Upgrade from Martin Logan Sequel II's to ????????


10 years ago my re-paneled & new Capped crossover Martin Logan Sequel II’s speakers were the best part of my system. Now 10 years later after some upgrades I think they are the weakest link. I am looking for suggestions on a different speaker under 5K or preferably under 3k if I can swing it.

Current equipment list: McIntosh C49 Preamp, VPI Classic Table with a AT OC9XSL Cart, Mark Levinson  No 23 Amp. Currently using the C49’s built in DAC and Phono Preamp. Streaming Qobuz via USB through a MacMini 2018 using BitPerfect to bypass any alteration to the bits (I hope).

Room is 13 feet wide x 16 feet long x 8 foot ceilings. Not sure what else to list. Suggestions?

chippieboy
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Moving from panel speaker to box, prepare to have your soundstage shrunken in width and depth, you image specificity to suffer, your transparency to grow veils, and male (and some female) vocalists to sound chesty and boxy.  I estimate 2 weeks before you start regretting your decision to move on.

Thanks audphile1, There is a Dealer 10 min off of my commute in Saratoga. I will set something up.

 

soix, I'm not sure what exactly I am looking for sound wise. Something is missing.

 

jsalerno277, I agree on the DAC and the way I stream. Still not that happy with vinyl as well. If and when I do a speaker upgrade, the DAC and Phono Pre will be next.

 

tablejockey I not really sure I am a panel fan. I stumbled across them and wanted to give them a try. I will look into the ART 9. That was on the roster last year.

 

yogiboy as for the speakers you recommended, there is a dealer in Sacramento down the street where I used to live. I will set something up with him soon. I know the place.

 

jhnnrrs, I was thinking the same thing. I like the way Julie London's voice sounds on the panels. The Liberty Label Recordings sounded pretty good. If you are a Boomer or Gen X'er you should read the story of the Executives at Liberty. Pretty good story. Other Generations will not understand.

Thanks everyone for the great ideas. Please keep them coming.

I think you’re going to like ATC. One other speaker that I can think of that does the mids really well but needs careful matching is B&W. May be the older 804D3 is within your budget. They do love high quality power though. Don’t listen to all the B&W haters out there. Check them out. Easy to audition the newest series in best buy. Nay be even listen to 703 S2.