Oh brother, am I in desperate need of help! 8)


OK, I've been addicted to audio equipment since I was 15 years old.  Marantz receivers and ESS speakers were my first foray into high end.  Suffice it to say, I've been at this for over 40 years.  I've been to the CES show more times than I can count, and listened to more equipment that I can count.  I've owned everything from Magenepan's, to Martin Logan's, to Thiels, to Von Schweikert's to, well, you get the picture. And I've powered them with everything from from tubes to solid state.

So, here's my quandary.  I just sold what was my dream speaker, a custom Altec 604 system that I spent a fortune building.  They were simply too big for my current home, and I know I'll regret selling them for the rest of my life.  I think my favorite pair of speakers that I've ever owned was a pair of Altec Model 19's.  I believe (I think) that I've moved beyond needing/wanting a system that can play at concert level volumes, but I do want something with a little "get-up-and-go" for those occasions I might want to let the system breathe.  I'm considering going back to a pair of panels.  Today I listened to a pair of Magnapan 1.7's.  I was mightily impressed, but I'm afraid they'll lack the visceral impact and "potency" of a more conventional, high efficiency, cone design.

I really haven't had my head in the game for the last 10 years, so there's a lot of new stuff out there.  I read about a company called Teckton, and despite the positive reviews, I'm hesitant.  There's also the Zu's in the same price range (around $2K/pr.), but I'm torn.  I don't need subterranean bass, as Both Altec systems rolled off at 40hz, and I wasn't really wanting for much.

What are some real stand-out's in the $2,000-$2,500 range (new or used) that I might look out for?  I want a floor standing speaker, not a monitor.  I was actually surprised at the presentation/impact of drums with the Magenepan 1.7's, and the timber of cymbals was eerily realistic, but they definitely compressed when the volume was turned up.  I did make the mistake of listening to a pair of B&W 802's, which were quite impressive, but way out of my price range.

As you can see, I'm in a blender, so any direction would be most appreciated...I'll likely be powering the system with a 150wpc solid state amplifier.

Thanks!
seadweller
GoldenEar Triton Three or Silverline Prelude Plus are in your price range new and may be worth considering. 

I second Spatial Audio M-3 they will work in any room and sound like a planer on steroids, I drive mine with a 8 watt set amp
The Altec 19s are affordable, even  restored to the max and not that big as you know. If they were your favorite why not stick with them? I'll be in receipt of a blinged out pair shortly (currently being restored). Personally I like the etter than most of the speakers listed here. Amongst others I own several pairs of Tekton speakers. I'll be matching the Altec's with 300B tubes as well as some other vintage gear. Best of luck, Rob

ProAc Studio 200 or Response 2.5 are both worthy contenders. The Studio 200 is easy to drive, loves tubes and just darn musical; maybe not the most neutral but who cares. Plays all types of music nicely and poor recordings don't sound as bad on them as on more neutral speakers. The Response 2.5 needs a little more power, more accurate but not as musical on most recordings and equipment. Both are very nice speakers and today prices are nice but hard to find. Almost never see Studio 200's for sale... wonder why?