Don’t let the B&W haters dissuade you from the new Diamonds. My office rig is McIntosh based consisting of MC152, C47, Oppo UDP-205, 805d3’s. The system is extremely easy to listen to for long periods; even at higher volumes. The new tweeter is much smoother than the previous models. I have heard the complete 800 range, although not for extended sessions, but will admit the 804 can come off as a little “bright” due to the smaller drivers; not the tweeter. The McIntosh / B&W combination works extremely well together and is well worth a listen. Best of luck with your search.
Curious what people think is the best "value" high end speaker (~5K to 15K)
I am on a long search for speakers and just curious what people think is the best value both new or used in speakers ranging from around $5000 to $15000? I have a set of Paradigm S8's (V1) and love them but looking for another set for another set in a different listening area (25 x 20?, maybe larger). I love the full sound of JBL's and looking for something in that range (it also helps that JBL's seem to hold their value better than most, which will be a consideration). The only drawback to JBL is footprint. I prefer a smaller footprint which is why after reading I hope to listen to several B&W 800 series but open to suggestions across the board. used Watt Puppies? Revels? I am curious about peoples experience with McIntosh XR100's.
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Surprised no votes for Focals. I have the $4K Aria 936's (seen them on sale recently) and they sound amazing. Huge soundstage, I can walk into other rooms and they still sound good. I like them far better than the B&W 800 series and any Revels (haven't heard the new beryllium). I also like them better than the step up in the Arias 948 - I think. I do really like Harmon & Revel sound, just didn't get as open and musical as the Focals, which could have been the amp I demoed them with. Amp's can make a huge difference. I personally would demo the Sopra No 2's or any of new Kanta's which looks nice. Focals have a great sound and pair nicely with tube and/or ss gear. I run them off a hybrid amp and they sound amazing. |
Hi gene3x, I wasn’t going to post in this thread as I don’t have a clear-cut nomination for “best absolute value” in this price range. But at least four times now you’ve brought up a particular subject that is imo worth exploring on its own: "Okay, so now we are getting into something that is definitely important to me ..... sweet spot , sound stage , over all stereo sound envelope is important to me and willing to pay more for it. I have always wondered why so many audiophiles were satisfied with tiny speakers on a pedestal that could only give you a full representation within a small window. I want to fill as much of the room as possible." "Can anyone speak to the size of the total sound envelope or active listening area of each of the speakers that you suggested?” "Soundstage (sound envelope) is very important also.” So apparently good soundstaging over a wide sweet spot matters a lot to you. It does to me too. I like to feel immersed in the music, including the soundscape on the recording, and I like to share that experience with others without it being limited to the one or two best seats. You then ask an interesting question: “Am I wrong to think that a larger speaker in most cases will have a larger soundstage filling the room with more listenable music?” In my opinion relatively few speakers, large or small, are REALLY optimized for this. The principles involved are not secret, but they are overlooked. To answer your question, yes the larger speaker can do the better job, if it is designed to. If you’re interested in WHAT it would take to “optimize” a design for a large soundstage that can be enjoyed across a large listening area, let me know. The reason I ask first is, it would be a rather long post and I don’t want to take up a lot of space in your thread uninvited. I’d finish off with a recommendation (of something that I don’t sell), but my recommendation would make no sense without the "backstory". Duke dealer/manufacturer |
@mofojo...………………………………………………………….. No, not really. I care less if someone wants GE speakers or not. I mentioned them because they fit his price range and I am familiar with them. Not a fan of the GE Triton 2 and on down, there is much better out there. However, I thought this would turn into another endless Tekton thread. Sorry to hurt your feelings but I don’t like Tekton, so if that is the way this thread is heading, I will bow out. I see you didn’t harp on "missioncoonery" for his complaint about the Tekton here, why is that? Happy now? Clear enough? |
@gene3x If you want a wide sweet spot, then I agree that Ohm Walsh should be on your short list. Their flagship is <$12,000 in the veneer of your choosing, or they have one ready to sell (demo model I believe) for <$9000. However, contact them and give precise room dimensions, their higher priced models are usually made to work with larger rooms and wouldn’t work if your room is smaller, there usually isn’t a sound quality difference within the same model line. |
Tannoy dual concentric speakers in the Prestige series are best, but expensive. Look for used in your price range. Vandersteen is good, but expensive. KEF LS-50 is nice for an inexpensive speaker. Neither of them is tube-friendly, though. I've not heard Wilsons. Salk and B&W are underwhelming IMHO, as are most others in the $5-15K price range. Problems are that they aren't time- and phase-coherent, which as a bare minimum is necessary. I always found B&W to sound boxy and congested. I don't know if current JBL and Klipsch offerings are as good as the old stuff was, before these companies went mega-church. |
Oh, and in case I didn't mention it they will be driven with MC501's or an MC352 with some version of Mac's tube pre. Currently I have a C48 that will likely be upgraded. Am I wrong to think that a larger speaker in most cases will have a larger soundstage filling the room with more listenable music? |
I wanted to know what represents the absolute best speaker value in terms of sound (& resale) that fits in the $5k to $15K (actually more like $13K) category. Soundstage (sound envelope) is very important also. The footprint being smaller (max 16" x 16") but can be as tall as needed. Technically the Tekton Ulfberht's and Legacy Audio Aeris fit into that category (but just barely). |
