Boutique or Big Brand?

I think you have many, many options. I think the debate as to whether one should buy brand names or boutique companies is not as important as skipping hype surrounded any brand or model of component and actually listening and purchasing what sounds good to you. Customer service is always important to me as well. I have a pair of Vandersteen 2CE Sig 2 speakers that I liked very much and decided to add a pair of Rythmik subwoofers. So you can be creative. Just don't rush your decision. Maybe attend the Expo in Chicago!?!

Thanks @2psyop 

yesterday's boutique is today's big brand, it's a vague definition to me. If you want to find the best for 5 or 6K I would create a spreadsheet and come up with some criteria besides price with at least 6 speakers to avoid just validating your desire. I would include British and Danish brands too, many options in this price range

If you don’t know exactly what you want buy from someplace with a proven good return policy.  That’s all. 

Listening to speakers before purchase is really important. They need to speak to you… not just have lots of detail and bass.

After decades of planar speakers… I was with a friend while he auditioned speakers.. I was really touched with the incredible organic - real musical sound sound of Sonus Faber. I couldn’t get them out of my mind. A few years later I finally gave in and bought a pair as an experiment. That was it… they were way more natural than other speakers… no chance of me switching brands after that. I traded up twice. I optimized my electronics around the speakers… now have the best system I have heard, tailored to my tastes. My earlier mistake was concentrating on details and slam and not on musical. Do I really need to hear the bassist move his foot? Don’t get me wrong, you can hear that in my system,  but it does not detract from the music. 

There are a lot of advantages to established high end brands. There top level speakers push what is possible, and the technology trickles down (good speakers you will constantly discover strengths you didn’t know about over time) to less expensive models. Higher resale value. Once you have found the sound you want,,, upgrading becomes much easier, just move up a couple levels. I remember all too well swapping speakers I thought sounded great at store and once home they sounded vastly different. Had to tweak all my electronics to achieve the sound I heard.

Choosing audio equipment… each piece is hard. If you can find an established speaker company then electronics that complement them… each upgrade can be much easier and more predictable. My system under my ID.

Of course, you have to know what you like. That probably took me thirty years to figure out.

Good post OP.  I am quietly shopping but with a wider price range and instead just focusing on what appeals to my ear in relation to cost.  There are many brands online but hard to find them local to listen to, and ordering and return shipping is too much work for me if I don't like them since the speakers can weigh over 60 lbs each.  I am trying to focus on the brands that I can listen to before I buy, which is hugely important for speakers.  I seem to be leaning to the known brands for resale and repair, but those are less of a concern.  Sound is the most important consideration and hearing is knowing. IMO, once you verify something is well made and will last, just focus on what sounds good to you regardless of if it is a large brand or boutique based listening.  I think the bottle neck will be what you can find to listen to.  When we/I go on vacation, I always try to visit a store or two to expand what I can listen to.  

To the other posters, great input and made me think of a few new things and reinforce some others.  

Big brands tend to give you more for you money sometimes. 
 

look at the build quality of the 800 series. It is outstanding, a small brand would be twice as much. I don’t like the sound of B&W but there is no denying the 800 have an amazing build quality.
 

 Then there are brands like revel. A true engineering powerhouse with real double blind testing. Their “cheap” 226be is simple great at $7000 I would put them up agents the focal Sopra line at 3 times the price. Is the Sopra better… yeah probably as it sounds more open but they are so close it might blow your mind at the price difference.
 

then brands like Sonus Faber look simply stunning. Wow, that finish would be crazy expensive from a smaller brand. They sound good too. 
 

so for me I would look at Revel, Sonus Faber or similar brand (too many to name) and if you don’t like the sound of those expand to other smaller brands. These two brands offer a lot for the money.  Used Olympica III are a great buy right now. Revel’s used prices seem a touch high to me but new they are a good deal.
 

lots of used Wilson out there too. Way over priced new but used probably ok and they hold their value.  

