Vivid K45 or smaller in pearl white (stock color) or any color you want for a small price to make your lady happy!
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Estalon Aura https://estelon.com/speaker/aura/
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@aj523 That is very important to note. You are seeking recommendations based on a few constraints that will make it challenging to find the perfect speakers. Narrow baffles typically mean smaller drivers. For smaller drivers in narrow baffle speakers to put out plenty of low end, they rely on the cabinet and port design to be able to handle a lot of air moving in and out of it while remaining anti-resonant. In most cases, these types of speakers will be rear-ported, meaning they will benefit from being out 3-5ft into the room. If you can afford to do that, then you’ve got lots of options to play with. If you don’t have that flexibility, you will want to look at speakers that are side or bottom-ported to be able to place them closer to walls. @fastfreight made an excellent recommendation with the Vivid Kaya 45. They are side ported and work really well close to walls. I am an authorized Vivid Audio dealer and would be happy to answer any questions you may have on their speakers, either on the thread or via private message. |
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In order of my personal SQ preference. Reverse the order if you are concerned with aesthetics. All three come in custom colors. All three are known for clarity, dynamics, staging and imaging. Each will have distinct characteristics, especially in timbre. Audition to determine which you prefer. No bad choice of the three. |
I would also recommend the Kef LS60, since you didn’t list any equipment. It you want very nice sound, just 2 speakers/no gear/minimalist/no wires except 1 Ethernet, power, and cable between the speakers, the LS60 is hard to beat. I almost went for that speaker after listening to it. I liked the blue color. I didn’t like the KC sub, if needed I would go with the rel ts5x or ts9x. If you have audio gear, look at the new PS Audio Aspen line of speakers. You might not need their largest floorstanding speakers, the fr5 or fr10 might work just fine. |
+1 Estelon Aura. It's a no-brainer, but keep in mind that this is a pair of very demanding speakers for your amplifier. They drop to a 2-ohm load in the bass and a 4-ohm load in the mid-bass region. Don't be misled by the single-tone sensitivity rating (90dB/m/W) published by the manufacturer. When powered by a high-current amplifier with stable continuous output down to low impedance, this beauty transforms into a monster. I was deeply impressed when I heard it at a hi-fi show in Taipei. |
@aj523 agree about the Fleetwood Deville speakers. Beautiful to look at but VERY limited low end. For the $$ you can do better IMO. |
Here’s a Deville slayer....i.e., very different playing field.
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Wow, I’m currently in a very similar situation with my wife and our new condo. Check out the Canton Referece 7 tower speakers. They come in a piano white finish for $8k. Per my discussions with Canton, the extra thick laminated cabinets avoid cabinet resonance and allow placement right up on the wall without any sound quality issues. Very highly rated by Stereophile, for what it’s worth. I haven’t heard them yet but will be purchasing the next pair my vendor receives off the boat. |
Some gorgeous speakers, for sure. The one thing that I wish more manufacturers would embrace is moving from black grills (for white speakers) or at least offer options in white or light-ish gray. In many instances, white speakers can lessen their visual impact/footprint in a room. However, there’s no greater contrast than black and white… totally attention-grabbing. That might be the point for some, but I suspect there are just as many with limited space or too many other visual elements, where helping the speakers visually recede is both beneficial for the feel of a room as well as facilitating lessened attention from a spouse who’s not quite on board with the household’s investment in audio gear. |
@aj523 will you be doing critical listening in this “gathering room” where there will be a seat for you in the sweet spot where the system sounds the best, and it doesn’t matter if any off-axis listening does not sound that great? Or do you want a more social listening experience where multiple people can enjoy a very good listening experience off-axis and not be fighting for the sweet spot? If you prefer a more social listening experience that sounds good anywhere in the room (but perhaps not as suitable for critical listening), I would consider something like the MBL 120– or at half the price of the 120, I would consider the MBL 126 and then the rest of your budgeted amount on the MBL C51 integrated amp— also available in white and worthy of being a visual centerpiece along with the speakers. |
Hi aj523, I will humbly suggest considering the PureArtFi LS-6. The in stock unit veneered in spalted hackberry with solid walnut baffle on the white version of the stand is quite lovely in the light color palette. Also the concept of PureArtFi is bespoke this enabled as my partner is a professional woodworker with 40 years of experience delivering custom millwork and cabinetry to high-end clients in Colorado. We would love to discuss a custom LS-6 in whites.
