I recently purchased a set of Dynaudio Confidence 30 speakers. I replaced my Confidence 20 speakers. The Confidence 20 is an amazing little speaker, at the same time the big floor stander is just so much more. I absolutely;y love the big floor stander, they reveal so much music.
Floorstanding speaker experiences/recommendations in the $12-25k range
I realize there are thousands of options, but I'm looking for strong personal experiences/recommendations for floor-standing speakers in the $12-25k range. I currently have Dynaudio Heritage Special stand-mounts. They really are a great speaker in many ways, but full-range they are not. There's an obvious missing element to the music in the <45Hz range. I listen to 95% vinyl, 5% CD (I stream off a Bluesound very occasionally to get ideas for albums to purchase). My system is comprised of a Rega P10 with Hana umami red cart, Modwright PH150 reference phono stage, Oppo 205 disk player all into an Octave V80SE integrated amp with super black box.
My current "leaders" for speakers are Qln Prestige 5 and Devore Gibbon X based on what I've heard, but have liked the Wilson Sabrina Xs and have heard great things about the newer Borresen X3s. Any experiences/recommendations welcome.
Cheers!
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I was shopping for speakers in this price range last year. I listened to the Sabrina X, Magico and Von Schweikert, which were all technically very impressive. I also listen to a lot of jazz and I ended up getting the Devore O96's, because tone is very important to me, and I loved the sound of sax, drums, piano and bass through those speakers. I also listened to the Gibbon, but they are more of a hi-fi sounding speaker. The O96's are also good all around for rock, folk, classical. They don't excel in deep bass, but with 10" drivers, for me they go deep enough to satisfy. If you appreciate the kind of tone they can produce, they are worth auditioning. I was also very impressed by the depth and layering of the Magicos, which sounded more natural to me than the other choices. |
You are absolutely correct in considering the Borresen X-3's....They are a $25K speaker you can buy for $11K....I spent 3 hrs. last night in total amazement. They make old cd's that I haven't listened to in years, alive and exciting. Details I never knew existed in the music come thru and you'll hear the songs presented like never before.There are a lot of good recommendations here...I can tell you the X-3's will be your last speaker purchase. ps. don't let anyone tell you that the bass is weak....It's deep and punchy and rock solid. My next door neighbor even commented on my music. |
Hello, I have a couple recommendations: Tekton Encore or maybe even the new ones- 1812 overture? $21k I like this because they are new. Sonner speakers win a lot of Best Room at audio shows If you truly love your your speakers in your room then try a pair of Rel subs If the RELs take up to much room for the frequency and you want to really blend your subs in then go with the JL Audio F110 or F112 subs with the JL Audio CR1 crossover. You will need an identical interconnect that you are using on your amp. Last is the Revel Salon 2s speakers. I believe these go down to 25 hz. They don’t take up a huge foot print and even have built in crossover controls on the back. They are a four way design with two different mid drivers and beryllium tweeters that are smooth as butter. Knew they are $24k. Used is around $10k-13k. They like power so a good amp is recommended. I hope this gave you some good ideas. |
The fact that you love the Dyns is helpful and the Octave is a good match for that brand. Contours make sense and Dyn makes a very good speaker. The Contour is kind of a sweet spot in their line.
If you want to go to a different tweeter type, Audiovector R3s are an interesting speaker for you. Read Andrew Quint's review in TAS. They are quite good. It will deliver a different listening experience and feels more like you are on-stage rather than in the crowd.
For a similar listening experience to the Dyns, you might want to look at Harbeth. The 40.3s may not be true floorstanders but they sound like they are. With Townshend stands you would still be on budget.
Wilson Benesch is a good option with the P3.0. Bass on that speaker is very refined though and will go deeper but won't thunder like the big 12" driver in the Harbeth's.
Spendor Classic Series might also be an option. I just listened to the Classic 200s at the SME factory in the UK and they were pretty awesome.
