I'd just buy the best Martin Logan electrostatics you can get and spend the rest on a piano with Piano Disc technology, and you can listen to a real piano in your home.
Getting a Divorce and can now buy floor standing speakers
So, I am getting rid of the wife (divorce, I am not burying her in the backyard!) and can now get big floor standing speakers. I currently have a Luxman integrated and model 30 Harbeth speakers, and a very good sub. Very neutral/natural sound, can listen for long sessions. But I don't get a very good image, and it seems a little too laid back. I listen mainly to singer-song writers, both male and female. Lots of acoustic/piano.
There are so many floor standers now, I'd like to shorten the list. Any suggestions to start my search? I am located in southern CA, so I can listen to almost any brand. Price should be under $100K.
I may lose a wife, but so far the freedom/cash is worth it.
Thanks all!
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It would seem if $100k speakers are in the budget a dedicated listening room would be too. That way no worries about significant other's feng shui ideas. My humble system with 5' tall planars is in a dedicated listeng room with styrofoam accustic panels. Funny thing is my wife spends more time there with me than the rest of her self designed rooms. |
@steve59 +1 For the money Revel speakers are excellent! |
+1 on Rockport Cygnus. Only available used now but they are a great well balanced speaker that purchased used is a great buy. I added a 6 pack of REL Carbon specials and they make quite a visual and sonic statement. These 8 speakers are within your budget. You need to find a wife like mine that said when I set up the six subs "I think they look very cool, and I hate to admit that they make a huge difference in the sound" The thing about Rockport Cygnus is that the sound is not flashy, but I never get fatigued by them like I did with my Sasha 2s, and they keep resolving further and further as I improve the signal feeding them. I will receive my custom made Townshend Podiums this weekend and will I'm sure resolve at even a greater level. What a great gift you are giving yourself post divorce! |
@dandion based on the website, they would sure spend it lavishly |
Acora SRC-2 - special order or limited rare material Will also leave you with some cash to get the right cables and, maybe down the road upgrade a component or two. I mean, c’mon, granite? And incredible sound. Easy choice. * I’m partial to Borresen but if somehow, magically, I had 100 grand to spend that’s where I’d go. |
In any case, generally speaking, $100k speakers would require near top of the line electronics, source and cables to sound their best. You would probably be looking at $250k or so new system. Do you really want to go that far ? You can assemble a truly excellent system for $100k total or less, especially if you are prepared to buy used. |
Here they are, the ultimate divorce rebound speakers. Their purchase will speak to your ex-wife like words never could. https://www.soundroom.ca/products/wamm If, as has been alleged, they sound as fantastic as they are ugly, then you are truly in for a treat... Just do it, your inner teenager will love you for it!
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I agree with @bigwave1 With a budget such as yours, you'd be crazy not to make a few road (or plane) trips to check out some of the big boys in person. I'd rather spend 20K on auditioning the right speaker than spend 100K on a complete unknown. That remaining 80K will buy a lot of performance, and it will be performance that you have already heard.
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I am a new Sonus Farber convert. So of course I am going to tell you to check out Sonus Farber. I bought the Amati G5’s and really like their sound. Nothing shouts at me and the bass is good even at low levels to the point that I am using the subwoofer less and less. I’m sure you’ll be able to find something in your price range.
All the best. |
I agree that there should not be imaging issues with the Harbeth speakers. I've heard several iterations of the 30s and they are all capable of good imaging. Proper placement of the speaker and the listener and proper treatment of the room should be a priority. Given the OP's high budget, it might still make sense to replace the Harbeths, but the first thing is diagnosing whether the speaker placement and room acoustics are the major concern. I've heard the 30s run off some crazy expensive amps and they are certainly capable of sounding very good when driven by such amps. My local dealer loves to shock customers with how good some small and more modestly priced speakers can sound when driven by really good amps. He typically uses an LS3/5A variant (Falcon, ProAc, Harbeth, and the original Rogers) for such a demonstration. This dealer only sells tube electronics, so the choice is typically a tube amp from Synthesis Audio. He does not recommend such extrem price difference between the amp and speaker; this is just to show buyers that they cannot skimp on the amp and expect to get the most out of their system. Among my favorite real world combinations with the Harbeth 30.2s that I have heard involved the use of Synthesis A40 (40wpc) and A100 (100wwpc) amplifiers. The sound is propulsive and lively and full with these amps. |
Borresen are known to image extremely well. Look at their X6 model ehich seems to be a very good value for miney or look at their better series. The M3 seems to be amazing but also cost at least 15x the price of the X6.
