Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home but with More Sparkle ?


I've been listening to the new-to-me Grand Piano Homes for a month and overall I really like them . I like the low crossover point which allows excellent, tight bass. I like the luscious mids: voices and guitars and violins sound amazing. So far the only possible shortcoming to my ears is the highs. I enjoy the strike and decay of cymbals and I feel I may be missing some of the sparkle. I've read comments that describe these speakers as "polite".  Any other GPH owners feel like they are missing something in the highs?

Is there a newer model from SF that would keep what I like about the GPH and add a bit of sparkle and not be fatiguing ?  Or perhaps another make and model ? Budget is $5 k for new or used but would prefer spending less than $5k.

My equipment:   Van Alstine SET-400 amp,  Van Alstine T-10 Tube Pre-amp,  Heos Link 2 Streamer, Mogami 2549 hi-resolution interconnects, RSC Prime Biwire speaker cables.  I listen to classic rock, pop, r and b, jazz, acoustic, classical. My listening room is untreated but has short carpet and measures 12' by 12'.

foamcutter

Get the walnut pair of these - MoFi Sourcepoint 10

 

What you’re missing from your speakers is that they roll off heavily if you toe them any degree of axis

 

On top of that there’s a moderate broadband recession that makes attack, snap and dynamism a bit meh. Also you have to sit below the tweeter axis for the grand piano I think. That brings the sparkle back. Never sit with your ears above the tweeter axis for the Grand Piano. There’s a huge recession in the even order harmonics of vocals, cymbals if you sit above the tweeter vertical plane. 

The speakers I’ve recommended fix that as they’re a well implemented coaxial @foamcutter

Grand Piano Home speakers were discontinued around 2006. So, they fall into the older sonic signature of Sonus Faber, which was very soft on the upper end. I believe the balance was appropriate for the electronics of the time which was often harsh and overly sparkly. 

I purchased a used set of that era knowing that, and that the new ones were much better balanced for today’s equipment. I loved the sound, confirming they were a bit overly romantic. I immediately ordered a brand new set of Olymipica 3... they  were from the first shipment still on the water at the time. They were perfect... I was hooked, I loved them for years until I upgraded to Sonus Faber Amati Traditional.

So, if you are like me and love the natural, musical sound of the Home...then you need to upgrade to more recent models... they are never harsh or brittle sounding, but detailed and well balanced. With good electronics you hear brass.... cymbals, and brass horns not just sparkly treble. I highly recommend Olympica 3... I am sure you can find a used pair. Worth saving up a little more if you have to.  

Now, if you are really interested in sparkle... a sound spectacular... not necessarily pursuing the authentic sound of music, then you need to think of a different brand. Maybe B&W if you want real kick with a accentuated treble, or Focal which is hot on top. Obviously how hot, will also be determined by your electronics. Wilson would also be a great brand to consider. 

I like the GPs for the same reasons you do but have the same concern with the upper treble especially as a drummer as I need to hear the bite/stick hitting the cymbal and shimmer/decay if it’s in the recording and the GPs mute that to a large degree IME.  Things the GPs do really well that I love are imaging, 3D soundstage, natural tonality, and they disappear as a sound source.  Alternatives that in my experience do most of what the GPs do but with more extended treble would be newer SF models, ProAc, Joseph Audio, Usher, and Vandersteen.  Here are some new and used options of some of these that are around your price range and worth a look I think.  Hope this helps, and best of luck. 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650171641-sonus-faber-pair-olympica-ii-speakers/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650207860-vandersteen-treo-ct-speakers/

https://soundapproach.com/usher-mini-two-2-x-7-2-way-diamond-tower-speakers-pair.html

https://soundapproach.com/usher-mini-one-7-2-way-diamond-tower-speakers-pair.html

I had GP Homes and I found they were best toed in so they crossed over just in front of you, and certainly I recall reading this in reviews, which helps the top end focus.

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions, much appreciated. I will look into the other speakers suggested, and experiment with toe-in. I've not used Dirac but will investigate that as well.