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Seeking advice on Speakers that create an intimate 2 channel listening experience

So the past month I started a couple of threads on speaker choice on AVS forum (One asked for Powered/Active floor standing Speaker choices and another one around non-active FS speakers for a tube amp I was looking at).

But I've come to realize this was the wrong tact, got lots of flack much deserved and wanted to try to solicit the advice/opinions on this forum which I just discovered.

Short background...Hunkered down in a suburb just outside NYC now for the past 3-4 months, I started to get the itch for a dedicated 2 channel stereo Turntable setup in our living room in May. After much research and twists and turns and immediate upgraditis, as some know on here from other posts, I've finally settled in and now own a Rega Planar 10 Turntable. I also own a Sutherland phono --20/20 with LPS and that's staying. Right now the phono preamp is hooked up direct to a pair of ELAC ARF51 floorstanding speakers (all drivers powered by built in AB amps) which I like a lot BUT ITS HERE THAT I WANT MORE. Btw, I love the ELAC design of mounting the tweeter concentric in the mid driver -- makes sense to me.  I kinda wish ELAC would take the same design and make a reference speaker but thats for another day.

So to swap out the ELACs, I will obviously need an amp, but I will figure that out later and want to focus on getting the right speakers for me for what I want. So what do I want?

1. Floorstanders. Close to full range as possible. No subs.
2. Looks count since in my main living room.
3. Speakers that prioritize Imaging Imaging Imaging. That disappear in the room creating an intimate but 3D listening experience. Clean (Accurate) warm sound. No distortion. I would easily sacrifice low end for untiring highs and warm mids I don't listen to metal or hiphop anymore so I don't need loudness, more like lounge experience if that makes sense. Apologize if I got the adjectives wrong but its personal description of what I'm seeking.
4. Price Point - -$10k-25k. Room is 22x18 with 25 foot ceiling

I would like to audition/demo before I buy and since I live in the Tri-State area it should be possible. But I'm finding that obviously difficult to do right now. I listened to a pair of Salk speakers but didn't love them. And have an appt with the Audio Doctor in NJ in two weeks.

Thanks in advance.
aj523
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,170 posts
 
Not as well known in the US but becoming a favorite in the studios 
 for its musicality- accuracy and not bright the Amphion Loudspeakers I have their. Argon S 3 Monitors with Svs SB 3000 subs this monitor can be placed anywhere having a rear passive radiator  which is far better. Then any port that gives coloration and excellent bass for. It’s size ,as well as their floor standers with correct timing and 6.5 inch wave guide and easy to drive 8 ohm 87 db efficient but’s easy load  well worth checking out you hear interplay in music that. Most speaker can’t do unless spending many times their cost.Hand built in Finland and using. All Seas. Drivers from Norway . Well worth seeking out I have shocked many audiophile with their capabilities.
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2019/02/09/amphion-argon-3s-loudspeakers-review/
johnkent3
63 posts
 
Yamaha ns5000

very special speakers

They’ve been making musical instruments since 1880s and they have huge money for r&d.

i have the ns1000s with the beryllium mids and highs they’re excellent even at over 40 years old, stand up just fine to everything new I’ve owned/own.
dmhopwood
6 posts
 
Devore Orangutan speakers with a SET amp by Line Magnetic or Shindo. You can probably get a demo of these at In Living Stereo in Manhattan 
jprod
6 posts
 
Spatial audio x5 open baffle speakers.  They are fantastic and check all your boxes.  
vinylshadow
497 posts
 
My room size is nearly the same as yours(maybe 30' wide) and I have Focal-JM Lab Mezzo Utopia speakers each with Jeff Rowland Model 12 monoblocks and they sound fantastic in every way. I do have a JM Lab Sub Utopia so the Mezzo's low frequencies are crossed over at a higher frequency due to the sub. They were $12,000/pr new but you might be able to find a nice used pair for half that.

But, there are new lines of Utopia's and others that might be worth looking into:https://www.focal.com/en/home-audio/high-fidelity-speakers
Good luck in your search.
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