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Do look at ps audio fr series.i toured the factory have them in my house.they have ribbons very responsive.from small to large in size enough to fit whatever size room you have.customer service will help.i have nothing to do with ps audio.another is tekton speakers many sizes to fit your needs in white.call thier customer service. |
... hard to Rx any speaker with small info on the final space other than There Good hunting to all on the Endeavour... @dekay .....Had been to the Qualio site previously, and painted white won't cure the look..... Gotta like the naked tech, which even mine grits her teeth at my Walsh,,,, ....and at that price point, I'd certainly improve on that....but still keep their quintessential strangeness, on floor, stranded on stands or shelves. Only your EQ will vary. ;) |
Depends what components you use with the Devilles. I’m using all Shindo , amp , pre amp and MrT. with 2 Rel S510 subs and believe me you would be quite impressed on the SQ . Everything is cabled with Luna red series and the synergy is just fabulous. Every system takes time to build and believe me I went also through the path of trial and error until my ears were pleased to what I loved to hear. My wife and I just can’t stop listening,absolutely no fatigue but pure enjoyment. |
FWIW, while I love the looks of the Estelon Aura, keep in mind that it is bottom firing, not bottom ported. The woofer is facing downwards, so it generates a lot of bass toward the floor which also dissipates to the rear of the speaker. It is recommended that the Aura are also placed quite a distance from the walls, or else it will sound boomy and muffled. A number of the reviews cover this. Many of the speakers being recommended are not paying attention to your room and living constraints. |
Paradigm Persona 3F or 5F in white (or custom colors!). They are gorgeous and sound great (adjust the toe in to your liking). Well reviewed high value speakers built by a very reputable company in Canada, with a long history. I have the 3F and love it! You may need subwoofers if you have a large room, but those can be hidden. |
If its not going to be a primary "listening room" and only a "gathering room" - then - Assumes aesthetics primary + sound quality (in order of priority): 1. Cabasse Rialto or Pearl - depending upon your design. "All in one system" no wires or equipment + great sound - reasonable price - light & easy to move & position - beautiful! https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cabasse+rialto+demo
If sound is more important than aesthetics: 2. Magnepan LRS+ "Amazing sound" with right set up & room - but - wires & equipment - light & easy to move / position - reasonable price. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=magnepan+lrs%2B+demos
3. Qualio IQ Ultra "Amazing sound" with right set up & room - but - wires & equipment - heavy, difficult to move / position... https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=magnepan+lrs%2B+demos
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Hi everyone. A lot of great ideas - thanks so much. Is there a way to post a pic of the room (I know this has been an issue with this forum in the past and it’s a pain - has it gotten easier ?). I think options like the borrenson x6 x3 or kef ref5 or vivid kaya 45 would be too big or bulky for the area. I’m leaning towards the fyne audio 8 or 10s and deal with it not coming in white. They are gorgeous. Other options maybe the Estalon Aura (but too close to wall), Reynaud Abscisse Jubilee, YG Acoustics 3. PS Audio FR20 or 10, or Focal Supra. Also, the only source will be a turntable - that’s it and I value mid range the most and the amp is the Rose hifi RS 520 which is 250 wpc. |
Deville sounds like a 2k speaker or worse (at the most). How on earth is this lackluster box priced at 20k? (Price it 10 fold higher, Audiophile will think he got what he paid for....strategy by Deville’s daddy, i suppose)
