Help Deciding On New Speakers For Small Room, $10k budget

A lot of fine speakers have been recommended here, but, one of the requirements is sound that is somewhat soft on top.  Some of these speakers are on the brighter side.  

I have really been enjoying the Vivid Audio Kaya S12 speakers.  They are small speakers with matching stands ($9,700 with stands).  I have to say they are a slice of pure heaven.  They have an uncanny sense of presence and amazing imaging with "reach out and touch" focus.  Their tonal balance is spot on and just when you are wondering if they have bass, it shines through with detail and articulation and the proper quantity.  A very special speaker with some obviously amazing technology.

I  am not saying you're wrong as I have no way to know, but I do wonder why anyone would spend 10K on such a diminutive and theoretically inexpensive-to-manufacture loudspeaker when for a fraction of the price this very similar product can be chosen instead-https://www.stereophile.com/content/genelec-g-three-active-loudspeaker

Check out the Revival Audio Atalante 3 monitors. From what you described, it kind of mirrors what I’ve settled for with these speakers. They’re made by Daniel Emonts who was lead speaker designer at Dynaudio for seven years and their award winners were his designs. Before that he led speaker design at Focal/JMLab and before that at Altec.

Everything is bespoke and made in France from the cabinets down to his drivers. Nothing is off the shelf. Here’s the most recent review (reflective of current pricing as well) that I could find. There’s lots more online if you wish to investigate.

For just under $2700 (sans stands) you can save quite a lot.

All the best,
Nonoise

Jansen Valentina A8. Get the active version if you can up your budget by 2k.

Joseph Audio still uses the Infinite Slope Crossover Technology of Richard Modafferi, the most amazingly distinct speakers you will ever hear, I loved my JSE Model II’s in a larger room, they still sound awesome in my friend’s even large space, I went back to my vintage family heirloom horns and 15" woofer.

you need a 2 way for your space that is not lacking ......

here’s a used pair at $1,200. local pickup. You would need to use UPS Pack and Ship, just have seller drop them off at UPS unpackaged for you.

note: if sand filled, have them drain it, you add play sand after you get them.

Used Joseph Audio

stereophile review rm22si

excerpt

The improvements in the RM22si Signature Mk.2, while not as dramatic as those I found with the Mk.2 version of the RM7si Signature, were significant.

only sensitivity 86, you need a decent amount of power and won’t need a lot of volume in that space,

...........................

OR, here’s a pair that will take your whole budget

https://nowlistenhere.net/speakers/joseph-audio-pulsar2-graphene

I would prefer the larger rm22si box sand filled, and having most of my money still in my pocket

https://speakerchoices.com/index.html

Aerial Acoustics 5t or 6t.

I have a Yamaha NS5000 "bookshelf" in a decent sized room, but it is too big for a small room. To solve this for people Yamaha introduced the NS3000 which are true bookshelf speakers (use stands). The NS3000 is not sold in the USA but can be bought from Canada (I know a store in Toronto).

I have heard the TAD ME-1 and the NS5000 is at a different level to the BE drivers on the TAD's. The NS3000 would be the same as the NS5000 since the Zylon drivers are essentially the same.

I recently moved into a smaller office from another small office. In the larger office I had a Magnepan LRS+. It was not the utmost in detail and dynamics, but it was a great listen with the wall of sound it produces. You need a lot of power for this speaker.

Now in my new smaller office I sold the LRS+ and got the Magnepan Mini. The mini is used in near-field but I think it would work in a room 12x11x9. It is a bit more detailed and smoother than the LRS+. This speaker also needs a lot of power. (I tried lower 70 watts and it was not enough). I use a Sanders Magtech which give me 500 @ 8 and 900 @ 4. The Mini can be bought used for $1000 and a used amp in the range of $5k (like mine would be perfect)

Remember a small room is not a great friend to great sound.

I have really been enjoying the Vivid Audio Kaya S12 speakers.  They are small speakers with matching stands ($9,700 with stands).  I have to say they are a slice of pure heaven.  They have an uncanny sense of presence and amazing imaging with "reach out and touch" focus.  Their tonal balance is spot on and just when you are wondering if they have bass, it shines through with detail and articulation and the proper quantity.  A very special speaker with some obviously amazing technology.

If you prefer a more detailed, transparent, yet full-bodied, minus the fatigue, great dynamics, great bass, huge soundstage, high resolution, great value for the money sound, I would highly recommend one of the smaller Revel PerformaBe speakers.  If you prefer a more lush, softer, more romantic sound, then Sonus Faber would be a great choice.  Happy listening,   

You should definitely look at the monitor audio platinum 100 G3 or G2 if you can find them still very three-dimensional airy and spacious and excellent bass.

Any speakers from the BBC family would fit nicely, I have the Graham Audio LS 5/9, can listen to them all day without fatigue, I am very sensitive to upper middle and treble, another brand is QLN, great speakers. 

I agree with a previous recommendation. Consider auditing Joseph Audio Pulsars. At $10K, I would definitely try to demo your top 1-3 picks on your system or something very similar at your local dealer. Keep in mind, the demo room, cables, etc, make a difference. Unfortunately, demoing speakers may require a few road trips. Your local shop may not sell any of your top picks. I’m currently using B&W 805D3 paired with a Conrad Johnson amp and preamp. The Pulsars are at the top of my list when I get the upgrade itch. Take your time and have fun. 

Look at ATC. They are very accurate and ATC are used by many recording engineers for monitoring. Imaging is amazing. 

Woots agree.I have one x1 using 3 sub.

