Your advice needed, speakers to buy $8K to $13K


Hello All - I am shopping/buying speakers and want your advice and recommendations on what speakers to audition that might meet my needs/wants. I am looking for floor standing speakers in the price range of $8,000 to $13,000 with the following info for you to consider:

·       I currently have an older CJ 120 wat system but am now changing my entire system starting with speakers. I am looking at AR LS28 or Primaluna EVO 400 tube preamps and a class D power amp. Right now, the Bel Canto 600 with 300+ wats.  My plan is to add tube magic in the signal path at the preamplifier.

·       I stream mostly via Bluesound Nod 2i but for serious listening I have a Linn LP12.

·       I need speakers that are not to room, location or set-up fussy as I have moved a few times and will move again.

·       My listening tastes are diverse although I don’t listen to rap, heavy metal, pop or much opera. The rest is fair game.

·       I love to crank-it-up, but I listen mostly and moderate to low volume levels – the speakers MUST sound good at low volumes

·       Tied to bullet above - I am partial to highly efficient speakers with 90 db efficiency or more. I have a have the impression that higher efficiency speakers still sound good at lower volume. I have been told, by salespeople, that this is not correct, so I open to efficiency below 90 db.

·       I need and want something pleasing to the eye and not obtrusive. Said another way, and to give you an idea of my aesthetic taste, absolutely no Tektons.

·       The sound that engages me emotionally and I am looking for in speakers:

o   Lots and lots of air and space

o   Beautiful imaging

o   Big soundstage

o   Extended highs (I like the sound of ribbon tweeters as it seems to extend way up and sparkle…airy)

o   I like base but only as a support and foundation for the rest of the musical range, but it is not a big focus for me as it is for some.

·        The sound I do not like:

o   Sound that seems reserved, held back, constrained (i.e., opposite of special and airy)

o   Sound coming clearly from a box or from specific location….as in from a box

o   Lack of extended highs

o   Blooming base

·       Considered to date:

o   Alta Audio Alec, $10K – Spacial and airy to a fantastic level. Imaging is just moderate.

o   Spacial Audio X5, $7K – To date, they have check most of my boxes except they are really large and obtrusive. Basically, I am looking for this sound but in a more attractive package.

o   Ohm – Very open and airy but imaging and top end sparkle missing for my taste

YOUR CHALLENGE – What other speakers should I consider and looking at?   Thank you in advance for your thoughts!

 

Dave


butterman
If you go with AR I would look for a LS27 or Ref 5e. The LS 27 is really the first Ref. preamp
The LS27 or The Ref 5 or 5e will really rock a pair of Maggies 3.7i. I`ve own Maggies since 1978 I`m still holding on to my 3.6`s I`ve used the AR LS22 all Tube line stage Preamp also the ref.5
Thank you all.  There is a lot to think about and I had a friend mention a used  pair of Raidho's.  Everyone seems to love them and equally so mock their price new.  Anyone own Raidho's and if so, what are your thoughts?  Thanks

Fyne Audio F702 (8" drivers) or F703 (10" drivers). By way of technology and engineering team, they’re the new Tannoy. By all witness accounts I’ve seen so far (I really need to hear them), they’re also modern successors of the "good Tannoy" sound (imo Tannoy had some models that missed the mark, e.g. I never liked the Definition series).

I simply love the coherence and musicality of the dual-concentric design. It’s unlikely I would consider anything else ever again. They’re high efficiency: 92dB / Watt on the F702, 94dB on the F703! The Fyne F70X cabinets, in your choice of finish, look SWEET and are contemporary/modern/cool, unlike the traditional English Tannoy Prestige & Legacy cabinets. Tannoys are good for all genres, and by all accounts the same holds for Fyne. Tannoys were always good loud. What I’m hearing is that the new Fynes may be better than Tannoys at low volumes, too.

Of course you can also look at Tannoys too - they’re still good! Prestige Turnberry GR and Legacy Ardens fit in your budget.
Raidho's are wildly overpriced, so even their tickle-down used price is high w.r.t. what they offer.  Cost-effective options elsewhere.