This is the final post in a follow up to my two previous posts of “Looking for a narrow baffle small footprint speaker” and “My wife weighed in she wants piano white tower/bookshelf “
Details:
Price range - below $25k
Color: Flexible now but Aesthetics count as it’s a centerpiece to our new gathering room
Also, the only source will be a turntable - Macintosh MT-10 and MP-100 (to be purchased and that’s it), amp is the Rose hifi RS 520 which is 250 wpc and I value the mid-range.
I have pictures of my room but no idea how to post (audiogon clearly hasn’t updated their technology from 30 years ago).
Final Choices with notes:
Fyne Audio 8 (new) or 10 used
Estalon Aura (but too close to wall an issue?),
Reynaud Abscisse Jubilee (beautiful how’s the midrange?)
I heard them at Upscale in L.A. while on a business trip, I was there to listen to the Vintage 10s....they were driven with Manley electronics, not sure which one but I think it had EL84s.
I fell in love with the Vintage 10s, and decided they would be in my future short list if I could afford them. I asked if I could hear the 1.8s; but they had different electronics Primaluna EVOs, they too were excellent even though I didn't spend much time with them. I had already fallen for the Vintages
So my current short list for speakers is: Fyne Vintage 10s or 12s (though they just releases Classic Gold line), Joseph Audio Perspective 2 Graphene, Volti Lucera or Rival, Revel Salon 2)....and probably a couple of others I can't think of at this second.
@motta +1 on Von Schweikert. I have the walnut version of the Endeavor.
They are rear ported, though. I think it was mentioned that they needed to be close to the wall unless I'm getting posts confused. I don't think they would need to pulled way out into the room, but pushed against the wall would not be ideal
Try to audition the Von Schweikert Endeavor SE Speakers.
They are a superior choice to the speakers you mention.
They are also within the price range. They are reference level speakers. But keep in mind you'll need good speaker cables. Von Schweikert sells cables that are the same as the internal wiring. Good cables and synergy
Which Fyne 10s are you considering? The F1 series and the Vintage series are both brilliant, but are very different.....I do lust after a pair of VIntage 10s
The Classic series is really really good as well, but I did not get to hear them side by side with the F1s and the Vintages
I’m perfectly fine spending a lot less but willing to go up to the end of my budget for something special. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that or should be shamed.
$25K is a lot of $$$ for speakers. You could buy a great pair of used speakers for much much less and commission someone to refinish them in high gloss white and they would look brand new.
An interesting challenge - to make a "gathering room" sound as great as a "listening room" (AV Room) - by choice of speakers... no matter the cost (up to $25,000). Not a challenge most would take on - since it’s so difficult to achieve - at any price. Especially... when the final judge is... my wife!
That challenge suggests disaster... unless there is an alternative room for the speakers to excel... if... you’re unable to achieve the objective in the "gathering room!"
Far better to find a system that will sound great for a "gathering room," while not looking like a "system" - which, once installed, will pass the judgment of the "judge" based on aesthetics - which does not "break the bank," and risk losing a significant sum, if the "judge" turns "thumbs down" once installed. I would never risk a $5-10K loss on such a challenge.
I would focus on the aesthetics and seek something that doesn’t look like a "system" once installed (no wires, no components, no huge - heavy speakers) - at a reasonable cost - that also produces good sound for a "gathering room."
While... I achieve "audio nirvana" in my "listening room!"
The PMC fact.12 Signatures meet your specs: Small footprint, available in gloss white, transmission line with "ports" in front so distance from wall isn't so critical, $25k list.
The sound: Dead-on imaging, sweet midrange and supremely neutral with very linear frequency response. I own these in the metallic graphite color. As @rpeluso did, I extend to you an invitation to listen if you're ever in the Rochester, NY area.
Paradigm Persona 3F or 5F (well below your price limit), available in piano white and many other colors. Slim, gorgeous, high WAF, and sound beautiful. They are made in Canada by a very well respected and long standing speaker company. I have the 3F and am very happy with them.
I purchased Monitor Audio’s Platinum 200 3G speakers last year. I am still smiling at their presentation. Complicated classical passages remain defined, varried and spacious. Solo piano is amazing. Yet they can rock with the best. Beautifully made, esthetically pleasing I’m proud to have them displayed in our listening room. You will need to know if the 200 or 300 3G suits your space. I wish you all the best on your speaker selection. But again for me, partnered with Pass equipment, I am totally satisfied with their musical offering……
I have used https://imgbb.com/ and it seemed painless, I know there are a few easy ones and some that may or may not want your email address and sell you a new roof.
Aside from that, I usually use google drive or aws but that's outside "free"/public
In terms of esthetics I think it comes down to the YG, Estelon and PS Audio. if you think the PS Audio are too big, they probably are. I listened to both YG and Estelon at AXPONA this year, YG in two different rooms, YG was a clear winner, and no bass port, making placement more flexible. I would go listen to them somewhere, guessing you will like them.
Since you have the Sopra 3 on your list which I wouldn’t really consider a narrow baffle I would highly recommend the Rockport Atria ii (used if you can find a pair) in your price range. Or stretch for a new pair. Amazing speakers and worth an audition. Good luck !
You have some excellent speakers on your list! I went through a similar process/decision recently. Take your time, try to listen to as many on your list as possible and go with the pair that sings best to you. Putting reviews, opinions, specs and objective data aside, what sound will make you smile ear to ear when the music starts. You’ll have a few where you’ll try to justify they’re as good as your favorite. Cheers and enjoy the music!
Here's what I can add.... The Estalon Aura uses a down firing woofer so it should play better closer to a wall behind it then a rear ported design. I've heard the Estalon Forza at a friends house and they are special. I'm sure the Aura will have some meaningful trickle down benefits from higher up in the line.
The Sopra No3 might be a great fit. They are known to really shine when given space to work and you have the room for that to happen. The Sopra's are front ported so while they do best with space to work, the space they need is more side to side and behind the listening position--they will work well closer to the front wall than most. If you take a look at a pic of the Sopra's they have a large midrange driver that has a separate cabinet enclosure that doesn't get clouded from the bass drivers. Good luck and cheers
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