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Looking for new speakers

Hey everyone, I'm located in the South and do not have many speaker choices locally. From what I've read, my interest leans toward Spendor and Joseph Audio, along with a few others. The nearest Spendor dealer is 500 miles away, Joseph Audio, 600 miles in a different direction. My musical tastes; I could listen to Ry Cooder and nothing else, but I also like JJ Cale, Clapton, Jerry Douglas, Tony Furtado, John Hiatt, etc. I'm currently using an all PS Audio system; PerfectWave DAC & Transport, and a Trio 100 Power Amp. Here's a list of my primary suspects...

Spendor A5
Spendor A6
Joseph Audio RM22XL
Joseph Audio RM25XL (probably out of my price range)
Epos M22i
Totem Forest
Dynaudio Focus 220 II

The deepest base is not as important as an uncolored midrange and smooth highs, but if it goes low and remains true thats great. I will probably go to one dealer when I have my choices narrowed down and have a listen. Please help point me in the right direction.
allenjohns
allenjohns OP
22 posts
 
Thanks for the input Knownothing. I think you are right and the Epos will be my speaker. Atmasphere, my price range is about $2000.00 for the pair. The speakers you are suggestion are 6-10 grand per pair. A bit too much for my pocketbook.
rbstehno
1,454 posts
 
before you buy your speakers, you should go out and listen to the usher's. i have multiple usher pairs of speakers from the x-719 to the larger floor standers. the smaller x-719's don't crap out in the 40's, far from it. the x-719's weigh 10 lbs more than the epos, and this is a bookshelf speaker. usher quality is better than the epos.
the x-719's go for around $800 used. if you want to move up to a floorstanding speaker, you can buy the usher cp-6311 2 way for around $900-$1000. this will blow away the epos. the speaker weighs close to 100 lbs and pretty efficient. i have the larger cp-6381's 3-way speakers.
if you want a bookshelf, check out the x-719's, if you want a floor standing speaker, check out the cp-6311. for 1/2 the price, you are getting 5 times the speaker. IMO. you be the judge.
jfz
570 posts
 
I "third" the Merlins.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,584 posts
 
I at least will agree with Rbstehno that the cp-6311's are very good. But weight isn't the only consideration when it comes to evaluating or enjoying speakers. As for halving prices, you are talking used versus new, apples and oranges. A new pair of CP-6311's are $2100. It is difficult to find the Epos used because they are a fairly new model and people aren't parting quickly with the ones they have.

I have not compared the Epos directly to the Ushers, but I have compared them to well respected models from Naim, Totem and Rega, and the Epos stood up very well in that company. I also have compred the Ushers to Rega speakers, so have some common currency.

I think it is a matter of taste. I would say the Ushers have a nice, smooth treble and mid-range, and strong bass (more so with the CP-6311). In contrast, the Epos has a very well integrated sound from lower mid bass to upper highs, with (to me) a sophisticated view into the details and timing of the original performance. So IMO, both pairs of Ushers sound nice, while the Epos draw me in.
rockadanny
1,226 posts
 
Are you in AL? Then it's worth a trip to check these beauts out (not affiliated):

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=72378.msg752046;topicseen#new
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