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£15k $22k to spend on speakers...but which?

Over the years I've built up a system I like but I've saved the speakers till last because I want to spend enough to get them right. It now saved up and am about to embark on this purchase.

My system is Audio Research Ref 3 & 110, Transparent Super speaker cable and a Melco N1/Chord Hugo (which sounds really good) and Rega RP8 turntable.

I've (initially) narrowed down my speaker selection to:
Wilson Sabrina
B&W 800 D3
Focal Sopra 2
Sonus Faber Olympica 2

I listen to everything from choral and piano through pop to Frank Zappa, jazz, progressive rock and orchestral. I like accurate reflection of the human voice, clarity and good deep dry bass.

Should I look at used Sophia 3? Anything else I should add to my list.

I'd be really pleased to hear people's views as, of course, it is almost impossible in the UK to hear comparative listening tests between these different brands.

Thanks

Matthew
mwelliott99
zuio's avatar
zuio
96 posts
 
ATC SCM 50, Aries Cerat Gladius, Eclipse TD712mk2+Sub
chayro
2,928 posts
 
Charles, the speaker/room interface is so critical and when you have limited placement options, you never know. As much as I love Harbeth, I could not for the life of me make the Monitor 30s work in my room. They just hit the wrong nodes (I guess) and they sounded like the bass was absent below 100 hz. I probably could have made them work with a pair of Mapleshade Bedrocks, but I didn't feel like going that route. Good bass, but reduced image height, as I recall. My friend who bought the Pharoahs has very good ears and I believe him when he said they didn't work for him. That's why I insisted on a home audition before plunking down 12.5K.
hevac1
812 posts
 
I have a nice pair of Verity Sarastro MkII for 16k they would sound great for all your tastes in music.
mmeysarosh
126 posts
 
I would likely move up to the Olympica 3 from Sonus so as they are not as bass deficient as the other speakers listed. That being said, the Sonus Faber's have a distinctly different sound signature in comparison to other speakers you listed. All the other speakers mentioned present a more forward sound that gives great immediacy and very present sound. The Sonus are more a bit further back but still provide an excellent level of performance that draws the listener in.

I would suggest to listen the SF's first only to determine if that is the sound your looking for. If you find it too non involving, then its clear the other three speakers would likely suit you better. I might add in the Kef Reference 5 or Blade 2 in your listening sessions as they are a bit even handed on the treble as compared to the Focal, but without any loss in resolution or soundstaging. But listen to the SF's first just to get a feel for their style of sound.
leeagc
66 posts
 
With that front end I'd suggest used Rockport Altria/Avior, Magico S3 or 5 (but Q3 should one appear at the right price easily bests them), or Focal Utopia Scala.
Can't really go wrong with any unless you've a tiny room?
All are a significant step up from Olympica/Sopra level. For what it's worth adding subs is a whole level of complexity and room thing compared to simply getting your speakers right and with any of the above quite unnecessary.
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