Opinions wanted: 10-30K Speakers for Jazz/Folk

You should listen to the monitor audio platinum 300 Gen 2 or 500 Gen 2. The 300s were chosen as a reference for one of the reviewers at Stereophile.

A little over two years ago, I went on a cross country mission to find new speakers in your price range.  Prior to this search, I had Wilson Audio Duette 2's and Sonus Faber Amati Traditin Homage speakers.  It is so hard to listen to speakers in various showrooms or shows around the country because they won't sound the same in your house.  

I tried Wilson DAW, Vandersteen, Stenheim, Eggleston, Evolution Acoustic, Focal, Magico, Texton, Salk, PureAudioProject, DejaVu, Klipsch, JBL, Meridien, Vivid, Spatial Audio  Raven, Legacy Aeris, Paradigm Personna 7/9, Kef Blades, just to name a few.

Then I came across this small boutique speaker maker in Sante Fe, NM named Viking Acoustic.  I called and talked to the owner, David Counsell and I visited his studio.  The build quality, unique shapes and sound blew me away.  I ended up buying Viking Acoustic Grande Voix's.  You won't be able to Demo them because they do not have any dealers.  That is why also you get so much speaker for your money.  

You asked to describe the sound.  Start with like being in the third row of a Symphony concert.  The separation of instruments, the guitar frets, piano pings, horns, drums are so clear and concise.  The sound stage is large and fills my room which is 25"W by 35'L.  It does not matter where I sit.  Absolutely no coloration and no fatigue.  I was worried about the bass but the bass is substantial.

Unlike most speaker makers you get what they deliver.  If you want a particular sound Viking can do that for you.  These speakers work great with genres of music these are the best bass speakers I have heard.  They have a multitude of speakers that he can build in any price range.  

In your price range you should take your time and hear as many speakers as possible.  Amps to me are then matched to your speaker selection.  The funny thing is I bought the Grande Voix's and I did not hear them first.  I did listen to two other Viking speakers but my wife loved the look of the Grande Voix's and that is half of the battle.

Good Luck.  If you are ever in Arizona you are welcome to a great concert!!!

I've had two types of planars and think you lose something with a solo voice coming off such a large membrane.  I now have dynamic floorstanders with ribbon tweeters and think the wavefronts produce a greater sense of a person standing in the room.

And - the greater your budget the more likely that you will benefit by attending an audio show such as AXPONA in Chicago to listen to various systems to see what you prefer.  Its at these shows that you will learn not only what sound you prefer, but also what electronics best mate with various speakers, because the mfrs always make sure they have the best system synergies to optimize the sound of their products.

You may want to provide more specific requirements.  Such as the rest of the system you intend to drive the speakers with - solid state, tube, SET, low power, high power, etc.  What type of room and furnishings you will be using.  What sound qualities are most important - detail resolution, clarity, soundstage, imaging, etc.  

If you prefer the sound of tubes, or even a SET amp, you will require more efficient speakers than if you prefer solid state amps with lots of power.  If you like the sound of Harbeth speakers, you will require a powerful solid state amp to achieve their best sound (as Harbeth demos their speakers with and suggests).  Etc, etc, etc.

You should also identify your budget for your system and the speakers.  It doesnt help you if you have a limited budget and you receive suggestions for speakers that cost $20,000 to $50,000+.

Martin-Logan electrostatic speakers, Ohm Walsh, biggest set of Magnepans you can find.  

Magico, Vandersteen, Legacy, JBL.

In today’s market there are many, many wonderful speaker systems in your stated price range. I know you are looking for suggestions but it just does not work that way. What sounds good to me may not sound good to you and what works in my room may not work in your’s. You simply must do some work here. Get out and listen to as many speakers and audio systems as you can. This is important because you have to learn HOW to listen. Find a good reputable dealer who’s opinions you can trust. When you are ready to purchase (either new or used) remember to match your speakers to your room and equipment. Good luck!

Check out spatial audio labs  open baffle speakers with Beyma AMT tweeters,midrange  and powered sub the x3,X5 under $10 k and the x3  beats many speakers 2x this ,
also the latest Wilson Audio speakers just under $20 k 
have tons of $$ trickle down technologies very detailed and musical , both brands different but excellent .

Vandersteen's Quatro CT 
The sound is like being there 
$16315.00

There are a lot. You don’t know me, but I may like these the most for lighter music:

Soundlabs are amazingly transparent; easy and relaxing. My favorite sounding speaker and certainly the best ESL. No speaker is perfect. There is that hard "thawp" upon excursion limit. Some will complain about limited dynamics. Not me. Big tube amps.

YG Carmel II is also refined and has that fatigue free sparkle of ESL and ribbons but in the box form. Bass is dry and limited on this model. I preferred Gryphon amp over Audionet.

