2. speakers
  3. 132865-105325

What are the best loudspeakers under $4000 to re-create lifelike piano

Over the past 4 months I've spent time with five loudspeakers.  On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate them as follows in their ability (with my equipment in my room) to recreate a lifelike piano.  Tekton Lore - 6.5 (great scale but tonal accuracy and clarity somewhat lacking),    Kef LS50 - 7.0 (moderate scale but slightly better clarity and tonal accuracy)  Kef R500 - 8.0  (great scale and very good clarity and tonal accuracy), Spatial Audio M3TurboS -8.1 (great scale and very good clarity and tonal accuracy and very smooth)  Magnepan 1.7i - 9.0 (very good scale with excellent clarity and tonal accuracy - very lifelike).

In your room with your equipment, what loudspeakers are you listening too and how would you rate them for their ability to recreate a lifelife piano and if possible a few comments as to why?
snapsc

Showing 5 responses by newbee

newbee
4,817 posts
 
Before you evaluate your speakers for their piano recreation's ability try to attend a live performance in a recital hall (preferably), a concert hall, or even a jazz club. The first thing to note is the size of the room!  Then note how loud (or soft) and distortion free the sound is (or should be anyway). 

We would all like to hear a real piano 'speaker' in our home but if Bosendorfer couldn't do it, and they tried, lets just close our eyes and fantasize. :-) 
newbee
4,817 posts
 
I don't think a lot about this any longer, but some food for thought -

When do you think they will ever develope a recording process that will come even close to giving you a source accurate enough to judge a speaker's real ability to reproduce a piano. Perhaps that is more of the problem than developing a speaker which can. Hummmmmm!
newbee
4,817 posts
 
grannyring, As I recall you once used Silverline Bolero's which I have and am quite fond of. As I recall you modified your crossover, I assume to pull up the 'balance' in the mid-range. I'm curious, if you can recall their unmodified sound with that of the 'Impacts', Double or otherwise. 

If you can, thanks.
newbee
4,817 posts
 
Grannyring, thanks for your response. I believe you have a good memory - you described my Bolero's well. I'll probably pass on the Tektons - a can just see all that audio angst starting all over again! :-)

Back to good piano recordings, FWIW I have a few that sound pretty good, but one that is better than most I've heard on my system.  I'd love to hear it on others, or hear from anyone who just might have. 'American Piano Music' by Sebastian Knauler  on Berlin Classic's. I quite like the way the engineers have set up their mic's to produce a lot of detail  yet keeping the integrity of the sound of a live piano on the on the stage. 
newbee
4,817 posts
 
twoleftears, Call Alan at Silverline and ask. Perhaps there is a willing owner on the east coast, i.e. one who would allow you an in home demo.
More to discover