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Looking for recommendations for a pair of full range speakers for ~8k or under

What would your recommendation be? These are some of the speakers I have tested and liked:

1. B&W 702–S2 (new) - incredible for only 5k and I love the bass output with 3 drivers but the vocals can be a little harsh on some recordings. Maybe a good warm amplifier can help with this? I am also interested in the 702 Signature version going for 6.5k but not sure how it differs.

2. B&W 804 d3 (used) - Maybe my favorite of everything I’ve heard so far, better that the 702 in almost every way and not as harsh but I miss the extra output from the 702’s 3 bass drivers. I’m just not sure if it’s worth an extra 2-3k plus being used. I love that it goes lower though. Was seeing it used for ~7k online

3. Sonus Faber Sonetto 8 (new) - good bass and musical but Lacks some of the definition of the B&W - 7k

4. Sonus Faber Olympica 2 (used) - I loved this, much better than the sonetto in every way goes lower but lacks some in the bass output vs the sonetto. Was offered a trade-in in my local store for 6.5k

5. Sonus Faber Olympica 3 (used) - I haven’t heard this but I imagine It would be a perfect match for me with the extra bass driver and I’m seeing some used for under 8k online. 

I feel like my comparisons weren’t too good with very different rooms in different stores and amps so I am wondering what you guys would recommend of these options or if you have other recommendations either used or new under 8k. I can’t go too crazy though since I can’t spend too much on an integrated amplifier (~2-4k). Any Focal or other brands I should listen too also? I will also be using them for 2 channel home theater as well as music. I will likely be getting an integrated amplifier that complements the speakers I choose. I listen to a wide variety of music types and my room is about 14 x 22 with high vaulted ceilings. I appreciate any advice since I am new to high end speakers coming from a not so great soundbar. 
km1181

Showing 2 responses by gg107

gg107
74 posts
 
You really should hear the Sonus Faber Olympica IIIs.  I owned and enjoyed a pair of B&W 804S speakers for over fifteen years, paired with a McIntosh MC402 amp.  Upgrading two months ago, I considered the newer SF Olympica Nova II, as well as Focal Kanta No. 2s and Wilsons (all new), went with a preowned pair of SF Olympica IIIs, and could not be more pleased.  Everything the Olympica Nova IIs did well -- and that's a lot -- the Olympics IIIs did better.  The sound in my system is seamless, organic, and with bass that despite similar specs, seems much deeper than the B&W 804S. 

Room size is important, especially if you listen to rock or orchestral music at venue-realistic levels.  The 804s or Olympica IIs may not be adequate for a largish room such as yours -- 803s or Olympica III might be preferable.  

Two more thoughts.  If you do go with Sonus Faber, be sure you get an amp with sufficient power to drive them.  

Also, you may wish to audition Focal Kanta No .2s, which may be available at your price new (if you negotiate a decent discount), or preowned.  These are impressive speakers, though more analytic than the Sonus Fabers.
gg107
74 posts
 
@km1181, I'm no expert on amp-speaker matching, but I think the McIntosh MA252 -- which apparently offers 160 wpc into 4 ohms, the speaker impedance of the Sonus Fabers, and 100 wpc into 8 ohms -- should be sufficient, and a good match.  Perhaps others will chime in on this.  

I did not hear the new Olympica Nova 3; I heard the Nova 2, and the Olympica 3.  The Olympica 3 was my clear preference.  And when I auditioned the Olympica 3s, it was with a McIntosh integrated ss amp that was lower-powered than my MC402, though I don't recall the model.  The audition -- with speakers placed in an office building's  hallway, not a room set up for listening -- was so impressive that my spouse and I just wanted to keep listening to  music -- we momentarily forgot why we were there!

There is a worthwhile Youtube video from a Canadian dealer  comparing the Olympica Nova II to the Olympica II.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv8dvVIdguk. The conclusion seems to be that they are very close, with the newer model offering only a slight improvement.  
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