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Folded tweeters vs. dome?

Good day, I am searching for main speakers which will replace my Kef IQ5's.  I want them to be a step up in soundstage and transparency, but only have a $1200 budget (family man you understand).  I have a Klipsch 12" sub so the deepest bass is not an issue.  My question is, in the opinions of those posting here, which tweeters will serve my purpose best, folded or dome?  I see a lot of speakers in the price range I'm searching, both 2.5 and 3-way but have not been able to audition any as of yet.  I'm watching used sets of Golden Ear Triton 7's, Wharfedale PI-40's, Quad Classic 23L among others.  My listening is a mixture of music and theater, most genre's.  I have a Marantz AV7005 pre/pro, a Rotel RKB 650 bi-amping the mains and (Kef) center, with a Rotel-RMB 1565 driving the surrounds (B&W and Klipsch). Thanks in advance for your input, so many questions, so little space.
128x128wisciman99
tcatch
36 posts
 
If you like the KEF sound and you have $1200 to spend, consider the LS-50's. (Standmount monitors) They are available new for $1200 now (used to be $1500), and you could probably find a used pair for under $1000.  They image like crazy, still rated class A by Stereophile, and you've got a sub to supplement the somewhat-lacking low bass.  They are fairly low sensitivity (85-ish) so you do need serious amplifier power.  You could order a new pair and try them out for a few weeks and send them back if you find them too small for your room.
erik_squires
16,056 posts
 
what do you have on the floor, between behind and in front of the speakers?? 
cj1965
124 posts
 
+1 @to catch

If you don’t need "you are there" sound pressure levels in that size room you will not find a better speaker in terms of balanced off axis response and stable imaging at the $1200 level than KEF L50s. The sub will free them up to do what they do best and you’ll be hard pressed to improve the outcome in terms of increased output for anything near the price.
wisciman99's avatar
wisciman99 OP
75 posts
 
I do like the Kef sound, and as the new Rotel burns in the IQ5's are sounding better and better.  I enjoy it loud now and then, but usually at a moderate volume, IMO.
Eric, the living room has the usual accouterments, the speakers sit about 2' off the back wall and in front of the entertainment center by about 4". There is a blanket chest in front of the sofa between me and the speakers, but low enough that I don't feel it's messing up any imaging. (I can see the bottom of the speakers and 8' of carpeted floor in front of them.)  The speakers are a good 9 or 10' from the sidewalls.
mdining
3 posts
 
I’d try to listen to some Paradigm Prestige 15bs.
they are highly resolving, balanced and will certainly disappear!
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