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Speaker and Cable Suggestions Please

Greetings, some time ago (maybe over a year ago) I asked for some advice as to what tube integrated amp to buy. It was to be my first tube amp and I needed a lot of help. After a long search and much study, I decided on an ARC VSi75. Now I need your help again. I currently have a pair of Focal Aria 926. My listening room is small, 15'7" x 11'7" (4.75m x 3.5m).

I'm looking for a speaker for a near-field situation that extends into the upper mids and high frequencies. Since my amp puts out 75 watts of output, I need something with decent sensitivity, say at least 91db. I also need new speaker cables. I'm using circa 1980s Monster Cable now.

One more consideration, I have lost some hearing due to a neurological autoimmune condition. Yet, when I auditioned Paradigm Persona Bs recently through an ARC, I could here all the sound that I remember hearing when I was a teenager. The point being, I know that upper range I'm chasing is possible I just don't know if it's achievable on my budget. I have about $4,000 to spend on speakers and cables. I was thinking about DH Lab Q-10 for cables and the rest for speakers. What do you guys think? I don't mind buying used. Thank you.

diminishedchord
axeis1
278 posts
 

Dynaudio Special 40, ProAc D2R, cables Audience AU24-SX

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,497 posts
 

For your size room don’t limit yourself to a speaker with 91db sensitivity. A Ls3/5a type speaker would be a good choice with that ARC amp and near field listening. Harbeth, Spendor, Falcon, ProAc, etc. make outstanding speakers in your price range!

This Harbeth has always been my favorite of that type speaker!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFIaiPT_kY

newbee
4,751 posts
 

I think you need a starting point about what you expect a cable to do/be with your stuff, in your room. Waste a few buck, and buy some Blue Jeans and Mogami cables of the same gauge and length. They are quite different and sound quite different. I'm not recommending either one of these necessarily, but since you're willing to spend big bucks, this should give you some idea of what type of cable (sonically) you should be looking at. Some folks like a cable I'd probably call bright but others would think it's the cat's meow. FWIW.

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