Looking for my End Game Speaker

YG Audio...

I heard both. After demoing many speakers at audio shows and stores, Magico and YG were my favorite. I was hoping to get to maybe M3 level used, but my budget was more A5 level.
 

I also went to an AXPONA to demo my final speakers: Magico A5 vs Rockport Atria - both sounded subpar due to room conditions, but my dealer got me a deal on the Vimberg Mino D show demos.

The S3 2024 had that Magico sound that seemed to easily compete with their M3 - I was surprised how full it sounded.

Looking forward to demoing the new S5 2024.

Hello @calgarian5355, I have had my Vivid Giya G2s for a week now and they are fantastic!  Imaging, depth, resolution, a true sense of involvement with the music.

We share the same streamer and DAC...

From your list, I think that only Magico is sealed. For something that makes your amp superfluous, perhaps Neumann KH 310 plus a subwoofer swarm?

Definitely give Rockport a listen.

you should give monitor audio platinum a listen they are much better than the magico, much more three-dimensional airy and spacious and the bass is very tight and deep, The platinum 200 or 300.

And on the other side of fast please don’t rule out horns like Tannoy. Maybe keep the A3’s and treat room? If your a Magico man, then maybe Focals? But but but Sonus Fabers could be the ticket?

I'm looking for my end game speakers. 

There is no end game. Buy something now. Start another thread when the next hype train comes rolling in about how you're looking for end game.

If you all found end-game and left the market, it will be a terrible day for the dealers. 

I've got a pair of Marten Parker Duos in a room about the same size as your's. They are excellent speakers; do give the Parker Trios a try if you're able to.... 

TAD CE1!

Suggestions and recommendations from others are always welcome, and can be helpful to a certain extent.  However, in this instance, you're just going to have to take your time and figure this one out for yourself.  You have to listen and audition, listen and audition, till the cows come home.  That's the only way to figure out which speaker will be best for you and your room.  In the process, you may be surprised to discover a totally new speaker that wasn't on your original list of speakers under consideration.  Happy listening.        

I would look at the Wilson Benesch speakers. Using carbon fiber cabinets specifically designed to eliminate the rear energy from the drivers they work extremely well in smaller areas. They also are 2.5 way with minimum crossover's. Extraordinary design and execution. 

Aaudio imports carries them and you might have a dealer close by. 

@fastfreight  

Thank you for the input… It shows on your profile that you had YG acoustic speakers previously. Were you not happy with them? Do you have the vivid audio speakers close to the wall? I heard the Kaya series at a local dealer… and was not that impressed. They did not have the Giya in stock. I had heard the oval speaker from vivid years ago at the Rocky Mountain audio festival.… and I loved them!  

@sounds_real_audio 

Thank you for your recommendation!  My friend in Germany owns Wilson Benesch speakers… Endeavour3… He loves them! They are difficult to find in Canada. I will certainly try to listen to them when I’m at the show in Chicago.

Hi @calgarian5355,  I loved my Haileys.  Fast, tight, super imaging, very resolving.

But I like the Giya G2s even more.  Much more lower midrange and bass.  And even though they are ported, the bass is very controlled.  Just deeper, richer and still very resolving.  A little friendlier on the ear...  The Giyas are amazing in that they do not vibrate.  It is the way back pressure and distortion is eliminated behind the drivers due to the tapered tube design.  I never thought I would change from the Haileys.  But....   Go to GTT audio.  It is worth a visit.

the focal diablo utopias are amazing and when used with a good sub woofer rival the performance of the much larger focal models 

We have have them on display with the unique MJ acoustics Kensingtons 

this is a very compact narrow tower subwoofer that uses two ultra fast 10 inch woofers one top firing one bottom firing the woofer is only 12 wide by 14inches deep so it can reside right next to the diablo, and with a separate subwoofer you can tune the bass to match the roon and taste.

this is a world class combination.

