Looking for a Speaker in the $15,000 Range


Category: Speakers

MY SYSTEM CURRENTLY CONSISTS OF QUAD 988'S, THOR AUDIO
TP-60'S, THOR AUDIO TA-2000 PREAMPLIFIER WITH PHONE STAGE
AND A CARY 306/200 CD TRANSPORT/PLAYER. I AM VERY HAPPY WITH
THE SYSTEM BUT MY QAUDS LACK BASS AND DO NOT CREATE ANY SENSE THAT 80-100 PEOPLE MAY BE ON STATE AT ONCE, AS IN A LARGE ORCHESTRA. DOESN'T CREATE A LARGE SOUNDSTAGE. PERHAPS,
ANOTHER SPEAKER WOULD HELP? MY POTENTIALS ARE:

1. VANDERSTEEN 5A
2. WILSON WATT PUPPY 7
3. AVALON EIDELON
4. VERITY PARSIFAL ENCORE

HAS ANYBODY HEARD ANY OF THE ABOVE 4?. MY THOR POWER AMP
PUT OUT 60 WATTS OF ULTRLINEAR POWER PER MONBLOCK AND
REALLY CAN DRIVE MOST SPEAKERS WITH GREAT EASE. I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS A SPEAKER SYSTEM THAT WOULD HAVE THE
MAGNIFICENT CLARITY OF THE QAUD 988 MIDRANGE, WITH A
LARGER SOUNDSTAGE AND THE ABILITY TO A MORE REALISTIC AURAL
PICTURE. I HAVE LEFT OUT THE KHARMA 3.2 BECAUSE AT $19,000
FOR THE PAIR IT IS MISSING BASS AND THERE IS NO DEALER
IN NEW YORK STATE TO EVEN AUDITION KHARMA. THANKS FOR ANY LIGHT THAT YOU MAY SHED ON MY SEARCH.
kjl

Showing 1 response by kerimf

I've heard all of the speakers you're considering except the Watt/Puppy 7 (I wasn't very impressed by older models, but I know a lot of people like 'em).

This is entirely subjective, but I found the Parsifals to be unsatisfying with a floppy midrange and unimpressive bass.

The Vandys are excellent if somewhat unfashionable and unspectacular (which could be a good thing) -- a down to earth good speaker.

If you can power the Avalons (heed the warnings the others have posted), that would be my choice far and away from your list -- that's the speaker I would get for myself if I could, and it can deliver the "orchestra is there" feeling you want in spades. Its bass is not overwhelming (though quite adequate). Its real strength is in imagining and clarity. You will not only be able to count all 80 musicians, but probably be able to figure out what they're wearing.

The suggestion that you check out some Revels is well taken as they have excellent bass and are pretty good throughout the rest of the range too. You might want to look for a used pair of Dunlavy SCVs. They should come in at half your budget, present no challenge to your amps, and have more than enough bass for anyone.

Good luck.