Been looking around for speakers in the 15K range and under. Most of my music is listened to on Vinyl but recently purchased a Aurender N10 for streaming which I am really happy with. I listen to a very wide range of music, some classical, jazz, classic rock, punk and metal. About 10 years ago I got rid of my 70’s era JBL and Pioneer speakers and they both really played everything well. Now it seems difficult finding the right all around speaker. FYI, I like playing loud and want to hear the bass, but not wanting to go with subs.
So far I have listened with my set-up the new Magico A-3 and was impressed. Also on different gear at a dealer Monitor Audio Platinum 300 (I liked) but wasn’t a fan on the same set-up Totem Wind Design, Aerial 7T or ProAc D48R. In fairness to the Proacs I liked the sound but there was a lot of boominess at the dealer and in a fairly large listening area. Might have to go to a different dealer and listen again. Listened to the Legacy Signatures at Audio Doctor and was really impressed.
So my short list is Magico A-3, Legacy Focus SE, ProAc D-48R. Anything I’m missing that I should hunt down for a demo? I haven’t yet but by the encouragement of my salesman wants me to listen on my exact set-up the Focal Kanta and Sopra as well.
Recently switched my front end and although my current speakers sound 100% better still not low enough and the highs become fatiguing afer awhile. Currently Gear: McIntosh C2600 Preamp McIntosh MC611 Monos Aurender N10 Dr. Feikert Woodpecker TT with Jelco Tonearm/Koetsu Black Goldline, Denon 301II, Sumiko Blue Point Speakers Kef Reference 3.
Not willing to change any of my front end, just speakers. (And please no Tektons)
@bobheinatz Thanks for the info on the Spatial speakers. Did a bit of research and the open box design sounds very interesting. Actually called and Clayton answered the phone and really interesting conversation. I like the 60 day money back and also the upgrade program avail as well. @tweak1 Again another lead on open box speakers. They actually have a dealer in NJ which is only about 30 minutes from my office. Time for an extra long lunch break.
JBL 4367 / M2 Ohm Walsh DynAudio Contour 30/60 NHT 3.3 Klipsch Chorus II Golden Ear Tritons Tekton DI, DISE Legacy Signature SE, Focus SE DefTech 7000SC used Wilsons (if you like the focal tweeter, which I don't but many do)
Depending on Budget, new vs used that would be my shortish list.
I use Audiokinesis JM2.0 + Space Generator and never look back..They're just amazing. You can select 8 Ohms or 12 Ohms. Throw any music to them, they will amaze you and the price is so unbelievable..
You'd surely be missing out (and so do a lot of audiophiles in the US unfortunately) if you did not try to find out about the XTZ Divine Alpha. Lower priced than your budget, but easily competes with many many $20K speakers out there. Just beautiful looking and sumptuous sounding. Extreme refinement in details, balanced, rather slightly warm, natural, relaxed but yet dynamic without any fatigue(depends on amps too) + tuning possibilities, and easy to switch to active if someday you want to reach audio nirvana. I use it in my secondary setup. My main setup uses $40K speakers. So far I'd put them in front of any speakers I heard up to $25K, including BW800D3.
You mention no sub. I might suggest you consider a sub. Run something like a Revel 206 or 208 with even a good $2-3k sub from JL Audio or Rel, and you’d have a spkr system that has great sound, great imaging, is super dynamic, and has fantastic bass. AND YOU CAN DO THIS FOR UNDER $7000
why no tektons? your looking at legacy focus i know 3 different people that sold there legacy for just double impacts with your budget u can get the reference level.... any speaker you listed , my standard double impacts are superior... anyhow curious as to no tektons comment
I have JBL 4367 Professional Studio Monitors driven by a McIntosh MC 452 / C2500. Also use a pair of JL Audio subs, although I’m not sure the subs are all that necessary. I listen to rock, metal, and blues, sometimes at fairly high volume. The JBLs play cleanly at any sane level and never sound strained even at insane levels. Very little compression. I’m very happy with them
@tlong1958 Yes your system is pretty darn similar to mine. The JBL’s have been on my short list. Just have to hunt down some dealers and listen to them.
@mn2bttb Subs wont fit into my space aesthetically. Also running monoblocks and have talked with REL and they highly suggest for best integration to run two of them. Two extra items in the living area wont fly back home
I bought the Legacy Signatures from Audio Doctor. I would check out Magico A3, Dynaudio Contour 60, Endeavor E3 MK2, Monitor Audio within your budget, and perhaps the Vandersteens as well as people seem to love them. Focal, I'd check out the Sopra in budget.
I went with the Legacies after a thorough search/audition process.
@devaultcarl1, I do not think it is cool to promote selling products on the forums, although, Audiogon has lowered their standards on much of this. You need to post them on the " classifieds " side. This is just my opinion. Enjoy ! MrD.
