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Speaker Suggestions for Next Move

I'm considering moving on from my Klipsch Cornwall IVs.  I'm looking for suggestions on new loudspeakers in the $8-$15k range. Used is fine too.

Here's what you need to know (or what I think you should know):

  • Modifications:  I upgraded the crossovers and binding posts similar to the modifications made by Don Sachs (VCap ODAMs, Rike resistors, better wire/posts, and some internal damping).  I have them sitting on acoustically near inert 1.5" studio subwoofer platforms.  I feel I've juiced just about all I can out of them. 
  • Reasons for Changing.  They do not sound harsh or bright. I'm not thinking of moving on because of that. I'd like to get a bit more depth to the soundstage and more finesse in the overall presentation. 
  • Things I Have to Keep. 
  1. I need to have sizable scale in the presentation.  I have a good group of audiophile buddies and a friend who is a dealer.  I've heard so many high end offerings that don't really scale that well to me. I really like how you feel like you listened to live music or a studio--not a laboratory.  Sound doesn't shoot at you with laser focus, but rather it blooms, bathes and surrounds you. 
  2. Amp Friendly.  I have found the CWIVs to be very friendly with both SS and tube topologies.  Surprisingly, they can sound amazing with great quality SS. I have both types of pre/power amps to service speakers, but I'm not looking for speakers in this price range that need gobs and gobs of wattage.  I'd be happy to commit more so to SS if needed, but I'd like to stay way from very difficult loads.
  3. Placement.  I have a dedicated space and have leeway on placement. That said, I don't want to wrestle with a fickle speaker either. 

Side Note/Stuff I Don't Really Want to Discuss Here.  You can note this stuff all you want and chat with others about it in the thread (won't bother me at all), but I'm not going to engage on (a) Klipsch Heritage is garbage and awful sounding; Trust me though, I do see how Klipsch builds to a pricepoint and could easily better its offerings with better parts, bracing/dampening, etc.;  (b) modifications are dumb, wasteful, hurt resale, etc. I could care less about any of that. I'd prefer not to modify stuff--fyi;  (c) detailed discussions about amplification and sources. I have and have access to various topologies, manufacturers/brands, etc.  

Room:  A bit large for me, historically.  15.5' wide, 23' long, with 10' ceiling. Speakers will be placed along the short wall. 

Music Format:  Vinyl 50%, Digital 40%, CD 10%.

Genres: Pretty much you name it.  Jazz ~30%, Rock/Pop ~30%, Blues/Folk 30%; Classical ~10%. 

I'm curious to trying Fyne, Spatial Audio, Spendor (classic line in particular), Tannoy, Volti, Harbeth, PSB's flagship, Wharfedale's flagship, ATC, Vandersteen, Devore. Open to others. 

Thank you in advance!

128x128jbhiller
zuesman
84 posts
 

jbhiller,

The monitor audio platinums are on a whole different level, they're one of the very few speakers that can throw a huge three-dimensional sound stage that envelopes the whole room and makes you feel like you're right in the middle of the performance there's not too many speakers that can do that, not Magico not Rockport, not Wilson and many other very expensive speakers, the platinums will best speakers costing two to three times as much.Their driver technology is way ahead of a lot of other high-end companies.

vthokie83
804 posts
 

++++++++1 for Volti speakers. I have a friend that is a long time Klipsch guy, and in fact spent thousands and thousands of dollars modifying his speakers to the point where they sounded really good.

He now owns Volti Razz speakers in his second system, and Volti Luceras in his main system. Better than any Klipsch stock or modified I have ever heard (and it is not even close), and the Luceras are magic. I will add another pair of speakers in 2025 or 2026, and the Luceras will be in the final list. I have never heard the Volti Rivals, but I suspect they will be out of my price range anyway

The Fyne speakers can be really really good, but the models I would like (Vintage 10 or Vintage 15) are out of my price range.....but I prefer them to new Tannoy models.

danager's avatar
danager
931 posts
 

Have you considered corner horns?  Volti has a Khorn upgrade kit that added to a used pair of khorns will be in budget and compete with the best.  That was my plan but my corner horns sounded so good that I focused on all the electronics instead and am saving the upgrade till last.  Mine are about 18 feet apart and fill the whole space like no other speaker I've heard

livinon2wheels
35 posts
 

If you already have heavily modded Khorns and still want more, I'm going to jump on the "work on the listening room" bandwagon or the electronic equivalent by measuring room response and figuring out how best to improve it with PEQ. In the 'buy another pair of speaker' camp I will go on record saying Khorns are among the best sounding speakers I have ever heard in stock form Circa 1980. I put in the same category Ohm As. The current model Ohm F5 is a worthy contender according Evan at Ohm loudspeakers, he says the F5 is even better than the Ohm A that preceded it. I cannot vouch for the F5 but the Ohm A sounded better to me than the Khorns with the kind of soundstage that you want. You may not know how much you want it, but trust me You want what Ohm offers. Before making that kind of investment, I suggest you find someone within reasonable distance to audition a pair of Ohms of any size or age so you can experience the soundstage. I very much like my Ohm 2000s especially because of the soundstage. I think you will too. Give Evan a call, his number is listed on their website.

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