I lost the thread (pun intended) long ago. Are we talking about best bang for the buck, however that translates into speaker terms, or best speaker up to 15K, or speaker most matching OP's preferences, or what? Certainly some speakers seem to give you a lot for what they are, and some others not so much. Vandersteen would be in the first category. |
If quite a few happy Tekton owners sharing their experiences with the OP in answer to his question constitutes taking over the thread .......so be it. Might the thread and OP be better served with them giving suggestions as to which speaker offers the best value in the OP's price range? I guess they'd rather take over the thread with unhelpful comments 😉 |
Another vote for Tekton here. The Double Impact SE's or Encores would fill your room with wall to wall sound. My DI SE's disappear completely, are seamless from top to bottom with beautiful tone and texture, impressive dynamics and delicate detail. Yeah, I guess you could say I like them! I've owned Vandersteens, Magnepan, Revels and Legacys.....all great speakers that I enjoyed immensely.....but my Tekton DI SE's have brought me the most musical enjoyment. Good luck in your search. |
To answer your question, I recommended the JA Perspectives because they have a small footprint and a wide dispersion pattern that stays fairly uniform off axis, which is why I think they continue to sound good outside the sweet spot. Are there other speaker characteristics that are important to you other than those you already mentioned? If so that would be helpful to know, along with what type of amplifier you're planning to use if you have any preferences. |
I recently wrote a review of 15 speakers, most in your target price area: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/a-brief-review-of-15-high-end-speakers-on-home-demo-including... I would not agree with whoever said the B&W diamond tweeter is harsh: it is smooth as silk. I heard the 802D at a recent Hi-Fi show and it was the best at the show - a full, rich, natural sound. And great value at present due to the depreciation of sterling. I have a pair of 804D in my second system - but I would not recommend them for the size of your space as the sound is a little bass-shy in a big room. The 802D is a different beast though. I agree with the Joseph recommendation. I heard them at the Munich hi-end show - fabulous sound. After trying out 15 speakers, mostly on home demo, and with a budget similar to the top-end of yours, I ended up with Boenicke speakers - a mighty full and spacious sound from a relatively small cabinet. The W11 or W13 would work well given your room size. They have a beautiful way of delivering music, and they are incredibly musical. They render a tube-like quality to a SS amp. Also the speakers can be sited more widely than many, if you so desire, giving a very broad sweet spot, which may appeal to your circumstances. |
I have several suggestions that I am interested in hearing and at the top that list so far based on what I have been reading is the Legacy Audio Aeris. I don't like powered speakers but the comments on how much the room correction makes a difference intrigues me in a big way. The Spatial Audio Triode Masters look interesting but I cannot get past the minimalist look of them. Maybe I would if I heard them as looks are honestly down on the list of concerns. Can anyone speak to the size of the total sound envelope or active listening area of each of the speakers that you suggested? |
Definitely check out Legacy Audio, who offer three models in that range of prices: Signature SE ~$7,500Focus SE ~$10,500Focus XD ~$12,500(has built in amp for bass section or whole unit) All of these offer Air Motion tweeters and deep, prodigious bass. And if you can find a used set of Aeris for ~$15,000, you'll have an awesome set of speakers. |
Spatial Audio Triode Masters, best speakers I have ever owned, and I have or owned most of the usual suspects. And definitely Not Goldenear References, I bought into the hype and got a pair, sound great, but not worth the $8500. Spatial Triodes or Gallo Strada 2 with a pair of SVS SB16 is about as good as it gets at any price. |
Okay, so now we are getting into something that is definitely important to me ..... sweet spot , sound stage , over all stereo sound envelope is important to me and willing to pay more for it. I have always wondered why so many audiophiles were satisfied with tiny speakers on a pedestal that could only give you a full representation within a small window. I want to fill as much of the room as possible. I assumed that this was one of the reason's that people liked speakers like JBL , Tekton's , ect.... I know the Maggies have a small sweet spot which is why I ruled them out from the beginning. mkzmxcv , I wonder if that would also be true for the larger Ulfberht's or Encore's? |
@gene3x Look at Stereophile’s measurements for Tekton. They are pretty neutral and have good imaging, they have a huge downside though due to the design, they have garbage vertical performance. I’m sure you’ve heard electrostatics like MartinLogan having a “pin needle sweet spot”, in that you have to be perfectly cemeteries for them to sound good, Tekton is the same way except in the vertical plane, so any amount of vertical head movement (sitting upright vs slouched) is gonna change the sound by a good margin. |
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markalarson , that sounds easy enough but some speakers are not in close enough proximity to listen to nor are they in a similar setup as mine necessarily. I would have never known to consider several of these speakers without the suggestions put forward. BTW, I totally and completely appreciate every and all suggestions recommended here!! |
Dang, those Wilson Benesch speakers are $30K speakers. Based on the reviews, I am definitely looking to try and find a set of Tekton's to see and listen to in person. I don't think they are aesthetically displeasing at all. They are just not exotic like most people would like when paying the amount of money you would spend to buy a small car for speakers for your home. I have a set of old Maggie's that I am using as rears on my Theater setup but would not mind hearing the 3.7's that I have been reading about. |
Awesome! A ton of great suggestions that I never would have considered.
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