Started with $1k speakers … what now?
I got into this hobby during Covid, browsing YouTube reviews my first speakers were Polk L100s and Sonus Faber Lumina 1s. Not bad as an entry point, but wondering what would be the next level is where a speaker is built with fewer compromises in the drivers and crossover design. My hope was that in the $5k range truer “hifi” entry points may be found in a small room system with a REL t5x. My source and amplification is already in the $5k range.
I visited a hifi store recently but was overwhelmed by the amount of choice and unsure what would be an upgrade based on first listening impressions alone.
Thanks in advance for any insights.
@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? |
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. |
Hello jdavis234 |
@lanx0003 It's in the comment below: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/started-with-1k-speakers-what-now/post?postid=2650000#2650000
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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. |
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? |
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. |
+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. |
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.
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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. |
@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! |
@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! |
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 $$ less then 50% of the cost goes into the speaker ,R&D overhead and markup including all packaging on a $5k speaker maybe $2300 actuall6 goes into a completed speaker ,this is correct . |
There are big names with a lot of buzz and then some others who offer very high value. These folks sell direct, have a lot of experience, and don’t advertise much. Two examples: Fritz and Ascend. In my view, spending 2-3K with these folks is like spending double or triple with other makers who have a lot of overhead, marketing, etc. That said, everyone has their favorites and their tastes. What I think is hard to dispute is that the more $$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. |
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. |
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...
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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. |
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.
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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). |
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. |
