Speaker recommendations, budget $10-15K

I own Acoustic Zen Crescendo’s and am absolutely enthralled with them. About three years ago, like you, I made out a list of speakers to replace the ones I owned for 13 years. Armed with a short list of six speakers and a rather substantial budget off I went to shows and dealers and after two years of auditioning, my list was down to two.

When I attended the RMAF I stopped by the AZ room only because I had read a great deal about them. By the time that two-hour session ended they went on my list. By the end of the show I purchased them without reservation or hesitation.

In my system, to my ears, these are the finest speakers I have ever heard. The fact that they were the least expensive speakers on my list was of no concern but gratifying nonetheless. They are so musical with such a level of detail, clarity and precision that just makes one smile as you listen. Bass is prodigious, taut, fast and deep. I miss not my two subs.....

My suggestion for your consideration is not, of course, to run out and buy a pair of Crescendo's but rather to keep an open mind, as you appear to be doing, work through your list and be open minded about new additions. What will challenge you the most is time. It took me almost three years to get what I am absolutely delighted with and the wait was extremely worthwhile. I certainly learned a lot in the process but when I heard what I heard, I just knew that the Crescendo was the speaker for me.

Knghifi,

You will excuse me when I say that I am reluctant to list the speakers that I did not purchase. Unlike some here who are happy to promote what they are selling and happy to bash what they are not, my intention is not to publically say one speaker is better than another given how we all hear things differently, have different requirements based on the types of music we listen too, and have different room acoustical challenges, equipment, WAF, etc....

Concerning the audition of Crescendos, I think there are two dealers in MA, and perhaps you might want to call Robert directly and he may be better able to direct you or have a customer in state that would agree to an audition. Of course, if you want to come over and listen to my system you would be most welcome,,,,, we are but 2,400 miles apart.....