Boutique or Big Brand?


Good evening everyone! I am looking at new speakers in the $5k, maybe $6k range. My electronics and room dimensions are on "my system" posted on my profile so I won't repeat them here. I currently have Tekton Impact Monitors, but feel they do not have a good low end (I posted my review on another post so won't bore everyone here). That said, they were the best I could afford at the time and above 40Hz sound good to me.

Now I am ready to upgrade and am faced with a decision... Do I go boutique with a bigger pair of Tektons, or maybe the Salk Song3 A or BeAts; or something from Zu or Devore? Or do I go with a Big Brand like the Sonus faber Sonetto V, B&W 702, or Focal Arias?

I have heard the Tekton, Sonetto V, and B&W 8-series (not the 7 in my price range). I want a slim tower because I feel a lot of them have the same footprint as a pair of standmounters and have better bass extension.

So, what are the benefits of boutique over big brand and vice-versa? It seems in my price range boutique may be the way to go? Thoughts? Any other recommendations?

Because of the pandemic I had to move to a place that doesn't have the audio stores that N.Y.C. and Columbus, Oh. did when I lived there, so I am asking your opinions. Please keep it positive and constructive, thank you.

l1975r

I think you have many, many options. I think the debate as to whether one should buy brand names or boutique companies is not as important as skipping hype surrounded any brand or model of component and actually listening and purchasing what sounds good to you. Customer service is always important to me as well. I have a pair of Vandersteen 2CE Sig 2 speakers that I liked very much and decided to add a pair of Rythmik subwoofers. So you can be creative. Just don't rush your decision. Maybe attend the Expo in Chicago!?!

yesterday's boutique is today's big brand, it's a vague definition to me. If you want to find the best for 5 or 6K I would create a spreadsheet and come up with some criteria besides price with at least 6 speakers to avoid just validating your desire. I would include British and Danish brands too, many options in this price range

If you don’t know exactly what you want buy from someplace with a proven good return policy.  That’s all.