Years ago we had Maggies, and my wife loved the seamless soudstage but the bass was not super.  When a friend offered me his ProAc Response 2's we found they threw the same seamless image but with better bass.  We've had them ever since, about 25 years.  I would look at ProAcs, but a speaker I'm intrigued by these days is the small Acora.

My response is not helpful to you, and I apologize. I have always put my " listening sound room" as a necessity in my life. The few relationships, the many homes. I could not live any other way. My best! MrD.

For a moment I thought you were going to say " new house new wife'" lol

I quickly thought the title said " ...Wife hates my Maggies looking for a standing 8 count"

Why not just get another set of LS3/5a and think about the bass modules too. I agree many floorstanders operate in the same footprint as standmounts so why limit yourself? I'm not a real fan of anything new by Sonus Faber and the FS Accordo might be the most beautiful standmounts ever designed; truly spectacular fit, finish and lux feel. Opera Callas are a bigger standmounts with a big bold sound. They might be a consideration. Honestly, so many great speakers. People generally only recommend what they have experience with and most all that have been offered up are speakers worth a listen. Just my opinion.

I see it as a wife sponsored opportunity to upgrade!

As a divorced Audiophile, given the choice of any system vs a wonderful, happy

wife, I would choose the latter. “a happy wife makes a happy life”

just saying…..

Thanks for all the great responses and keep them coming.  And yes, the WAF factor is critical.  Recently celebrated 45th anniversary, so yes, I do have my priorities straight.  I was quite surprised after my wife’s response, as there was not a word about the Maggies for five years.

So I am going to sort the suggestions, eliminate those that are clearly out of my price range (i.e. TAD) unless one stumbles upon a used pair for a crazy low price, and those that are won’t pass the WAF (i.e. Raidho) and go from there.

And i agree that some small footprint floor mounts might fit the bill (wife liked a friends Proac floor model) but how wide of a net do i cast?

Also interesting is the absence of anyone mentioning two brands that i was curious about:  PS audio FR5, and Focal. 

If the Pulsars are out of reach you might consider the Prisms or even the Profiles if they pass the WAF.  Other speakers I find do many of the same things are ProAc, and the Response DB1, D2, and D20 are definitely worth a look.  Likewise the Usher Mini X, One, and Two are excellent and offer gorgeous looks and very high build quality/$.  And the QLN prestige One would be another to consider although may lean just a bit warmer than the others.  Just some more options to throw on the pile.

Good friend has magies and also loves Proac's he switches between them. maybe consider some Proac Stand mounts. 

I had a set of Maggie 1.6qr speakers some years ago and when we moved they no longer cosmetically fit into the room at the new house. I tried a couple of different options but ended up with a pair of Ohm 1000 speakers which have since followed me to a third house. The both look and sound great in the current room.  Their semi-omni radiation pattern captures much of the sonic spaciousness that was also an attractive feature of the Maggies. Ohm has several options in your price range.  They also offer a 120 day in-home audition period, though you do incur shipping costs if you return them.  

I would suggest that you find the type of speakers that fit your tone profile first.  Then run the list by your wife to check off the aesthetic consideration.  Budget flexibility may be required.

@goose 

+1

I loved the sound of the Harbeth C7xp, nicely build, awesome clarity while still being musical and non fatiguing. My only criticism, is volume. It plays plenty loud but if you want to rock something with heavy bass, it's not the best speaker for you. This need is rare for me but a factor. 

Proac, Devore Fidelity could work for you too. Many otehr, I'd like to hear the Joseph but they don't have much of a presence in New England.

Good Luck, fun process.

FWIW I thought he said housewife lol that would have been louder thn dust on an LP with this bunch.

I replaced Magnepans with Ohm Walsh a number of years back and wife has never uttered a complaint since.  Nor I sound-wise.  No separate stands needed.

