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

With a good budget you can now get speakers that go low in the bass.  With better extension, your sub crossover can be set lower and the sub can focus on the lowest frequencies.  If your mains go low enough you might not even need the sub. 

The Gershman Acoustic Avant Garde’s are outrageously good speakers in the price range you mentioned

I would not say my Grand Avant Garde is outrageously good, but it is darn good! Your room is not that big and if you prefer smaller and lighter speakers that you can move around by yourself, Gershman may worth a look. The downside may be that it will need a high quality amp with at least 100WPC to sound big and full.

Well my quest is over! After several weeks of auditioning different speakers, I have made my decision - and I am very happy with it. I listened to speakers from Vandersteen, Harbeth, Totem, Fleetwood, Boenicke, Magico, Amphion, Klipsch, Nola, QLN and Magnepan. I listened to models within my price target and some way above it. Many sounded good, but just did not sound like an upgrade from my Linn Majik 140s (even the very expensive ones). Then I heard a pair of Gershman Grand Studios and it was love at first note (or maybe third). I could not believe how perfect they sound (to me). Very clear and transparent, with absolutely no harshness or edge to them. Great low end with fantastic accuracy. I think I could listen to them for hours with no fatigue at all. When listening to "Summer Time" from the "Ella and Louis" album I was completely engaged with Ella’s voice and then when Louis Armstrong’s trumpet came in I was just stunned at how realistic and present it sounded. I spent hours in the store just enjoying all my favorite tracks.

Thinking it might be the amp or room acoustics that were responsible I asked the salesman to move them to a different room and amp just to be sure. Thankfully he was able to haul the 80lbs speakers upstairs to a different room. Fortunately they sounded equally fantastic.

Despite my endless research on-line, I had never heard of Gershman Audio, so I guess it was a benefit that I had no pre-conceived ideas about their sound. The salesman offered a new set from the manufacturer or the ones I was listening to. I told him I want the ones in front of me - did not want to take any chances.

So thanks to everyone for their input. I am convinced these are the right speakers for me.

UPDATE:  I just noticed the post before this one recommended the Gershman Grand Avante.  I had not seen that post until after writing this post - certainly a coincidence.