Recommendation for low to normal level listening a 13.5' x 21' x 8' room


Appreciate your advice on speaker selection and what I should spend proportionate to the rest of my system.  Recently retired and moved to Atlanta, I am restructuring my system, going from 2 systems to 1. Dedicated listening room measures 13.5' x 21' x 8', is carpeted and will have diffusers and absorptive panels.  I listen mainly to jazz. I would like to make this speaker purchase my last.

I've owned Bohlender Graebener and currently own Eminent Technology LFT8B hybrid planar speakers, also own Talon Raven C.  I like the sound of the Talons and the openness of the ETs.  However the ETs aren't as refined a sound as I'd like (the Talons are more so).  Neither speaker is particularly alive at lower volume levels, and more engaging lower level listening is one of my goals.  I like a natural sound that is non-fatiguing.  While imaging is nice to have, it is less critical to me than the overall sound.  I want openness and as I age, the top end needs to be present and not rolled off but not over emphasized.  I also like enough base response that the sound is balanced.  Finally, I want a enough of a dynamic sound to accurately portray the music as it has been recorded.

 

The rest of my system includes:

Chapter Audio Chapter 2 amp

Cary SA_200.2 Moon version amp (with volume control)

SAS Audio hybrid tubed line stage preamp

Classe CT-SSP processor

Eastern Minimax phono stage

Musical Fidelity A5 CD

Metronome tubed CD player

A number of mid-fi turntables including Technics SP15, Yamaha PX2, Lenco 75.  I also have a very cool  massive 16" transcription turntable from the old CBS radio station in Chicago that is a future project.  Cartridges are on the low end (Denon103 and Hana) and I plan to upgrade.

Mosscade Saturn 12 subwoofer

I intend to sell off what I won't keep to help fund my purchase.  My budget is $5K - $10K and I prefer pre-owned to get the biggest bang for my buck.  I have my eye on a pair of pre-owned SoundLab Majestic 845, but I have never heard an electrrostat and there doesn't seem to be a dealer within a reasonable drive of me. Also I'm not sure if my room would be too small to optimize the 845s and I will do most of my listening within 8' -12' of the speakers. I also am considering Maggies and I will be auditioning an Acoustat 2+2 locally.  

I recently listened to Klipsch Forte 2s and Belles.  I liked the Forte's base and the midrange of the Belles.  I did not care for the top end of either as it seemed recessed and lacking air.

My electronics (except maybe the Chapter 2 amp) aren't the highest caliber so I'm open to any suggestion to maximize my sound.  I don't have unlimited funds to churn thru equipment until I find what I like and I am frustrated with the lack of opportunity to audition the equipment I've researched that seems to be what I'd like.  So, your input will mean a lot to me.  Thanks in advance.

 

 

lorenc1

I 3rd the horn recommendation, also @glennewdick expresses a lot of good options. Also remember the Cornwall 4’s are a different animal compared to their predecessors. I use a First Watt Sit 3 that is also popular among Cube Audio fans.

As an alternative to the Majestic 845 or Magnepans, check out the Janszen Valentina P8. This is a hybrid electrostatic speaker. Probably hard to find used, but pricing for new speakers does start at under your $10K limit.  Made in Ohio, sold direct. 

 

 

Thanks, all, for your thoughtful input.  I am digesting your recommendations and will look to audition whatever is locally available.

I heard a pair of Klipsch Forte IIs and really liked them but for the top end sounding a bit recessed.  I imagine the higher quality dynamic speakers will all sound good as well.   I have seen the Watt Puppies are Sonus Fabers noted in a quite a few threads in the past so I'll try to hear them for sure.

I am seeing what I consider a huge contradiction in the original statement. "Normal to low-level Listening" I consider Normal to low-level listening to have peaks into the 70 DB range as if you intend to even hear the quiet parts this is demanded. Also, I know I made exceptional speakers that have reasonably good Lows of around 50Hz easily achieved from 8" woofers; I seldom even get the desire to turn on my Sub. Considering that most Bass is a matter of what a certain instrument sounds like at that a given low freq, and how a particular selection is mixed, I ENJOY hearing what the studio intended for me to hear instead of some theoretical sound I am forcing into the system. By the way, I never had a graphic equalizer connected to any system I have ever owned and my current receiver is set to bypass the tonal controls. With this in mind, I HAVE learned that there are a number of pieces that I have found totally inadequately mixed, and am satisfied looking for better, rather than trying to override and artificially correct the studio's inadequacy.

4th recommendation for Cornwall IVs. I mostly listen to jazz atlow levels an these are a fantastic speaker for that.