Speakers for Michi X3?

In full disclosure, I am an authorized dealer for T+A, but I would encourage you to look into the T+A Talis S 300. They fall right into your budget and fit your parameters sonically, but perhaps in an unconventional way. They are made with aluminum cabinets, which enable T+A to machine them into the perfect shape around their drivers’ needs. This results in a widely open and transparent sound mixed with a decent amount of warmth. Think the Borresen/Raidho signature, but warmer and a tad more relaxed. The footprint of the speakers are very small (9x14 maybe). I’ve tried a lot of speakers, but for the price point these really wow me.

There is a great review on The Absolute Sound here.

People will often say “T+A makes speakers?” What’s funny is speakers is how they got into business over 40 years ago, and they’ve been making them ever since. 

Other speaker brands I respect that I am not a dealer for but may have an option to consider: Verity Audio, Legacy Audio, Vivid. 

I have not auditioned enough floorstanders yet, but if I had your budget I would consider the following I have listened and impressed enough:

Yamaha NS5000

AudioVector R3 Arrete

Triangle Magellan Cello

Cabasse Baltic (with Santorin 30)

VividAudio Kaya 25

Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX.  60 day free trial, free shipping.

@auroravengeance Great suggestions on the Audiovector and Kaya 25. I heard Audiovector at AXPONA thus year and was impressed as well. 

I heard the Rotel Mitchi on Wednesday of this week with some new B&W floor standers. There was some very slight fatigue happening with me, but I attributed that to the room which was at a dealer and had glass on one side.

I wanted to hear the Mitchi gear sound since I was considering the mono blocks for another speaker. KEF Blade2) I decided not to go with the Mitchi, but the Mitchi seems like a good sounding unit. It was whisper quiet on the tweeter.

I also have a 12x11x9 room for my office (not for the Blades). I was down at the dealer area because I was delivering my Thiel CS3.7 floor standers to a new owner. I had the Thiel speaker in this room for close to 2 years. It sounded good but the speaker was restricted in really breathing. This week, I put my KEF LS50 + KEF KC62 sub in there and it is so much better. It does not seem constricted in this space and fills the room perfectly.

My second favorite speaker is the Yamaha NS5000 that was mentioned previously. in this thread After my experience with the Thiel in this small room I would never put a speaker the size of the NS5000 in this room (a shame). When I demoed the NS5000 it was also in a bad room (the worst ever) and I had tons of fatigue, but I tried some near field listening and could tell the speaker was great.

I am wondering what a top end bookshelf would sound like in place of my LS50.

- Audio Vector R1 (never heard it)

- Yamaha NS3000 (not available in the USA but in Canada)

- TAD ME1 (I loved it but it might be too powerful for the room with my sub)

- I am not considering the KEF Ref 1 META (I am buying Blades 2 for another room).

- KEF Kaya 45 could work in your space depending on the construction of your room walls. I have demoed the KEF Kaya 90.

The Magico A1 maybe another one to consider. I demoed the A3,but liked the Kaya 90 and Yamaha NS5000 more.

Wavetouch V2 speakers? They are well below your range. The room in below live recording is 13.5’ x 20’ x 8’. Smaller rooms need quieter speakers and V2 speaker is very quiet. V2 is also ready for larger rooms for the future. 350w/4 X3 is no problem with V2.

Original music downloaded

Downloaded above ytube video and playing. Setting must 1080p.

Alex/Wavetouch

op

the michi x3 will drive most anything... so the real question is what speakers will work well in that small, almost square room of yours ... and has a sound you will like...

i think your notion of sonus fabers would be great, also smaller harbeths, spendor classics - i think you would be wise to stick with standmounts + sub(s)... will help manage potential midbass bloat due to the room confines that most floorstanders may introduce

i am guessing you are finding those kef r3’s are kinda tizzy...?

I heard the amp and I would look at Sonus Faber Olympica Nova III or V's 

I think you would really like the monitor audio platinum 200 or 300 ll.

@wisemenofgotham ,

If you like the sound of your R 3’s, why not check out the Reference series? The Reference 1’s and your subwoofer should make you smile!

Another thought, would be to move up the AQ line and check out the Rocket 88 speaker cables. They’re what I’ve been using for about 9 months now.

All the best.

JD

@wisemenofgotham

this thread may help you (if you haven't seen it already), many suggestions may have relevance for your search

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/speakers-known-for-great-midrange

Used rockport Atria ii would be worth an audition. Good luck!

Thank you for all of the suggestions.  I will be adding the Audioquest Robin Hood Zero speaker wires soon in preparation for my next speaker purchase.