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Speaker recommendations, budget $10-15K

I am looking to upgrade my speakers. In particular, I am looking for better low-end extension than my current speakers, Sehring 703s, which the specs say go to 38Hz but seem to roll off above that. I primarily listen to rock. I have to say, I prefer a bit of warmth over ultimate transparency.

Ancillary equipment is a Pass Labs X150.5 power amp, Mystere ca21 preamp, Perfect Wave Mk2 DAC & Transport. Room size is 13x25. Speakers are facing out from the long wall. The speakers will be in my living room, so they cannot be too enormous or push the envelope aesthetically. I would prefer to buy new. While open to buying used, I am wary of shipping damage.

The speakers I plan to audition are:
Marten Django
DALI Epicon 8
Acoustic Zen Crescendo
Aerial 7T
Tannoy Kensington

I have also read good things about Vapor Audio Joule Black, but would have a real hard time auditioning them before hand.

I would appreciate any other recommendations of speakers to audition, as well as any thoughts about the speakers on my current list. Thanks.
mcondon
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
G917,
You and I may have similar hearing perspective as I find your description very much the same as my impression. Shortly after leaving the Crescendo at CES, I and two friends visited the CAT and Wilson room which had the Sasha speaker in use.There was quite a stark contrast, the sound was just different, it was less fluid, natural and believable.The presentation was toward the mechanical and stiff and was more artificial.Tone of the instruments were not as real (it was more awareness of listening to a 'stereo',the Crescendo in contrast was more of real musicians are in your presence). Different source,electronics and room are factors also, but the change was striking.Obviously some would disagree with my view and prefer this system compared to the Crescendo room as taste can vary significantly among listeners.At the end of the day it comes down to what moves you and gets you involved with the music.

I hope that Mcondon will be able to audition his list of speakers,there`s no substitute for hearing something yourself.
Regards,
spiritofmusic
828 posts
 
Another vote for Zu Definitions 4. A really warm, dynamic sound. The warmth is not a euphonic colouration, but a function of their, IMHO unmatched, "tone density". Not short on transparency. A really holistic sound with detail never at the expense of coldness.
seadogs1
104 posts
 
What no Magico S1 or Vivid B1 on the list??? They may be worth a listen.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
G917, what were the other 2 speakers on your list?

Crescendo was not on my list but with all the positive comments and TAS review, I'm trying to find a pair to demo in the MA area.
g917
5 posts
 
Knghifi,

You will excuse me when I say that I am reluctant to list the speakers that I did not purchase. Unlike some here who are happy to promote what they are selling and happy to bash what they are not, my intention is not to publically say one speaker is better than another given how we all hear things differently, have different requirements based on the types of music we listen too, and have different room acoustical challenges, equipment, WAF, etc....

Concerning the audition of Crescendos, I think there are two dealers in MA, and perhaps you might want to call Robert directly and he may be better able to direct you or have a customer in state that would agree to an audition. Of course, if you want to come over and listen to my system you would be most welcome,,,,, we are but 2,400 miles apart.....
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