Do my ears deceive me??


     The money is in the bank, thinking of upgrading speakers, but everything I demo is no better or worse than what I have.   Willing to spend up to $6,000.      Upgraditis??   My main system is Mcintosh MX 134 that I bought in 2003, with a pair of Focal 836v's and a Parasound 5250  (250w/channel) amp I bought around 2012.   I either blew the tweeters or crossover on my 836's, so they are in for repair.   Since I've owned them for 10 years, I was considering new speakers.    The blades are way more than I would spend, but I also demoed the Kef R11s, Martin Logan xtf 200's, Mcintosh XR 100s, and B&W 703 S3.   

       None of them sounded better than what I'm hearing right now from my BP 2006s.    Would I really need to demo them in my room to make a fair comparison??  Or are speakers just not much better than they were 20 years ago?   I know I love detail, and tend to lean towards aluminum tweeters.  I pretty much only listen to classic rock and roll.   Of all I demoed, I really like the B&W 706s.   They sounded much brighter/cleaner than the others.   But they had the reciever set up so I couldn't adjust the treble/bass.  I love a V equalizer curve, and bump up the bass and treble a bit on my home/car systems.   Maybe I just have the good luck of prefering cheaper speakers.   

 

  

fenderu2

@fenderu2  I chose to take the 8 hour drive from NE Ohio down to Greg's shop. Not a terrible drive. My plan originally was the same as @jonwolfpell, except it was the one ion Florida. Sadly I didn't make it to the show. Plan B was going down to meet with Greg and have a good listen.... what an experience. Good long listen to the Razz, Rival's that @jonwolfpell has and a new prototype that is destined to be a flagship. I spent most of the evening, and some of the wee hours of the next day just jamming out with Greg. It was hands down my best audio experience of my life. Greg is a hell of a guy, his wife is a delight. Excellent Mexican food right across the street from Greg's home/shop. What little sleep I got, I actually did on a very comfy bed in his shop.  Greg and his wife made me feel like an old friend and a special guest. 

I say all of this because it may feel like sort of a stretch.. and I guess it sort of is. However If you choose to visit and listen, I'd bet you would come away feeling it was a special and worthwhile experience. IF you were closer to NE Ohio I'd be happy to host you. It would be awesome if someone in the Minn area would host. 

I do sort of agree with @larryi, at least that is until i started playing with the resistors supplied with my Razz to shape some of the roll off.  

I am already saving to trade up to @jonwolfpell 's Rivals. Exactly as he has them. Red Gum with the vintage look black cloth grills. Simply stunning. 

Great story! I almost went to Greg’s place during Covid time but my business requirements mounted & when the Capitol Show was announced x& I saw he was going to be there, I just waited. I have not played with the resistors at all , what did you find when doing so? If I hit the lotto, my first purchase will be the new Vittorias !

    Back in 1993-1994 I worked as a stock guy at a store in MN called Audio King.  We had most of the high end stuff back then.   In the basement (warehouse area) we had a pair of Klipschorns hooked up to a Yamaha receiver that was like 60wpc.  It was unreal how good they sounded off a tiny receiver.   The manager told me he would blowout the klipschorns for like $3,500 to $4,500.   I was a poor college student, so I couldn't buy them,  but now I see them at $16,500.    I did end up with a pair of KG-2's that I loved for about 10 years.   

@jonwolfpell  I ended up playing with both the tweeter setting and the mid. My setting only -1db on both. So my setting looks like TR1 4.3 TR2 5.1, Mid is MR1 16 and MR2 4.3, IT may be that my living room set up is fairly bright, no carpet and only one love seat.. and it's really just a 14'x14' box. My basement man-cave is completely opposite, one whole wall is sound foam, corner foam up front and tube traps. If I brought the Razz down there i would have likely left it all at factory/Greg Settings. 

I am right with you my friend, First thing I'd do with lotto winnings is wire Greg all the dough for a new set of Vitoria. I got to listen to a prototype while I was there. I can't begin to describe in words what that experience was like. My jaw hurt from hitting the floor. They would be an end game/Holy Grail for me.

Seems like the OP is looking for a hot speaker with plenty of bass.  Head scratcher that he’s considering bookshelf Harbeths maybe thinking augmenting the bass w subwoofer?  Agree that GoldenEar may be a top option.