Dave and Troy

Audio Intellect NJ

focal and mj acoustics dealers

https://mjacoustics.co.uk/kensington/

Of course speakers from audiotroy are amazing and he just happens to have them in stock. 
You have a small room so I’m curious why you want to go with big speakers? I had a pair of larger floorstanding speakers and moved to a new house where my room is your size. The larger speaker overpowered the room in the bass. Using dsp for a while did a good job but could never get the bass to sound accurate. So I went with a top rated smaller floorstanding speakers with a couple of 6.5” woofers, 5” midrange and a beryllium tweeter. Perfect! I moved the speakers 1/3 of the length of the room from the back wall and the distance apart is 83% of the distance from speaker to listening position. Have all the bass I need for prog rock, blues, and jazz.

I'm in the process of upgrading my  Tyler acoustics Halo Extreme.  Seas millennium tweeters,  dual Santori midrange,  4 12" woofers in each cabinet,  non ported. Balanced DSP for the woofers and the crossover had been built by Tony Gee. Should be done by next week.  I can't wait. 

I spent a couple years in search of my last pair, as I knew once retired, the funds would never be there again. Unless I won a lotto etc. I made a CD of songs that I felt were 1) familiar 2) offered both male and female vocals 3) offered bass heavy as well as overly bright 4) rock, jazz, orchestral, piano and acoustic guitar, I found that by using this disc as well as other music streamed at the dealer, I could get a real feel for the voice of each speaker. Also I always made sure no sub was in play, although I was surprised that some dealers would tell me the sub was off, but when they left the room it was indeed active. Most dealers were very accommodating to my request in leaving me alone to Audi on the speakers. Although there was one dealer that wouldn’t leave the room and continued to push his setup as the only way to maximize the speaker’s performance. That was a red flag to me, in that his exit strategy of my dissatisfaction that they weren’t setup correctly. In short believe your ears and your ears only. Your ears, your money and the rest of your life to listen to your end choice. One last thing I will mention is, listen at lower than normal listening levels. As we get older, our ears are more subject to damage and speakers that only satisfy you when loud will disappoint your when they are not.

Good Luck it can be equally fun and frustrating but rewarding overall

Vandersteen

Po5129

No we don't have diablo utopias for sale or in stock

They are rated as one of the finest small loudspeakers

On the market and have received numerous rave reviews 

TAD evos, as someone already mentioned.

@kennyc  Thanks for your response!  I think you did really well going with the Vimberg Mino D (that's the Diamond tweeter upgrade correct?); the Vimberg are on my audition list as well.  My big concern is that they are rear vented.  I'm hoping to speak to some of the reps there to pick their brains on room placement.  So the new S3 compares to the M3....That's impressive!  

Do the exhibitors offer show specials during Axpona?  

Tony

@zuesman I'll definitely put Monitor Audio on my list!  Thanks!  A local dealer is doing a special listening session with the new Monitor Audio Hyphn later on during the month, so I'll probably drop by if I get a chance to hear them!

@laaudionut  @jdavis234  Thanks for your recommendation.  I'll put the TAD on my list to audition.  I'll do some research ahead of time!

@larsman Do you have the model with the Diamond tweeter or the ceramic?  Yes, I've read great reviews about the whole Marten lineup...and I'm a big fan of the custom made isolation feet by Isoacoustics.

@stringreen I haven't listened to Vandersteen in years!  I'll have to check out their new lineup; I see they've totally redesigned their Carbon model....looks very similar to the Quattro wood.....

@p05129 The Magico A3 that I have now don't seem overly large in my room currently.  The Magico M2 (used) is very similar in size to my existing speakers...so I think they would be a good choice (although, even in the used market, is one of the most expensive options).  The Vivid Audio Giya G4 would also be a good fit size wise....

@calgarian5355 - I have the model with the ceramic tweeter; that about topped my budget out right there. I was first going to get the Oscar Duos but then auditioned these Parker Duos along side of them and thought they were worth the extra $$; love that lower midrange! You are right about those custom Isoacoustics feet!

Do the exhibitors offer show specials during Axpona?  

