Started with $1k speakers … what now?

There are so many choices in that price range...though possibly an easy place to start would be with Sonus Faber and Polk in your new price range

It really depends on what improvements/sound characteristics you’re looking for as that’ll really drive what suggestions you get here and make them more targeted to your specific tastes.  Also, it’d be most helpful to know the rest of the equipment in your system including cables, power cords, power conditioning, etc.  The more info you provide, the better recommendations you’ll get here.

Thanks, soix.

I have a Quad Artera pre and stereo amplifier, mogami interconnects, blue jeans canare quad star speaker cables. A furman power conditioner. Emotiva XIEC power cords.

I suppose my real concern is if going from $1k to $3-$5k is a reasonable step up for someone with not a lot of experience in the hobby. I don’t want to go crazy at this point but in the $1k range I’m at I realize I’m getting things like stamped drivers, lower quality magnets, copper, ect. I listened to a Harbeth (can’t recall the model), Graham LS6, Moon Voice 22 (which I liked the most on first impression).

That jump in price can absolutely make a very significant difference...

The best way is audition to find which speaks to you if at all possible.  You can have a look at Arendal speakers as they offer the best customer service and trial period of any other audio company that I'm aware of.  

You need to tell me what amp you are using, what music you listen to and how loud you like to listen.

Hi mijostyn,

Amplifier is Quad Artera. I listen at moderate volumes. 60-70db 

I suppose my real concern is if going from $1k to $3-$5k is a reasonable step up for someone with not a lot of experience in the hobby.

Absolutely!  That’s a very big step up in potential sound quality as you’re still far from the point of diminishing marginal returns.  Big question — are you looking for new or used?  Also, what are you using for a music source — what streamer, turntable, DAC, transport, CD player?  Last, and most important, what improvements would you like to achieve (what would you like to be better) and what sound characteristics are most important to you?  I can’t stress enough how important this last piece of info is.  Thanks for all the good info BTW — very helpful.

Soix, thanks for asking, streamer is ifi Zen with the linear power supply, I'm using a Schiit Bifrost 2/64 right now for a DAC.My turntable is a Denon DP-47F with a Hana EL mc cart.

New is good, used is better.

As far as improvements, it's a great question because for me its something I don't really know until I hear it, which is why I went to demo a few things out of curiousity. It was good to hear a much more expensive DeVore also and I did realize that my ear just isn't there yet to appreciate those things, yet. What I liked about the Moon Voice 22 was that in addition to energy in the low end it handled complexity well and had a good sense of scale and width, a reason why I was interested in Ohm speakers as well that could cater to more than one person (haven't heard them, though). While I mostly listen to jazz, vocals, and solo classical, I like plenty of indie rock and alternative. With everything I listened to, I didn't get the impression it was that much better and was almost disappointed until I went back and listened to the same things on my current system.

Forget upgrading for now...

Learn acoustics basic...

Learn about mechanical and electrical working controls of the system /room...

Then instead of being a buyer you will learn how to do thing right...

Taste matter way less than acoustics...😊

Only marketers dude plays with your tastes ...There is no tastes in acoustics done right...

For sure buying is more easy than learning by experiments and studying... But trust me it is more fun... And less costly to think before buying...

Try to put what you already have at his optimal level... You may be surprized by the difference between before and after...

These Joseph Audio Pulsars will propel you to another level entirely on every level. I’m recommending them for multiple reasons, the biggest being their overall sound quality, but there’s more. Because you’re struggling coming up with specifics the Pulsars are speakers that shoot straight down the fairway and do everything very well. Read the reviews and you’ll see they play much bigger than they are in both scale and bass capabilities, and their imaging and 3D soundstage are superb and among the best out there (largely due to their unique and patented infinite slope crossover IMHO). JA speakers also pull off a great disappearing act and they look really good doing it, and at their $3800 asking price here they are fairly priced and well within your budget. They also offer wide dispersion characteristics so you can be outside the sweet spot and still get good sound, which sounded like it was something you were looking for.  Last, these appear to be in the gorgeous Sapele wood finish, which IMHO is the most attractive they offer. I have no doubt these will blow you away, and even if for some reason they don’t work out you can sell them for little/no loss, which is nice. Just do it — you’ll be glad you did.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650050984-joseph-audio-pulsar/

There are big names with a lot of buzz and then some others who offer very high value. These folks sell direct, have a lot of experience, and don’t advertise much. Two examples: Fritz and Ascend. In my view, spending 2-3K with these folks is like spending double or triple with other makers who have a lot of overhead, marketing, etc.