Voxativ 9.87 is possible under thirty although lists higher. Rolled off highs but otherwise not varied in the tonal balance. The best double bass reproduction I have heard. You can listen to them forever; they sound beautiful. Voxativ has their own electronics. Easy.

nhb1, in your room with that money IMHO there is only one way to go. Sound Labs will make custom versions of their loudspeakers. What you want are 8 foot tall 545's. The 545 is 24" wide about right for a 14 foot wall. Their normal 8 footers are way too wide at 40". An 8 foot line source in a room with 8 foot ceilings produces a more life sized image and projects power better than the common point source speaker. It is like being right up front vs back of the hall. The sound of a modern electrostatic speaker is just so....right. Distortion levels are much lower and there is no crossover avoiding those pitfalls. There is a level of detail missing from dynamic speakers. Once you are use to these, other speakers including Wilsons, Magicos and YGs will sound just like what they are, fake. ESLs sound real. Once you are use to them you will never listen to another dynamic speaker. Cost? Right around $20 grand plus shipping. Call or email Roger West and he will tell you what to expect. You can dandy them up any way you want but in my book satin black with black grill cloth is the way to go. They become part of the room. People walking into the room won't know what they are. When you tell them they are speakers they look at you funny. Another advantage of modern ESLs is they are indestructible. The only way you can hurt them is by running a sword through them. Your grandson can run right into them and it won't hurt them a bit. There is no amplifier that can hurt them under normal operating circumstances although there may be a few amps they make uncomfortable. You do not see many of them on the used market for a reason. 

Marten speakers are great!  I have a friend who just moved from Kef Reference 5s to Marten Mingus Quartets. He is driving them with AVM Ovation MA 8.3 Mono-Blocks and it is insanely good using his Chord Dave as DAC and Preamp.    

I believe for floor standers, you are going to want to look at the Parker or Mingus lines from Marten which if you can't find them used, might be above your budget.  Great speakers and are best with lots of power and warmer amps.  

Which Audionote, UK or Japan?  I am familiar with the products.  I import and sell a competing line called Art Audio which, in the right application, are insanely good.  They tend to be lower power, tube amps.  

I know Spectral makes great gear.  I am not a huge fan of that 70s mainframe computer look personally but it is VERY good equipment.  

These amp recommendations are all assuming normal, neutralish sources.  You can always change up amplification if you use a particularly bright (Mola Mola DAC) or warm source (Lampizartor DAC).

So, here is what I think is a must consider.  Might cross it off after a second, but it's worth a look.  

Avantgarde Zeros and Unos.  They have fully powered units and ones that require separate amps.  Generally, a good low powered SET like an Art Audio PX-25 or Diavolo are best with these.  They have powered bass units so are VERY full range.  Take some effort to get setup and dialed in but when done, nothing sounds quite like Avantgarde.  

Vivid Kaya 45s and 90s New, Giyas used.  These are obscure looking speakers and are true form follows function designs.  Fiberglass cabinets with drivers that are created to properly interact with the cabinet.  The designs are no weird for the sake of being weird, they are their tom minimize standing wavs.  Technologically, designed to optimize sound.  They like a little bit of warmer power as the speakers are a bit forward naturally.  I would recommend AVM amplification to go with them and think the result would be brilliant.  I just spend time listening to a piano concerto on these and it was....memorable.  I personally am about to order a pair of Kaya 45s as demos.  

Wilson Benesch Vector is a brilliant speaker.  As you rise in WBs geometry series you get some really cool technology but even these base models are technologically incredible.  Carbon fiber cabinets and customer drivers.  This is a more neutral/natural sounding speaker and doesn't require warm amps to be at their best but will deliver beautiful sound with a warmer amp but will be decidedly laid back.  Good with AVM if you like a more laid back sound, Chord Ultima for a more forward sound.  

MBL Hybrid speakers.  I would look at 116s and they are definitely best with MBL amplification.  MBL are going to deliver a massive, immersive listening experience that is incredible.  You won't feel like you are in a small jazz hall, you will feel like you are on stage with the band.  It is incredible but not for everyone.  MBLs amps are shockingly powerful and yes, you need it.  

Magicos S3MKII or S5MKII.  These are aluminum cabinet speakers with a BE tweeter.  They look normal, but are very well designed and deliver precision.  The listening soundstage is presented to you and they do like a lot of power.  I would suggest AVM amplification.  

Martin Logan 15a electrostats.  These have powered base units as well and are going to deliver a huge and immersive soundstage.  Similar yet different approach compared to MBL.  They are power hungry and a bit bright.  Warm amplification is required so I would look at AVM.  

Focal Sopra with Naim amplification.  Focal is a unique looking speaker and they are super engaging.  Focal and Naim are owned by the same company and go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly.  Similar in presentation to Magico, they are delightful.  

B&W 800 series.  This is a must review speaker simply because.  To me, the deliver an incredible, detailed, image but I find the overall soundstage is less defined.  It sound different than many on here.  Goes well with McIntosh amplification and any other warmer amplification like AVM.  