Walsh Tall | Speakers | Ohm Speakers | Custom Audiophile Speakers for Music & Home Theater

I also have KEf ls50meta with matching stands which are excellent soundwise (with added sub) and look fantastic.   KEF r3 meta https://img.usaudiomart.com/uploads/large/4793660-kef-r3-meta-wstands.jpg would be a step up and Ref 1 meta another step up from there that might be doable https://unilet.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/unilet_kef_reference1_silversatinwalnut.jpg

I can strongly recommend any of these.

used, local pickup, ability to inspect/hear them in sellers system make the most sense for buying used large speakers, I wish you both patience and luck.

where do you live, __________ ? zip code, maybe someone will find a local listing you missed. Sometimes driver will meet you half way.

My wife’s 2005 t-Bird was totalled years ago, I looked all over hell, Texas .... closest was over two hours away, my friend found one, an IDENTICAL match, 20 minutes away on Craigslist, bought it. Sadly, it was just drowned in a flood, we ended up getting Donna a 2002 Lexus SC430 Hardtop Convertible with a little back seat with only 58k miles. Point is the ideal car was right next to me and I didn't know it.

bookcase size, I paid to have 2 pairs of AR-2ax’s shipped, bought parts, overhauled them, they were well worth the buy/ship/restore cost and effort, but not for my main listening, great for my office and garage systems. I used UPS Pack and Ship. Seller reluctant to ship simply drops them off unpackaged

https://www.audiogon.com/systems/10092

more about JSE Model 2’s

https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11418

 

 

I'd like to hear these, not sure if seller had one pair in Canada and another pair in California, says 'open box'.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650244807-canton-vento-100-floor-standing-speakers-white/

clarify tarriffs, perhaps if seller gets them to CA prior to sale .....

Hi meiatflask,

My partner Paul and I produce a stand mount monitor the PureArtFi LS-6 you may want to consider. 

 

PureArtFi LS-6 review on Everyday Audiophile

Matt at Everyday Audiophile confirms my experience using Miller Audio's Dyna-70 for trade shows (and my home system) that the LS-6 interfaces very nicely with mid power tube PP amps like yours.

PureArtFi

Fyne F701 

Which did you have first, rhe Maggie's or the wife? 

For amazing musical and accurate speakers, I highly recommend Audio Concepts Inc,  ACI. They can only be found on the used market, but their performance is way above their price range!  I can't think of any other brands I would replace ours with!

 

When I hear the term "Happy Wife Happy Life". I see a man who has been either transformed into or chose to become a performing seal. Ready to jump through however many hoops which are held-out. Every time a hoop is held out. Don’t question it. Don’t push back. Do as you are commanded by the one holding the hoop(and cracking the whip).

With the unsaid dark insinuation that the holder of the hoop will make the performing seal’s life hell if they don’t unquestioningly comply.

"Comply with The Wife: Happy Life. Failure to comply: A Life Of Misery".

The performing seals all think this is normal.

Anyone can prove my theory. If there is an equal status in the relationship, the seal can order the hoop holder to jump through a hoop. Every seal knows that will never happen. The tables cannot be turned. The relationship is actually a one way street. The hoop holder calls the shots and as long as the seal is well behaved and compliant; Happy Wife Happy Life.

^^^^^ lighten up francis.

I own the Studio Electric M4 , it's a great speaker.     So good that zi was thinking about their M5

https://pt.audio/2025/03/01/studio-electric-m5-loudspeakers-review/

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/studio-electric-m-5?highlight=virtual%2Bimage

Op onother speakers I could recommend is the new model apeakers Technics , they look very nice in white. And they are well designed, their cabinet are so solid , piano finish. And they sound incredible. I love KEf LS 50 but I prefer their monitor. So I bought it.

+ on the Alta Alyssa. 
I love the sound and finish of my tiny Dali Minuet SEs in my small office set up. Their larger high end standmounts may be worth looking into. Epicon 2s for example. 

Assuming you like the Maggie presentation, what about the stand mount from Eminent Technology?

@theophile 

Compliance, or non compliance……

Interesting comparison with the seal (audiophile) trainer (spouse) scenario.

