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Could use some help in choosing new speakers

Hi all,
I’m in the market for new floorstanding speakers for the following system: Rega P25, Dynavector 20X, Arcam CD92, Bryston B60 (could change soon).

I am looking for ~$800-1,200 used. I have used Totem Arros, really liked their sound overall, but need some more oomph. Right now I am back to my old reliables, Signet 280 floorstanders, which don’t really compare to the Totem’s, save a very nice sounding midrange.

Looking for a great all-around speaker, and love an airy, open, warm sound with a wide soundstage and good imaging/separation, but not giving up too much in detail and accuracy.

They need to be on the smaller side with good looks to satisfy the wife. So a relatively small footprint, and ~40 inches in height.

I listen to all kinds of music, mostly rock and classic jazz, with a fair amount of classical and world thrown in. So a good mix of acoustic and electric music. My listening room is 14'X 28'X 9'(H), speakers against the long wall, and I can't have them out too far from wall.

Unfortunately, it is not feasible for me to get to any stores to listen to anything, as there aren’t any hi-fi stores near me.
From reading up online, these are what I’ve come up with thus far:

Spendor S5e, Quad 22L2, and Monitor Audio RS6

Has anyone opinions as to the differences amoung these, or have anything else I should consider?

Many thanks in advance.
sandman012
oem
91 posts
 
Sandman I think your problem is one that most of us would like to have.ie,a fairly large room.To get the oomph you desire the speakers must be able to fill the room at a reasonable SPL.
Then your amp and pre must be up to task.
I may be wrong but I don't think you can accomplish this on the budget you mention.I would recommend keeping the signets and start saving.
Best of luck
Post removed 
demar
25 posts
 
I think Totems are a very good choice. The Hawks and the Arros are outstanding performers. There are alot of good choices though.
sandman012 OP
50 posts
 
10-12 o'clock for listening at moderate to high levels.

Walking around the room doesn't dramatically change teh sound.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I just took delivery on a pair of Mirage OMD-15 floor-standers a week ago and now that they're broken in, they're just marvelous! In fact, I moved up to them for the same reason you seek to--I wanted something that would move more air in a cathedral-ceilinged open architecture living space, and the 4.5" 2-ways (even with sub) weren't quite doing it.

But the OMD-15s do it in spades, and if my setup is any indication, your little Bryston will probably be up to the task as well. The OMD-15s have a sensitivity rating of 91dB. This is a HUGE increase in volume-per-watt over the Totems, which are rated at 87dB. It would be like upgrading to a 150 wpc amp with your Totem (but the Arro's only rated for 80 watts max; these Mirages are rated to 250 watts).

They're the perfect size--40.8"h x 8"w x 12"d. Bi-wirable/ampable. Tremendous, room-filling soundstage with big sweet spot. With that comes less spot-on imaging, but that comes with the territory with wide dispersion.

These speakers are also plenty hi-rez to show up the quality of your upstream components. I was swapping 4 different amps in and out, trying bi-wiring and bi-amping, and could always tell a difference. The best matchup was an old 70 wpc high current Amber Series 70 power amp, so your Bryston should be a good match too. And if you want more oomph later, you can keep the Bryston and add a power amp and bi-amp the speakers.

The only downside is that these retail at $2500/pair. Crutchfield is an authorized dealer and that's their price. If you need to go cheaper, occasionally a grey market pair shows up new-in-box on eBay for around $1550 + ship.
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