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Requesting Advice on Speaker Upgrade

Hello,

I am in the market for a new speaker upgrade. I am hoping to receive recommendations on brands and models to look at. I have already demoed some Kef and Totem speakers, which I really enjoy. I really have my eye on the Totem Rainmakers. Not sure if they will be a good fit for my room or amp though.

I’d also like something that will be flexible with integrated amp upgrade possibilities down the road.

I’d say it’s a small to medium room size at approximately 15’ x 20’. There is a large picture window to the left of the listening position that has curtains covering it. To the right of the listening position is a half wall that goes into an open kitchen. Behind the seat is a floor to ceiling stone hearth and fireplace wall.

My budget tops at $600-$900, but $1100 will be the absolute max. Looking for bookshelf monitors and I’d like to be able to include stands within that budget.

I enjoy a balanced sound profile. I don’t necessarily crave super clarity or very bright sounding speakers, but enjoy a neutral sound. Sharp, clear bass is great, but I’m not super into hard, thumping bass. I’m still new to audio so pardon if these descriptors aren’t exactly clear.

My current setup is a Rotel RA-12, Project Debut Carbon w/ Ortogon 2M Blue cartridge, and a DTS Play-Fi streamer (for Tidal Hifi and Spotify streaming). Current speakers are stand mounted Polk RTi-A1s.

I have a toddler that wanders around this space. So grille covers are a must. I am also welcome to floorstanding recommendations, but thinking stand mounted ones will be ideal since it’s less he can mess with on the floor.

Sorry for the super wordy post... But one last note: We have a lot of mid-century modern furniture in our home. So looking for options with a clean, simple design and aesthetics.


Thanks, and cheers!
Matthew


stereosanctity

Showing 3 responses by leotis

leotis
183 posts
 
Zu is kind of unique sound. Very high efficiency. If you say not after clarity, brightness more leaning neutral Zu is not that. Your budget is kinda limiting.
Maybe the best neutral speaker for the price are some used Revel F36s I see on Agon. They are white though. And they are towers so junior might be a problem. But SQ/$ Revel F36 for $850 is gonna kick anything IMO.
Anyone has a better SQ/$ example lemme know. Would like to check it out.
leotis
183 posts
 
Finding local Zu to audition is a problem but they have a return policy if you don't like you are only out return shipping.
Problem is they take a lot of break in. Hard to evaluate fresh from the box.
leotis
183 posts
 
I’ve had the Tekton Lore, I’ve had Zu Druid, I’ve had multiple Martin Logans electrostats, and multiple Revels, not to mention multiple B&Ws. The Revel is the best "all around" speaker IMO. But all depends what kind of presentation you prefer. The Tekton was fine but the midrange was nothing to write home about. The Zu have a fantastic "live" quality to them. Super fun but the frequency response curve is atrocious. Some recordings sound awesome and some recordings sound terrible. The Martin Logan are exquisite but the presentation can lack body. The B&W CM9 was OK but can’t touch Revel F52 or F206 for accuracy. Sounded relatively muddled (like some other cheaper B&W I’ve had). The Revel has no particular weakness that I can identify. And for the price you can’t touch F36 for $899 used. Spoke with Revel today about a couple things and they cautioned to make sure used F36 don’t have a defect the guy is trying to unload. Find out where purchased (5 yr warranty only from authorized dealer, is transferable I think) , if serial # intact, get original invoice etc. Maybe all moot cause local pick up only. :/
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