Better give more specifics like: Budget? Where in Chicago will you be (VERY large city)? Speaker type e.g. Horns? Dynamic? Planar? etc...
Speaker suggestions please - going to the BIG city
I've received some excellent advice from this forum in the past and I'm hoping you can help with speaker suggestions. I've had my Martin Logan Summit X speakers for five years. In that time, I've updated all my components and cables, but not the speakers. When I purchased them, I lived in a small town and it wasn't practical to travel to the big city to audition others; they were a strong suggestion from an audiophile friend. I very much like them, but I have a hankering to upgrade, or at least consider other brands that will compliment my system (see below). I don't want to change my Primaluna HP Integrated because I like it, and I recently upgraded all the tubes at a cost of $1300.
I listen to jazz, female and male vocals, quartets, etc.; think Jewel, Melody Gardot, Nora Jones, Neil Diamond, Alison Krauss, etc. Never hard Rock, and never overly loud.
My room is about 18x25 with a vaulted ceiling and open behind the listening seat by another15 feet (the kitchen).
I have an Axiom Audio sub in the system that I've also thought about replacing.
I'm heading to Portland and Chicago in the next few weeks and have time to audition speakers. I'd very much appreciate your thoughts on what would sound the best considering my music choices and Primaluna amp. I know I could just listen to everything, but I'm hoping you can help me narrow the choices.
My system:
Steve
I listen to jazz, female and male vocals, quartets, etc.; think Jewel, Melody Gardot, Nora Jones, Neil Diamond, Alison Krauss, etc. Never hard Rock, and never overly loud.
My room is about 18x25 with a vaulted ceiling and open behind the listening seat by another15 feet (the kitchen).
I have an Axiom Audio sub in the system that I've also thought about replacing.
I'm heading to Portland and Chicago in the next few weeks and have time to audition speakers. I'd very much appreciate your thoughts on what would sound the best considering my music choices and Primaluna amp. I know I could just listen to everything, but I'm hoping you can help me narrow the choices.
My system:
- Martin Logan Summit X speakers
- Holo Audio May DAC (Kitsune edition)
- Lumin U1 music player
- EtherRegen.
- AfterDark clock and power supply for the clock and EtherRegen.
- Roon Rock using a NUC that I built
- Acoustic Zen Hologram II speaker cables
- Acoustic Zen MC2 and Kimber Kable D60 digital cables
- Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference II interconnects
- OPPO 105D player for DVD and SACD disks (modified by Ric Schultz).
Steve
48 responses Add your response
I'd very much appreciate your thoughts on what would sound the best considering my music choices and Primaluna ampWhat would be infinitely more helpful and effective would be to know what speaker/system sound characteristics are most important to you and what you’d like to improve upon over your MLs. A “hankering to upgrade” really doesn’t tell us anything about your tastes/preferences so not really any help in making a meaningful recommendation. |
I've heard PL stuff with many speaker combinations over the years, along with using a DLHP for 6. Type of music listened to is irrelevant. The HP will support most of the popular mid level value speakers mentioned here(up to 5K) or something getting serious $10K+? that's including everything thing below and in between. The Summit X's are good at what they do. If that were my situation, I'd pick up a pair of nicer subs and make sure the speakers are positioned optimally. The HP sounds great on stats or conventional boxes. Recently picked up some older ML Theos just to try out. While they're enjoyable, they aren't staying. I've decided if I'm a long term ML user, more recent models with 10" woofs are for me. Add 2 more subs and it's E ticket. Before the ML's a 10 year old pair of Opera Seconda(poor guy Sonus Faber, Made in Italy) and REL B3's get the job done. If I go conventional, I'm looking at Focal Kanta,Sopra..., older SF's or whatever nice looking box that catches both ears,eyes...and unfortunately wallet. You will get suggestions all over the map on "what's best" |
If you will be in Portland then I recommend a side trip up to Redmond where after hearing my Moabs you will realize you have found your speakers. Bonus, you will also be able to hear and compare: Townshend: Podiums, Pods, Supertweeters, and F1. Moneoone: Supernova and Nova power cords. All the latest Synergistic Atmosphere X: power cords, interconnects, speaker cable. Plus whatever wire or Player you bring, plus a lot of other stuff I am not at liberty to disclose on-line but that will have your head spinning and jaw gaping. |
Buy some Tannoys, you won’t go back. For that room, get the Arden Legacy, $4K each... https://upscaleaudio.com/products/tannoy-arden-loudspeaker |
Won't give you a speaker recommendation. Will just tell you to visit Pro Musica in Chicago. Right down the street Wrigley Field (Clark street and Wrightwood). These guys are the "Music Monks" in Chicago from way back. Other respectable dealers: Superior Audio (roughly Milwaukee & Chicago Ave), Music Direct (North side @ Ravenswood and Bryn Mawr) and Precision Audio Video @ Lawrence and Broadway. Good hunting! |
I would seriously look at some Zu Audio Omen Def Mk.2 speakers. I love them because they are efficient at 101B/watt and very clear especially with vocals. Jewel is one of my favorite singers.
