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Your thoughts on best audiophile speakers in $10,000 neighborhood?

I know the best way to select a speaker is to auditioon them at a dealer or in my own home. However, living in a rather rural area in northern Michigan, there's only one reputable dealer (Sonus Faber) in town so I may end up relying on reviews and your feedback. 

I used to own Vandersteen Model 2Cs in the late 1980s, but finally want to step up my game. I currently have a legacy Nakamichi receiver / amp with 1000wpc, but will probably upgrade that once I select a new pair of speakers. Currently I'm playing mostly LPs on a Technics SL1210G. I now listen mostly with a Mark Levinson 5909 headphone connected to a small Class A pre-amp, so I treasure detail and transparency and don't lean toward "warm" speakers.

Room is good size since it encompasses living room and opens to dining room and kitchen behind it. Cathedral ceiling is about 12 feet high. 

I'm considering the following speakers: Vandersteen Treo CT, Wharfedale Elysian 4 (perhaps too big for my room), Monitor Audio Gold 300 and the Sonus Faber Sonetto VIII. These all fit within my budget. What are your thought about any of these...or do you have others to recommend?

Thanks for whatever guidance you can give me.

 

aphilc
lnitm
139 posts
 

You should definitely check out Revel F228be or even Revel F208's . I auditioned Monitor Audio against Revels on the same system of electronics in the same room and the Revels were much better. I bought the Revel F228be's and love their Soundstage, imaging, openness and faithful reproduction with beautiful midrange. These are right at 10k price with great heritage and reviews. 

celtic66
1,611 posts
 

@siox +1. I owned the ATC 40 active for years and it is brilliant.  Checks all the boxes.  Not saying superior to your other considerations, just that they should be looked at seriously.  Best of luck.  Cheers

bigkidz
3,319 posts
 

OK here it is.  Look at the Revival Speakers. I just heard the $5000 pair and they are simply killer.  Makes us scratch out heads for that price.  Powered by a line magnetics 22wpc integrated amp.  Simply stunning.  ATALANTE 5 call Mike O'Keefe at HiFi Direct in Hackensack, NJ  tell him I sent you.  Mike has been a dealer for 40 years.  He can get anything but these simply just blew our minds.

Happy Listening.

 

nitrobob
238 posts
 

I’ll vouch for the Legacy Focus SE’s.

I certainly love these things and it’s taken a lifetime of trial to find them. If your game to come down to Ohio to have couple hours listen, you more than welcome

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker
100 posts
 

@ghdprentice - I endorse GHD Prentice’s POV. There is no better substitute than

hearing them yourself. One Saturday afternoon in a city in your part of the country would make a nice weekend trip and allow you to hear some options first hand. 

This is so ultimately subjective that you’ve got to trust your own ears first. 

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