen Crescendo mkii
Best full range loudspeaker for the used price of 10 to 13,000 dollars
I've been very happy with my Reference 3A Grand Veenas for quite a few years now,what did I like about them?
Well first off they are a critically acclaimed product not an unknown
Secondly I thought the parts matched the price I agreed with the value
Third they sounded like I'd read they would ,and just as they looked like they would .Full range, disappeared completely,easy to understand midrange and easy to drive.
I'm ready to take a step forward now,these will be set up in my main living space(no wife)so they must be valuable. I would like a beautiful sonic asset to live with,Dazzle me!
Well first off they are a critically acclaimed product not an unknown
Secondly I thought the parts matched the price I agreed with the value
Third they sounded like I'd read they would ,and just as they looked like they would .Full range, disappeared completely,easy to understand midrange and easy to drive.
I'm ready to take a step forward now,these will be set up in my main living space(no wife)so they must be valuable. I would like a beautiful sonic asset to live with,Dazzle me!
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I am in a similar boat george99sa, as I also own a pair of the Grand Veenas. Terrific speakers, especially for their price. I have upgraded everything else in my system besides the speakers. I have looked and listened, but I'm not sure that I can do better overall in the $10-$15K range. Perhaps better in some areas, but I would think that overall it may be a sideways move. That said, the one that does intrigue me the most is the DeVore Gibbon X. |
@jmcgrogan2 "That said, the one that does intrigue me the most is the DeVore Gibbon X." Exactly my thoughts. Likely because we have their little brother, the DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 88s, in our living room. And they give up a wide rich compelling sound. So I'm strongly feeling the Gibbon X would offer that much more beautiful music. Dave, who says while the various Gibbon speakers may not be as sensitive as their Orangutan cousins they are still pretty damn sensitive which makes them a good choice with a wide range of amps including many low-powered Class A's and some tube amps |
at that price range you can get reference quality sound. The most immediate thing I noticed about your current speakers are the 90db sensitivity. If you're going to be spending that kind of money, there's no reason to not get significantly more efficient speakers. The more efficient, the more dynamics. Next, you want to get as large a speaker as your living room can accommodate, to move the most amount of air at low power. This means 12-15" woofers in large boxes. My cost no object speaker system is a pair of exemplar horns with karlson subs. You could get a pair of those horns for around that price. |
My vote would be on the DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96 @$12k new. The great thing about these speakers is they come with their own stands & can be driven with even flea-powered SET’s. They are a Stereophile Class A (restricted) component. Imho these speakers may not even need subs as the reach down to 25Hz. |
Beware...Devore O/96 need room to breathe but they do sound great in the open. I prefer the Harbeth 40.2 over the Devores in a tighter space. For your price range, my personal recommendation is the Vandy Quatro, smooth and very musically. Perfect tight bass, beautiful mid range and the imaging is just awesome. Really depends on the type of music you listen too but give it a listen. Good luck! |
Nothing mentioned yet can equal or best these: https//www.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-legacy-audio-aeris-full-warranty-2017-03-19-speakers-34990-palm-city-fl http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649118161-legacy_aeris_rosewood_black_pearl_3_monthe_old_mint/ or... Nola Brio Trio (2.1 or 2.2) (<$5,000 new) or... if you want to consider "boutique" options - (you get a lot more for your money)... Linkwitz Orion’s, or LX521’s Wavetouch Audio GT’s or Anteros Monitors LaHave Melas, or other LaHave models DC10Audio Berlin R’s, or other DC10Audio Models I’ve got the Orion’s, GT’s, Antero’s, Mela’s, and Berlin R’s (among others)... and... would have the Legacy Aeris, if I could accept their size, weight and moving challenge... and... I may not be able to resist the Nola Brio Trio - all are incredible! The GT’s and Antero’s are the "giant killer’s" of the bunch... competing with virtually anything. Any of these will astound and amaze you compared to most others - though some weigh a ton and are difficult to ship, or are not the prettiest. And... I guess... in your budget range... I might also consider the Maggie 20.7’s - understanding that they have some idiosyncrasies (i.e. size, space, equipment requirements / matching, etc.) - set up right in the right space, they can be impressive! And... as others have suggested, I'd definitely consider some type of "room correction" (e.g. DEQX, DSpeaker, etc.) - the sound of virtually any set up can be improved by these (especially the bass). |
SoundLab A1’s would be in that price range used.. they are very large and do need space. I have a pair that i had the factory update with the hot rod and consummate back plates and with the addition of a pair of Sunfire Subrosa subwoofers and a JL Audio CR-1 crossover my search for speakers is over. |
You owe it to yourself to hear the KEF Reference 3 ..it far exceeds its price category it is one of the best speakers on the market By far !! www.questforsound.com |
Tekton Double Impacts. The only problem you will have is the cost. They're $3000. Oh, if you need bling you can opt for an automotive or gorgeous veneer finish. And do the cap upgrade. Even the you'll not even hit $4500. Think I'm off the mark? Read Terry London's review and see what he did with his $$$ reference speakers. |
I know everyone has their favorites... My many years of experience in the audio addiction biz (now currently in partial remission) tells me that this is a very multi-factored question... Unknown room size and acoustic properties, unknown musical listening preferences and unknown associated equipment... Very hard to be accurate in recommending anything with skill while all those parameters are missing... What would I buy for my own system for this $10-13K money? I like Maggies, B&W's and my current favorites, Sonus Faber Olympica III's... My wife even loves the Oly's for their stylish visual qualities! A win/win for me... I found on the sales floor that women tend to judge speakers by looks 1st... then... they have to sound amazing too! All of the above speakers need to have several feet of "air" around them to image and develop clean frequency responses properly and it goes without saying that everything in the signal and power path matters too. |