I'm a fan of a minimum number of drivers per speaker. This design yields the most detailed and unfractured sound. I was truly amazed at how they sounded compared to a pair of big Martin Logans at my buddy's house. Less than $5k, but currently out of stock, worth the wait in my opinion. |
Since volume is not a huge issue for you and you have a penchant for female voices you will definitely like Sound Labs 545's. Imagine your Martin Logans with a more dynamic sound, more detailed bass and lower midrange with better focus, imaging. Magnepan 20.7's would be a second choice but I really think the PrimaLuna will do better on the Sound Labs which is a better speaker at any rate. With the music you like going from ESLs to dynamic speakers will be disappointing. The reason most head in that direction is to get more volume, not an issue for you. I would be nervous going for horn loaded speakers as it takes a really good one to not add pain to female voices. Allison Krause's voice should not hurt at all. Everyone knows I am a Sound Labs fan. Admitting this Judging by the music you like and where you have been the 545's make the most sense. They are not overly large by the way, 24" wide and five feet tall. |
The Music Room (TMRaudio.com) has a pair of Acoustic Zen Crescendos (MK II) for $8,999 + shipping ($499). They retail for $22K. Should be a good match for your cables; and, TMR has a "buy it, try it" policy; so, you're only on the hook for the shipping costs if you decide to return them. Good luck on your search; and, trust your ears! |
Hi, here is my two cents. I had a PL Evo 400 paired with Focal 1028 Be II. I do too listen to jazz mainly and some classical. Thought I had it until I auditioned Audio Note. Long story short, my system is Audio Note now. I can only suggest you listen for yourself. Dealer in Chicago is Audio Archon. They also deal with Harbeth and Devore Fidelity, which could be a great match as well. Your ears will better than any words we could type here. Good luck and enjoy the hunting.... |
May I suggest the Dali Epicon 6 or 8. Here's a link:https://www.dali-speakers.com/us/products/epicon/epicon-8/ I live near Portland, and I think Echo Audio carries them. I have the earlier version of the 8's. Check out their tweeter/super tweeter assembly. Amazing for voices.My room is around the same size. |
If you like the soundstage that the Martin Logans throw, I would look at either Raidho (X & C line models can be had in that price range) as I have heard the driven by a PrimaLuna amps and they do very well. Audiovector is another option though the R3 is a bit below your budget and the R6 is way above but they are really good. There is definitely a dealer in Chicago for them. MBLs would be the best speaker in this price range for that big immersive soundstage but you can't dream of driving them with the PrimaLuna amp. |
Martins are excellent speakers and I do like them a lot, but when I heard the Omen Defs Mk.2 next to them I was amazed. And it was not an efficiency thing as I had my dB meter calibrated to an NIST standard with me at the time. Compare as many speakers as you can! If you can find a dealer with Zu Audio products, at least take a test drive. I have 5 Jewel CD's from her 2004 "Instant Live" tour, they still bring chills. My favorite is the one from the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. |
I would second Quintessence Audio in Morton Grove. I was in a similar situation as you though my Summits were not X's and when I moved I couldn't get them to sound good in my new room. Patrick Servance spent the better part of an entire day with me and I found my Dynaudio Confidence 30's and have never looked back. Abt Electronics in Glenview is a really neat place too. |
There are so many great speakers in your price range. If you had to listen to them all, there would be so many new ones on the market that you would have to start over again. I’ve has Wilson Speakers and B&W Speakers, but my favourite is a Canadian speaker made by Paradigm. Persona 3F or 5F. Give them a listen. |
Call Audio Consultants. Have them bring a pair of Magneplaners by your house and set them up. If you don't like them, at least you will have listened to speakers that do not add anything to the "sound" of all your hardware, which you will hear for the first time. After that, you can buy whatever YOU like in YOUR room and enjoy it! Cheers! |