Vandersteen.  I am not an expert on this line but it is legendary.  I think the Quattros would be in the right price range.  Best with Ayre amplification.  

Harbeth is a line like no other.  Where many brands try to dampen resonance, they embrace it and harness it in a positive way.  This brand has an intense and loyal following.  You either love it or nothing it.  I don't know if I have ever met someone who hates it.  Just too well made to dislike them.  They like power and you can drive them with something a bit brighter.  

Wilson Audio Sabrina X and I am sure one other model is in this range.  They use a cast resin cabinet and very traditional drivers to deliver  a huge sound.  They work with lots of different amplification but most prefer something neutral to warm like AVM or Luxman.  

There are others that are redundant to many of these.  If you love Harbeth, then you should also look at Spendor or Stenheim.  If you like Margico, check out YG and Stereokonzept, etc...

This to me is a good place to start your research.  I sell a lot of these, not all of them.  I will answer any question I can.  

The largest of the standmount, but bass-sufficient, Harbeths, Grahams and Spendor Classics might ft the bill perfectly.    

You have a fine problem.   Everyone will recommend their own choice.  Please try for yourself , especilally the popular brands; Wilson , Sonus Fabre , Focal, Dynaudio , Vandersteen, Rockport,Vivid Audio etc. It would help knowing if you are pairing with an existing amp or you will choose that next 

nhb1
Thiel Audio - CS 2.4, CS 2.7 or CS 3.7 models.
Happy Listening!

Revel Salon 2 used or 328be new.

I would presume that $10k to $30k is the quality level you are going for, and your goal is not to spend that amount but to attain that level of performance. If you are in the Seattle area you are welcome to come by and hear first hand why you can do far better than $30k worth of performance for not much more than $10k. Then again you can also spend more than $30k and have nowhere near $10k of sound quality. It all depends on what your priorities truly are and what you are willing to do to achieve them.

When I say $30k by the way I am talking not just speakers but amp, speaker cables, and speakers. Good luck with some of that other stuff, you can spend 10X and not get there. I mean, unless the goal is to spend the money.

Thank you for the detailed response  @verdantaudio  

Some more info, room is 14x18 feet and speakers can be anywhere but will be facing the longer dimension. No sub and I prefer floorstanding partially for that reason. I hope to install some acoustic tx, perhaps I will use some software on my laptop or something. Energy usage does not matter to me.  Was thinking solid state but could be convinced otherwise. I really like mids/vocals coming through, as for immersion that's tough for me to say. Anyway there's a little bit more info.  

Can I ask if you have any experience with audio note gear, marten design speakers, or spectral amps? Someone suggested these. Feel free to suggest others or expand on those you mentioned given this info, appreciate your thoughts, I know my ask is a bit vague :-)  

@verdantaudio - Those are some excellent choices (especially MBL). Also, Magnapan.

Agreed.  Their are many products in this price rang that meet the "sounds great for jazz and folk" but there are so may styles and different types, it is tough to suggest anything. 

What are the room dimensions?  How far will you be sitting from the speakers.  What kind of flexibility will you have in terms of placement?  Within 2' of the wall.  2' to 4' from the wall.  4'+ from the wall.  This has a MASSIVE impact on what works?  Limitations in terms of design?  Floorstanding or Standmount?  Would you add a subwoofer or two?  What about acoustic treatments?  Are they an option?  

For listening experience, do you like the sound presented to you or do you want to immersed in the experience?  Do you like a more forward or laid back sound?  Any preferences in terms of energy usage?  Tubes okay or are they a no go?  

Here are four very different speakers that would be in your range - 

Avantgarde Zeros and Unos which are amazing speakers and can be driven by flea watt amps.  They are great in medium sized rooms where setup is a pretty optimal equilateral triangle.  Insanely good with an Art Audio PX25 but they look different and are you open to low powered amps?  How is your room?  

Wilson Benesch has 5 models in this range that work with normal placement but which model depends on a lot.  They work in a pretty typical room but require a minimum 100w of power and are a relatively neutral.  Could drive them with Chord or AVM and net result would be forward chord, neutral with AVM.

There is MBL which is omnidirectional and delivers a massive soundstage.  Best with their own electronics and they have three models in this range.  Wild speakers but need to know about your layout as they require certain spacing to be at their best.  . 

Vivid three or four models in this range.  They are a bit more forward but the designs are extremely unusual and work well with near wall placments.  They need warmer amplification like Naim or AVM.  

Focal has multiple products in the range as does Magico, Wilson, Kaiser, Raidho, B&W, Harbeth, YG, Stereokonzept, Sonus Faber, Rockport and many, many more.  Without narrowing, you will get so many things to research, it will be overwhelming with no good way to narrow it.  

Thanks, it will be an entirely new system, room is 14 by 18 feet. 

With hundreds of speakers in that price range, you may want to narrow down your choices and ask again. Too many variables.  It would also be helpful if we knew what your equipment is, size of room etc.