The seal illustrated has made the choice?

@mrdecibel 

my “listening sound room”…”a necessity in my life”

Suggesting a real life call?

 

OP… “What should l consider?”

In this sensitive case, only the OP can make his call/choice on this one.

 

This issue of WAF comes up all the time on this forum and amongst my audio friends.  I bought a $5K system for a friend and after a year, he had to get rid of it... because his wife objected to the speaker cables on the floor.  Man up and buy what you want.  The emasculation of adult males is off the charts, so assert your wishes and buy whatever speakers you choose.  Jezz, man up, my friend.   

My partner of 40 years occasionally likes to tease me about all the money I have spent on audio equipment. On the other hand she has recognized how I have worked 60 to 80 hours a week for decades and is happy to see me enjoy some of what I have worked for. We have a partnership where we try and encourage each other to achieve, but to also enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Women, no matter how liberated believe the decor of a home is a direct reflection of them. So, they must be somewhat self-aware to recognize you live there as well. I think this is a necessary quality for someone I would be in for a long term relationship. 

Pretty simple concept that a long term relationship with anyone requires some compromise from both sides. My wife of 49 years knows my quirks and I know hers. We both have some good stories about the other and what each has to put up with.  I'm very happy we've both figured out what works for us. 

Devore Fidelity. 
Handmade in Brooklyn NY, gorgeously finished and love tubes (particularly within the Orangutan series). There are at least a couple of options in the 10k$ and under range.

I also second the Triangle Duettos 40th anniversary monitor recommendation. There are many reviews that will give you an idea on what they are about. 

I would second the Devore recommendation.  Although the 093 are not stand mounts, I think they would be a good match for your amps and musical preferences.  Beautiful speakers too.

For that size of space and from what I can infer regarding your listening habits I would seriously consider the Harbeth P3 (their smallest speaker). I suspect the tubes will keep up with the current demand with no problem at reasonable listening levels. Very natural sounding and easy to place, with their best feature what I would consider a very cultured midrange. Not to say the midrange is colored, but that it is very articulately presented and comes across as clean and natural.

May want a sub, but they are fine without one.

Efficient speakers 90db or higher nominal 6 or 8ohms that remain above 4-6ohms for most of the frequency range. Your Primaluna will perform best. JBL 4367, Klipsch Forte or Klipsch Cornwall worth considering. 

If you want to keep your existing equipment and want a stand mount speaker for a small room, check out the new ps audio fr5. Killer speaker.

Another direction would be to get rid of all your equipment except for a streamer/server and look at the Kef LS60’s. Slim nice looking speakers that would take up the same floor space as a stand mount, pick your color, blue looked great. The big plus is this speaker has multiple small drivers that will sound much larger, give you good bass, and they use the famous uni-q mid/tweeter driver.

I moved to a new house recently and my dedicated audio room was 27x16x15’ tall ceilings and my large speakers were too big for my new 16x12x9 room. I went looking for a stand mount speaker but what I found was that a smaller tower with multiple drivers sounded the best. I added a couple of rel subwoofers and it sounds very good. The rel’s have the smaller 8” driver with a 10” passive.which blend in with the speakers 6.5 woofers.

PS Audio: Aspen FR5 Loudspeaker save some money for the subs…

@rbstehno On stereo Rels, and @whitestix  on growing a pair (so to speak)

l have a pair of Rel T9i’s in my system. I also have a “better half” who has no interest in hi-fi. We both have a house and shared interests but not hitched, or joined at the hips.

During covid we decided to decamp in one property to live within the regulations. We talked it through and l set up a CD based system at hers to stop me from going mad without my music. I respected the fact it was her home and bought speakers that would not need a sub. I left my records and decks at my place. Compromise.

The Rels were a bridge too far and leaving the LPs and a turntable behind was a great solution. Everyone happy. We still live between our two properties, hers in Summer (big garden) mine in winter (by the sea). Some of our friends say it is the perfect scenario.

l can not say for sure l would be still in this relationship if she had said no to me invading her space, but compromising is key to understanding everyone’s needs.

