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Non-fatiguing speakers in $10K range?

Some years ago I downsized to headphones only. Now I have access to a dedicated room again, so getting my absorption panels and ASC Tube traps back from storage... :-) The amp is going to be Accuphase E-800. I like class A, and I owned fair share of Pass gear but Pass integrated (and lower preamps) no longer have tape loop. I also like my gear to look the way I enjoy and Pass went too industrial for me.

Anyway, long story short. Speakers. I prefer relaxed, non-fatiguing sound. My headphones are Meze Elites and I love them. I also own Focal Utopia, but rarely listen to them, too forward for me.

Now, music-wise I do not listen to jazz or classical or vocals, sorry. Classic rock, hard rock, 80s new wave, punk, pop (classic and modern) and African blues like Tinariwen. People tend to insta-suggest forward sounding speakers - you like metal, right???. But I don't like piercing sound and I rarely go to concerts exactly because of this. I listen to AC/DC but NOT at 'realistic' revels. I like rhythm, melody, but I don't care about 120 Db.

The budget is about $10K, give or take, most probably second hand, but I can buy new, if I really like it. Unfortunately, there are not that many high end shops around Seattle with gear I like. Some went selling vintage and some went up selling only $100K+ systems. So most probably will be getting something blind.

It seems I should be looking for ribbon tweeters, I spent hours at youtube - it is definitely not listening in person, but some recordings are pretty decent and many show differences between speaker models.

I also compare frequency response measurements - I can easily tell that I won't like the speaker by looking at the chart. Ex, bump around 2-6K is a no-no since this is what "bright" is. Dip is actually good since this is what makes sound less "in your face/ear".

So far I more-or-less narrowed my search down to Legacy (Signature or Focus), Dali 8, ProAc (D48 or K) and - maybe - Magico A3? Legacy is huge, I am not sure I really need 20Hz extension. Magico has beryllium tweeters which may be bright....

I purchased Tannoy D700 many years ago, still own them, they are part of my TV set up. They sound good, but not as good as I would like it. My desktop speakers are ribbons too - AirPulse, I like them quite a bit.

Anything else I am missing?

mikhailark

Showing 3 responses by helomech

helomech
1,836 posts
 

Good beryllium tweeters are not bright. Some manufacturers just happen to voice their beryllium-tweetered speakers with higher treble (some Focals for example). But listen to Magico’s beryllium and you’ll discover they are not at all bright or fatiguing. 

Based on the measurements of most Legacy designs, I would steer clear of them. Plus their custom drivers are not as impressive as they’d like us to believe.

I recommend putting Revel Salon 2s on your short list. They are older than some of those others but remain competitive. 

You would also do well to consider Perlistens. 

 

helomech
1,836 posts
 

@audiom3 

Google is your friend.

There is only one suite of measurements available online that show a decent performance, and that one is far from comprehensive so hard to say if there are problems outside its on-axis response. The rest of the measured speakers, whether recent or older, produce poor linearity and/or the crossovers fail to adequately suppress driver breakup.

Maybe their most recent designs were engineered by a different person, but there is no good excuse for speakers at those prices producing those sort of results, even two decades ago. It displays a poor regard for objective performance and perhaps hedging success on consumer ignorance.

It’s obvious you have some emotional investment in the brand because that’s where you chose to spend your money. I get it. Perhaps most of us would achieve better systems were we to learn how to decipher measurement graphs before handing over our hard earned cash. If you prefer a speaker that behaves as a tone control, that’s your prerogative. I’ve heard and owned many such designs and for me they always lead to fatigue after the honeymoon period expires, especially when the speaker’s peaks and valleys are the result of underdamped driver break up. But then I still possess the hearing acuity of a young man. I realize most participating on these boards are well past their auditory prime. 

helomech
1,836 posts
 

@audiom3 

It’s unhealthy and unbecoming to get so emotionally attached to material goods. 

It’s fine if you like Legacy speakers. However I won’t recommend them to anyone who wants a non fatiguing sound. It’s not like I’m going to alter your opinion, nor will you mine. Don’t let a silly hobby raise your blood pressure so much. 
 

 

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