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
Just a couple of follow up notes: This is strictly for 2 channel audio. No movies (I have a separate room/system for that)
"I would also recommend that you read the Richard Hardesty Journals"
Very Vandy focused but great info in those journals
"You can find a pair of Thiel CS 2.7 for $5K"
Only seeing the Thiel CS2.7 used. $5500-$6800 on HiFi Shark (overseas only). No way to demo. Most likely out of the running
"The 148 ProAcs like a strong amp at 4 ohms (my Audio Refinement does 200 @ 4 ohms)"
I believe the CJ MF2500 is around 450 into 4 Ohms.
"I listened to the 148s with The Pixies, Stone Roses, Nick Cave & REM among others; I can attest they handle pop/rock really well. The difference between a good & bad recording was immediately obvious, but manifested as 2d vs 3d imaging rather than any sort of harshness. I also had some Aphex Twin and the bass is extended and articulate. They do have what I'd consider a British mid-range, but I think that's a good thing when complemented by their excellent treble & bass"
This intrigue's me. I'll add these to the list. ProAc has a bad website. Not sure if there are any nearby US dealers at this point.
"If you don't hear something you fall in love with locally, I'd think setting aside some funds for a trip to a show or dealer or even return shipping would be a better use of funds than buying something non-refundable based on hearsay"
Good suggestion. This process is going to take a while.
"But, I suspect if you like the Maggies, you will love the Vandy's" "If you can find a pair of 3a sigs or Treo's, I doubt you would be disappointed" "I've seen used non-CT version Treos for $3400."
I'll focus on the 3A's & Treos (non CT) for now.
"How far apart (inner edge to inner edge) could you have Magnepans? Imho you need them at least 5' apart"
Min 5' apart is no problem. In my room they are more likely to be 9' to 11' apart
"If you are looking in the $5K range, and still want to check out Legacy Audio, they also have the Classic HD"
" Will see if there is someplace I can demo the the Vandy CT’s and do some research on the ProAc and Legacy. Would prefer if at all possible to stay closer to $5k. "
@fdemello
If you are looking in the $5K range, and still want to check out Legacy Audio, they also have the Classic HD, which I would definitely want to hear. This is an 84 pound speaker with a ribbon tweeter, dedicated mid range driver, two 8" woofers, and well built cabinet, not a 40 pound speaker.
I also really like the ProAcs. (It was probably because of sbrownnw's recommendations that I auditioned them in the first place--so thanks!) I listened to the 148s with The Pixies, Stone Roses, Nick Cave & REM among others; I can attest they handle pop/rock really well. The difference between a good & bad recording was immediately obvious, but manifested as 2d vs 3d imaging rather than any sort of harshness. I also had some Aphex Twin and the bass is extended and articulate. They do have what I'd consider a British mid-range, but I think that's a good thing when complemented by their excellent treble & bass.
I currently have Monitor Audio (Silver 2) & my guess is MA is not what you're looking for. I find them admirably neutral (especially for the price), but so refined they're almost stodgy--though a power amp of your caliber may be able to kick them into gear. Personally I think the Dynaudio & Vandersteens I've heard are better speakers for rock.
If you don't hear something you fall in love with locally, I'd think setting aside some funds for a trip to a show or dealer or even return shipping would be a better use of funds than buying something non-refundable based on hearsay.
I've seen used non-CT version Treos for $3400. How far apart (inner edge to inner edge) could you have Magnepans? Imho you need them at least 5' apart.
Too bad there are no Vandy Dealers nearby. But, I suspect if you like the Maggies, you will love the Vandy's. If you can find a pair of 3a sigs or Treo's, I doubt you would be disappointed. Johnny Rutan of audioconnection is known to make some killer systems with even Vandy 1's and subs.
No Vanersteen dealer nearby. Treo CT is probably outside of my range at $9k (unless I can find used). Doing some research on the Thiel, Legacy and ProAc.
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.
Will see if there is someplace I can demo the the Vandy CT's and do some research on the ProAc and Legacy. Would prefer if at all possible to stay closer to $5k.
Wife coming around to the Maggie's. And can get them 5' from the back wall. My only real issue is there would be a couch in the soundstage (between but behind). Not sure what that will do to the sound. I can start with the 1 Rel 328/Maggie's.
Do not get the Magnepans unless you can get them at least 5' away from the front wall. You will want dual subs if you get Magnepans and listen to a lot of rock.
I can definitely vouch for the Vandersteen Treo. My brother owns them, and I've gotten a decent amount of time with them. They're very good. I'm sure that the CT version is even better.
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.
I would trial the phase correct Vandies first. I think once you hear them, then you would have a great basis to rate the other speakers. I would also recommend that you read the Richard Hardesty Journals:
Lots of very nice options there! Dang, for $7K, you can get into a set of Legacy Audio SignatureSE. I was able to do a home audition on them in the Black Onyx finish a few months ago, and they are pretty awesome for music and movies. Air Motion tweeter, and quality bass down to 22hz. Man, you can injure your knuckles rapping on the cabinets!
