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used speaker recommendations

I'm relatively new here.  Am in the process of upgrading a 2-channel stereo that is currently: Wharfedale Jade standmounters, Cambridge CXA-81, SVS sub, Bluesound Node2i streamer, Graham Slee phonostage, refurbished Dual 1228 with NOS Shure V15-III/Jico hyper-elliptical, various Pangea cables.
I like the "british sound" having around the house both Mission and Celestion speakers.  Nothing too bass-heavy or overly bright.  I think musical, rich, warm, detailed but not fatiguing.  Type of music I listen to: Argentine tango (Go-tan Project), Van Morrison, Sinatra, Ellington, Pink Martini, Chicago blues.  When in the mood I love the Rolling Stones. 

The room is small, 15x13.  I am currently building some tube traps and acoustic panels.  WAF necessitates standmounters.
Budget is $1500, tops.  New, I would probably stay with Wharfdale.  Lintons, perhaps, but the reviews of the Evo 4.2 are uniformly good.  My real question for this forum, though, is on the used market because I am unlikely to be able to audition most of what is offered for sale.  There are a number of interesting options in my price range just looking at Audiogon and USAudioMart.   For example: KEF LS50 and R3, ProAc Response 1sc, Spendor SP 2/2 and 3/5, Tannoy HDP/315/8, Revel Performa M.20.  Then there are the non-british brands that might fit the bill like Sonus Faber Concertino/Electa/Venere/Luito/Minima.  Yikes.  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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Showing 3 responses by verdantaudio

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,469 posts
 
So....I spent some time listening to the Jades and I am curious what the issue is.  The Jade 1s were maybe a little lean, but the Jade 3s were amazing.  I found them warm for my taste but with brighter amplification, they are brilliant.  A lot of the speakers you are looking at are not necessarily going to be better than what you have.  They will be different.  

Different might be better, but I would need to understand your challenges with the Jades before making a recco.  That is a VERY good speaker that punches above its weight.  I would not say that the Kef LS50 is inherently better.  It is just different and in some ways (bass response) it is worse.  
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,469 posts
 
How close are the speakers to the wall?  A little room from back and side walls could have a big impact.  Bigger driver on the Jade 3s might also help and those should be comfortably in your price range.
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,469 posts
 
One funny thing, even if a speaker is not rear ported, often times they perform best when given more space from the rear wall.  Try giving them a little more room, like 24" to 36" and you may find that sound improves further. 

That much room may not be practical either in terms of your room or WAF but it will clarify the issue completely.  If that is the issue and you can't have them that far from the wall, then you can rule out Jade 3s  

Also, the Jades are a very warm speaker in my experience.  If you want more warmth, I am not sure that Harbeth or Spendor will be warmer.  You may find that an amp change is going to be more practical and/or effective.  
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