Have a look at Totem Tribe Towers

https://totemacoustic.com/product/tribe-tower/

https://youtu.be/JOreZP9uNhA?si=qnFW4gGGZ_HJRCJN

Good luck with your search 

cheers

I use Borresen X1 with a T9X rel sub. You will be delighted. This is in my office set up and it plays all day with no fatigue!!

I believe someone already mentioned Franco Serblin. They have a new stand mounted I heard this year at Axpona called the Goldberg. Very even sounding and has that beautiful Italian look as well.

With your room well treated Focal Kanta 2 should do well without sounding too bright. A corner set up can also work well to mitigate room modes. Good luck ! 

Totem?

Slate Fischer & Fischer SN 170's- $6900

https://fischer-fischer.de/en/snsl-170/

Or go for the 270's. 

Zingali monitor speakes or Audiovector R1 are ok.

TAD ME1 second hand would fit your budget and are amazing speakers. I have niched preferred them to Joseph Pulsar. Not sure McIntosh amp would be an ideal match though. 

 I would go with standmounts or small towers with twin subs to give you the bass you want.  I Also am sensitive to sibilant sound with my old guy ears.  Consider beryllium tweeters.  I have a pair of Revel M126Be on stands with a pair of subs in a similar sized room and it sounds great.  Revel has 226 towers too that are smaller towers if you want to avoid stands. 

PureAudioProject open baffle speakers are an interesting recommendation made above.  The smaller models, like the Trio 15 with something like the horn midrange/tweeter module might work.  I have not heard these speakers in as small a room ss you have, which is why I said “might” work.  Open baffle speakers need at least two feet of space behind then, and ideally, more than that.  The Trio is a fantastically good speaker well within your budget.

Charney Audio makes some extremely good sounding speakers that work well in small rooms.  I’ve only heard several versions of their Companion model, which is beyond your budget, so I don’t know how well their lower-price models work, But I am hopeful.

My best bet would be Audio Note speakers.  Their big speakers, the AN-E are actually quite compact and fit in the corner of the room, but they are probably too big in terms of bass response, so look at the smaller AN-J or AN-K models.  Within each model type, there are many options that can take one well past your budget, but, there will be something within budget.  There is nothing harsh or bright  about any of their speakers.  These speakers are normally used with low and medium-powered tube gear, but they sound good with almost anything.

Joseph Audio pulsar2 graphine. Would be an absolutely perfect speaker for what you’re looking for!

Based on your listening preferences, Harbeth should be right up your alley. The C7es should work great in your room.

@cookiecurls - I recommend checking out the Buchardt line of speakers. They are Danish and sell direct to the consumer. I own the Buchardt S400 Mkii and use them in my office which is pretty small. They recommend at least 50 watts to drive them.

The sound of the speakers leans towards the being warm. And the bass on the speakers is incredible given their size. I highly recommend them. They just came out with a new E50 speaker which is a more premium version, but I’ve not heard them. R

There are plenty of reviews online to check out. By the way, they are easily in your budget! 

Larsen 8.2 & check out the smaller Pure Audio Project speakers..

We import the Jern monitors from Denmark they might be perfect for you

they can be placed right next to a wall, they have incredible imaging, and are very liquid sounding, and they work really well with your Rel

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0721/JERN_11S_Compact_Loudspeaker_Review.htm

https://jernspeakers.com/review/hardware-review-jern-12xf/

we can send you a pair to demo

Dave and Troy

Audio Intellect NJ

Jern Importers

Disregard my Yamaha recommendation. 

Do you have any placement limitation; such as, the speakers need to be near a room corner or a wall, etc.?  Does the speaker have to be small in size?  M

nope! No limitations, it’s an empty canvas.

Yamaha NS-800A is stand mount you might like. As a musician you may have encountered Yamaha pro audio equipment. 

Just make sure whatever you buy shows you the crossover components and back wave management technology. Beware any that do not. 

Plus one for Sonus Farber.  Check out the Electa Amator lll’s.  They’re are beautiful two ways that can be bi-wired or bi-amped.

All the best.

Worth considering the German made Canton Reference series. Bought the Ref 7’s on an impulse last year and am enthralled with their performance (Hegel H390). Very neutral with dynamics far beyond their size. Very high WAF as well. Not so common in the states but quite popular high-end in Europe.

Congratulations! I have more than one friend with a small room system… they can be fantastic. Great that it is already treated. Your price range is high enough to achieve great things. 

I am not a fan of trebly speakers. Leaving out a lot of brands.. like B&W, Focal, etc.

Your description, to me would definitely point you towards Sonus Faber… definitely stand mounted. Olympic or better. Also, Franco Serblin speakers.

Then tweak

Read the review of Borensen x1.

Dynaudio Contour or Confidence.

Sonus faber Sonetto VIII G2 or a smaller model of the same series. The Amp will matter! Go high quality over high quantity watts

I also forgot to say that the Spendor 3/1 recommendation above is a good one too.

Do you have any placement limitation; such as, the speakers need to be near a room corner or a wall, etc.?  Does the speaker have to be small in size?  More detail is helpful.

There are some fairly large speakers that work extremely well in small rooms, so don't assume you need tiny speakers.  For example, speakers from Volti, though on the larger size, will work in a small room.

If you can place speakers near the corners of the room, or at least along the front wall, the Audio Note line offers great sounding speakers that are not very bright yet they remain lively sounding.  If you can place speakers somewhat away from the side walls, then something from JM Reynaud and ProAc fit your description. 

Good luck on your search. 

  I think a pair of Spendor Classic 3/1's would put a big smile on your face & keep several thousand $ in your bank account...