Full Range under $5k-ish


So the time has finally come to upgrade my speakers. I mainly listnm
 to vinyl with the occasional CD or AM/FM radio.

Here is my current setup:
Clearaudio Concept w/Concept MM
Parasound Halo P5
2 x Carver TFM-35x (bi-amp)
Definitive Technology BP-2002TL

I would like to stay under the $5k-ish mark. 
dustin_collman

Showing 7 responses by dustin_collman

@audiotroy 

1: How big is your room?
19x29
2: How far do you sit from the speakers?
normally 10'
3: How loud do you play?
All over the place. Depends on if the kids are around. 
4: What kind of music do you like?
I listen to a large variety of music. Mainly classic rock, i.e. Floyd, Clapton, Supertramp, Judas Priest; with some newer stuff as well.
5: Is the visual look of the speakers important?
It's important to the GF and a little bit to me. 
6: How far or near to the rear wall would the speakers go?
Currently the DefTech's are 18" from the wall. They could go closer but not much further. 
7: What don't you like about your current speakers?
I like the range they currently have, specs say down to 17Hz, although I'm not sure how true that is. 
8: What are your current speakers?
Definitive Technology BP-2002TL
9: Do you value musicality or accuracy? Meaning would you want to hear more detail out of your system or is your system a bit too fatiguing?
Detail is always nice. I'm not sure I fully understand this question though. 
10: How important is deep bass?
Bass is important as I'm not running, nor do I plan to run, a subwoofer. 
11: What criteria would be in your dream product?
Something that fits my budgets and will continue to impress me sonically. 
12: Are there any loudspeakers make model or brands that impressed you in the past?
Focal and Wilson Audio have both impressed me. That being said both are out of my budget, even on the used market. 

@gregm  I am open to used speakers and I don't need to match the DefTechs for say, just want to make sure I'm actually upgrading. 

@dbphd not completely down to 20Hz but that wouldn't hurt. 

Thank you everyone for the responses.
I didn't think about bringing my amp with me to audition. The only thing that turns me away from that is that I currently Bi-Amp and don't want to disconnect both my amps to bring them with me every time I go to listen.
 

Lots of great options out there. Thank you for everyone who has been giving valuable input. I will reapond to individual posts when I have more time. For now keep the ideas coming. 
Let's try and build a list of all the suggestions into a single post. 

  • Revel Performa F208
  • Linkwitz's Orion
  • Vandersteen 2
  • Vandersteen 3
  • Thiel CS2.4
  • Bryston Middle T
  • Meadowlark Kestrels
  • Golden Ear Triton One
  • KEF R-11
  • Nola KO2
  • Emerald Physics KCII
  • PMC twenty/23
  • PMC twenty/24
  • Usher
  • ATC SCM 40
  • D&S Tech Labs FM2
  • Liberty Audio X-Vox
  • Zu Audio
  • MartinLogan ESL X or ESL 9
  • Magnapan 1.7 + a subwoofer
  • Ohm Walsh 5000
  • Salk Song 3 Encore
  • Legacy Audio Signatures
  • Proac 140 Mk II
  • Proac DT8
  • Wilson Watt Puppy 6
  • Klipsch rf7lll
  • Tekton
An absolute ton of options. Now time to do my homework. Keep them coming. Sorry if I missed anything. 

Once again I'd like to thank everyone for the valuable input. This really is a tough decision that cannot be determined overnight. A lot of factors come into play and below are just a few that help cut the list down.

Full Range being my biggest need/want meaning I only want 2 speakers. I do not want to add a subwoofer. This being said we should be able to knock out a few. If the frequency response doesn’t get below 30 Hz then in my mind a subwoofer would be needed. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

Another things I can’t do is something that looks hideous. Unfortunately for me looks do play a part in some of this, after all no one likes showing off their ugly beat up car and I sure and hell don’t want to show off ugly speakers. I’m not stating exactly which ones I booted for looks because some of you have your own opinions which is allowed.

Now a few I knocked out just because I have no way of auditioning them, which for me is kind of a big deal. I’d hate to buy a car without a test drive.

Here’s my updated list:

  • Revel Performa F208

  • Linkwitz's Orion

  • Vandersteen 2

  • Vandersteen 3

  • Golden Ear Triton One

  • KEF R-11

  • PMC twenty/23

  • PMC twenty/24

  • Liberty Audio X-Vox

  • Martin Logan Request

  • Salk Song 3 Encore

  • Legacy Audio Signatures

  • Proac DT8

  • Wilson Watt Puppy 6

  • Dali Euphonia MS-5

  • Aerial Acoustic 7T

  • Focal 1028

  • Focal 1038

  • Focal 948

Finally had a chance to audition some speakers on the list and eliminate a few. Here’s my updated list. I chose not to add anymore for now as I want to downsize this a bit before adding onto it. 

I also demoed a few not on the list and a few out of my price range.

Here’s my updated list:

  • Revel Performa F208

  • Linkwitz's Orion

  • Vandersteen 3

  • Golden Ear Triton One

  • KEF R-11

  • Liberty Audio X-Vox

  • Salk Song 3 Encore

  • Legacy Audio Signatures

  • Proac DT8

  • Wilson Watt Puppy 6

  • Dali Euphonia MS-5

  • Aerial Acoustic 7T

  • Focal 1028

  • Focal 1038


Well it’s been 6 months since my last post and I thought I should update everyone. After sampling as many as I could I kept coming back to a set I heard many years ago. I found a pair for sale here and made an offer. Now I am the proud new owner of a beautiful pair of Wilson Audio Watt Puppy Series 8. I’ve been using them for about a week now and am absolutely in love with my choice. 

Thabk you for everyone that provided input input along the way. It was a long journey and a difficult decision to make. I did have to go a little over budget but sometimes to get what you want you have to make that sacrifice. No regrets. 

If you're on Instagram you can see pictures and follow my journey @dussenm3