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Finally gonna buy new speakers, ideas?

I've broken down and am going to get new speakers. It's been a long time, but I think I'm ready to part with my old faithful Matrix 804s. I have auditioned a few lines, and am fortunate to live in LA now (only for the reason of having a lot of audio choices) so I can hear about anything I want. I have liked the N802s, 803s, Eggleston Isabels (with a REL sub). Didn't like the Aerial model (around 7-8K don't remember it). Thought the REVEL salon was a little thin. (maybe bad room acoustics in the store). I don't have a big experience with different speaker lines. I was so happy with the 804s for so long, they stayed and a lot else moved through the system.
I tend to listen to female vocals, acoustic stuff, Dave Matthews, Fiona Apple, love piano and strings, a fair amount of modern rock, and a moderate amount of classical piano, not much full orchestra, little to no hard rock/metal. I have been known to throw on some vintage Public Enemy from time to time.
I'll be driving them with a pair of Aleph 2s, with a Muse source and preamp. I'll have a pretty good sized listening room and it will be a dedicated 2 channel setting. If anyone has any input as to lines to check out that excel at the type of music I like- or just general all around performers, I'd be greatly appreciative. I'm trying to narrow my search to a few stores. (Traffic and all here in LA). I'd like to spend <10k retail. Thanks to all and happy listening,

Todd
tsquared
shubertmaniac
350 posts
 
1. Magnepan 3.6
2. Magnepan 20.1
3. Sound Lab M-2
4. Avalon Eclipse

They are not in any order. But all are worthy of your attention.
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
Not to get off subject but I think it is intersting that so many people feel that the magnepan 3.6 will go head to head with speakers costing more then twice. Maybe they would be the best "value" speaker, which makes me think of starting a thread, cheers Tim
robathomea303
1 posts
 
you MUST check out the JMLab line, especially their Utopia line...efficient, musical, natural...truly a "special" line of speakers. I looked and looked...finally bit the bullet and bought the Mezzo Utopias...think I'm set for life.
nilthepill
842 posts
 
Dunlavy IVA or V would do justice to your equipment and good size room and you have budget for it!
Ag insider logo xs@2x
ivanj
35 posts
 
Given your choice of music I think you might find them wonderful on female vocals. If possible get your amps down there or get the dealer to truck the SLs to your house. First, I sometimes find demonstrators turn up the mids too much on the SLs. This leads to a bit of sibilance that is unrealistic. Don't be afraid to have the demonstrator readjust the speaker - the SL is very flexible in this regard. One also has to have a fine front end to avoid exacerbating this problem. Second, it may take a bit of acclimatization of your ears to get used to the electrostatic bass. The perceptual mind set you need is - this a window on the bass instrument itself, rather than a recording of bass instrument plugged into another speaker and amplified into your room. I believe you will hear the overtones integrated into the instrument itself with the M2 better than the excellent cone speakers you mentioned. Am I being clear?
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