Revel Studio 2. I know they’ve been around awhile but they still outperform their price point significantly. Sound great with your Mcintosh system too. With the 600 per channel you could drive the larger Revel Salon 2. There are used near mint Salons in you price range.
Tekton Ulfberht. They have some available for 9K right now. If you're looking for rocking speakers, these will rock your world with minimal wattage plus give you unparalleled detail with just a one watt valve amp. I am an owner and have experience their capabilities.
I bought a pair of Legacy Focus SE's about 2 years ago, and in the sweet spot, the "Focus" spot, they were the best sound I'd ever heard in my room, and as good as anything, anywhere..... really! But as soon as I'd stand up and walk around the room, the sound fell apart. They are simply too focused. The horizontal dispersion is very narrow, and they did not fill the room with sound. My system is in a room adjacent to dining room & kitchen, and my system needs to also fill the house with music. The Focus SE's failed in that regard. I returned them at a painful, but fair, 15% restock fee. I am still using my 29 year old B&W 801 series2's, ands loving them! (w/self-updated crossovers)
Definitely hear the Sopra 2’s. Unlike many higher end speakers I heard, they are equally adept at rocking pretty hard with great body and presence but can also get out of the way and throw a nice deep soundstage. They’re very faithful to the recordings in that way. Many speakers I heard either want to be up in your face or are way laid back and color the sound in either direction. Not Sopras.
Back in 1969 I went to a concert up in Bethel, NY and there were between 300-500K people there. Towers of speakers all over the field and they all said Voice of the Theater. After Vietnam I was setting up my system and had to have hard rocking speakers. No room for the plain Altec A-7s and could not afford the Magnificents so I settled on a pair of Altec Model 19s.
I know the plan here is to spend major dollars on the prettiest and most expensive speakers one can buy but after 45 years with my original pair of Model 19s I have not found a better hard rocking speaker yet. Sure, they do have some disadvantages with various types of music listening but you did say Hard Rocking. The 416-8B woofers are solid and fabulous. The 802-8G horn drivers are a perfect match and the one thing that keeps me a fan of Altec is the fact that Altec is still very much alive and well out at Great Plains Audio where you can have all these components updated, restored, remagnetized and brought back to good as new for pennies on the dollar in today's high end audio market. Audio Geeks play around with various crossovers and bi amping to make them even better while others hook up all sorts of fancy cables and wires in search of audio nirvana but I just turn them on a crank them up and find more issues with the source music than I ever have with the speakers playing it. To each his own but a company that has been around since forever and is still right here supporting us IMO is worth it's weight in gold.
Another vote for Daedalus Audio. Lou Hinckley the owner/designer has one foot in the pro audio world and one in the audiophile world. His current line of speakers give you aspects of both - dynamics, transparency, frequency extension, phase coherency, sensitivity, detail. Versatile speakers that can play quite loud and low while retaining composure. He has been doing this for 25 years so has a mature, developed product. Sensitivities range from 95 to 98 dB. You don’t need much power but they will take hundreds of watts. All wood construction and cost no object build approach. Voicing is more direct and up front which is appropriate for rock/live music. Many audiophile speakers fail in this regard. Order direct only. No affiliation, but I did just order a pair.
+ ATC. Ya think there'd be less not more choice! After 50 years of constant churning of all manner of audio gear in search of home audio nirvana, my Blumenhofer can impress but my passive ATC with lots of clean power are the only speakers to put the endless longing to rest. Can easily go to live performances, high end audio shows, salons and audio clubs' members' homes then return home and be not just content but delighted regardless of genre - spun or streamed. I don't buy lotto tickets but from what you've said, I'd bet ATC would appeal a great deal to you. Best of luck in finding "your sound."
gandmjl I know the Altec Voice of the Theaters Very Well. We had a pair in our basement when I was younger. Remember having them hooked up and playing the Stones on them. Not my style today as I need something to blend into my decor, hence my reservations with the new JBl 4367’s but are one on the top of my list to hear. Also I have enough hobbies at home and old classic speakers will be another hobby of things to constantly tweak and play with. But thanks for bringing back the memories of them. When my brother finally gave up music and touring, he sold them for a down payment on a 340 Duster..Geez what a great time it was. That was when I had to use my lawn cutting money for my JBL’s
Very interesting responses here. Seems like I still have to go back and listen again to the Legacy’s (a bit concerned about off axis sound though) Magico A-3’s and the Focal Sopra 2’s. This brought to my attention speakers I knew of but haven’t spent the time to go out and listen too. But many have been recommended here more than once so they deserve to be listened too. So now I have to go out and hear JBL 4367’s, Revels, DeVore, Salk, Daedalus, Dynaudio, Bache and Ohm Walsh. I do have to say that with all I dont like about my Ref 3’s, they do have really great off Axis sound. So comparing that quality is something I will definitely be looking at.
ATC is an excellent choice. I only had listened to the active versions, but I think your electronics will be able to drive both active and passive models. The SCM50 is fantastic!