Echo Audio may not allow people inside their store. Email or call them to confirm. Chuck, Millercarbon, knows what he’s doing, knows what he’s talking about. I’ve been to his place twice and I (along with some very critical audiophile buddies) have been impressed with what he has achieved- excellent sound, top to bottom. If you can make the 4 hour drive to Redmond from Portland, I recommend it. Especially at your price range. Also, why not contact Albertsportis (Precision Audio and Video) in Chicago? He’s got a huge inventory and he’s a good person to deal with. If he thinks his product isn’t for you, he won’t try to sell you his product. Good luck. Drop me a line when you’re in Portland. |
Sorry, I've been absent folks; I had a family thing come up and this is the first I've had time to log on. WOW! Lots of recommendations. I'm enjoying reading them all as I'm listening to Jewel's Greatest Hits album through Roon--love it! I have to say, I do love these MLs I have, but I'm anxious to hear other options. I have an appointment at Pearl Audio and Echo for next Thursday and Friday and I'm excited about the opportunity. IN the meantime, I ordered a pair of REL s812 subs to replace the one I have. The Axiom is a good boom-box for movies, but can't keep up with the MLs and doesn't really add anything. The RELs arrive Tuesday. I won't have time to fully break them in before I leave for Portland, but I'll start the process. Thank you again for the suggestions! The journey begins soon! |
Well, I haven't been able to make my trip. Too much work and Covid issues stopping me. I've been doing a lot of reading and found a pair of Harbeth Hi5 plus XD and KEF Reference 1a with good pricing. According to what I've read, both are tube friendly. To refresh, I have a Primaluna HP Dialogue Integrated that I really like with two REL s812 subs. My room is about 18 x 25 with a sloping ceiling from the second story. My music tastes are Jazz, Nora Jones, Melody Gardot, chamber music, etc. Nothing hard, loud, or rock. Amy thoughts on these two options? I can't go hear them because I live in a small town, and they are being sold by a dealer in another state who took them on trade. Thanks for your advice! |
Did you ever settle on anything? How are the subs. Looking at upgrading to a pair of S/510’s. I’m in Portland. Not sure if you’re still headed here to visit dealers. There aren’t a ton but I would suggest Pearl Audio and Stereotypes. Echo Hifi is great, my favorite, but most of their inventory is second hand so just make sure they have something you want to hear. Otherwise I think they’re a Kef dealer. Sometimes they have some really great items to check out. Regarding speakers, I would check out Salk and Cube. With your budget you would have a few options with Salk. I had a pair of Song3’s and used Primaluna and it sounded fantastic. You could move up the line to SS9.5’s and be blown away. I currently have Cube Nenuphar Mini’s also being driven by a Primaluna Evo300 amp. Best sound I’ve ever had. The speakers love tubes and are so natural and detailed it’s eerie sometimes. Cool thing is the Cubes can also run with very low powered tube amps too. I have an Oliver Sayes 45 tube amp that’s like 1.5 wpc and it sounds amazing too. There’s no dealer in Portland but I think the dealer is in Chicago; Refined Audio. |
I was in Portland last summer, but most of the stores were still closed or only accepting appointments. A friend of mine just bought a pair of Wilson Sasha's and is selling his Maggie 3.7i's. I'm picking those up in CA next weekend and get to try them out for five weeks while he's in Holland. I can't wait to hear them in my home. I have a set of AntiCable Autoformers, which should help the PrimaLuna drive them. I'm also adding an active crossover from Sublime to pull the lows into the subs before the PrimaLuna, which will also help it drive the Maggie's. I love the subs. It took me a long time to get them dialed in--I kept tweaking them until they now sound great. I also turned down the 25 Hz knob so they don't compete with the subs until I get the crossover. If you're thinking about buying REL, I suggest you contact Albert at Precision Audio and Video. he made me a great deal on the two s/810's I purchased. I'll update this after playing with the Maggie's for a few weeks. |
