If you listen to anything other than Classic Jazz, don't read this.


:)  I'm a Jazz only intermediate audiophile looking to improve my system. i ONLY listen to jazz, and i think that matters. If you are of the opinion that great speakers make all music sound good then move on to the next post, because the premise here is that speakers for Acoustic Jazz ( Big Band to Post Bop) have different requirements. My jazz audiophile buddies and i hav A/B'd lots of different speaker/amp/turntable/cartridge combinations as a fun hobby for the last 3 years. i've gone through at least 3 whole systems to get where i am now:
All Rega System - Rega Exex-R, Rega P3, with upgrades, Rega MC Phono Pre,  Rega Apheta 2 Cartridge, Rega RX5 Speakers. 

It sounds really great, but want to get to amazing if possible, and have recently done some speaker comparisons with some Paradigms and Harbeths that show the RX5's could have a tighter, deeper bass and bit more high frequency... 

The challenge is threefold -
1 )information out there is hard to come by, often confusing and  i haven't found much information specifically on what speakers jazz heads prefer.
2) I want to be able to put them up against my current system in my room, which seems a difficult task
3) They have to look good. Aesthetics matter to me. Tektons and Magnapans are cool But Ugly AF, and not going to work for me.

i want someone to tell me this is the best my system is going to get and just enjoy it (which i do 82.5% of the time), or recommend a few things to try, hopefully with recommendation for speakers to try, but i'm open to other suggestions.

I look forward to your comments :)

sincerely,
Eric the Jazz Snob
128x128ericmbass

Showing 7 responses by ericmbass

thanks m-db.. will check it out.. appreciate the response.. Gael is the best, so sad he left town.
thank you mr. decibel.  great advice.. i've tried switching the RX5's a few times. i had them facing inward for a while and just switched to outward a few days ago and really liking it more and more.... i also heard some crazy idea of removing some of the filler from inside, but too scared to do that unless you know of a website or video describing how to.. 

thanks again for your thoughtful response. i would love to hear those klipsch some day... 

all the best. 
e

This is why i love audiogon!   I'm really loving all the feedback and suggestions, and welcome it all, including the insults, which i deserve.. i was in fact serious and also attempting some dry humor as well to try to hone in on what i'm looking for. All of your comments and suggestions are helpful.

@soix I appreciate your suggestion..  don't be sad, i do listen to other stuff.. and appreciate your feedback.
@whoopycat thank you for that-i will look into Loki
@douglas_schroeder i am grateful for your frank comments. . it was 90% dry humor, but i am also guilty of both a little pride and a lot of ignorance... 
thanks also to @lancelock i will look into the Jansen
thanks @tablejockey   - great suggestions.. P8 may be in my future :)

@m-db  - omg. hilarious!

@devilboy - a good friend has explored this and it has been fun to watch and listen... I like the concept and if i had a second listening room it would be great to explore on my own. thanks for the suggestion!!!
thanks to recent posters.. i'm still learning so much from all of your comments, so thank you.. 

thanks @jafant   - i will check out the thiels. and P8 is on my christmas list :)

@br3098  you've given me lots to think about :)
@mijostyn Have you heard the new 4 LP box set of Bill Evans live at the Village Vanguard. Lafaro's sound is incredible, even on my "intermediate" system :)  My other favorite Scott Lafaro sound is on the first Victor Feldman Record. It's the gold standard gut string sound I've been trying to achieve for the last 25 years!  Just like with my audiophile search, i'm getting closer :)