2. speakers
  3. 184023-143699

Compact Floor-standing Speaker Recommendations under $4k

Hello All, 

I'm continuing to build up my first HiFi system and am in need of some advice for my next speakers.  My current system is as follows: 

  • Belles Aria Integrated Amp
  • ClearAudio Concept w/ Satisfy Carbon Tonearm
  • Nagaoka MP500 cartridge 
  • Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage
  • B&W 705 stand mount (the original series circa ~2004)

Generally, I'm very happy with my setup, however I do sometimes find it a bit bright   & fatiguing after longer listening sessions.  I believe the speakers may be the cause so I'm looking for recommendations based on my current system. 

I'd like to find a neutral speaker that's non-fatiguing and hopefully a bit more full range.  So I've been considering changing to floor-standing speakers to maybe get a bit more bass.  However, size and space are of concern so would like something reasonably compact.   I listen mainly to jazz, blues, folk and some classic rock.  Really love good vocals so would like a smooth midrange.  

My budget is $4k max (new or used is okay)

I'm early in my search but so far have been looking at Spendor A7's or Proac D20's. 

Unfortunately, where I live I don't have any nearby dealers or places to demo so will have to be purchased without an audition and hopefully have a good result. I know this isn't ideal, but it's unavoidable. 

Appreciate any recommendations...thanks! 

dsjs4

Showing 1 response by hilde45

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,167 posts
 

I had some floor mounts that were fatiguing in my space and tried a variety of other speakers to improve on that. The best I heard and now own are the Ascend Acoustics Tower with RAAL tweeters. This small, engineer-owned company from California does not do much in marketing or advertising and does not churn out one model after another. I have listened to a lot of speakers for a lot more than the Ascend and they really beat out a lot of competitors -- to my ear.

Right now there's a pair at TMR which, for your budget, would be a no-brainer. https://tmraudio.com/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/ascend-acoustics-sierra-tower-v1-floorstanding-speakers-satin-espresso-pair/
For a bit more, you might try this speaker in its very recently upgraded version: https://ascendacoustics.com/collections/elx-series

More to discover