That said, everyone has their favorites and their tastes. What I think is hard to dispute is that the more $$s that go to the speakers’ parts and design, the better. Glossy ads and lots of overhead just divert your money to aspect which won’t pay off in your actual listening.

soix, thank you. This looks like a step in the right direction!
mahgister - Great points, well advised. 👍

hilde45 - Good advice, I completely agree. And thanks for the ’insider’ info. I’m going to take a look.

OP, in case it’s helpful:

On Ascend -- here.

On Fritz -- here. Video here and here.

@jdavis234,

Will you be able to attend the AXPONA 2024. That is a great way to experience so many different loudspeakers.

Having owned a Audio store and modding Loudspeaker Xovers for over 20 years 

sadly even at $10k Xovers are average at best , why because of $$ 

less then 50% of the cost goes into the speaker ,R&D overhead and markup 

including all packaging on a $5k speaker maybe $2300 actuall6 goes into a completed speaker ,this is correct .

@hilde45 I just watched your youtube review of the Carbon 7's outstanding job detailed and honest. It's nice when you see/experince an actual human that posts on these forums. What I appreciated most is you've actually had the gear in your home and than one example of the Fritz line. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience in depth. I must say truthfully I have a new found respect. Please continue to share video content it is very authentic and informative keep up the good work!

@balooo2 Thank you so much for your nice comments. There are many elements of a proper review that I'm unable to do, as a hobbyist, but I can do a few things which make the commentary useful. Those include keeping key variables stable, using language transparently and consistently, trying different combinations of gear and music, and not making claims for which I lack evidence or proper controls. Because I am doing these for myself, I think of them as journal entries about my experience. I'm trying to be honest to my future self and for anyone else who watches, listens, or reads. Cheers!

Upgrading is a slippery slope/rabbit hole, whatever you choose to call it. I would recommend getting the 6th edition of Robert Harley’s book ‘The Complete Guide to High-End Audio’ as well as a calibrated microphone. Download REW and learn a bit about YOUR room acoustics. Changes to your room/environment can make significant changes/improvements to your sound.  I have been slowly upgrading my system with primarily vintage gear, it’s a journey not a destination; enjoy the ride. 

Hi, @hilde45, is this your review? (if not, please share the link)  Based on this review, the Carbon 7 easily outperforms the Burchardt S400 mk II, Dynaudio S40, and SF Sonata2, which are three terrific bookshelf speakers I owned or have  auditioned. With that, as an owner of the great S400 mk II, I must say that the Carbon 7 is a set of speakers one should definitely give a listen, despite its slightly lower bass quantity.

+1 on the advice given by @hilde45. 

I own the Fritz Carbon 7se MKIIs. Fritz provides an extended trial period.

I  use them with amplification that is far pricer than the speakers.

Also I might recommend getting the book "The complete guide to high end audio" by Robert Harley.

There are so many speakers to choose from. Besides, budget, ohms, and power requirements. The most important thing is the room. My second system in my foyer is a Sonos Amp with Micca speaker cable and Best Buy Insignia book shelf speakers on stands. Because of the placement of this system it will smoke systems costing thousands more. If your system is going in a specific room then spend $5k on the room. First and second reflection points, diffusion in the front and back, and maybe the ceiling. I guarantee you will be able to put able to put a boombox in the treated room and have amazing results. Vicustics is a very popular brand. You can have a million dollar system in the wrong room setup or a $1k system in a $20k room that will sound amazing. 

OP,

If I were in your shoes, I would suggest used or companies that have a "direct to consumer" business model.

If you can find the Joseph Audio Pulsars (Soix posted a link), that would be my first choice. As many have posted, Fritz would be a great as would Philharmonic BMRs. Used Spatial Audio Sapphires would be worth looking for.

I would also consider the Clayton Shaw Caladan open baffle speakers, but I'd wait until people start receiving units and can post experiences.....I bought mine sight unseen of course, based solely on reputation; should be arriving in February?

