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

I just picked up the NP-1 from Van Alstine .....Power amp with some new technology that Frank invented. I wanted a spare amp for a second system. I’m running a 25K rig and when I hooked the NP-1 that I just received ( the first run is already sold out)....I can’t stop listening to this Amp. It’s Magic.....and at $1199 it’s a steal. It bests other amps I have up to $8K....It has a presence that’s astonishing for a "cheap" amp. It’s staying in the big rig for a while.Use with Tubed pre- Amp.

Been on a similar journey and use both Pass Labs separates X250.8/XP22 and also a Luxman 595ase. I’ve finally picked up a speaker I know I’ll have for a very long time. The Legacy Focus SE’s do it all for me! I’ve had them for 2 months and just listen longer to more music and I haven’t once even looked for anything else. 
They fill the room w incredible imaging and just the right amount of sizzzle on the top and rich bass. 
picked them up from Audioclassics in Binghamton Ny. 

Someone mentioned the Goldenear Triton Ref speakers. I have a pair of those and a pair of the one.Rs.  For a smaller space the one.Rs are wonderful.  Larger space the Refs are great!

Check out the Tannoy legacy series--the biggest one (Arden) is in the 10k range. There's also the Cheviot, and the smallest one--Eaton.  I have the Eaton and have found it very non-fatiguing but detailed enough and it packs a nice low end punch. Imaging is great too. I moved away from the Kef R3 to the Eaton because I found the R3 fatiguing.