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Forever speakers around $5000

Hi Audiogon! Your help has been invaluable in the past so I’m back yet again. I think I’m close to purchasing my forever speakers and am looking for recommendations of what to consider. Here are some qualities I’m looking for, in order of importance:

  1. Amazing soundstage. I really enjoy a speaker that can throw a BIG soundstage.
  2. Fun, slightly U-shaped frequency response.
  3. Tight, punchy, musical bass.
  4. Airy and clear high end, think Magnepan.
  5. Good R&D and technology. If I’m paying this much for a speaker, it better not just be a damn box with some bargain paper cone drivers in it.
  6. Nice looking. This is a speaker, first and foremost, but it is also a piece of furniture. It really does have to look nice (I hate to say it, but this probably disqualifies offerings from GoldenEar).
  7. Semi-compact. I like a speaker that has a good physical presence in the room (not too small) but not something massive like a Magnepan (been there already) or Wilson. I like units no more than 45" x 10" x 16" or so. Also cant weight a million pounds as we are still in a rental and will have to move these.

I currently own a pair of LSA 2.1 Signature floorstanders, which have certain qualities I like (soundstage/imaging due to rear firing tweeter, size/weight, U-shaped). But things I feel are missing (bass feels a bit loose, build quality could be better, feels very low tech with paper woofers and unbraced MDF cabinet). I listen to a wide range of music, mostly a lot of intimate jazz combos, some experimental electronic and IDM, funk, some rock, black metal, and a bit of classical.

Here are some speakers I have heard and liked:

  1. Magnepan MMG - amazing detail, imaging, mids and highs
  2. LSA 2.1 - for all their shortcomings, they check a lot of boxes
  3. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD - awesome balance and great bass for a standmount
  4. B&W CM10 - I really like this speaker, though I’ve seen some measurements that have turned me off
Speakers I have heard and were disappointed in:

  1. KEF LS50 - honestly seemed very shrill and shouty to me
  2. Martin Logan ESL - weirdly didnt get a great impression of these
  3. GoldenEar Triton 3 - not only ugly, but I found these a bit boring to listen to
So, any ideas? I'm willing to consider new or used (if it can be found somewhat easily) speakers around $5000. I can give more info if you have questions, thanks!
primarist
gochurchgo
923 posts
 
Minus the Jazz we share subject matter. I was once pondering Maggie’s but the need for a sub killed that. Then Spatial M3 but by most accounts would need a sub still (still haven’t ruled these out) and then Dynaudio Special 40 which I’d like to demo.

Curious what you end up with.
jeffvegas
372 posts
 
Used pair of Martin logan impression 11a's. Talk about a HUGE soundstage and more air than a hot air balloon.  Or new pair of Martin Logan Classic Esl 9.  No dynamic driver can come close to the resolution and low distortion electrostatic speakers provide. Every box speaker sounds like a box until you spend Vandersteen 7 or Wilson Audio money. 
hifihandyman's avatar
hifihandyman
84 posts
 
I had great luck with the Magnepan 1.7i and SVS SB-16 Ultra subwoofer.  It's a great combination and the Adcom GFA-555 is a wonderful amp to run them.  You would have a hard time coming up with a better combo than this.  A little hard work getting them set up and some room tuning will pay dividends with really great detail, imaging, and just plain enjoyment.  Good luck!
dwmaggie
222 posts
 
Try the Magnepan LRS entry model from the factory.  Free shipping and you can return them if unhappy.  Yes they will lack some bottom, a pair of small subs or three or four will compensate and complete an overall great speaker system for the price.  The down side is they need 3 to 4 feet of space from the back and side walls.  Small Martin Logans would be my next recommendation.  I am currently using the ML Clarities, my MMG are in temporary hiatus.

Happy listening with the choice you make.
dramatictenor
183 posts
 
Two speakers I have heard recently and quite enjoyed:

Totem Element Fire v2
Ariel Acoustics 6T

On sale (floor demos) or lightly used they’d be in your price range. 
Both are good to around 30-35 Hz of tight focused base. Both throw a wide soundstage. They offer tremendous control. My ears really like Totems. 
The Ariels did a remarkable job of sorting out very complex large ensembles—They really unpacked everything happening in Pharaoh Sanders Summun Bukmun Umyun and gave everything its place. A slight bit of bass overhang from stand up bass (still breaking in) but everything else was spot on. 
I could live happily with either for a long time. 
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