@calgarian5355 - yes, one can often negotiate a discount price to purchase the demo component.  Yes, the Vimberg has the diamond tweeter upgrade.

When I heard the Vimberg Mino D at AXPONA, it sounded great but was unaffordable with the Diamond upgrade. I love high notes from bells, violins, etc so I love excellent highs.  After explaining to my trusted audio dealer, he managed to negotiate a great price but I blew my budget significantly.  I’m very happy where I landed with a clean neutral speaker.

Subsequently, I auditioned the Gershman Acoustics 30th Anniversary Grand Avant Garde. Audio Bacon reviewed then purchased a pair here.   I was surprised how much bass these smallish floorstanders produce.  They sounded fantastic.  If I found this speaker first, I’d likely purchase this and save some cash.  It’s worth a demo.  

As a past owner, 

PMC MB2SE

Absolutely full range

Accurate fast deep bass clean uncolored

sound

https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=speakers&m=358283

ProAc K6 or K6 Signature should be on your list as well. 

Calgarian5355

That is a great list of speakers, and a great idea to spend time at Axpona.....I live in Chicago and go every year.

Definitely spend a good amount of time with the Joseph Audio speakers, they almost always demo well. I would also put Fyne Audio speakers (they're usually at Axpona), something like the Vintage 10 or Vintage 12s. They are hand built in Scotland, by most of the old Tannoy artisans.....and are stunningly beautiful to look at.

Every review I read throws flowers at Vivid Audio. Being 'The fifth element' is my favorite sci fi I can't get over the look of their Giya models, but the B1 decade would be on my list with room treatments for the side walls.

https://speakerchoices.com/index.htm

95 sealed speakers

I would be looking at Franco Serblin speakers and thinking about whether I wanted to do stand mounted or full tower. Looking for end game, I would be thinking about natural and musical speakers the kind that satisfy the deep rooted desire for rich musical sound and less on flashy or incredibly fast technical feats. The kind that you will want to listen to on quite Sunday mornings while contemplating with coffee as well as late Saturday night after a bit of scotch. Given neighbors… I would consider stand mounted.

calgarian5355 

You'll absolutely love the monitor audio Hyphn speakers, little pricey though at $120,000 Canadian but the platinum series is phenomenal sounding they will beat speakers 2 to 3 times the price they put Magico and Wilson to shame.

Grislybutter, awesome list but not sure that all of the prices are accurate. I noticed that that the Tekton Encore was listed as being $4,000.00. 

@danbro I just updated all the prices, but have not posted them yet. I enter the prices and data I find. In 10% of the cases, there is no data to be found.

It really depends on the tonality characteristics you are looking for.  Yes, go to shows to get a flavor ot tone you are looking for.  There are so many variables.  You can build a system from your speakers backwards or the other way around.  The room will make a huge difference.  

...just to share a different take on an 'end game (for the) speakers themselves....

The Grail Moviehouse had some decent sound in Theatre One....

The rest of the place looks worse, a total loss; 8 years goes *poof*.....😔

@goose +, Precisely....although I've gotten to the point of approaching the room 'speakers 1st' and letting the equipment adapt to the space....

Had to.  Too many implausible spaces to tame makes one mean....*L*  ;)

Besides, I'm in the process of DIY'ng my 'end speakers'...and then it won't matter.

Have to.

Enjoy, J

 Know you said sealed box, but Why not look at Sonus Farber? I just switched to the Amati G5’s and am very pleased. I usually listen at lower volumes and the Amati G5’s midrange and bass are definitely there without being overwhelming and the high end blends in nicely.   The Serafino G2’s are really easy to listen to as well.

All the best in your search.

BTW, ports can be tuned or just plugged.

