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Speaker upgrade

I would like to hear thoughts on upgrading my speakers. I am very happy with my current system, but am thinking of upgrading the speakers. Not made up my mind yet, but very close. I have changed my gears recently and deciding whether to keep my current speakers or try different.
I currently have Aerial acoustics 7T, with 2 REL S5/SHOs. Aerial acoustics 7T are one hell of a speaker, and I never thought I will change them: they are very neutral and transparent, which plays exactly what you feed them. I still think they are excellent and In fact, on many forums, I have constantly bragged about them and still do, for good reasons. But I guess, time has come to change. Looking for speakers with better resolution, big soundstage, organic and sweet mids. If I can get more of everything my 7T does, it will be a jackpot. Budget is < 35K (used OK).
I have thought of Magico S5 MK2, Vimberg Tonda, Marten Mingus, Rockport Avior II. Others include Von Shweikert VR55 and Vivid Audio Giya G1. Hard to audition all, but have heard S5 Mk2 and Rockport Avior II which are close top.
My other systems include, AF strumento no. 4 mk2 amps, VAC renaissance mk V pre-amp fed by Luxman D-10x (DAC/SACD player) and Antipodes CX/S30 (server/streamer). I use roon mostly and listen vocals, Jazz, classical, Indie Rock, contemporary instrumental and the likes. Room size is 17 x 14 and height is 10 feet. I have already done all room acoustics. Cables are Silversmith Fideliums (never going to change that) and Shunyata anaconda/python, TQ black diamond and AQ Hurricane.
romney80

Showing 5 responses by bpoletti

bpoletti
1,556 posts
 
To expand on the use of artificial ficus trees....  They are diffusers,  The leaves deflect sound rather than keeping a coherent soundwave bouncing off the walls.  It breaks up and helps absorb the sound waves. 

The ficus trees are also have much more WAF appeal than the typical room treatment.  They are available from @home for a fraction of the cost of typical room treatments.
bpoletti
1,556 posts
 
@arafiq 

Go away and play with your little stuffed animals.  Let the adults have a meaningful discussion.  
bpoletti
1,556 posts
 

Before you spend a lot of money on speakers, populate your room with a dozen or more artificial ficus trees behind and between your existing speakers. Wall-to-wall at least 7 feet high. Place the artificials on stands, if necessary to attain the necessary height. Make sure there is sufficient density so that most of the rear wall is not visible.

Artificial ficus trees are great audio diffusers and make most rooms significantly better acoustically.

Speaker performance is critically dependent on room acoustics.  Ficus trees are very effective in removing room effect.
bpoletti
1,556 posts
 
@romney80

Speakers only sound as good as their environment allows and based on the way the upstream electronics perform.  The room is top on the list for problem correction.

All the speakers you listed are very good, but exactly WHY are you interested in replacing the 7T's?  What shortcoming / problem are you trying to fix with new speakers?  

If you must replace the 7T's and have a $35K cap on your expenditures, try looking at used Wilson speakers.  VERY GOOD RESOLUTION (!), in the right room and properly set up, they can have a huge soundstage.  With the right electronics, can sound quite organic and have sweet mids.  The downside is that low- and mid-line Wilsons are often brutally revealing of problems with upstream components.  Your components might be OK if they can handle the (sometimes very) lower impedance of the Wilsons    

The upside to Wilsons over their competitors is their excellent dynamics (use your seat belt).  That's important to classical and jazz.  The later ones seem to have sweeter high frequencies, IMO a shortcoming of their early designs (particularly the WATT).  

BUT LIKE ALL SPEAKERS, ESPECIALLY MORE EXPENSIVE ONES....   they should be auditioned where they will be used.  As in your listening room.  

bpoletti
1,556 posts
 
@romney80....  

Thanks for the kinds words. 

Artificial ficus trees are not my original idea.  But they are certainly effective in reducing room problems and one of the best bangs for the buck in acoustic room tuning.  
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