Without a doubt, you can definitely get improved sound beyond those small 2 way speakers within your budget.

I always recommend trying to find efficient (high sensitivity 90 or above), so less amp power is needed. That keeps the amp size/weight/cost low and improves placement options, that may involve receiving remote signals.

I do not like ports, if so, front firing.

Also, efficient speakers make it much easier to try tubes, now or in the future.

How large is your listening space? What volumes do you like? makes a difference of course.

used or new. You can certainly get ’more’ buying used, IF you know they are in great shape. Shipping cost is an issue buying used, try to find something close enough to pick up and perhaps listen to before final purchase.

A great deal, add shipping cost is not a big deal, however who will package them? Original boxes?

One way is to use UPS’s ’Pack and Ship’ service. Seller simply drops them off unpackaged, UPS packs and ships, they are responsible for successful protection. Get size and weight from seller or specs on-line, get a preliminary estimate from UPS, decide, then upon receipt UPS gives you an exact price. I’ve used it several times, always successful. It is a way to get a ’local pickup only’ seller to simply drop them off.

hifishark.com; search for speakers, then set a price range, I would put in $5,500 max, you want to know what is available if you stretch your budget a bit.

Sort by price, or sort by first seen new first, keep checking until a great choice pops up, jump on it.

i.e. just listed, excellent speakers, gorgeous rosewood, $2,000.

but only 87db sensitivity.

says perfect, I would ask for photos of drivers with grilles off, see surrounds of drivers with cones.

see other items: seller is experienced, must be good packer if such a high 99.8% rating

top of your 5k budget, sensitivity 104db, low amp power needed.

is your space large? you would need to use UPS pack and ship, get seller to simply drop them off. With shipping cost over your budget, but those should sound amazing in a large space.

my last for instance, seller more than likely would agree to drop off at UPS

in system 1 day, sensitivity 92db,

@lanx0003 This the review  

More useful then the Nemo take (I like Nemo btw).

.

@lanx0003 It's in the comment below: 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/started-with-1k-speakers-what-now/post?postid=2650000#2650000

Hello jdavis23401!  You mentioned "small room" in your triggering message. Consider the Larsen Line. The new Absolute Sound reviews the smallest one in the line. It sells for less than $3K and sit flat against your longest wall. They solve the placement problem for folks with smallish rooms and sound good. I saw the original model at CES years ago. I was walking down the corridor, passed a door and stopped five or so steps later. What was that? That sounds better than anything I've heard in two days! Filling the room with great sound is their goal. None of that "Two or three feet from the back wall at several feet from the sides, angled in about 20 degrees . . ." stuff. If I had to place a speaker like that in my house, I couldn't answer the door!  And yes, I own Magnepans. They are not as fussy abut placement as many think. The new LRS+ are a super bargain! Happy listening!

A lot of good advice here. My input would be to go very slow with your upgrade process. If you are or want to be serious about your HiFi and get the most for the least amount of money you should start with your room and isolation/decoupling of your components. Not as exciting as buying new speakers but probably more important. You can go down the rabbit hole of studying & learning how to make your own room acoustic pieces instead of spending big money on manufactured stuff. You can look into DSP if hanging things around the room isn't practical for you..but treating your room will get you the results you are looking for. 

I say go slow because it seems you haven't dialed into the exact sound you want or how to get there. You have quality gear already. I have not heard your Legend speakers but I've owned the Reserve R200 & R700.. actually still have a pair of the R700's. Contrary to the negative bias many have toward Polk their newer models are quite capable of good music when paired with quality components. I understand reasons for wanting to upgrade from them but they are good enough to keep using while you work on your room. 

When you are ready to try different speakers look at ones that will pair well with lots of other gear..because you will probably want to switch that up at some point as well. Speakers with a higher sensitivity and easy load for any amp. You never know, you may get interested in tubes or Class A at some point. Maybe look at used. Be patient for prices and brands that you could resell easily without taking a big financial loss. Good luck. 

Otherwise, you are not getting anywhere w.r.t to a very discernible improvement on a 5k budget.

@deep_333  , just to clarify (but not to start an argument) you are saying that if OP wants a significent sonic improvement over is current 1k speakers, he will have to spend more than 5k?

