Honing down the speaker shortlist ~$5K


After 20+ years, it's time to replace my restored and very we'll-loved pair of Snell Type Es with something new. Aiming for a budget cap of ~$5k (likely used) I've narrowed it down to a short-list:

Harbeth Super HL5
Harbeth M30.1
Acoustic Zen Adagio
Vandersten 2ce signature

I've been able to audition the Harbeths at a dealer, but haven't heard them yet at home.
As for the others, I'll need to travel a bit to hear them so any input would be welcome.

My room is woody and old. It's 12x16x9 but opens through large archways on three sides to other rooms, each about 12' across. The speakers are currently at the closed end of the room, 3' from the side walls, 4' out from the back walls and 8' feet from the seating position. I listen to jazz, folk, alternative and a little classical. Primarily vinyl. Nothing that requires floor shaking bass. I live in a multi-family building and try to keep the neighbors happy.

For power I'm using a Creek 5350se integrated at 80w per channel. This is prime for a future upgrade, but one thing at a time. The rest of my system should be visible in my profile. 

I'm looking for something that resolves well without being overly analytical, yet retains the openness that I've always enjoyed with the Snells. The Harbeths seem to fit that bill, though the 30.1s sounded a little closed-in at the dealer audition. The 5s were much better in that regard, though struck me as a bit recessed.

Thanks for the advice.
It's a wonderful resource to have the collected wisdom exhibited on this forum!






krabbypantz

Showing 2 responses by bassdude

I have similar preferences in music / sound... and... I've tried / owned a number of superb speakers, several of which I still have.  

The ones I've found to have sound to rival the best at any price in your price range (actually below) are the WaveTouch Grand Tetons, which have recently been upgraded to the Antero's.  

See the reviews on the web site:  http://www.wavetouchaudio.com/products.html

For my money that's what I would get - they will rival any of those you noted, and exceed most of them.  
After the fact... but...if you insist on spending $5000+/-...

Must agree with these last posts.

The Quads are very special for acoustic music - very real, live Sound - especially, the recent, modified 57's.

And... very little, if anything, sounds better than the Linkwitz LS521's or Orion's... at any price.

But, if not... then the Wavetouch Audio Grand Teton's / Antero's are the "giant killers."