Your thoughts on my quest for new speakers


I know this has been asked many times on this forum, but I would really like some input on my quest for new speakers.  I am currently running a Hegel 160 with Linn Majik 140 floor standing speakers and a Rythmik sub to fill out the bottom end.  I use the Hegel's built-in Airplay to stream Tidal (Hi-Fi only) to the Hegel.  I tried the Bluesound Node recently and found it actually decreased the sound quality, so I removed it from the system.  It seems the consensus is that Tidal Hi-Fi Plus is not worth the extra $10/month.  I listen to all types of music - with a focus on well produced recordings.

My listening room is a 30' x 13' rectangle with 9' ceilings and pretty good acoustics (I think).  The speakers are on a 13' wall.

Overall I am happy with my system and get a lot of pleasure out of listening to it.  But like many of us, I get the itch every now and then and wonder if I could improve the sound in some way. I think the Hegel is a solid contributor to good sound, so I plan to keep that and replace the speakers (although the Hegel 390 certainly is tempting).

Regarding price, I am willing to pay for good sound, but I subscribe to the theory of diminishing marginal improvement, i.e. $20k speakers are not twice as good as $10k speakers.  My sense is they are maybe 10% better (if that).  But let's not make this discussion about that.  My sense is $10k should get me speakers that are a solid upgrade from the Linns, but that is just a guess.

I am fortunate to leave near John Rutan's shop (Audio Connection) in NJ and spent a few hours with him last week.  He (as many of you know) is high on Vandersteens.  We listened to the Quattros for a while and they are great, but probably more than I want to spend and they would require I replace the Hegel as well.  We also listened to the Magnepan 3.7s and I was very intrigued with them - they really envelope you in the sound.  I am going back to listen to the Vandersteen Treos next week.

I listened to the 8 series B&Ws yesterday and really liked the 805s and 804s (I like the 801-803 as well, but too expensive).   They are also aesthetically pleasing, but that is not as important as the sound (of course).  I also listened to the Majico A3s, but I didn't find the $ worth it for the sound.

I also will listen to QLN, Boenicke, Focal and Harbeth at Park Avenue Audio next week.  The Boenickes really intrigue me.  The Buchardt S400 MKIIs also interest me, but wonder whether they are enough for my large room (even with the sub)?  I like that I can listen to them in my home for a period to be sure I like them.  They would be a nice low cost option.

So I would love to hear your thoughts on a good choice for me.  As I said, I think $10k is enough, but if there are some $15k speakers that would be a quantum leap forward, I would consider them.  I am open to used as well.

Thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

 

 

 

jcs01

I am in the market for my last set of speakers as I'm retiring soon and will not have the same discretionary income as I do now.  That said, I too have been looking.  The Maggie 3.7i's you mentioned I have auditioned and indeed, they are terrific, especially in the treble.  If I hadn't already invested in a number of low-powered amplifiers which I really love, that would be my final set of speakers.  I'm now looking at the latest iteration of Living-Voice OBX-RW4 speakers to replace my original Living-Voice OBX-RW's as I really do love the sound, the Charney-Audio MaestroX, and the Fleetwood Deville's all of which are pretty efficient for my low-power amplifiers.  I haven't made up my mind yet however I'm leaning towards the Fleetwood Deville's...  You should at least audition the Deville's if you can.  I will be doing that soon.  

 

my 2 cents -- maggie 3.7i’s are worth getting the right amp for... just sayin’... 😉

You might consider KIT speakers.  If you don't want to build the box yourself, there are people who would build them for you of course for a price.  Budget of $10K could get you anything you desire from Madisound, Meniscus, etc... You will probably not spend half of that.

I almost clicked BUY on the Buchardt S400 MKII, but then started to think - these SB Acoustic drivers are quite popular - i wonder if there are KIT speakers with the same drivers?  What i discovered was that many of the kits are using SATORI drivers, same family as SB but higher end like Lexus/Toyota.  The kit i am focusing in on right now the HELIOS uses tweeters that are $500 EACH.  So to stop rambling, I am saying that per dollar spent you can not do any better than a kit.  Of course there is some risk as to not being able to hear it first...   :)  Good Luck.

...for those who dismiss the KIT idea with no second thoughts let me illustrate something i learned by going through the parts catalogs:

if you want to replicate a BUCHARDT S400 MKII yourself you will spend $71 for each woofer, $200 for each tweeter, $36 for each passive radiator.

If you want to build a HELIOS KIT (same configuration as S400MKII but better parts) you will spend $237 for each woofer, $495 for each tweeter, $111 for each passive radiator.

BUT YOUR TOTAL COST FOR THE HELIOS IS NOT ANY MORE THAN BUYING AN S400MKII from Buchardt.  Thats a lot of money being saved and much better components.