Why not have a look at some Tannoys? I think the Cheviots can be had for around 6500.....yes, a big brand, but with a sort of bespoke design and feel. Gorgeous speakers. 

1. That's a great range for a set of speakers.

2. I won't mentions brands I have purchased, owned... because there are so many variables. 

3. To your question, I'd add, check on customer service. I've had some products that needed service - good luck trying to get support AND some that had excellent service. 

4. Ask others who have the products you settle on and read reviews. 

If buying new I would go with a boutique brand. People say all kinds of BS about the Tekton’s cheap drivers and all that. They actually are pretty good drivers and implemented well. I doubt you could diy most Tektons for what they cost. My old DIs did some things better than way more expensive speakers. No I don’t think they were better than most 30k speakers as the hype says. They were however I’m pretty sure better than anything else at 3k or even in the ballpark. 
 

On the other hand if I was spending 5k it would not be new speakers. 5k gets you a hell of a speaker if willing to buy used. Think 10-12 years old speakers that were 10-15k at the time you can get for %75 off. Not much risk there. My Pioneer S-1ex are better than the Tektons and I paid the same for at the time. 
 

Ramping that budget up to 15-20k I don’t know. Probably some Focal Sopra. 

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned- when you narrow it down, message a few members that have owned the speakers you are looking at. I always reply and those that I've contact reply too. It can be a good way to get a little deeper and maybe get some better opinions before purchasing.

Good luck you will find something nice in that range, especially if you decide to buy used.

You didnot mention one very big factor your rooms dimentions.

spatial audio technologies makes some excellent open baffle speakers that are very efficient  and on several models powered Bass well worth the effort even if it meant saving $1-2 k more the Beyma Mid-Tweeter alone is world class, plus a 12 inch midBass driver. And powered bass driver .I don’t currently own his newest but have heard them , at least  give them a look.

I went on a year-long speaker search around the USA.  I listened to at least 50 different brands.  My suggestion is to attend an audio show if you can.  At least there is a wide variety of speakers that you can listen to.  I traveled the NY / NJ markets and the LA / San Diego markets.  So many dealers and so many options to hear speakers in those markets.  

I had previously owned Wilson and Sonus Faber speakers.  After it was all said and done I went with a small boutique company out of New Mexico called Viking Acoustics.  Why?  Because they could tailor the speaker to my exact listening sound characteristics.  The well-known brands would not do that.  It turns out that my current speakers are way better than my Wilson or SF speakers for less money.  BTW, they personally delivered the speakers to my house and set them up for me.  That was an 8-hour drive.  

From a boutique perspective, take a look at Charney Audio or Salk, or Joseph Audio.  I have heard a ton of good comments on Fyne Speakers.  

I have Tekton speakers in my theater room.  You can do better my friend.

Don't be in a rush.  Enjoy the process and the ride.  

@grislybutter ​​@james633 & @ghdprentice Thank you all for taking the time to reply with your insights.

@dreas & ​​​​@mapman thank you for giving me additional questions to think about. That's why I am here.

@audioguy85 the Tannoy Stirling are on my list. I bought my turntable from Upscale and noticed those. They, like the Sonus faber are pretty.

@12many after reading your post I think I am going to have to take the 4-hour trek to the nearest city and go do some listening.

Try the Fritz with the Revelator mid-woofers. 

It sounds like a sub or 4 would do it.

Check out Tyler Acoustics. He has quite a range of options. Excellent customer service and return policy and he's a heck of a guy to deal with. I'm totally smitten with my Timekeeper monitors. His speakers have had some positive mentions in some of the press, mostly from audio shows. 

Repeating expecting different results should be the first thing to come  into your mind...you have some good suggestions and buying used makes more sense to me at your price point...5 to 6 grand used  is a good place to be , no need to compromise on inferior builds

Thank you all for your responses. A lot to think about here.

