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ultimate best speakers ever- now under 15K

#1 world class winner top of the line. I have decided to upgrade my system not just a notch but all the way. I want a system that will bring me very close to the real thing whether its vocal or operatic or symphonic, I want to be able to hear the micro-details and subtle nuances, the placement of the musicians, and tonality among other things. So far the best that I have heard is the piegas c8 ltd. and dynaudio c4. I am willing to go as high as 15K for a used pair, but will first consider used ones at 7K-10K. I listen to opera mostly but I also listen to all other forms except rap. Serious contenders only please, i am interested in top grade.
pedrillo

Showing 2 responses by drseid

drseid
201 posts
 
My vote used goes to the Mcintosh XRT-28s. I just heard these guys for the first time in an extended listening session at a high-end dealer in Tuscon, AZ last week. Electronics were all Mcintosh (solid state).

All I can say is I was just speechless at the spacious life-like sound I heard top to bottom. Allison Kraus was playing, and in the same location, the owner swapped in some $12,000/pr. Dalis (MS5's I think), and immeditely I knew to my ears they weren't in anywhere close to the same league as the XRT-28s.

Bass on the Macs was *very* deep and clean too. Their only weakness had nothing to do with sound quality... It was their wood finish looked relatively low quality to my eyes for their $18,200/pr. retail price(especially when compared to the fabulous one on the Dalis). Not a big deal to me, but I thought I should mention it.

Used these should be just under your $10K limit.

Good luck,

---Dave
drseid
201 posts
 
Hi Gaudio,

It may very well be true that the XRT-28s do not excel at classical just as you heard... I can't comment, because I did not listen to any on them (we stuck to female vocals, jazz instrumentals and rock).

As for the soundstage and midrange coloration issues you encountered, I confess I experienced none of them... Guess I just got lucky, or the music I listened to was maybe a better match with the speakers...?

I will have to bring some classical CDs (my music of choice BTW, go figure) with me in January when I seek them out again at CES, and see if my opinion changes any... For now though, I stand by my initial impressions as I was completely blown away with all that I *did* hear on them.

---Dave
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