Another speaker I really enjoyed is the Marten Django XL. Incredible sound in every situation - I heard them in audio shows, stores and at a friend's house. Not picky with amplification and very easy to position in your room, they always seem to deliver their best regardless of the circumstances.
The off axis portrayal of music and ability to hear great sound anywhere in the house with a Legacy Focus SE or Aeris and their ability to frankly kick ass and rock out will amaze you. I speak from many years of owning both,...
If these will pass the decor and WAF tests they will alleviate your concerns about off-axis sound and the ability to Rock. I have had the model below the M3 TM for two years and they do all you are asking for. Also Clayton has a 120 day free trial period.
@zephyr24069 They are on my hit list. Not sure where I read but someone mentioned they liked their Focus SE’s but had horrible off axis sound. As much as just a few feet away the sound took a serious tumble. Good hearing you saying something different. My room is open on the left side and when having company would like to have more that just a sweet spot.. The Kef’s are wonderful at filling up the room. Have to schedule a day to visit Dave at AudioDoctor again.
@jackd Yes I forgot those on my list. Spoke with Clayton and Linear Tube Audio in VA at times has a pair set-up. They just sold the ones off the floor and will let me know when they get another pair. I can listen to them as well as the Daedalus which has a dealer in the general area. Will make for a nice roadtrip
Acoustic Zen Crescendo. They pair especially well with tubes . Tons of reviews . The mk ll is even better tan the old reviews . A transmission line speaker that works !
Old school speakers and matching with modern decor is and always will be an issue. In my previous post I stated my love for the old school Altec VOTs and the Model 19 home version of them. Yes, they do not have the "Look" most of us these days can or will appreciate. Big boxes that do produce some great sound however not very wife friendly as far as decor goes. My home is decorated with turn of the century Mission style furnishings most of which I made myself having been a cabinet/furniture maker. With this in mind I had to remake my Model 19s into what my wife would consider acceptable for her decor. Speaker boxes are rather basic in that the components require particular internal box volumes which are easy enough to achieve once you know the parameters. I am not sure of how to post photos here from my PC but my Model 19s have a new dress in the exact Mission style that fits our decor but are still very much Altec/VOTs with all the original components but in a box worthy of my wife's acceptance. There is of course more than one way to skin a cat so I set out to keep my Altecs but disguised them to appease her desire to match the decor. They are still rather large but a happy wife makes for a happy life and I get to listen to the sound the way I like it. I have to try to post a picture but have no idea if it will show here.
I ended up buying a pair of Saoln2's because they matched really well with the system I built around the Salon1's, BUT if you can audition the Dynaudio C60 that retail for $10k and have been around long enough to get a deal on... with the sota electronics I heard them on they were musical and dynamic and with 2 9" woofers in each box I felt the notes as I heard them.
I keep yammering about my recently acquired Klipsch Heresy IIIs, and with the 2 REL subs I use with them they are very dynamic and clear, even with a 12 watt pc single ended amp...under 2 grand...simply fabulous sounding speakers.
@gandmjl...Nice set-up with the Altec’s. Great that you were able to customize the speaker boxes to make them work for you.
@steve59 Yes I do have the Dynaudio C60 on my list to audition along with Salons. I’m in no rush so going to do a lot of demos before I choose my next speakers
@wolf_garcia Yea, just not a Klipsch fan. Listened many times and have friends with them (gf loves hers) but just not for me. Also as I mentioned subs are not an option for me. Wanting full range speakers only
Just looking for full range and again aesthetics play a huge roll. Not a fan of the Pure Audio but will be looking at Spatial as an open baffle option. The other may be great speakers as well but not for my listeneing
For me it has to be Boenicke W11 (trade between £9000 - 20.000 3 versions available, base, SE and SE+) or even the W8 for 6k will rock off the major speakers in that price bracket and even at higher price.
Boenicke speakers are the real thing, the thing audiophiles have dream, at least this one have.
I want small boxes, that integrate well in our day to day linking space, produce a significative amount of bass that can almost represent a full scale speaker and a nice WAF factor. If possible good looking.
Boenicke does ring many bells in the costumers list, not easy to find and demo, but please drive extra miles to ear them, you’ll not regret it .
You mentioned that you play mostly vinyl. I personally have yet to hear any analog turned digital that I liked. You can hear the digital no matter how much money you spend. I recently hear a 90k preamp that did this and we listened to master tapes. I hated it. I know many swear by digital now, but go listen for yourself and I bet that you'll also hear the difference. you have a lot of choices in your area. I'd go to all teh stores you can to listen with your ears and not let what the dealers tell you what to listen for. I have a great dealer in NJ whom I know well and trust, but I he doesn't tell me how to listen or what to listen for.
when that happens, you focus on one or two aspects of the sound. JMHO...Good luck. good for Rock, but a good speaker is a good speaker and will play it all well. If a speaker is good for one or two genres, then it's not a good speaker. JMHO.
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
