Lots of fine speakers listed here and I've had experience with some of them, however IMHO I don't think most of them will do what he is asking. Seadweller, since you play drums along with the very positive experience using the Altecs, I think anything other than a high sensitivity speaker will be disappointing. You should look further at the Tektons or Zu. I have heard a pair of Tektons and a few pair of Zu. All of them will "get-up-and-go" and give you plenty of punch. Both companies have a 60 day return policy, and Zu will even pay return shipping and arrange for a pick up as long as you keep them at least 45 days.
Oh brother, am I in desperate need of help! 8)
OK, I've been addicted to audio equipment since I was 15 years old. Marantz receivers and ESS speakers were my first foray into high end. Suffice it to say, I've been at this for over 40 years. I've been to the CES show more times than I can count, and listened to more equipment that I can count. I've owned everything from Magenepan's, to Martin Logan's, to Thiels, to Von Schweikert's to, well, you get the picture. And I've powered them with everything from from tubes to solid state.
So, here's my quandary. I just sold what was my dream speaker, a custom Altec 604 system that I spent a fortune building. They were simply too big for my current home, and I know I'll regret selling them for the rest of my life. I think my favorite pair of speakers that I've ever owned was a pair of Altec Model 19's. I believe (I think) that I've moved beyond needing/wanting a system that can play at concert level volumes, but I do want something with a little "get-up-and-go" for those occasions I might want to let the system breathe. I'm considering going back to a pair of panels. Today I listened to a pair of Magnapan 1.7's. I was mightily impressed, but I'm afraid they'll lack the visceral impact and "potency" of a more conventional, high efficiency, cone design.
I really haven't had my head in the game for the last 10 years, so there's a lot of new stuff out there. I read about a company called Teckton, and despite the positive reviews, I'm hesitant. There's also the Zu's in the same price range (around $2K/pr.), but I'm torn. I don't need subterranean bass, as Both Altec systems rolled off at 40hz, and I wasn't really wanting for much.
What are some real stand-out's in the $2,000-$2,500 range (new or used) that I might look out for? I want a floor standing speaker, not a monitor. I was actually surprised at the presentation/impact of drums with the Magenepan 1.7's, and the timber of cymbals was eerily realistic, but they definitely compressed when the volume was turned up. I did make the mistake of listening to a pair of B&W 802's, which were quite impressive, but way out of my price range.
As you can see, I'm in a blender, so any direction would be most appreciated...I'll likely be powering the system with a 150wpc solid state amplifier.
Thanks!
So, here's my quandary. I just sold what was my dream speaker, a custom Altec 604 system that I spent a fortune building. They were simply too big for my current home, and I know I'll regret selling them for the rest of my life. I think my favorite pair of speakers that I've ever owned was a pair of Altec Model 19's. I believe (I think) that I've moved beyond needing/wanting a system that can play at concert level volumes, but I do want something with a little "get-up-and-go" for those occasions I might want to let the system breathe. I'm considering going back to a pair of panels. Today I listened to a pair of Magnapan 1.7's. I was mightily impressed, but I'm afraid they'll lack the visceral impact and "potency" of a more conventional, high efficiency, cone design.
I really haven't had my head in the game for the last 10 years, so there's a lot of new stuff out there. I read about a company called Teckton, and despite the positive reviews, I'm hesitant. There's also the Zu's in the same price range (around $2K/pr.), but I'm torn. I don't need subterranean bass, as Both Altec systems rolled off at 40hz, and I wasn't really wanting for much.
What are some real stand-out's in the $2,000-$2,500 range (new or used) that I might look out for? I want a floor standing speaker, not a monitor. I was actually surprised at the presentation/impact of drums with the Magenepan 1.7's, and the timber of cymbals was eerily realistic, but they definitely compressed when the volume was turned up. I did make the mistake of listening to a pair of B&W 802's, which were quite impressive, but way out of my price range.
As you can see, I'm in a blender, so any direction would be most appreciated...I'll likely be powering the system with a 150wpc solid state amplifier.
Thanks!