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Speaker Questions and Recommendations

Let me preface my comments by saying I am not aggressively looking for new speakers but I am always thinking ahead. With that said I have started to give some thought to what might be next. Here is my current set up:

Dynaudio Contour S 3.4 LE speakers
REL T9i subs (pair)
Prima Luna Dialogue HP Premium Integrated Amp
Dr. Feikert Volare turntable with Jelco tonearm and Lyra Delos cartridge
Manley Chinook phono preamp
Innuous Zenith music server
Lumin T2 Streamer
Roon
Bryston CD Player
AudioQuest Niagara 1200 Power Conditioner
Listening room fairly small (13’ wide; 16’ long; listening positing about 8’ from the speakers)

All of the components above are new to me over the past two years with the exception of the Dynaudios and the Bryston CD player. I mostly play vinyl and prefer it to streaming or CD’s. My music tastes are folk, country rock, rock, singer songwriter and some jazz. I tend to prefer quieter music these days but still rock some Zeppelin or Deep Purple from time to time. 
I have been very happy with this current array of components. I like the Dynaudio sound and the overall warmth the tube amp provides. The addition of the subs and the Manley Chinook really brought everything together to my ears.  So with all that said, why am I even thinking about what’s next in speakers? There isn’t a good reason. I like to do a lot of research before I buy anything so my process could take a couple of years. i have thought a lot about stand mounted speakers and have read in some circles that they might provide an improvement in sound over floorstanders when combined with the subs.  I would say my budget is around $6,000 (note I paid less than that for the Dynaudios used). It would be great to spend less for an upgrade in sound but I don’t know if that is possible. 
Anyway, I would greatly appreciate any thoughts, recommendations and commentary regarding stand mounted, floorstanders or anything else. I am biased towards smaller in physical size but value the sound over everything else. 
Thanks in advance.
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jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
your system is quite good, and so if you don’t know what specific improvements you are seeking in a component change, much less a speaker change (biggest move of all), there is no way to suggest anything that has any assurance of pleasing you more than what you have

you have to articulate what you wish were better or at least different

standmounts vs floorstanders is a total red herring, especially as you have integrated subs already

you will just get a litany of other people’s wild-ass uninformed guesses to your post, all of which will be pretty much useless to you

you are better off attending some hifi shows, or high end gear retailers and listen to what they have on display
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puppyt OP
97 posts
 
@jjss49 

I appreciate your comments. You are correct that I didn’t articulate what I am seeking to improve. I suppose like many in this hobby I am always curious about what might be “better” knowing that is a hard to define term.  Obviously I could “do better” with every component I have were I willing to spend the money. That is not what I am seeking.  I am more interested if advances in technology and design over the past few years make it possible to achieve an equal or more satisfying sound without simply spending more for a component than I did the last time. Is there a possibility of getting more for less? Also I thought if I described what I have and the types of music I listen to that people might have recommendations along the lines of “if you like that you might  explore this”.

I have loved music my entire life but it has only been in the last couple of years that I have put together a system that really opened up what is possible in terms of achieving a moving and engaging experience.  So in many ways I am still a newbie and I don’t know what I don’t know.  My question about stand mounted speakers vs floor standers reflects that. I had always assumed that the best sound comes from floor standing speakers but have started to realize that maybe a combination of stand mounted (or simply smaller) speakers and subs might achieve a nice result.

Anyway thanks again for your comments. I really enjoy the search and discovery aspect of this hobby so your thoughts are greatly appreciated.


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twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
It's going to be a bit of a challenge to find speakers significantly "better" than your current ones (which are very good), especially at the 6K point, even factoring in used.

I second the advice of starting to explore what's out there.  Bear in mind, too, that at stores or shows the whole system is new to you, not just the model of speaker you're listening to.

Beyond standmount+subs versus floorstanders, consider, too, that Harbeth 40.3's, Spendor Classic 100's, Graham LS 5/5's, etc., are all technically standmounts.
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puppyt OP
97 posts
 
Good advice and much appreciated. I learn by asking and I am clearly not afraid to ask dumb questions!

Love your handle by the way.
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