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Looking for a Speaker Recommnedation

Looking to upgrade from my current Rogers LS3/5a + AB1 REL 328 setup .  While I love the smooth mids of these speakers (especially on voices/acoustic instruments), I tend to play harder music more frequently (alt/rock/punk/etc) which these do not excel at. I like to play music loud and have a real world living room my system is in (cathedral ceiling, open on one side, many windows. couch between my speakers) so setup is a challenge. I hate harsh sounding speakers.

My current playback system consists of a Oppo-BDP105 (or primarily Roon/JRiver via Ethernet) into a PS Audio DirectStream Jr DAC > Conrad Johnson Premier 14 Tube Pre > Conrad Johnson MF2500a Amp.  All run by a PS Audio P5 with a combination of Nordost/Shunyata cabling.

Looking to spend around $4,000-$7,000 but could be flexible. Used or new is fine.

Currently considering:

PSB Imagine T3
Vandersteen Trio CT
Spendor D7
Mangepan 3.7i (don't think this will work with high SPL)
Endeavor Audio E-3
Revel F208
Golden Ear Triton 1
Dynaudio Excite X44

Any other speakers I should be considering based on my equipment, volume preference and music? Anything I should eliminate?

Looking forward to hearing everyone's opinions & thank you in advance
fdemello

Showing 11 responses by sbrownnw

sbrownnw
712 posts
 
ProAc Studio 148 with grills off and Soundocity SEV9 outriggers. 
sbrownnw
712 posts
 
To complete my thought, I was absolutely rocking my ProAc Studio 148s NYE. Playing older Metallica, Dire Straights, Prodigy and the new The Crystal Method all on vinyl. Stunning how they compress the room down to what I would consider a flat and honestly 25hz in their stated measurements.

They strongly remind me of the ProAc Studio 125 I had on demo with the lovely midrange (many say the 125 get classic rock so right). But my 148s have a much better and controlled lower end than the 125 or D20 I’ve heard and the 148s have the same tweeter as their Response line.

Not only can they rock, but for classical they get the single and double reeds so correct and the space between the notes are just on with jazz trios with piano, drums / cymbals and standup bass.

I really think the Soundocity SEV9 outriggers took them to the next level (not affiliated with Soundocity or ProAc). See my system page for details.

Previous speakers included Tekton 6.5t on rigid Linn Tukan stands, which I still have, Tekton Mini Lores and Ascend Acoustics Sierra Towers with the RIAA ribbon tweeters, both which I did not care for as they did not sound lively and rock the room.


sbrownnw
712 posts
 
I was able to get the ProAc Studio 148 and the Soundocity SEV9 outriggers (plus extra bolts, nuts and washers from Home Depot) for less than $3350 from my Seattle ProAc dealer.  They cut me a deal because the dollar is strong vs the euro right now.
sbrownnw
712 posts
 
The 148 ProAcs like a strong amp at 4 ohms (my Audio Refinement does 200 @ 4 ohms) and can easily take 250 hours for break in. 
sbrownnw
712 posts
 
ProAcs are distributed through Sound Organization in Texas (Rega distributor also). My Seattle dealer sells ProAc (only the response line), Rega, Naim, PMC and others plus has a great used section.

Maybe call Sound Organization and see what can be worked out?
sbrownnw
712 posts
 
I would let you listen to my system if you ever made it to the Seattle area. Did you check out my system page? My 148s are about 12" away from the front wall, wish I could go farther out but it does not work for my room layout. 
sbrownnw
712 posts
 
Good price on the 148s.  Wonder how much shipping would be?  Black would not be my first choice...
sbrownnw
712 posts
 
Where are you seeing 148s for $2250 plus shipping?
sbrownnw
712 posts
 
Most of those ProAc Studio brightness threads are the 140s, which have a different tweeter. The 148s have the same tweeter as the response line. 
sbrownnw
712 posts
 
Get those 148s. Watching great AV through themnow plus plan on spinning some Bowie later. Is amazing how they can compress a room 
sbrownnw
712 posts
 
So, you decide already?
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