Neal1502...based on my reading of your posts, I think we seem to have similar room dimensions and, perhaps, similar musical preference. I also will be attending RMAF to scope-out speakers at that price range. The ones I will listen to include Horning Hybrid Eufrodite MK3, Ascendo, and Audio Acoustics.
I just might see you at RMAF. If you want a speaker-mate to demo speakers, let me know.
Ken |
Interesting thread...
I have the same size room, same budget, similar tastes, and am also looking. Please let us know what you come up with. |
Neall502,
Email me.
Magnumpi205 |
First of all, thanks much for so many great suggestions. I want to personally thank Tsciame, Krisjan, Shadorne, 4musica44107, Nealrm, Paladin, Kurt_tank, Magnumpi205, Glai, Grannyring, Hi_hifi, Nextlevelav, Ojgalli, Dfaulds, Jburidan, Macdadtexas, Abramsmatch, Rcprince, Larryi and Semi. Really appreciate your thoughtful response. I surely need some time and lot of research to absorb all the info.
My room is 20x13x9. Probably not the best room for a full range speaker. Where I live (Charlotte, NC), we got very few dealers. Closest I need to travel to is Atlanta or Raleigh. What I was looking for in a speaker is that can represent the ‘body’ of a full scale orchestra. That can soundstage and image well. And that can isolate different instruments. Can depict the depth of the stage, or can keep up with the increasing pace of say, Saint Saens’ Piano Concerto 2. Not sure if this info is helpful in any way.
My next step would be to look up places where I can audition these.
RMAF was a great suggestion too. I have booked my tickets to get there :), though this will eat into my budget, but I guess it would be worth every penny. |
I have owned and heard a lot of gears, some that I like and might fit your taste:
Analysis, similar to Apogee. very direct and immediate sound just like other ribbon
Sonus Faber Homage line, but be sure to get the newer generation because new drivers are head and shoulder above the old one, not just in hi-fi effect but also in emotional capture
Aerial 20T, very detail and dynamic, but requires some muscle
Verity Parsifal or higher, very musical and on the easy side for amps
Usher BE10/20, very detail and transparent with great leading edge micro dynamic, requires some muscle too
in general, I am not crazy about speakers using ceramic drivers or hard dome/cone, they wear you out very quickly. I like ribbon in general, but don't like line source because the narrow vertical sweet spot. there are hundreds of good speakers out there and there is no guarantee you can get good sound (or sound to your liking) unless you match them well. define what type of sound you like, buy any speakers in that category that receives mostly positive rating, and work from there.
have fun! |
A lot of good suggestions, though we should know your room size to be sure that it can handle a full range speaker. I'd add to the list Vienna Acoustics (which I heard in the past with a Krell amp and it was a pretty good match) and Dunlavy (used, of course). |
Abramsmatch,
I like your suggestions on speakers. It is a bit hard to guess about what the original poster is seeking and what would also work in his environment because so little information was given. Still, I would guess he is looking for a warmer balance and something that can deliver weight for larger orchestral pieces. Your recommendations seem to fit that bill.
I would add to your suggestions, something like the Gershman GAP 828, Vienna Acoustics Mahler, Vandersteen Quattro, Aerial Model 9, DeVore Silverback, and ESP Bodhran (some of these might be slightly over the price cap). |
As an opera and classical music lover whom has been through many a speaker, several stand out for me--
1. Living Voice OBX-RW (newer- more refined version)- perhaps with a sub if you like (a damn good one or two though like a high-end Rel)
2. Daedalus Audio Ulysses (I own the DA-RMa and love them for classical-- a touch warm like spendor and Harbeth but to my ears more balanced overall- though I havent heard the lastest iterations of the Spendors)
3. Big Proacs (treble still a bit tipped up to my ear, though easily tamed with wires - JPS works beautifully with them for example- or amps -- Bel Cantos worked beautifully)
4. Reynauds-- Loved the Trentes and Twins and hear the newer ones punch things up a bit dynamically- could be ideal. For you I think it'd be the Orfeos (big boys).
I love ATC's and dynaudios as well, but in my experience, both require a fair amount of amplifier 'welly' as the Brits say to get up and on with things. Also-- ATC and low level listening-- not a match made in heaven no matter your power. Dyns and ATC's are certainly beautifully balanced tonally though.
I suppose, given my current inklings, I'd go for the Daedalus Audio Ulysses if I were you. Easily driven, beautifully built and likely retains all the spendor/Harbethian traits without being too 'pipe and slippers.' Also great at low levels.
|
I think if you upgraded your amp first, and tried the Spendor or Maggie 3.6's again you would find them much different. Your integrated does not have the power to really open up either of those speakers.
