There are nice used pairs of Joseph Audio Perspectives available for around $6k. Have them sent to Jeff Joseph for latest Graphene upgrade and you’ll have some awesome speaks for around $10k.
Another option that could save you $$$ is the LSA 20 Statement available new here discounted by the manufacturer for $4500/pr (retail $7k) that includes some nice speaker cables as a bonus. It’s said they targeted the Perspectives as their performance bogey, and they reach down to a very respectable 25Hz. Initial reviews of the new LSA models have been stellar, and they offer a 30-day trial, which is really nice. Hope this helps, and best of luck.
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You didn't say where you are from, so not sure how easy it is for you to get around to evaluate. But I will add the Legacy Focus to the list.
There are two models. One passive, and one with an ICE amp module for the two 12" woofers.
I never had the opportunity to listen to these as I auditioned the Whisper and the Aeris, went with the Whisper. |
Ah, another Whisper owner - congrats! These are some SERIOUSLY kick ass speakers! I have spent a lot of time tuning these babies in, and they are formidable. They make smallish towers seem like child's play.
A tip for you, my friend; if you are sitting about 10' away from them, I presume they are toed in, but do you have the baffle slightly tipped forward? I place a pair of about a 1/4" wooden drink coasters under each speaker to tilt the baffle forward a bit. When the speakers are aimed at my respective ears, or slightly wider, AND tipped forward slightly OH, YEAH, the speakers are even more coherent, powerful, bass tighter, etc. etc. It's such a cheap tweak and quite efficacious! I hope you try and enjoy! :)
Imo, both Legacy and Salk are among the best made, best value dynamic speakers made in U.S.A. Vandersteen and Magnepan are also value to performance leaders. I could build a superb system with any of these. Oh, I already have!
I have reviewed Legacy, Salk and Magnepan products for Dagogo.com
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Horns. Any quality manufacturer. My choice was Klipsch Cornwall IV's. They are big though. For smaller spaces I'd try Heresy IV with a quality sub (or pair of). They are astoundingly good for their size.
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@
douglas_schroeder
I have been interested in the Whisper since I first saw them in Stereo Review some 25 years ago, finally was able to acquire a pair a bit over a year ago.
I am not too far from their factory and spent about 5 hours with Bill listening to the Whisper & Aeris, and taking a tour of the factory.
Bill and a tech delivered them to my house and spent several hours setting them up. I will give you suggestion a try (simple enough), but I am 6.3 and the tweeters are pretty much in line with my ears as is.
On plus with this Covid situation is that I am now working from home. Though far from ideally located, I have a workstation set up in the back of my theater room and can listen throughout the day. |
I am 6' 5" tall. Don't dismiss it, try it.
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Do you have sub-woofer/s with your setup?
I don't feel that I really need them for music, though they might add a bit. But my system is multi purposed for home theater as well, so could use them there.
I actually have a JBL sub-woofer which was included in the setup when they calibrated with the wavelet. It puts out next to nothing. |
I have a pair of Legacy XTREME XD subwoofers that I usually use with the Whispers when I want FULL range, FULL output. Amazing difference su h subs make, even with Whispers. When comparing speakers for review, of course it must be apple's to apple's either way. The XDs were also reviewed.
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A pair of the Xtreme XD is what I was thinking, or possibly a single Goliate XD.
What positioning did you end up with in your setup? |
Imo the pair is superior for stereo. Flanking, see system images for idea.
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Man up, get a pair of Goliath subs! |
I would second the Soundlab Majestic 545 suggestion depending on your room size and your amplifier.
As far as I am aware, they are 100 percent made in America. The wooden frames are built by someone local to Soundlab. The panel is constructed entirely in the US, and the backplate electronics are assembled in the US, all by Soundlab.
Parts of the backplate and panel may be sourced from other countries. You would have to ask Dr. West to get specific information there.
I have a pair of 645s in a room that is 12x16, and even only 6 feet away from their front, they sound great.
Every box speaker I have ever had, I wrestled with bass response to some degree. I've always attempted to mitigate these issues with dozens of bass traps.
The design of the Soundlab speakers makes the bass integrate so much better. I now don't have to use as many traps to get better sound.
I think it would also be difficult to beat the midrange of the Soundlabs in a box speaker without having to spend significantly more money. |
Don't forget Joseph Audio. Made in New York. Various price points near where you want to be. Excellent sound. |
Vandersteen Audio Quatro CT would be my recommendation for you. This particular Made in USA speaker offers a unique phase and time correct driver arrangement,is extremely placement friendly with i separate self powered bass section being tunable with analog room compensation non DSP approach.. We have tuned hundreds of these designs successfully,some placed only four inches out from the wall,available in a variety of beautiful wooden finishes,Eucalyptus my fav each meticulously hand tuned in an anechoic chamber.
