2. speakers
  3. 179197-132042

Opinions on speaker upgrade choices

System as follows: Dr. Feickert Volare>Modwright Ph9.0xon analog side... Antipodes S30>Rockna Wavelight. Backend 9s Primaluna Evo400>Pass labs Xa30.8>Ascend Acoustics towers/Raal tweeters. Room is 12.5x21.5 with another 8x8 at back right of room. Have treatments at first reflection and rear wall. Budget in 10k range. Listen to all kinds of music from new age to Porcupine Tree! My first two choices are the Legacy Signature SE and the Vandersteen Treo CTs. I've also looked at Kanta 2. The Monitor Gold 300 is also a possibility? With system and room dimensions and musical choices how would you rank these choices? I would always choose musicality and would slightly lean to the warm side. Matching to the Xa30.8 could limit some possibilities.

Thanks for your time in advance!✌️

 

jimfinn2112

Showing 2 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
7,404 posts
 

👍😊

ghdprentice
7,404 posts
 

You have a real dilemma.

I recommend looking at it like this: The speakers are the most important choice in your system. Unless you have decades of experience under your belt then choosing without hearing is probably a bad idea. You may be happy… but it is really likely you will have a very suboptimal choice.

 

I would look at this as an opportunity to justify a trip to a city… drive or fly. How much can it cost? $300 - $500? Look at it like an audio vacation. Call a two of three audio stores, explain very exactly your situation. Make appointments for several hours… tell them in advance everything you know about the music you like, the sound you prefer and your price range. Then go and listen to music… keep your analytical side at bay… you want a set of speakers to emotionally move you… for me it is Sonus Faber.

 

Absolutely do not choose speakers on the basis of your electronics! Choose speakers on the basis of your affinity to them… then if you get them home and… say your electronics are suboptimal… they need more power (you have a great amp) or are too warm… then worry about that. But don’t let your electronics pick your speaker… that is having the tail wag the dog.

Also, we can help a lot more if we can see your system an venue. You have a lot of great equipment There is a place to put photos of your system under your ID. It really helps to see your space. It is really important to size your speakers to your space… another consideration in choosing.

More to discover