@hilde45 Do you still own the Salks 6M SS? How do they compare to the Fritz carbon 7 SE MKII?  I am now considering a pair of the Fritz's for myself.

@deep_333  , just to clarify (but not to start an argument) you are saying that if OP wants a significent sonic improvement over is current 1k speakers, he will have to spend more than 5k?

@immatthewj , Yes, as of 2023/ 2024, guys like Andrew Jones, Danny Ritchie, etc have offered such insanely great sound at around the 1k price bracket that it takes a whole lot more of an exponential increase in price to beat such things (obtain a significant enough jump). 15, 20 years ago...yeah you got something worthwhile at 5k if you had something going on at 1k.

Thanks everyone for such knowledgeable feedback, it’s extremely helpful. I feel a lot more confident now in the direction I should be headed and the things I should consider (or not) in this price range.

@immatthewj I see where deep is coming from in the sense that diy or used will provide more of an improvement than buying new. I’m not considering any diy projects, however. I have a couple very questionably soldered guitar pedals I’ve diy’d in the past.

For me, Andrew Jones new $3700 and $3000 speakers are way better than his or the OP’s $1000 speaker...and Salk definitely over the Fritz, though I think Salk is retired from making new speakers...I currently have Salk Monitors and the floor standing Carina, both of which are great in a small room...so many great speakers now in these price ranges

For me, Andrew Jones new $3700 and $3000 speakers are way better than his or the OP’s $1000 speaker...and Salk definitely over the Fritz

@jl35 I hold both speakers in high regard, but that’s a pretty definitive statement. Have you compared Salk and Fritz speakers directly?

Yes I have. I think both are terrific. But I’m a long standing Salk guy and I just prefer them. No argument with anyone who prefers the Fritz. 

@jl35 Got it.  Out of curiosity and as I’ve very unfortunately never heard either, what were the material differences between them and what models did you compare?  Thanks!

@jl35 Got it.  Out of curiosity and as I’ve very unfortunately never heard either, what were the material differences between them and what models did you compare?  To drill right down to it, what ultimately pushed you toward Salk over Fritz?  Thanks!

I found the Salk more full sounding and dynamic, and preferred the clarity of their high end...the models listed in the thread a few below mine, though I’ve recently owned the SongTowers and still own the Salk Monitors...the Fritz were being auditioned by a friend who chose the Salk...we do live close to the former factory...I believe of the earlier mentioned speakers the Salk are more expensive which while not guaranteeing superiority certainly gives the edge for talented veteran designers... I think also in some ways Salk reminds me of Fried  speakers , one of my earliest higher up speaker purchases

@jdavis234 

are you looking for standmounts or floorstander speakers?

maybe 

For me, Andrew Jones new $3700 and $3000 speakers are way better than his or the OP’s $1000 speaker..

@jl35  , are you referring to the Sourcepoint speakers by Andrew Jones?

Ascend Sierra EX v2 w/ RAAL tweeters. Go to hifishark, create an account and set an alert to receive an email for when they become available for sale on classified sites. You will not be disappointed.

If you've got the cash spring for the Sierra EX Tower v2 w/ RAAL tweeters.

@immatthewj , Yes, as of 2023/ 2024, guys like Andrew Jones, Danny Ritchie, etc have offered such insanely great sound at around the 1k price bracket that it takes a whole lot more of an exponential increase in price to beat such things (obtain a significant enough jump). 15, 20 years ago...yeah you got something worthwhile at 5k if you had something going on at 1k.

@deep_333  , it sounds as if you are saying that this is kind of inflation in reverse (at least when it comes to speakers)?

What I mean by that is:  20 years ago 1k sounded like more money than 1k sounds like today, but from what you have said, for 1k today, one would buy way more pewrformance than what one would have bought for 1k 20 years ago.

In my own case, going on about 30 years ago, I bought a pair of B&W 805 Matrix speakers that listed for $1600/pair. At the time, I thought I was spending a lot of money (I was just getting started in the audiophile game).  How much would I need to spend today to realize a significant upgrade in sonic performance over those older B&Ws?  Over the years I've upgraded everything (more than once) except for the sub and the speakers, and that was because I just always thought those B&Ws sounded great.  With that typed (and I am not saying this sarcastically) this was probably because I never knew any better.

@kennyc

Standmounts.