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Still looking for speakers in the 10-20,000 range

I’ve heard Proacs, Personas 3 and 5, Ryans, Wilsons, Wilson Benesch, Monitor Audios, B and Ws and several others in the 10-$20,000 range.  My favorite so far is the KEF Reference 3.  I would consider the Reference 5 but, as I’ve posted before, there is no place to hear them within 400 miles. Still plan to hear the Focal 2 and 3. Unless I love the Focals, I'm inclined to either go with the KEF Reference 3 or wait a couple of months (or more) to check out the new Magico A3.  My room is 24x18.  I have Audio Research electronics and 20 plus year old Proac Response 3.5 speakers.  It’s been a long process and I’m not sure if I’ll be relieved or disappointed when it ends.  Hard to decide if the Magico’s are worth waiting for.  Thoughts?
fast
mmeysarosh
126 posts
 
The Kef Ref 3 is one of the more balanced and neutral speakers in your audition and provides that soundstage performance over a nice wide seated spot with well drawn out performances. It's been something a standout for Kef over the past couple of generations. Certainly go and listen to the Sopra, but its a different kind of speaker and you'll have to judge for yourself on what works for you. They aren't exactly neutral, but neither are they something to ignore. I feel they may sound larger, but won't have quite the same soundstage, in particular of the front to back depth and layering.

I like Revel, but the Salon2 isn't a very kind speaker for some amplifiers. Soundstage is exceedingly wide and deep, but just shy of being as finely drawn out on the stage. It has stood up amazingly well over the test of time, but well set up you would likely enjoy the sound.

Very little is known about the Magico A3, but from what has been said thus far, it seems that certain updates might make it a bit more forgiving over previous Magico designs. It also has a fairly small footprint and is a sealed design that seems to be able to reach fairly low in bass response. I'm sure some concessions will surface, but no one truly knows for now. One thing for sure, it won't win any beauty contests.
markalarsen's avatar
markalarsen
639 posts
 
+1 on the Joseph Audio Pearl 3. 
jb0194
476 posts
 
To pbnaudio:

Nice loudspeakers!
bondmanp
1,804 posts
 

Not sure what fast's priorities are with a speaker, but the Vandersteens are an excellent suggestion.  In your price range, I would also look into a pair of German Physiks (the entry level floorstander is ~$16-18K).  Personally, of all the speakers I have heard (many, but certainly not all) in this price range, those are what I would buy.  They have everything that I seek:  A huge 3-D soundstage, smooth yet detailed treble, wonderful tangiability and timbre, finely gradiated dynamics, an "in the room with you" presentation, good bass (but I would add subs), and they completely dissappear into the soundstage.


If you are serious about the KEFs, I recommend two things:  First make sure you like the tweeter's presentation.  Some people, lilke me, find the KEF treble a bit too "in your face".  Second, push the dealer for a professional setup.  IME, KEFs really need good setup to realize their full potential, moreso than many other brands.

fast OP
92 posts
 
Thanks everyone.  Like many of you, I have to consider the WAF. That’s a problem with the German Physiks.  The only Vandersteen dealer within several hundred miles only stocks the Treo CT and below-the speakers which don’t have a powered subwoofer (thid would be an issue anyway because we have no power source near the speaker location). Would the Treo CT compete with the KEF Reference 3 and the other speakers I’m considering?   Still would love to hear the KEF Reference 5 but, as I’ve said before, those also aren’t available for audition within several hundred miles.  I’m tempted to pull the trigger on the KEF Reference 3 since they have become the standard I compare everything else to-and so far have come out on top for me. 
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