The stereo Rels l knew would have always been a deal breaker. LOL

 

The upside of the story is respect and tolerance proven by the fact the extra hi-fi is still at hers and no issue….. the music l play however is…. Ha Ha!

Live and let live but know where the boundaries are. Never settle for less than 50/50 

Well no worries ther speaker is going to sound as magical as magnepans when they are setup correctly. So your question is interesting in that you’ll be going towards a completely different sound. I think if you love the sound of magnepans, then keep them somehow. If you can’t then very good  conventional speakers should be fine. I own Magnepans along with conventional speakers along with monitors and I have Electrostats as well. I own also the speaker you mentioned, the LS3/5a.  I think this speaker only really shines and works best as near field in a midsize to small room. Also, I have a tight suggestion on this speaker. I have owned many versions throughout the yrs and the internal crossover parts and drivers are different depending on the serial numbers. Only serial numbers 4,000 to 11,000 on the Rogers LS3/5a would I recommend using a tube amplifier. Outside those serial numbers I prefer a Solid State amp.  Aside from the LS3/5a speaker, a friend of mine just upgraded his QLN monitor speaker to the $25,000 monitor version. His previous QLN prestige monitor retailed for somewhere between $9,000 to $12,000.  His Prestige is available for purchase if interested. I think he asking around $5,000 and it’s a really nice sounding speaker. 

Order a pair of Tektons, the largest you can afford, and get it over with.

Revival audio’s Atalante series offer some nice options. I have the standmount 3s in an almost nearfield config with sugden amplification and they are extremely satisfying top to bottom. Read some reviews they have an interesting pedigree and technology.

The PS Audio speakers look intriguing but not sure they’re a good fit for your amp given Stereophile’s measurements, just fyi…
 

PS Audio specifies the Aspen FR5's voltage sensitivity as 83.5dB/2.83V/m; my estimate was slightly lower, at 82.6dB(B)/2.83V/m, the same as my Rogers LS3/5a. The Aspen FR5's nominal impedance is specified as 6 ohms, with a minimum value of 5.6 ohms. The impedance magnitude (fig.1, solid trace) was higher than 6 ohms over almost the entire audioband; the minimum impedance was 5.89 ohms at 144Hz. This suggests that the FR5 will be an easy load for the partnering amplifier. However, the electrical phase angle (fig.1, dotted trace) is high in several frequency regions; as a result, the effective resistance, or EPDR (footnote 1), drops below 4 ohms from 39Hz to 46Hz, from 78Hz to 139Hz, and from 2.78kHz to 3.75kHz. The minimum EPDR values are 3.5 ohms at 43Hz, 2.6 ohms at 96Hz, and 2.78 ohms at 2.8kHz. The Aspen FR5 needs to be partnered with an amplifier that doesn't have a problem driving low impedances, and this will be exacerbated by the speaker's low sensitivity.

Check out the Salk Sound BePure 1.

If you want a quick divorce, get a pair of tektons.

I got a pair of rel t7x because of my small/medium size room, very easy to integrate. If you are going to put these speakers in your living room where your tv is, I would highly suggest looking at the Kef ls60’s. At a minimum, you would have 1 power cable to each speaker and an Ethernet patch cable to connect both speakers. The internal amps are matched to the speakers and if you want to hookup your rels, there’s a dsp built in to the Kef app on your iPhone for seamless integration. I took my wife to look and listen to them and we will be getting a pair for our living room, replacing much more expensive gear. Another plus is the earc integration so you can hook your tv to them.

I heard the $40k integrated focals at a show and the Kef’s blew them away, both in sound and in build quality, felt finish for a $40k speaker?

Contact a divorce attorney...

https://tmraudio.com/fresh-arrivals/raidho-acoustics-c1-1-bookshelf-speakers-burl-walnut-pair-w-stands/

Op check the site Above , you and your wife might be very happy on thi Rhaido monitor speakers with nice looking stand, it’s 5k plus price.