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Best Rocking Speakers 15K and Under

 Been looking around for speakers in the 15K range and under. Most of my music is listened to on Vinyl but recently purchased a Aurender N10 for streaming which I am really happy with. I listen to a very wide range of music, some classical, jazz, classic rock, punk and metal. About 10 years ago I got rid of my 70’s era JBL and Pioneer speakers and they both really played everything well. Now it seems difficult finding the right all around speaker.  FYI, I like playing loud and want to hear the bass, but not wanting to go with subs. 

 So far I have listened with my set-up the new Magico A-3 and was impressed. Also on different gear at a dealer Monitor Audio Platinum 300 (I liked) but wasn’t a fan on the same set-up Totem Wind Design, Aerial 7T or ProAc D48R. In fairness to the Proacs I liked the sound but there was a lot of boominess at the dealer and in a fairly large listening area. Might have to go to a different dealer and listen again. Listened to the Legacy Signatures at Audio Doctor and was really impressed. 

 So my short list is Magico A-3, Legacy Focus SE, ProAc D-48R. Anything I’m missing that I should hunt down for a demo? I haven’t yet but by the encouragement of my salesman wants me to listen on my exact set-up the Focal Kanta and Sopra  as well. 

 Recently switched my front end and although my current speakers sound 100% better still not low enough and the highs become fatiguing afer awhile.
 Currently Gear:
McIntosh C2600 Preamp
McIntosh MC611 Monos
Aurender N10
Dr. Feikert Woodpecker TT with Jelco Tonearm/Koetsu Black Goldline, Denon 301II, Sumiko Blue Point
Speakers Kef Reference 3.

 Not willing to change any of my front end, just speakers. (And please no Tektons)
trknomo

Showing 9 responses by ctsooner

ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
You mentioned that you play mostly vinyl. I personally have yet to hear any analog turned digital that I liked.  You can hear the digital no matter how much money you spend. I recently hear a 90k preamp that did this and we listened to master tapes.  I hated it.  I know many swear by digital now, but go listen for yourself and I bet that you'll also hear the difference.  you have a lot of choices in your area.  I'd go to all teh stores you can to listen with your ears and not let what the dealers tell you what to listen for.  I have a great dealer in NJ whom I know well and trust, but I he doesn't tell me how to listen or what to listen for.  

when that happens, you focus on one or two aspects of the sound.  JMHO...Good luck.  good for Rock, but a good speaker is a good speaker and will play it all well.  If a speaker is good for one or two genres, then it's not a good speaker. JMHO.  
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
trknomo OP28 posts07-03-2018 7:07pm@ctsooner Yes I do agree, I have to use my own ears and my own music to audition thats the mistake I made the first go around and learned my lesson. Dealers I originally trusted I soon came to realize the line of bull they were laying on me about products they dont sell. One when I brought in some music even claimed that it was a bad recording and that why it sounded the way it did. Have had some good experiences though when back the second go around. The dealer I purchased my C2600 from was probably the best. He highly encouraged me to listed to other speakers and not just his as he wanted me to buy what worked best in my system and hopefully being honest I would come back and purchase more gear in the future even if I chose other speakers. So I’ll see what I wind up with once all is said and done.

Yes, we all have those horror stories.  Have you ever auditioned straight analog vs digital correction in teh signal chain (not using digital as a source)?  If so, I'm sure you have heard the difference.  Right now, digital is just so limited IRT audio playback.  Someday it may or may not equal analog (for EQ), but it's not even close yet for so many technical reasons.  

Companies that make it seem like it's the panacea of room correction etc... remind me of the early days of the CD and offering it's 'perfect sound'.  That's not to say there aren't decent products offering digital correction of an audio signal, but I've heard many of them, including what you have heard and regardless of cost, it's just not as good as leaving the signal alone and correcting teh room a bit.

I just placed a few 5' tall silk plants around my room and it's made a world of difference.  Two pretty quilts on teh side walls to absorb the first reflection also helped a great deal. These are things that most folks can do to a room to make it sound better and it's relatively inexpensive and brightens the room up and hides cords and components a bit too. lol...

