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Suggestions for rock music

I listen to mostly rock based music (no classical, no jazz) at moderate levels in a mid size room and am curious on speaker suggestions. I did a ton of upgrades this past year to every piece of my system except my speakers. I think the SongTowers are absolutely amazing for $2k, but I am wondering if I have surpassed them now with my electronics?

BAT VK-55
K&K Audio Maxxed-Out
VPI Classic w/SoundSmith Zephyr
Salk SongTowers

I read a lot of posts about all these higher dollar speakers you guys are running but I never know what type of music you are listening to. I spoke with Jim at Salk and for my tastes he recommends the next step as the HT2-TL's at $4500 (the smaller HT1-TL's not a good match). I am sure the HT2-TL's are incredible, but the only thing putting me off is the size of them. Any suggestions on something smaller in stature that will give me that realism, imaging, and sound stage?
vortrex
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vortrex OP
273 posts
 
Manitunc, don't be weird. I'm not looking to carry on chatting with these people, but if I have a question pre/post purchase I want to 1. get a response and 2. get a response from someone who knows what they are talking about. I passed up on buying from Sota due to their inability to answer even the simplest of questions over email. I own a piece of gear from one of the larger "non-best buy" brands and would never buy from them again due to them having an email black hole. Salk, K&K, and VPI have incredible customer service, far above and beyond what's expected. I like that. and no, BAT is not the one I am saying who has bad customer service. I just bought that piece and have never tried to contact them. from what I hear though they are on the level of the other three I mentioned.
manitunc
795 posts
 
I have also had good response from PSB, Oracle and Sota. My point was that Vortex was eliminating PSB because he wanted more contact with the owner/designer. While I didnt talk to Paul at PSB, their service people have always been very knowledgeable about the product and are good people. That might be better than dealing with a prima donna owner/designer who thinks everyone elses stuff is garbage.
maineiac
649 posts
 
I see Vortex's point about being able to have access to the designers. I have had a great experience with this and have greatly benefited from being able to ask questions of and get answers from the people that are putting themselves into their products. Nobody has as much knowledge and experience as these guys (not even the dealers). Just in the past two weeks I was able to get phenomenally valuable info from both my speaker and amp designers. They always seem to be pretty happy to spend time helping their customers.
zephyr24069's avatar
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zephyr24069
1,243 posts
 
I listen to a lot of rock, prog-rock, etc....You will definitely want to consider Legacy Audio Focus HDs and if you can find them at a good used price, the Focus SEs. Legacy Focus excels at a large variety of music; rock music of all types is one of its strongest suits.
manitunc
795 posts
 
Why do you think they would want to talk to you? I would think most successful owners/designers have better things to do, or not enough time, to sit at a computer and respond to every email they receive from prospective customers, who, if like many posters here and elsewhere, just want to take up time and space.
I just think excluding brands like PSB because they are successful and the owner cant sit at a computer and answer everyone's email is a mistake.
vortrex OP
273 posts
 
the von schweikert 4JR are too deep, even deeper than the HT2-TL's. I have an open entryway to contend with.

as far as Dynaudio, Psb, Polk, Klipsch RBH line, Paradigm, Monitor Audio, Energy, Infinity - I'm not going to buy any of the bigger name brands. I like having direct email access to owners/designers.
trebejo
102 posts
 
If your room is mid-sized and you don't listen to rock music "loud", then really your options are wide open. If you like your Songtowers then, well first of all not a big surprise, second of all, might as well stick with the manufacturer since he listens for the same things that you do.

The challenges come in when you make your room bigger and the volume knob goes up. Otherwise, it's very much an "according to taste" thing and you seem to have solved that problem. Congrats, enjoy your sound. :)
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
your songtowers are fine.
tom6897's avatar
tom6897
1,484 posts
 
I would suggest that you consider Dynaudio Contour S3.4 or 5.4, Psb, Polk, Klipsch RBH line, Paradigm, Monitor Audio, Energy, Infinity. That should get you started looking and searching to see what you like and check prices that are in your range.
maineiac
649 posts
 
Not familiar with your BAT but if it matches I might suggest looking at a used vandersteen quatro (or 5A if you can stretch) or new von schweikert 4JR in your price range. If you really like the salk's then going up the line probably would be a safer bet for you if the size can be dealt with.
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