@missioncoonery &  @mofojo I agree and am tempted by getting a "better" speaker, and a used pair of Sonus faber would allow me to move up the line from the Sonetto V I am considering new, but my concern is that I have been burned before on used online audio (and watch) purchases and this would be a lot of money (for me anyway) to get burned for if it didn't work out again.

I really was saving for the B&W 805 D3. I heard them in Columbus hooked up to the McIntosh MC152, which I have and fell in love. I just couldn't afford them at the time. Now I see used pairs for about $4,500 and am tempted, but I don't want to get screwed again with online used. The new 805 D4 are now $8,500 and out of range. $6,500 for the D3 was doable with saving, but I do not (read shouldn't) want to spend $8,500 on speakers as I have other responsibilities in life.

@audioman58 my room is only 10' x 11' with an 8' ceiling. I know that would normally say 2-way monitor and be done. I feel (and may be wrong) that monitors on stands have the same footprint as a slim tower and If I get a quality slim tower it will probably have a wider frequency response. It is a small dedicated listening room, only the system, some room treatments,  and a chair are in the room.

Nothing wrong with wanting/liking the 805d3. I have heard them a bunch of times and they are fine just a bit bright. Depending on your age a bit of brightness could be good but they are bright enough that bad recordings will be real hard to listen too. Make sure you give them a long listen with the actual music you listen to not just perfect demo music.
 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/bowers-wilkins-805-d3-loudspeaker-measurements

Where something like the Revel 226be has near perfect measurements. Their bass extension is light and the -3 db point is 56hz, -10db 36hz so should be fine in your small room which will bring up the sub bass through room gain assuming they are 24” or less from the wall. Not pushing revel just one example of a better speaker for the same money that I have experience with. There are tons of other brands too. 
 

https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/revel_f226be/

anyway I have owned both brands (B&W, Revel, focal, Thiel, paradigm, Klipsch… etc, ) I think you will end up fighting the B&Ws to sound good. Always tweaking toe in, gear etc where the revels are just a plop and drop and sound great as measurements matter. 
 

If you don’t have dealers music direct has 60 day home trials and free returns I think but read the details. 
 

as for buying used. If it is expensive enough for you wait until you can drive and pick them up or get a one way flight and drive them home. U-haul rentals are cheap, Just get a van. 
 

One more sound demo of the B&W 805d3 with the same Focal Sopra 1, different electronics. 
 

Look at Neat acoustics speakers great brand.

1. you have a small room - do not try to push a big sound into it (large speakers - suffocate)
2. your electronics are hi-fi, not high-end... what kind of music do you want to listen to? ...
I would start by replacing the preamp - this amount is enough to buy a CAT SL-1 ... musicality will immediately appear ...
3 . the secondary market is very cruel and rarely sell good stuff. But if you can find Sonus Faber Extrema (do not look at modern models - this is money out the window).

You can buy new ProAc D-2 - good acoustics for reasonable money ... at a low volume it will give deep bass.

Salks are quite good!  

@hilde45, those Salks are stunning! 

@hilde45 Salk is gorgeous, hence my consideration. How do they sound?

op

I want a slim tower because I feel a lot of them have the same footprint as a pair of standmounters and have better bass extension.

very few slim floorstanders do serious bass near or below 40 hz... if you like your tektons above 40 hz as you say, it seems the most straight-shot solution is to integrate a pair of good subs and be done

if you are changing speakers entirely, you have been silent thus far on the most major factor to get you useful advice, which is, what are trying to improve sonically (other than sub 40hz bass) over that your current speakers are delivering?

the speaker brands under consideration you mention are truly all over the map in terms of sonic presentation they will bring... so unless you can articulate the answer to the above question, you are likely embarking on a pretty random walk in a forest of unknown speakers...

Add a pair of subwoofers and be done. SVS, Rel, etc. 

1975r ;

To answer your original question... I had considered the same decision last fall .

I chose the 'Big' company . I did this because of 2 factors .

