You should really go back to Johnny R’s and listen to some ProAc speakers as I believe he sells them as well. They’re very natural and organic sounding yet still nicely detailed and image/soundstage right up there with the Vandys with wider dispersion and sweet spot. Surprised he didn’t play them for you — I think you’ll be very impressed.
Help fine-tune my speaker search
I'm in the market for a new speaker and hoping to find something that blends what I like about the two that I'm using now -- KEF LS50 Meta and Nola Boxers (original). Both speakers are really good at imaging and soundstage. The Nola's are a little more organic sounding and go a little deeper on bass extension, but the Metas are much more revealing about what's in the music. So I guess I'm looking for a speaker that provides detail while also sounding organic and musical and that is also dynamic enough for what I like to listen to -- jazz (old school and bebop), blues, and rock.
The rest of my system right now is iFi Zen Stream >>> Denafrips Ares 2 >>> Schiit Freya + (Sylvania NOS tubes) >>> Schiit Vidar (or McCormack DNA 1 original 1980s). I also play around with a Yaqin MC-13S integrated tube amp with the Nolas. For bass, I run 2 SVS SB-1000 Pros. Long term I see myself sticking with some combo of tube preamp and SS amp but can also see myself with all tubes someday. The room is 14' wide x 24' long but only has 7' ceilings (basement room with concrete floors and sheetrock walls). I'm thinking of staying with bookshelf speakers on stands and using subs, vs going with floorstander. Easier to control bass that way and move around when needed. Open to any other suggestions about my system. After speakers, it will be power amp next.
Just started building a short list of what I want to audition but hoping the hive mind has some ideas for me. Thanks in advance. Budget is $3K - $3.5K.
- Dynaudio Special 40
- Paradigm Founder 40b
- Paradigm Founder 80f (floorstander)
- Monitor Audio Gold 100
- Vandersteen VLR CT
- Nola Boxer S3
- Nola Contender S3 (floorstander, for budget would have to be used)
Showing 4 responses by soix
The Joseph Audio Prisms capture a lot of the performance of the acclaimed Pulsars at a much lower price… There’s also a used pair of JA Profile floorstanders at only $2500 — a steal IMHO… The Usher Mini-X Diamond is also outstanding and is drop dead gorgeous to boot. And it uses their top diamond tweeter, which is nuts at this price level… https://soundapproach.com/usher-dancer-mini-x-bookshelf-speakers-pair.html Either of these will combine the detail of the LS50 with the natural sound of the Boxers and outstanding 3D imaging/soundstage. Best of luck. |
No, not really as I think they’ll all sound really good and share the ProAc sound profile so I’d just try whatever is closest to your price range and ask Johnny R as he obviously knows it all and can give you solid advice. Definitely give them a listen though. |
While you’re on your journey I’d recommend hitting Park Avenue Audio in Manhattan if you haven’t already and give a listen to the Boenicke W5 for a very enlightening experience. I haven’t heard them yet but hoping to go there next week as I’ll be in NYC for the NY Audio Show. I’d suggest leaving all your credit cards at home — you’ve been warned. Just noticed they also carry QLN that would be very worth a listen too while you’re there. Enjoy the journey! |