Help me replace ancient speakers - or not


Looking forward to your collective wisdom...

Short version:
Should I replace my 40 year old Allison One speakers with something made within, oh, the last couple of decades??  And can I get something reasonably full-range, that can fit into my small NYC living room, for, say, $2500 or less?  Used is fine. 

Long version:
I've had these Allison Ones for about 10 years, and they replaced Allison Sixes that I purchased new in 1982 or so.  So I've had very similar speaker "sound" for a verrrry long time. 

I've been interested in hi-fi since the 80s but rarely purchase anything new - clearly!  I'm a musician and equipment/hobby money has usually gone to instruments and music instead.  I try to get improvements on a small budget. 

Rest of the system is a NAD C352 integrated (Craigslist find!) with Tara Labs jumpers, a Marantz CD6005 cd player, and an Auralic Aries MIni streamer, the last two running through an Audio GD r2r DAC.  This is all cheapish stuff, but it sounds good in our small apartment, or it does most of the time.  

I'm listening to a Geri Allen trio date with Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette, and her piano sounds full and tonally correct, and the bass and drums are balanced and impactful.  There isn't a huge amount of imaging  - Allisons don't really do that - but it all seems pretty correct.  BUT - maybe I'm just used to it?  

Other factors: we like to listen to everything from jazz to opera to poorly-recorded music from all over the world, at realistic volumes.  Scale is important, imaging not so much in my book.  My ears have taken a beating from years of loud gigs so I favor a warm-ish sound, but am open to trying something totally different.  I'm always drawn to the Audio Note rooms at shows, and a pair of AN-E's would be my dream.  Thinking of Klipsch Heresy's too, for some reason.  Gosh, I guess these are pretty ancient designs too.  

Any thoughts welcome and sorry for the novel. 
sforrey

Showing 3 responses by yakbob

I'm currently evaluating a pair of Spatial Audio M3 Holograms, and while its early for me to write a full review, I will say that I can't stop listening to them. My critcal listening is usually jazz (Jim Hall, Metheny, Gary Burton, Dave Holland, Charlie Hayden, Miles, Coltrane). 

I got got turned onto the Spatial's through this forum and after reading many reviews, felt it would be worth a shot given the 45-60 day in home trial. I wasn't even looking to replace my "forever speakers" (restored KEF 107s), but this pair has me considering it.

They're just a little over your $2500 budget. If you have the space, consider giving them a listen. 


I just caught the "small apartment " in your original post. The M4s might work better in your space...and cheaper to boot.
@sforrey , since my current speakers have a total of (4) 10" woofers in a band pass loaded configuration, I was concerend about the ability for an open baffle speaker to match the lower frequency output of my KEFs. Honestly, I always felt OB speakers were weird  fringe concept reserved for those who hang tapestries all over their house. (No offense to tapestry owners 😀).

The M3s somehow have managed to go lower than my KEFs with much more authority ( in my room, YMMV).
Their overall sound is much more "here" than "there". It's dynamic and for lack of a better term, more real. I doubt I could bring myself to sell the KEFs because their sound is so relaxing (as I imagine your Allison's are). Since your situation seemed similar to mine (vintage speaker to something more modern), I wanted to share. Best of luck with whatever you decide.