Basis. 2800 Graham Phantom My Sonic Labs Ultra Emminant EX Nagra BP EMM labs Dac6e EMM CD/SACD Transport Nordost Valkyrie interconnects Oppo DVD player Harmon Kardon HT receiver Revel ultimata subwoofer Velodyne subwoofer Sound Anchor rack and stands Vpi 16.5 My custom designed dedicated "music room"
I am not certain of exactly how much I paid for each piece. All of the analog stuff was purchased new, most of the other stuff bought used or demo. The only other component is the refurbished Fisher 100b that my dad purchased back when I was about 10 years old...that piece is simply "priceless"
You owe it to yourself to hear the Revel’s. They are outstanding in all respects and an unbelievable value. The road could stop here for a very long time.
Tekton has come out with 2 new speakers recently. It would be interesting to talk to Eric from Tekton on how he rates his new speakers vs the Pendragon. Speaker comments are so subjective. What is brilliant to one persons ears does not mean that those speakers are better than the other. Case in point, I heard the Pendragons and Triton ones side by side and I totally preferred the Pendragons. Plus, like you I could not get over how ugly the Tritons looked.
"The Triton Ones sound like they would work but I am a bit turned off by the fit/finish. Those sleeves/and the overall unit look cheap. What do you think as a owner?"
They look quite elegant in my living room and it has a very high WAF. If these speakers were made of fine grade furniture, they would probably cost 2,500.00 more than they do.
Happy New Year, all...in my respectful opinion, the Tekton Pendragons and Double Impacts absolutely trounce anything in what most serious music listeners would consider a very modest price bracket. I've the very good fortune of working in the music industry and have access to a panoply of equipment, from the most basic to outlandishly esoteric, pretty much on demand. I have either owned or spent significant amounts of time with B&W 800D's, PMC IB2 and MB2's, ATC 150's, GoldenEar Triton Ones and Twos, various Tannoy models including System 15 DMTII's and Super Red / Gold, Klipschorns / La Scalas / Cornwalls, Wavetouch Mt. Raniers and Grand Tetons, several Wilson Audio models from the Sasha to the MAXX 3, Magico...you get the idea. All of the aforementioned are superb speakers and generally excel in at least one or two areas, but the Tekton models I've owned and heard compete at the highest levels in ALL areas and provide--for me, at least--an unparalleled degree of visceral impact and pure emotional engagement while sacrificing nothing in terms nuance, detail, imaging, etc. They are superb.
Great info everyone. I am pretty sure the Maggie's won't work for me (size and loudness) so that one is out although their attributes intrigue me.
The Triton Ones sound like they would work but I am a bit turned off by the fit/finish. Those sleeves/and the overall unit look cheap. What do you think as a owner?
The GE Triton Ones is your best bet for the type of music you listen to. I use them in my main system after going through 5 other speakers and they sound incredible. Previously I had Vandersteen 2ci, Vandersteen 2ce, DeVore Gibbon 8, Von Schweikert VR33 and Tekton Pendragons.
The Triton Ones blow all these other speakers away. I am usiong a 160wpc solid state amp and an all tube preamp. I have never had better sound in my living room.
There was a reason I recommended the 3's and subs over the Trio, and anything above it. I think the combo will better suit the OP's needs. After reading his description on how they will be used, I think anything above the Model 3's may very well be a downgrade. I listen to a variety of music styles and the quality of recordings are all over the place. Some recordings are good, while others are terrible. I went to buy a pair of Model 5's for myself, and decided against it because a good portion of my music didn't sound that good on them. The 5's are not as forgiving. The extra money wasn't the issue, its just that the 3's are a better choice for how I listen.
As a Vandy fanboy, I can't see how you could go wrong with any Vandersteen model. I owned the 3a sig's and am moving to the Treo's. I only sold the 3a's because of space limitations. If you go with the Quatro's you can eliminate the subs. Treo and Quatro share same footprint.-I probably should have gotten the Quatro but since I have the Vandy subs, I am hoping to keep 'upgrade-itis' in check. As far as loudness goes, maybe a more efficient speaker like Zu would give you the SPL you like, but, then again it might not be what you want.-Though at least you have a trial period with Zu. Bob
Btw, I auditioned the Spendor D7 powered by Naim components and was very good but I didn't think they were impressive. I know that Stereophile regards the Spendor D7 very highly giving them a class A rating but I feel that the Treo CT sounds much more natural and musical. But to be fair, the Vandy was being powered by Ayre acoustics components, which could have made a difference in the listening experience. I say listen to both if possible.
I experienced the same issue. I'm planning to move from the Harbeth C7ES3 to the Vandy Treo CT. I think they are the best all around speakers that do everything well.
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