https://audiogroupdenmark.com/product/boerresen-x6/ https://www.stereophile.com/content/b%C3%B8rresen-acoustics-m6-and-x6-axxess-aavik-and-ansuz |
@OP. You shouldn't be having imaging issues with your Harbeths. So the issue there is either setup/room and or ancillary equipment. The Harbeth's are tonally refined, which some people would characterise as laid back. But driven by a more dynamic amp, you might be surprised at them - especially given the kind of music you say you favour. Putting a speaker in the upper percentiles of your price range on the end of your existing amp is totally cart before the horse. So I would recommend that you review your entire setup before going changing speakers. |
....life is So complicated... |
For a natural sound and "singer-song writers, both male and female. Lots of acoustic/piano", I would check out the Songer Audio S1X. Several people said the S1X was the most natural sounding speakers at Capital Audiofest. Another option is the YG Hailey 3. You can get a used/demo Hailey 2 and send it to YG to be upgraded to the version 3. I've been listening to a lot of piano and neo classical since I got my Hailey's back from YG a month ago and they are excellent for piano and violin. |
A good friend who trained as a classical pianist but went into medicine instead spent years with his beloved Nestorovich speakers, then finally fell in love with Tidal Contriva G2's. It's generally conceded that he has the best system amongst a popular DC-area audio group. Unfortunately I now live 3000 miles away and haven't had a chance to hear them, but if he bought them they must be something special. He was NEVER a tweaker or swapper, focusing on quality components and incremental improvements. Of course, he also feels that if a system gets the piano right, everything else falls into place. ;-) But for the money you're talking about, I would investigate them. |
My suggestion look at a pair of Goldenear Triton Reference speakers, currently discontinued and discounted. Consistently recommended as a Stereophile, class A full range floor standing speakers. Of course, you can always spend more, but you don’t need to. Currently, mated with a Primaluna Evo 300 integrated amplifier, in a comprehensively acoustically treated space. these are end game speakers for me so, I currently, have ordered upgraded crossovers, driver wiring, and speaker binding posts, to get that Nth improvement in sound quality from TG Acoustics. Best of luck to you, life is short, enjoy! |
Here's some from my list of speakers I can't afford: Legacy (anything) Genelec 8381A Vandersteen Audio Kento Carbon German Physiks Borderland Mk IV Joseph Audio Pearl 20/20 Graphene Audiovector R6 Arreté Paradigm Persona 9H Monitor Audio Platinum PL500 II Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Apertura Enigma mkII Tidal Contriva G3 Monitor Audio Hyphn Matterhorn Kroma Atelier Elektra Audio Solutions Figaro XLm2 Rockport Technologies Atria II MBL 120 Dali Epicore 11 Magico A5 PBN Audio MR!777
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with that budget, try out the DALI Epikore 11https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDicWaq0Fmw |
@deep_333 Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel.
Not being critical. Just giving you a hard time. I like your strong opinion on this. Jerry |
Piega Master Line Source 2 Generation 2 Depending on your room size Always listent before buying |
Incorrect...a luxman c900u + m900u will drive any speaker at any price and can salvage many a undeserving turd posing as a high end speaker ( make it sound a whole lot better than it should). Boulder or Gryphon never knew how to design an amp better than Luxman. A heavier and a fancier looking chassis never meant a better amp.
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For imaging, sound stage, realism, and great bass look into Charney Audio. Depending on your room size no sub will be needed. I have the Companions with Voxativ AF 2.6 drivers. They are a 6” driver in my 11x15x8 room with accurate deep bass, sweet engaging midrange and great highs. Vocals are off the charts! Listening to Holly Cole, Janis Ian, Diana Krall, Ella, Lady Blue,…is your own private concert! So much I can write about but let your ears make the decision!
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Speaker selection is so subjective and in your price range. There's so many superlative speakers out there to choose from between 20K and 100K. You've got a good idea of what great speakers are out there on the market in your price range. Go listen to as many speakers as you possibly can. That's the only way. Happy listening. |
Best of luck to you both in the future I miss my JSE Infinite Slope Model 2’s, they are Uniquely Remarkable I put info about them on this site JSE Model II, seller will ship from Texas I would have my woodworker put a select veneer on them like they always deserved.
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WBF = What’s Best Forum - much deeper pockets- they discuss through experience up to the very best audio components. Usually, Luxman is paired with speakers costing roughly up to 20k. If you get a top speaker, like the Magico M3, then the Luxman would be the sonic bottleneck. It’s best to have a balanced (near same level, minimizing bottlenecks) audio chain including cabling. Also, be careful not to get speakers too large for your space that may create excess bass issues. Too small speakers may not be enough to pressurize the room- if that is your goal. Good Luck and Happy Hunting |