They work well with most any pairing of electronics and are a true music lovers companion
JohnnyR
Audio Connection
Vandersteen Dealer 31 years
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Salk makes some lovely costumed made speakers. I ordered a Supercharged SongCenter center speaker in teak veneer and I am delighted with it. It really has improved the surround system's tonality, imaging and dialog comprehension. You can also consider the Magico A3s. I have a pair and they are a joy to listen to. |
Legacy Audio manufactured in Springfield, IL. The Focus SE or Focus XD fall into your budget.
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There are so many speakers made in the USA that it would be difficult to list them all. You can add to the list Martin Logan and Klipsch.
For the issues the OP discussed, I would definitely look into Martin Logan and Klipsch.
The amp to be used would be very important . I have also seen many small lessor known manufacturers at audio shows such as the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. Some were very well done to outstanding and I had never heard of them before. Unfortunately with the pandemic, going to audio shows is out. However, lists presented by others here actually help. You still have to match them with your current amp and listen if possible.
but, as I've found out with headphones, there are a lot of speakers out there.
I'm flipping through my 2018 RMAF booklet and there is an incredible number of speakers listed. the booklet doesn't tell you if they are made in the USA or not, but I remember going from room to room and I can tell you many were, and about more than half I had never heard of before.
enjoy |
There's a local company here called SilverLine Audio , designer is Alan Yun, and he offers a wide range of speakers that should meet your needs.... |
+1 on Salk. In your price range you could do the new SS9.5 with the midrange that can be open or closed. I own the Song3 BeAT with the same tweeter and midrange driver. Midrange is outstanding. |
It's the size and shape of your room (and the placement in the room) that matters most. Don't buy a speaker you have not auditioned in your room. Try as many as you can before purchasing. I've had modestly priced speakers that outperformed much expensive ones because of room interactions or inability to place the speakers where they can sound their best (WAF and other practical considerations) If you have to change your amp to suit the speaker, so be it. |
I have a pair of the Fleetwood Deville speakers and they sound incredible, USA made a horn based speaker and even come with a lifetime guarantee
Oswaldsmill owns them and they came up with a lower price point so it's in an affordable price range
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I bought a speaker not auditioned in my own room. Not auditioned by me in any room. Its the best speaker I ever heard in my life! Its everything I had come to expect from reading reviews, impressions, and design theory. Only better. The old advice to always home audition first is a good one only if you won't use the search bar and instead are willing to severely limit your options.
The US made speakers with the best tech and value are made in Utah by Eric Alexander at Tekton Design. End of story. |
Joseph Audio, Devore Fidelity, Bache, Silverline, Ryan Speakers, Fritz Speakers, Spatial Audio, and Eggleston Works would be at the top of my audition list for American brands.
At lower price points there is Zu Audio, Omega, Ascend Acoustics, Magnepan, Tekton and Salk Sound. Salk seems to offer a near endless number of custom options and price points.
Omega might fit your needs since they use full-range drivers that eliminate the need for a crossover in the midrange. The strength of full-range drivers is a midrange purity that comes at the expense of top octave "air" and shimmer. Omega and Salk produce some of the best veneer work in the biz if that matters to you.
Fritz puts the same level of drivers into his $3K speakers that are not uncommon in $20K speakers.
In the pre-owned arena, I'd look for a gently used pair of Rockports. The ones I've auditioned came the closest to what I'd consider a flawless sound.
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Daedalus, Fritz, Salk, and Odyssey are all American made speakers with superior models in the original poster’s price range. They are all exceptionally well-made and backed up by great customer service. |
+1 on Salk, especially anything with the RAAL ribbon tweeters
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I too have a high frequency hearing loss. After struggling with tuning my system for years I finally went to an audiologist and got fitted with hearing aids. After having done this I am now enjoying music much more.
As for speakers I would recommend zu audio in Ogden Utah.
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Volti, Klipsch, Zu Audio, Spatial Audio |
Hi
I just turned 70 in April. I bought ZU Audio speakers. I tried out the Omen MK II ($1,900). They have a 100% return policy for a “try-out” You’ll pay only shipping + upgrade difference to upgrade. I liked the Omen’s enough to invest another $2800 (including ship.) to move to the Sole Supreme ($5k) Completely mfgd in the USA, Utah, are very efficient. Their design philosophy is around the human voice frequency. They use a full-range driver and a compression driver (horn), not a dome tweeter.