I have a relatively small room and selected Joseph Perspective 2s.  I love them. Relatively small footprint and not towering, they are sensitive to placement, but not overly so.  Great soundstage and reproduce all types of music well, to my ears.  I have a Boulder 866 driving them.  I listen primarily to rock, jazz, with some acoustic, classical and funk thrown in for good measure.   I usually listen to CDs, but am puttering this morning and streaming Spotify right now — some acoustic stuff. For some reason, Spotify just sent YYZ my way — each instrument is clearly presented, delineated one from the other; I don’t have the feeling the speakers are laboring in any way to present the bass and kick, the toms, crash or Lifeson’s guitar.  It’s all there.  

@calgarian5355 

Another vote for Rockport !! The Avior ii is superb! Good luck!

Another Monitor Audio Supporter. I have Pass Lab equipment playing a pair of Platinum 200 3g speakers and enjoy them tremendously.  Classical, jazz, rock. 
I’m totally pleased with their musical presentation

Find one that makes music sound good. Or you'll never stop searching.

@kennyc Gershman is a Canadian company; I have heard of them previously, but have never had a chance to audition them.  I will definitely add them to my Axpona list!  I have read about the speaker...but I think they look a bit odd, especially with their wood grills.  Being from Canada, I would love to support local if possible (Acora is Canadian too!)  Thanks for the tip!

@johnread57 I've owned the PMC OB1 speaker in the past....and loved it!  I'll be sure to check their latest models.  I like that the transmission line port faces forward....It allows for easier placement!

@jdpalmer1 I've heard ProAc speakers in the past ...years ago and was impressed!  I'll look for them at Axpona.  Thanks!

@vthokie83 @disc Yes!  Joseph Audio is on the list....the Perspective and the Pulsar!  I've read a ton of UK magazines giving awards to the Fyne speakers...but have never heard them in person;  I'll definitely check them out!  Thanks.

@grislybutter Thanks for the great list of sealed speakers!  Appreciate it!

@steve59 I went to the RMAF in Denver in 2015 and heard the original B1!  I loved that particular speaker....but I wished it had more bass....thus my interest in the Giya G3 and G4.  I have to admit, I wasn't a big fan of the Kaya series when I auditioned them recently....so I wasn't sure if the Giya would live up to my expectations.  I'll see when I check out their room at Axpona.

+1 for PMC. I have the Fenestria. Big speakers that provide scale but can also play as precisely as monitors. Best of both worlds. You are right regarding the  transmission line, these big speakers are super easy to integrate. My room is 18x14x7 and I was afraid they would be too big initially but the integration is perfect. Bass is phenomenal but not too strong for the room. They replace a pair of Monitor Audio Platinum G2 which are super great for the price. I'm a big fan of Joseph Audio too but the Fenestria are simply in another league.

@p05129 I wasn’t too concerned about overloading the bass given I already have the A3….and I don’t play my system that loud.  I agree though, the s3 might be too big….which is why I’m also looking at the m2. 

@kennyc Do you the know the Gershman 30th anniversary Grand compare to the Vimberg Mino Ds?  I was reading up on the Gershman, and they have that bass trap that would appear to deal with bass in smaller rooms. Very interesting.

@steve59 I know the movie The Fifth Element as well.  The Giya totally reminds me of the blue opera singer; I actually really like the look of the Giyas!  Lol. If they were a sealed design, it would be a done deal!  I’ll have to listen to them carefully when I get a chance. I would order them in dark blue too! Thinking of the G3 now too; the G4 looks too small!

The small room is the problem. It is so easy to buy speakers for large rooms. My prior dedicated audio rooms were fairly large up to 26’ long with 15’ ceilings.

For my smallish room, I have found that speakers with multiple smaller woofers provide all the bass that I need and not over power the room. Smallish woofers in the 6.5” to 7” range. Easy to drive, and you will get bass without the need to turning up the volume like you have to do with larger woofers. Good luck

small 960 sq ft condo

In most of the World, they would call it big :)

you really should go listen to the monitor audio platinum 200s or 300s they'll blow away the Magico, they're much more three-dimensional airy and spacious and more natural sounding they're very neutral and throw a much bigger enveloping sound stage, they make you feel like you're right in the middle of the performance, Magico is not even close in that respect.