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Can speakers be too good?

Now that I have over-improved my house, I am on to my stereo. I have what is, for me, probably my final 2 channel front end: Sony SCD555ES CD/SACD, Musical Fidelity A3.2 Integrated, Music Hall MMF7 table, Kimber Kable interconnects, Monster Cable power center. My thinking was to get the best quality electronics for the money, which I think I came pretty close to doing, and then concentrate on the speakers. I currently have PSB Image 7PT. I listen to mostly singer/songwriter, jazz, blues, alt country, roots rock. Mostly stuff that is not demanding in a dynamic or low frequency sense, but places importance on spaciousness, imaging, naturalness in the mid-range, etc. Also, my room is fairly small – 11 x 18 x 8.

My question for the forum: Is it possible to spend too much for a speaker to finish the system? (Within reason – I am not looking at anything in five figures.) I am a musician with a fairly well developed ear, but I am definitely not into chasing the last 0.5% of resolution at any cost. I have always been able to hear more of a difference between speakers than between electronics, although I can hear the difference between, for instance, my generic Sony DVD player, previous Cambridge CD player and Sony SCD555ES. I am thinking of a very high quality monitor in the $3 - $5 k range (basically equal to the entire rest of the system). Candidates would include Dynaudio Special 25, JM Lab Mini Utopia (used), Spendor 1/2e, B&W N805 Signature, Tyler Linbrook Signature, Totem Mani2. (Have heard some, but not all. Just giving possible examples in the price range.)

Does this seem like the right allocation of funds? Will I be able to get the most out of these speakers with my existing front end? (FYI - I am not likely to change the guts of this system anytime soon, although I would be open to tweaks/adds such as cable upgrade, power conditioning, outboard DAC, phono stage, etc.) All thoughts are welcome.
scotthmartin
dawgbyte's avatar
dawgbyte
325 posts
 
Another speaker you should look into is Green Mountain Audio's Europa. You can do a search on this site for feedback on these speakers (all of which is very positive). I've spoken to Roy Johnson (the designer and owner) and he's not only extremely knowledgeable, but is also a very nice guy.

FYI - I have no affiliation with GMA and have not heard the speakers myself.
a_e_watkins
106 posts
 
Scotthmartin

You are, according to you post, a musician and you like vocals, so why not listen to one of the Harbeth lines, they are simply amazing speakers.

All the best.

Regards,

AEW
kclone's avatar
kclone
652 posts
 
I own the Green Mountain Europas. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with these speakers. I just heard the Von Schwiekert VR 1s 2 weeks ago, and they are just as good as the Europas, perhaps better base. Plus, the VR-1s are nice looking. Both speakers retail for aroung one thousand.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Scott- I am not a musician, but I listen to the same kind of music, and have Vandersteen speakers for years. My room is a tad larger than yours, but not too much. You could go with new 3Asigs in your price range, or a used pair with a 2WQ sub and then add a second sub later. Don't laugh, there is a lot to be said for adding the subs. But make sure you get the fixed value filters, after determining the best value for your system (assumming that your integrated has a pre-out and amp-in set-up). Otherwise, the Vandy 2WQ will not work, although its possible you could get the HT sub (forget the model #) and run if off of a line out on the integrated.
steelhead
318 posts
 
You should listen to Maggies and Logans. I Love how singer songwriters and folk type stuff is rendered with Logans. A buddy has Maggie 3.5's and they are also excellent. Both used are well within your budget.

Have Fun!!!
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