Pondering a change after 30 odd years...


After 30 years I think it's time to move on. I have a set of Acoustat 1+1s that I've owned since new, paired with an RHLabs passive sub. It's been a great combination and still sounds pretty nice but it's all long in the tooth. Sooner or later a panel will quit then I'm dead in the water. I love the soundstage with it's "fullsized" presentation even if it's a PITA to get them dialed in just so. Maybe I'm just getting restless! I've heard many "box" speakers but damn no matter the price point it seems I can hear the "box". Granted I haven't listened to some of the big $$ stuff like Wilson but that's way outside my budget anyways. LOL! I'm wondering how some of the smaller "monitors" on stands sound? One thing I'm thinking I'd miss is the vertical part of my large soundstage. I've read about the Golden Ear line which get decent reviews. Or should I just stick with a panel of some sort, like Maggies? I've about 110 watts/side of tube power to work with. As for budget, I'm thinking somewhere in the $5-7.5K range. I'm listening to a lot of jazz these days with a dash of classical. But I'd hate to think my old rock vinyl wouldn't be welcome anymore. I know this is all pretty vague but hoping to get a nice discussion with things to think about versus "buy this" sorts of recommendations. AdThanksVance!
128x128musicfan2349
Brings back memories.  I salivated over Accoustat 2+2s 40something years ago.  Couldn't afford them.
I knew I wanted to go panels though.
later I bought Audiostatics and still have them.
A few years ago I changed to Martin Logan CLX Anniversaries in the lovely brushed aluminium finish rather than wood. Keepers, I won't be changing them

Follow your ears Musicfan and stay with panels.  You can't beat electrostatics for clarity and cleanness.
If you don't mind placing them on stands, I'd recommend the Tannoy legacy eatons. They are a rather "large" stand mount speaker. Beautifully built and sound fantastic. 
I am kind of in same predicament I had a solid state 1990s era system with a pair of Linn Katan bookshelf speakers and a B&W ASW700 powered subwoofer for about last 16 years it was good setup but last year I decided to go vintage tube gear I have a midcentury style house and furniture plus always wanted to try a vintage system. Anyhow i bought a restored Mcintosh MC225 and a MX110 and got a Rega P3 (not vintage but looks good lol)
Anyway I wanted bigger old school style speakers and also more efficient the Linn only 86db 1w. I put together some vintage Altec stuff but that didnt sound very good so pondered larger Linns or saw rave reviews on Tannoys. Unfortunately I am nowhere near a Linn or Tannoy dealer so was flying blind. I ended up taking chance on Tannoy Cheviots they were out of my price range but went for anyway am not sure if I am thrilled with them or not they are very laid back sound in midrange area which am not thrilled about
The bass and soundstage are good but honestly I dont think that pound per pound they are not any better sounding than the Katans in fact Katan better midrange and horns seem to have more depth and air in the Katan the Tannoy seems more flat sounding.
I only have about 30 hrs on Cheviot have been told will improve when broken in but I dont see it what is you guys opinion? I can send these back but clock is ticking. I thought about Linn Majic 140 are about 3k pair I dont want the typical black stick speaker with bunch of 6" woofers, didnt really like the b&w 7 series stuff, dont want klipsch or jbl retro lines they sound like crap and way overpriced. Any advice be apreciated
Thanks
Stick with OBs
I hav =e heard 1+1s but 2+2s are a lot more dynamic

I owned Accoustat 2+2s with both dual moded servo amps and 121 Cs with medallions, which allowed me to try different amps. I much preferred the servos, but back then full amp mods weren't available and consequently they weren't stable, more than once I dealt with cherry red tubes. One of my friends had custom 5+5s> Aftr I sold mine he came across a guy doing full mods and said his servos were then 100% stable.  I think this is the guy

Hello Friends --

This is just to let you know that my email contact
has recently changed. It seems AT&T/Yahoo could no
longer support my very old prodigy.net email address.
For those of you requiring fantastic restorations
and upgrading of Acoustat MK and Spectra Interfaces
and Acoustat Power Amplifiers and Preamplifiers
my new email address is

acoustat.service.usa@gmail.com


Anyway...

After that I owned Usher 6371s, which were quite nice, followed by  Maggie 3.5Rs, which did not compare to my 2 + 2s. I tried active XOs, biamping, dual subs (could not achieve a seamless blend), no matter what I tried I never got the 2+2 magic. Over the last 4+ years I have used Emerald Physics OB speakers. I am currently enjoying the hell out of 3.4s which consist of 12" concentric woofers with 1" polyester tweeters @  96dB. No matter the music genre, they are amazing, missing a bit of deep bass in my ~ 20 x 40 x 12 ft peak in open beam ceiling. Original MSRP was ~ $4000 but EP has a new version under development. People are picking up 3.4s on the used market for < $1000

HTH
musicfan2349
Monitor wise check out a pair of B&W 805D. If you want something closer to your Acoustat 1+1, look no farther than a pair of Thiel Audio 2.4, 2.7 or 3.7 loudspeakers. Have fun!
Happy Listening!