Just my two cents.
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
trknomo, have you checked out Johnny at Audio Connections?  That may have been where you heard the ProAcs, but I didn't see where you auditioned the Vandersteen's or B&W's.  You are blessed in that you can go audition a lot of speakers to make a truly informed decision.  
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Volsfan, I know those speakers and they are very good, but speakers are the most subjective component you can get.  Looks as well as sound.  There is no speaker at any price that is the best looking or best sounding, lol.  Yes, I've heard nothing but great things about Jim and each time I've heard his speakers, I"ve enjoyed them, but like all the others in this thread, the OP needs to hear  them and decide.

I LOVE the VAndersateen line and have auditioned most of the contenders out there.  I'm very used to listening to ultra high end systems as I'm blessed to have some good friends in the audio world, but Vandersteen's are the best or best for the money. They are just the best for ME as well as other owners. The same goes for the other brands out there.  

It's awesome that you love yours that much though as that's what audio is all about and what makes the forums fun.  :). 
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
That would be cool and I'd love to hear your thoughts if you do.  

Here is one misconception in audio.  All the companies who claim that going dealer direct will give you more bang for you buck aren't always doing that.  Due to economy of scale as well as a fleet of engineers etc, you are possibly getting more for your money, but often times not.  It's still all about the sound.  

The biggest problem I have with the direct companies are selling that gear eventually.  Your market share will be less, because fewer folks will have heard of them.  I have owned a few products from dealer direct and found that it was a very limited audience.  They also weren't able to hold their value the way an established, well known company's product typically does.  

There are just a lot of things to keep in mind no matter what piece of gear you get.  I have found that digital gear seems to have many more 'direct' manufactures.  Often times it's a one or two person operation like Steve Nugent at Empirical Audio (GREAT DACS) or Sam Laufter and designer Mark who make my server/dac www.thememoryplayer.net   

I post these things to prove that I DO purchase some pieces dealer direct, but I have to say that my Ayre QX5 isn't being sold just yet as it's still. a GREAT DAC and beats most I've heard up to the 20k mark.  YMMV

I hope you get to hear the Salk and compare it to the others in this thread to hear your thoughts.  
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Based on what your tastes seem to be, the Contours may do it for you.  
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Guys, if you read everyone's posts, you can understand how the OP listens and what he likes in a speaker.  He wants dynamics and a lot of detail.  if he doesn't want the Vandersteen's, he won't want the Harbeth's.  Harbeth's are one of the most enjoyable sounding speakers, but they lack some dynamics and are not going to give you the micro and macro detail. They will allow you to listen and enjoy music all day long.

The best I've ever heard were the new anniversary 40.2's with the top of the line MSB system with Audioquest dragon and Hurricane cords.  This is overkill for this speaker, but man was it fun to listen to.  I just don't feel that the OP would be happy with that speaker, but of course he should listen to it if he is able to.
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
twoleftears750 posts08-02-2018 1:40pm@ctsooner Point taken. But all I can say is that hearing Mahler/large symphony orchestra in full hue and cry on the Harbeths produced the most lifelike sound, from the point of view of scale and sheer majesty, that I've heard from any loudspeaker. Ever. How that translates into rock, I don't know.

I"m sure you do.  That's why you love them, but a top speaker will be great on everything.  Ask any of the top designers privately adn they will tell you the same thing.  Harbeths are a really sweet speaker, but not the last word for micro and macro detail.  They don't 'disappear'.  Those are their trade offs. All equipment has trade offs and that's why they all sound differently.  Designers also have different likes and dislikes along with different set of ears and brains :)....

I find many speakers to be boosted 1-3db on the top end (anywhere from 8k up) and it hurts my ears over the long haul.  It just does. There are a couple of speakers (forget which ones) that are boosted a spec up there (it gives the illusion of a larger soundstage) and I don't notice it. I have a pair of Empire Ears Phantoms CIEM's that have that little boost and I love them.  A true reference quality CIEM. We all like different flavors.
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Congrats on your speakers.  Hope you love them for a long time.
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