1.) Big company's do the shipping process better than private individuals . A big deal when considering speakers . They also take returns , usually .

2.) If it comes time to resell them ... it is easier to sell a known entity than something that is not !

Just something to consider .

Good luck and be safe .

@l1975r OP, you asked how the Salks sound?

I would describe their sound as accurate without being clinical. Their Be tweeters are very well implemented and, in contrast to other speakers I tried with a Be tweeter, these are clear and crisp without a hint of over-brightness. Cymbals ring out, violins are precise and distinct, drum hits have detail and resonance -- but there is no fatigue. The midrange is startlingly accurate -- voices are intimate and right-sized, instruments sound like themselves (e.g. including pianos, bassoons, etc.). The speakers are nimble, too, conveying transients and dynamics with a sense of drama. As for the bass, it was probably the most surprising element -- it’s incredibly full without bloat. Probably the front ported, transmission line design. I put on "Little Bit of Loving" by Shelby Lynn and the initial "thump" of the bass drum was really took me aback. At many points, I’ve had to go check that my subs were on while the Salks were playing.

Does that help?

Make the drive and turn it into a nice weekend trip. I liked the Eggleston I heard, KEF R-11, the new Paradigm Personna,  and several others.  But so much had to do with the electronics that were paired with them. I heard a pair of Spendor that had a surprising amount of lower frequencies being well produced.  But of course the smaller room will have it's own impact.  I would be inclined to save a couple hundred for room treatment as well. Enjoy the journey. Keep the mind and ears open.  

John Van has a new floor stander coming out very soon. http://www.vanlspeakerworks.com is about as boutique as you can get. He employs an ambient recovery system in his designs that allows the left and right speaker to pass information back and forth, resulting in an unbelievable soundstage. Give him a call and he’ll tell you all about them, 708-695-5769. One of the coolest and wisest dudes that has been making incredible speakers for a long time.

I came in to the hobby in the late 2000s and was heavily invested in boutique brands. They seemed to offer more performance for the same or less money.

While this may or may not be true subjectively, boutique brands come with what I now consider unacceptable risks IMO. 

1.) They usually are small operations that are one incident away from ruin. When this occurs support for the product disappears and anyone that had money invested towards a product is usually out of luck. Many online occurrences of deposits or payment lost when a small company goes under. 

2.) Because boutique brands are smaller in size their purchasing power, man power capabilities, and output can become significantly limited quickly. Again, if you look around there are a lot of instances of product taking many months or years to ship. Right now is crazy for everyone because of the pandemic and the supply chain. I doubt in 2017 many people were waiting 12-24 months for common speakers from Magico or Wilson. Nor do I think that any one person at either of those companies would bring shipments grinding to an extended halt. 

3.) Resale value is, IME, much worse for boutique brands, especially if the company has gone under. 

That being said I had a great experience with Salk when I ordered a pair of speakers back in 2015.          

If you are open to used, I'd suggest Goldenear Triton 1 (or maybe 2). You will never want for bass and the folded ribbon tweeter is really good.

@kingdeezie 

All good points!

on the other hand, boutique shops don’t have an HR department, a marketing director and web developers. It just has engineers and a lot of what innovation comes from: lack of resources

@kingdeezie good food for thought.

I think, out of my original seven "thoughts", I am going to go with the Sonus faber I was thinking about. I heard the Sonetto V and liked them. I also feel for the money they offer a bit of beauty and have trickle-down tech from their higher lines. Sonus faber seem almost universally well liked from pro critics like stereophile, P.T.A., Guttenberg, etc. And a good deal of people on here like them too. They have a boutique look, backed by a big brand, and seemingly decent resale value if they don't work out.

Thank you all for your thoughtful insights and the time you took to respond, I appreciate it! Happy listening!

Good choice, I am sure you will like them. While I have been owner of several sets of great sounding ugly speakers over the decades… it is a real treat to have such beautiful works of art that perfom beautifully as well.