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Speakers in the 5-6K$ region & their components

Hi all,

This is my 1st post here.
I'm a long time audio enthusiast and even worked in high-end audio sales for a few years a while back, but I've been out of the loop for a few years now. I'm looking now for a new pair of speakers in the 5-6K$ range to replace my current Merlin TSM. The type I'm looking for is a 2 way 6-6.5'' speaker, preferably a floorstander. I know many brands and models and went through a lot of speakers in the past, so my question is a technical one:

I'm looking only for speakers in this range which use high end componenets. which ones are there?

I've already done some research, so here are a few examples of what I mean:

Proac in its response range is using Scanspeak D2604 tweeter (48$/unit).
PMC in its "i" series - Seas 27TFFC (45$/unit).
Spendor, "A" series - Seas 29TFF/W (52$/unit).

I can go on and also bring examples of the woofers used and more speaker brands, but I think the picture is clear. These are all quality units of well acclaimed manufacturers, but are by no means high-end units. Which are?
My research brought me this far to the following (All in my price range):

Kudos audio Super 10/Super20: Seas T29CF-002 tweeter (330$/unit) + a version of Seas W18NX (196$/unit)

Marten Form Floor: Accuton C173-6-095 woofer (over 300$/unit) + a ribbon tweeter I was unable to recognize (anyone?)

Merlin VSM (as second hand only): Dynaudio D330/A tweeter (over 400$ per unit) + Scanspeak 18W/8545-01 (173$/unit).

BTW, my current Merlin TSM is using Morel MDT30 tweeter (80$/unit) + Morel MW166 woofer (124$/unit) and sounds wonderful to my taste, despite a considerable lack of bass (being a sealed- box design). 

So, given all that, does anyone have any more ideas for speakers I should consider?
roylindenfeld
inna
7,779 posts
 
You know, self-sufficiency can be great, but let the professional designers build speakers and other stuff. I can sometimes argue with Atmasphere here about certain points but I will not argue about how to make a great amp, or any amp for that matter.
I don't like so-so quality parts though, but nor would I want or be able to to pay $6k for one driver. But $20, $30 doesn't sound right to me when it comes to expensive and presumably high-end speakers. If they would have to charge $6k instead of $5k while putting better drivers in there, that would be fine with me. Another reason to have fewer but higher quality drivers. And please no 50 cents capacitors and $1 per ten miles wires.
erik_squires
16,512 posts
 
So, if you were looking for a $1,500 speaker, my kit, the LM-1, would fit the bill. It will cost between $350 and $500 to build depending on crossover parts or if you build the cabinet yourself. ;)

Sounds fantastic, and a great crossover designed by a true gentleman and scholar. << cough cough >>

Ok, some of that was a lie, but it's free, and incredibly well measured and documented.

Best,


Erik
bassdude
502 posts
 
Well... yes... you can approximate the stellar sound of the WaveTouch Audio Grand Tetons with the GamuT Reference Series, or Nola’s, or PureAudio Project OB’s, or the top of the line Legacy’s, or certainly the Linkwitz Orion’s / LS521’s.

But, nothing else comes close for less than 5-10+x the cost of the Grand Tetons.

The Grand Teton’s are an assemblge of relatively inexpensive parts that produce sound to rival the best speakers of any type available.

And... the facinating thing is the Grand Teton’s present the marvelous sound of open baffle / dipole speakers (which most of these are)... yet... are ported cabinets.

Again... it’s the total design that makes the difference... and... of course a designer who is a gifted "artist" and not a scientist or engineer.  It is truly an "art" and not a "science."



dgarretson
2,608 posts
 

As one who endeavors to sell capacitors to perhaps the forty or so principal speaker manufacturers in N. America, I've reached the conclusion that the majority of designers focus on drivers, cabinets, and crossover design, with the quality of crossover piece parts a distant fourth in priority.  Most OEMs source crossover piece parts out of habit or marginal cost considerations parsed down to a few dollars if not pennies. The more complex the crossover, the sharper the pencil.  Moreover, the task of undertaking systematic comparisons between crossover piece parts is daunting and rarely undertaken.

But any hobbyist who has made such substitutions understands the gains in this area that reveal the potential of a first rate driver.  Personally I wouldn't purchase a speaker from any manufacture who can't articulate the rationale of his choices of these piece parts.

ClarityCap OEM Sales         

timlub
2,042 posts
 
Relatively inexpensive parts does not mean poorly designed. The likes of the SB Acoustics woofer in the GT is not known as the most top tiered builder,  but I have found their quality consistent and very good indeed. 
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