Speaker thoughts - ProAc D40R or Wilson Benesch

I own the D40R's. They are great performers and easy to drive with tube amps or class A amps. I also listen to similar music. I listened to some WB speakers and I didn't think they were as full sounding and they didn't quite do it for me. The D40R's need a big space to shine. My room is 3x your size and the D40R's load the entire room...really load the entire house...with dense full range sound. Proac replaced the D40R with D48R recently, but I have never heard the 48, and there are really no reviews or posts on experiences from anywhere in the world yet. You probably have to buy the 48's on brand faith...otherwise go with the 40's if you can still get them.

Are you in the US? Arizona HiFi is the only US store that may have a pair. Soundstage Fine Audio in Canada has a used pair listed. Probably not going to get a new pair directly from Proac. Consider a K6 or Carbon Pro 6/8? You may be able to find a dealer in the UK with D40's in inventory and willing to ship. The D40R's were a high water mark in the Response 3, 3 Signature, 3.5, 3.8, D38 run. I had the 3.5's for about 8 years and loved them. The D40's are in an entirely different category of performance. You can drive them with literally anything of high quality. I'm currently using the VAC 160i. Not that Goldman you referred to.

Although I am thrilled with the D40R's, I think you should consider a used pair of Carbon Pro 8's. There are two pairs for sale right now for only a few thousand more than a new pair of D40R's. If you have the space, the CP8's should be spectacular with the two 8" bass drivers and the famous 3" ATC midrange.

Although I am thrilled with the D40R's, I think you should consider a used pair of Carbon Pro 8's. There are two pairs for sale right now for only a few thousand more than a new pair of D40R's. If you have the space, the CP8's should be spectacular with the two 8" bass drivers and the famous 3" ATC midrange.

Although I am thrilled with the D40R's, I think you should consider a used pair of Carbon Pro 8's. There are two pairs for sale right now for only a few thousand more than a new pair of D40R's. If you have the space, the CP8's should be spectacular with the two 8" bass drivers and the famous 3" ATC midrange.

I cannot offer a direct comparison experience of the Proac D40R and the WB line.   I still have the D40R and I continue to be amazed at how they perform in a huge room.   I would say the bass is ruler flat to 31 hz and useful bass in the 25 hz range.  On a test CD I can hear the 25 and 20 hz tone, but it isn't in the REL category.  The D40R bass literally loads my entire house....all floors and rooms.   It is quite impressive.   I have the VAC 160i integrated 85 watts KT88 and I run shotgun Cardas Golden Cross speaker wire....adding the second pair instead of using a high quality jumper was quite an improvement.  Front end is relatively simple: Rega RP8 w/ Ortofon Cadenza Black and a Cary CD300 tube CD player (circa 1995).   I still can't find a CD player that beats it and believe me, I've tried.  All Golden Cross cables and Shunyata power cables.  I've heard a few smaller speakers that do the midrange a bit cleaner, but not as full sounding.  Need to move up to YG Hailey or similar AND be able to drive with a high quality tube amp to beat these speakers on all attributes.  Good luck.