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Looking for a Speaker Recommnedation

Looking to upgrade from my current Rogers LS3/5a + AB1 REL 328 setup .  While I love the smooth mids of these speakers (especially on voices/acoustic instruments), I tend to play harder music more frequently (alt/rock/punk/etc) which these do not excel at. I like to play music loud and have a real world living room my system is in (cathedral ceiling, open on one side, many windows. couch between my speakers) so setup is a challenge. I hate harsh sounding speakers.

My current playback system consists of a Oppo-BDP105 (or primarily Roon/JRiver via Ethernet) into a PS Audio DirectStream Jr DAC > Conrad Johnson Premier 14 Tube Pre > Conrad Johnson MF2500a Amp.  All run by a PS Audio P5 with a combination of Nordost/Shunyata cabling.

Looking to spend around $4,000-$7,000 but could be flexible. Used or new is fine.

Currently considering:

PSB Imagine T3
Vandersteen Trio CT
Spendor D7
Mangepan 3.7i (don't think this will work with high SPL)
Endeavor Audio E-3
Revel F208
Golden Ear Triton 1
Dynaudio Excite X44

Any other speakers I should be considering based on my equipment, volume preference and music? Anything I should eliminate?

Looking forward to hearing everyone's opinions & thank you in advance
fdemello
gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
The Ohm radial approach is nice for less critical listening, in my opinion.
I do like their sound, but a phase correct speaker like the Vandy or Theil would be a better in the long run-again, my opinion.

I saw those Quatro's at Audioconnection last week. I would contact Johnny Rutan and see if he is negotiable.
If you do want to come down, let me know, I could pack up my Zu Union speakers and we could demo them with the Vandys.
Bob
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
I agree with the dealer above about used vs demo.  Not even a question for me.  I just can't buy a used speaker or transport.  When I see a used TT, I'll look as you can tell if someone takes care of their gear or not.  


Too many horror stories about used speakers and blown drivers that sometimes even the owner didn't realize (yes, believe it).  I purposely replaced the surrounds on all three pair of the Proacs I sold a few years ago, because Proacs foam surrounds only lasted about 10-15 years max before disintigrating.  
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,781 posts
 
After hearing them on youtube, I purchased some Klipsch La Scalla II (arriving tomorrow). My first "Good" speakers were horns (Allied Radio boxes w/12 inch acoustic suspension woofers & horn tweeter/mids). I like how the klipsch (105 db efficient) open doors for trying low-power, high quality amps (First Watt, Cary, Air Tight, etc).
I'm keeping my Thiel 2.4SE, but may sell if seduced by the Klipsch.
The first album through the La Scalla will be 'Zepplin II. I'm drooling already!
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
Love the La Scallas for rock concert sound. Should be killer with Zep. Very good with low power tube amps to take the edge off.

Let us know how this works out after a month or so. 

Dave 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
I had a nice three year run paying for college using LaScalla in utility fir plywood as a PA for a rockabilly band...
the other half was paid for selling KEF, SOTA, Quad, Dynavector, Vandersteen, etc...
they will be great for Zoso....
buy hearing protection 

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