I am considering the Piega C-8 Limited or the P10.

The P-10 was a great speaker but its no longer in production. I don't think buying a speaker that isn't made any more will get you off the merry-go-round. Some people seem to love this speaker some do not- they complain about coherency and a shrilly hi end(due to improper integration of the ribbon, which is a VERY hard thing to do properly with a conventional speaker), then again the price they are going for used does make them appealing!

Louis,

I am doing the exact same thing. Read all of the reviews, and I am now going out to hear the ones I can but in my case all of these will probably better my B&W matrix 803s to some degree. You need to tells us more about your system SS or tubes, room size (this is very important in my system), volume level you like to listen at, etc. What do you feel you are missing from your current speakers. Some of the speakers are better for tubes versus SS equipment, so matching comes into play. I spoke to each manufacturer and asked a list of specific questions which was very helpful. For example, I own Pass Labs equipment and the La Folias are voiced with Pass Labs, the Coincidents are probably not even though I think you can get them in a 6 Ohm version, but after reading the reviews of the Totals, I was really interested in them for their ability to play very loud plus the total sound that was described by each review.

Asking a general question is OK but you need to go into more deals and call each manufacturer.

Happy Listening.

Bigkidz,

I knew the question was 'general' in nature. My current system consists of an Audio Aero MkII CDP directly into a new Innersound power amp (300 watts into 8 / 600 into 4), that is driving a pair of Magnepan 3.6R's. I use a REL Storm III sub for the bottom end. All cabling is the new (and absolute killer, IMO) CRL 'Gold' series. My room is 15x19.

The maggies are fabulous speakers as long as you don't listen to anything with alot of bottom end or alot of dynamic swings, or anything with peaks of 85-90db. Everything else about them is good. So, I'm looking for something that I can listen to at higher levels... around 90db (or even greater when the mood dictates) without worrying that I'm going to blow them up! As I said, I want to be able to listen to everything from jazz to rock and roll. You simply can't do it with the maggies.

As far as amplification goes, I plan on purchasing an amp after I purchase the speakers that I like. In addition to the Innersound that I now have, I also own a Mark Levinson 334. Both SS, but I enjoy the virtues of tubes as well (I'm not one to get hung up on one is better than the other). That's why I plan on finding the right amp, after I find the right speakler system. If one of the two that I currently own works well, then so be it. If not, I'll find one that does.

Hi
I recently traded in my P-10's for the C-8ltd. As far as coherency, I found that to be a real strength of the P-10.
I did find the highs to be bright especially on a bad recording. These are extremely revealing speakers.
The C-8ltd is quite a bit more refined than the P-10,s.
They don't have the deep bass response, but in my room - 15x21 - they feel like a better fit. The top end is quite a bit smoother. I have been running them with tubes - first with the EAR 534, and currently with the CAT JL2 - which I feel is the best amp I have ever heard. Current preamp is the Hovland HP-100.
Good Luck
Carl

louis..as one who owns the p-10's and has heard all the new c-series i can tell you you are on the right road.i disagree with 'tireguy' regarding the coherency and hi-end problem.mine are very coherent and i have no problem with hi-end 'shrill'.the woofer/ribbons integrate seamlessly.certain setups may give the problems tireguy relates to but not mine.the c-8 ltd is a better speaker then the p-10 and he is right when he says that piega does not make the p-10 anymore but the dealers certainly service them.i have 2 friends that upgraded from p-10 to c-10 ltd and from p-8ltd to c-8ltd and are extremely happy.i am going to upgrade to a c-10 ltd at years end.the price that used p-10s are going for on audiogon make them a tremendous value.there is no speaker,in the $5-$6k range that can compete with a used p-10...imo.that said..if your budget allows the c-8 ltd would be my choice..you will not want to upgrade for a long time...i promise.

I agree with tireguy.I always found the P 10s to be very shrill on the top end.Though you can great deals on them now,there are also other brands that should be considered.The P 10s are beautiful looking speakers but not my cup of tea and I was always suspicious of the switches on a "Hi End" speaker for ajusting the drivers.

For what it is worth, I heard the the P-5 Ltds with a Pass Labs X-1 preamp, Pass X_250 and Edge NL-10 power amps and Metronome CDP and it sounded really good and not bright at all even juiced up. Very detailed, very dynamic, open and fast.

Hope this is more helpful.

I do not think you can go wrong with the P-10s unless you have the funds to buy up the ladder with the Piegas.

Its obvious from the previous posts that the systems were set up improperly if they didn't like the sound. The reason I do like the piega's is the coherency and revealing top end. In a monster room the piega 10' s bass wasn't as good as some larger speakers. The c-10ltd takes care of that problem. At the used price you will not find a better speaker for the money If you hear shrill problems I would upgrade the source components and not these speakers

I see the Von Schwiekert VR-4 Gen III SE is on the list of your canidates. Have you had a chance to audition these speakers yet? If so what are your thoughts. I have them on my list too, but do not have a dealer in my area. Thanks

You know you must be right Snook2 its impossible to think that we could possibly have different tastes... What was I thinking?!?!?!

Tireguy What were you thinking?

Louis

I think a number of valid points have been raised. Key is what you are looking for and s a previous maggie owner I can identify with what you are looking for and think you will likely find it in either piega. I am one of the chaps calloway mentioned who has gone from p8ltd to c8ltd and I am delighted. I have had both in my room for some time (month or more) and had a multitude of friends with very different tastes compared them. The p8ltd is a great speaker but the c8ltd is the clear cut winner. IMO the speaker is very coherent and the bass tight and very deep. There is no problem in driving these speakers loud and deep though I am not a huge bass hound. I have posted a review of the c8ltd by the way. I would be happy to chat with you if you have any questions. I should add that enough friends have heard the piegas at my house and gone on to buy them that I am now the local dealer so please take my comments with this in mind (this is a very recent event and my review was written long before this ever occured). Probably the key issue will be cost, the c8ltd is a lot more than the p10 so this will take some careful thought. Good luck and feel free to drop a note