Full disclosure, I am a Wilson Benesch dealer, I am about to sign up for Audiovector. I have no relationship with Harbeth or Spendor. |
thanks for using it @elliottbnewcombjr ! if you have any suggestions on how to make the search better, what other data you would like to see, please let me know |
Given your preferences and amp I’d give a very high recommendation to the Verity Audio Otello. Verity flies under the radar a bit, but they remain some of the best all-around speakers I’ve ever heard as they’re supremely natural and lifelike sounding and can image/soundstage with the best out there, and they’re very tube friendly. Here’s a nice used pair you can get at a steep discount and save $$$… https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisb86de-verity-audio-otello-full-range Here are a couple reviews that I think capture their sound characteristics nicely… https://forum.psaudio.com/t/verity-audio-otello-loudspeakers/36213 These Ushers are also excellent but I’d check if they’re compatible with your amp just to make sure. Oh yeah, and they’re drop dead gorgeous. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisb8a96-usher-audio-be-20-full-range If still available, these Acoustic Zen Crescedos are also excellent and like the others could save you some big $$$. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650038931-acoustic-zen-crescendo-mark-ii-excellent-condition/ Another top contender that will do what you’re looking for in spades, looks great, and is very room friendly due to its size is the Joseph Audio Perspective 2. I also like your QLN and DeVore choices although I’d check that the QLNs are suitable for your amp. Anyway, just some other choices to consider, and best of luck. |
My favorite speakers in this price range are the Vivid Audio K45 speakers ($21K). They do everything well. They are so accurate and true to life as well as being the most transparent speakers I've heard at that price point. Bass detail and articulation are class defining and they image like bandits! So much fun! |
I second Audiotroy's recommendation as to the Legacy Focus. I have the Legacy Signature SE, slightly smaller than the Focus (WAF was a factor here!). My room is 14 x 25 with a 14 foot high vaulted ceiling. Plenty of volume (using a pair of PS Audio M700 monoblocks) great timbre, huge soundstage, and very accurate. I listen to a lot of classical, so accuracy of the instruments, along with depth of soundstage, are my hot buttons. I also listen to a lot of blues, so bass is also important. Not only is the bass sufficient, it's also very tight and accurate. I ended up ditching my subwoofer after these broke in. I don't know where you live, but there are several dealers around the country where you can demo. I bought mine directly from the factory.. |
this is to the list of choices: https://speakerchoices.com
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an easy recommendation legacy focus se 9k 1 efficient 95db so a great match with your octave amplifier outstanding subwoofer level bass advanced heil amt tweeter and midrange so great detail a huge soundstage plays loud if you ever move into a large room hand made in the usa multiple finish options dave and Troy Audio Intellect NJ legacy dealer
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Save yourself $12-25k, these JSE Model II’s sound fantastic. Richard Modafferi’s 2 patents: Infinite Slope Crossover and Bass Shift (unique way of using the 10" and 12" woofers).
Used, nobody knows about them, they cost very little. They were a huge hit when introduced, BUT, they decided to make the enclosures themselves. Late, Late, Late, cancelled orders, Harveys stopped carrying them despite how awesome they sound. Joseph Audio still uses some of Richard Modafferi’s patents. Jeff was a salesman at Harveys when the JSE’s came out. Good luck finding something sounding better! My friend has mine, I went back to my Vintage Horns I inherited from my Uncle. Replacing the Dynaudio D21 Tweeters was the best thing I ever did, the D21's were famous for burnt coils. The SEAS tweeter is John Solecito's recommended replacement. Have seller confirm if the 12" woofer is the original dual coil one.
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Thanks for starting the conversation. My room is approximately 14' wide by 23' deep, standard ceiling height (not open or vaulted), so I do have some room. I listen to mostly 50's through early-mid 60s jazz (Ben Webster and Gene Ammons are my favorites), blues, folk, acoustic guitar, some alternative rock. Tonality and honest timbre of instruments/vocals are the most important qualities of a transducer to me with sound staging/imagery the next most important factors. I played alto/tenor saxophone for many years and I know instantly when I hear a speaker that can recreate the timbre of my Selmer. With respect to bass, I think the 20-40Hz range is important not for heavy slamming bass (not what I'm needing it for), but rather, when its integrated well, bass frequencies support all the frequency information above it, makes the sound more "real" and present, which is what I miss to some degree with my Dynaudios. The Heritage Specials are dynamite with vocals and upper midrange saturation, but it just lacks something tonally. I could go new or used, doesn't matter. I bought my amp used and its never missed a beat. Thanks for everyone's time. |