The Druid VI is priced at $10,000. You’ll probably pay a little less. Their shipping charge for what I bought was only $100 each way/pair to/from Colorado. I have a 32W Music Reference (Roger Modjeski) tube amplifier. Very efficient speakers, can blast me out of the room- 76dB at 2m, ouch. (13x16x7-2”ft) if you want it loud. They’re wonderful at low volume too. My room is way over activated at 76 dB, even with acoustic treatment.
Bent
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You will need a subwoofer with the Zu
ml |
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Get the SEAS Thor kit from Madisound. They work with a custom cabinet maker who can build them and have them delivered to your door. I can't tell you the exact price, but I'll take a SWAG and suggest that the total cost of the project would probably come it at around $3500 delivered, with their standard cabinet style. They can do it custom any way you like of course, priced accordingly. The SEAS Thor was designed by Joe D'Appolito and is very similar to the $12,000 Perspective 2 Graphene from Joseph Audio. They both use the same tweeter. The Thor uses 7" bass drivers and the Perspective 2 uses 6" bass drivers. |
+1 for Zu Audio. They have a great 60 day inspection period and will pay return shipping if you don't want to keep the speakers. I have a pair of Soul Superfly speakers and really like them when used with a tube amp. If I had $10K to spend I would be tempted by the Druid VI model. |
Now that we've thoroughly confused you with many recommendations any thoughts on what you are leaning toward? |
Has been fun looking around the internet and finding information about recommendations. I had quad 989s years ago and while the sound labs ....are I am sure great....they would not work well in my room. I am thinking about Salk, Aerial Acoustic 7t, and ....well you only live once....breaking the budget...Joseph Audio Perspective2. |
I see someone already mentioned Salk Sound. I would have a conversation with Jim Salk. He's a great guy and will give you good advice. He can even design a speaker to your liking. Also, don't overlook Daedalus. I hear their mid-range is phenomenal.
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Another vote for the Quattro with built in subs and the famous carbon tweeter :-)
I think w hearing issues, you should visit a dealer vs reading about stuff on the internet, my post included... ha
Quad famous for magic midrange, don’t go backwards!!!!!!
back to the music :-)))) |
Anyone know where Joesph Audio speakers are made?
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Such tough times when there are so few options. |
I would second helomech with Eggleston Works. One of their standmount speakers, not sure which one, was a nice surprise. Nice enough to go back to that room a few times. Bache is another good one that flies under the radar. |
douglas.....schroeder....good comment. |
Bache Audio made in Brooklyn. |
Actually there are a bunch of whiners who B about the hyper expensive high end when in fact incredible sound is available for relatively low $$$$$
pretty much across the board:
try this : VPI table or Arm, sub in a Well Tempered, Grado or SoundSmith cartridge, Rogue, VTL or Ayre Integrated or an Aesthetix Mimas, most of the great speakers listed above, decent wires and Yowsa !!!!! |
I forgot to include Induction Dynamics for high-end and for a tremendous value proposition, their sister company, Phase Technology's PC lineup.
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Hi Jacobson. Someone mentioned Emerald Physics speakers. Clayton Shaw who started that company as an R&D test bed, started another company, Spatial Audio Lab that's been going strong for a few years now and makes some very high performing open baffle dipole speakers that shouldn't be ignored. Built in the Salt Lake City area. They have some great models that would be in your range and cover your needs well I think. Also very appealing looking. I'm have the the entry M5 model, with which I'm very happy. Definite keepers. 62 y/o here and the hearing ain't quite what it used to be either. These are clear clean, fast, resolute sounding speakers from top to bottom. They are quite directional (open baffle trait) and eliminated an annoying room node in the mid bass I had. Direct sales model with a 30 day return policy. You get quite a lot for your money. Clayton is a great guy who will freely give you his time for advise and consultation. Good luck in your search.
https://www.spatialaudio.us/
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I would definitely look at the Legacy Audio speakers...About 4 years I went on a quest to replace the Klips that I owned (Klips were just to bright for my taste). I found the Legacy Focus SE and it was love at first note, and I've since added Legacy's to my other two systems (for a total of three) and couldn't be happier...The Legacy support team are a true pleasure to work with, they seem to really go out of their way to answer questions and to make sure you are well taken care of. |
Man up, get a pair of Goliath subs!
Pussied out, ordered a pair of the Xtreme XD. |
"Anyone know where Joseph Audio speakers are made?"
Joseph Audio is based in Melville, NY where their speakers are designed and built, but I recall reading that their cabinets are custom made for them in China.
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Janszen Audio
janszenaudio.com
Columbus, Ohio |
