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Changes in my life, new system, need new speakers

So I have moved into a new place, and have a very very small family room. Also got hit by a power surge and were taken out. I am working with insurance (slow) and manufactures (ever slower). But for now I have gone from an Audio Research LS5 MK III and Odyssey Kismet mono blocks. To an NAD M12 and M32 which I have 0 complaints about even coming from tubes and Class A’s the NAD Masters series just sounds amazing to me. But this new sleek looking system in my modern family room is kind of an eye sore with my current JM Lab Mini Utopia speakers. Now by no means am I giving up my Mini Utopia’s they will go with the Audio Research and Kistmet’s when I get a bigger place. For now I am going to the NAD stuff because I really like it and I want a small sleek amazing sounding bookshelf to go with the setup.

I was looking at the LS50 Meta initially but I do have the budget for more. Then I was looking at the Monitor Audio Gold 100 5g which used is right in my $2500 budget.

I listen to everything but mainly Classical, Jazz, and Rock and whichever bookshelf I pick will be matched with an SVS 3000 Micro

I am not looking for you to make a decision for me. I am looking for amazing sounding bookshelf speakers in my $2500 budget (used speaker budget) or if i am better off keeping the Mini Utopias for now.  If I do find something it would be nice if they were a step up from the Mini Utopias.   I will do my own research and testing, just looking for speakers people recommend and the reason why. Then this summer when I get a house I will have two amazing systems.

128x128justinrphillips
justinrphillips's avatar
justinrphillips OP
48 posts
 

@audiotroy I really love my mini utopias.  The more time I spend with the NAD M12 and M23 though hooked up to the mini utopias the more I am hearing some flaws in the M23.  I would say the m23 is a bit cold through the mids and over bright a bit on the highs.  After a bit a listening with the JM Lab tweeter my ears start screaming! I listen to a lot of Jazz so a trumpet will just kick in fatigue so fast!  

So to refine my original post.  My Mini Utopias are never going anywhere!  But I am looking for something with a soft dome tweeter that is not bright and warmer mids.  I thing it will make the setup I have for now ( I will have two setups soon) really sing.  There have been some great recommendations, but some of them have gotten out of my price range.  Also I am not going to a Kanta with a Beryllium Focal tweeter I will have no ears left after that. 

So my search continues specifically for a soft some warm mid bookshelf.  

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,603 posts
 

@justinrphillips , Well, if you're not in that big a hurry I'll let you know how the soft dome tweeter in the Atalante 3 sounds in about 2 weeks. I put my order in this last weekend. From what I understand practically the entire shipment destined for No. America is spoken for and they'll ship out the day they arrive. 

Like you, I want to keep the detail, air and ambience but try out a soft dome tweeter and that new mid-woofer (foam base, felt inner layer, basalt coating) to see if I can get more of a natural warmth than with my present set up. 

None of the drivers are off the shelf and designed by Daniel Emonts, who worked at Altec-Lansing, Focal-JM Lab, and Dynaudio where he was senior R&D engineer.

By the way, the image of the crossover above is for the 3-way so here's what it looks like for the 2-way,

That's about as simple as gets using top drawer components. As you can tell, I'm pretty jazzed about this and can't wait to hear them. 

All the best,
Nonoise

justinrphillips's avatar
justinrphillips OP
48 posts
 

@nonoise I have to say that is a simple but elegant looking speaker.  The price is not crazy and within budget.  May not be easy to source in the states but I will very much await your feedback on it.  Seems to check all the boxes. 

 

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,603 posts
 

@justinrphillips , Actually, they’re easy to get ahold of. You can try here,

 

or at tone imports @ mac.com

All the best,
Nonoise

 

justinrphillips's avatar
justinrphillips OP
48 posts
 

@nonoise  Thanks for that link!  I am looking forward to your feedback on the speakers! 

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