Also, on the Quads, with your existing gear if you tried the 2905 I think you would be very happy, especailly on large orchestral works.
Good luck. |
Look for used Tannoy Churchills with 15" DC. Or a pair of Tannoy 215 DMT II's.
Other than those speakers, I've never heard any that do well on large scale orchestral music or opera. |
Shahinian Diapason's or Hawks. |
At your price point, don't consider anything but active speakers. That alone will clear up a lot of the congestion you hear from most speakers. To maintain the best bass definition look at only sealed or open baffle. Avoid large panels unless you're okay with a very restricted, narrow sweet spot. Do some online research. There are only a few candidates that will meet all the requirements you need. |
I am biased, being a dealer, but have you tried Dynaudio?
You may be pleasantly surprised by their neutrality, smoothness and dynamics. |
If you liked the 20.1 Maggies you should try hard to audition Soundlabs; they can create a tremendous soundstage; depending on the model they can produce a significant to a large amount of low end plus outstanding midrange and highs with a ton of air and definition. If you like Jazz, try some Bill Evans live recordings; you will feel like you are in the night club; same with good vocals, and I'm sure your classical preferences will do just fine too. You will definitely need to upgrade to a serious amp and a good preamp, but if you check out Agon you will see various Soundlab/Sound Lab models selling in your price range. If you have enough space in your room and the budget for the system it's hard to do better.
|
Spend $4000 on the used Silverline Borelo speakers here on the Gon and prepare for heaven plus put $$ in the bank.
Really! |
I have previously owned Jmlab and Avalon speakers. I am quite happy with Verity speakers and I am primarily a classical music listener. Give it a listen. In my room, the rear firing woofers benefited greatly with some bass traps. I think they are more demanding to setup but ultimately took me further than the other two speakers I had mentioned. A major benefit is the higher sensitivity, and a very transparent midrange. |
Invest in a plane ticket to Denver and go to the RMAF.
Takes a lot of the and ,ifs and buts out of the equation.
Might save you thousands of dollars and you'll get what you really like. |
Other speakers in your price range, (used of course), that I would recommend would be:
The Avalon Eidolons, which are very transparent, and image and soundstage very well. (However, they are just slighty less than full range.) My friend used these for years, and he is mostly into classical music. They are fairly neutral and have a very nice tonal balance. They are very pleasing to the eye as well. Used, they run around $10K. You might even be able to find the Eidolon Diamonds for around $15K.
The EgglestonWorks Andra II speakers, (which I own by the way), are somewhat similar sounding to the Eidolons, in as that they too image and soundstage wonderfully. But they are a full range speaker. (Note: they might even have bit of a mid-bass hump - I can't tell if it was the speaker or my room, to be honest, but I think it worth mentioning. I have done a few minor room treatments, and the mid-bass hump seems to have disappeared almost entirely.) They look pretty good too, but IMHO, not quite as nice as the Eidolons. Used they run around $10K too.
Now, your amp will work for both of these speakers, but to be honest, they both deserve better, as both are very transparent, and will sound as good as the electronics in your system are. (I highly recommend Lamm amps, as that is what both my friend and myself used with both of these speakers.)
My two cents worth anyway.
Good Luck in your search! |
Try Sonus Faber:
A pre-owned pair of Amati's should fit the bill in the middle of your price range.
A pair of Elipsa's will provide more bass @ the top end of your price range. |
If you don't mind used, you could look at the previous Focal Utopia Be's. I bet you could find a used pair of Alto's for that price. Maybe even Novas at the top of the range. The inverted Beryllium tweeter produces a very wide soundstage. Paired with the Krells I suspect they would sound great. |
I second the Vandersteen Wood Quattros. Moving up in price to the top of your price range (actually just a bit above) would be the Devore Fidelity Silverbacks and the Verity Leonores. The latter are quite new and I have not heard them yet, but have a feeling, based on my Verity Fidelio Encores, that the Leonores would very much be worth an audition.
Since you did not rule out used, I would also suggest the Aerial 20T's if your integrated has enough power for them.
Good luck! |
ATC SCM 50 Actives will do the trick - there is a used pair for sale in your price range (Gordon Holt's Estate - he also liked classical and Panels). ATC are close to Quad panel midrange clarity yet will still do justice to Mahler or rock. |
If you liked the Vandy 5's, you should check out the Vandy Quattros. Right in your price range and it will do acoustic music supremely well. The adjustable low end will allow you to tailor the low end for virtually any room. |
I've been very impressed with e Marten Design speakers. I can highly recommend the Marten Miles III, in your price range. Very revealing, great PRaT, well worth investigating further. |
