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What are the best loudspeakers under $4000 to re-create lifelike piano

Over the past 4 months I've spent time with five loudspeakers.  On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate them as follows in their ability (with my equipment in my room) to recreate a lifelike piano.  Tekton Lore - 6.5 (great scale but tonal accuracy and clarity somewhat lacking),    Kef LS50 - 7.0 (moderate scale but slightly better clarity and tonal accuracy)  Kef R500 - 8.0  (great scale and very good clarity and tonal accuracy), Spatial Audio M3TurboS -8.1 (great scale and very good clarity and tonal accuracy and very smooth)  Magnepan 1.7i - 9.0 (very good scale with excellent clarity and tonal accuracy - very lifelike).

In your room with your equipment, what loudspeakers are you listening too and how would you rate them for their ability to recreate a lifelife piano and if possible a few comments as to why?
snapsc
snapsc OP
674 posts
 
sounds like a strong endorsement for the Walsh driver capability....any idea, what are the actual Walsh driver cones made from?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,115 posts
 
I think it varies from revision to revision. Best to send that question to John Strohbeen at OHM for the best answer. Mine are one revision before the current, acquired about 10 years ago now.

They are very transparent and sound quality will vary widely. Totally dependent on how well you feed them. Most every change I make in my system changes the sound. The Chord Mojo DAC is most recent addition and it is a superb sounding device in every way. The basic characteristics of the sound the Chord makes with my headphones carries over exactly to my audio system. Everything is more dynamic, clearer and easier to identify in the mix.
aberyclark
1,355 posts
 
I would like to add one thing. My Zu Omen Defs sound wonderful with well recorded pianos. However, the Zu's will make poorly recorded material more apparent as well. 
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wolf_garcia
6,691 posts
 
I also like Bill Evans, and if you listen to his vinyl through the Heresy III speakers with a tube amp it allows for an essential Beatnik experience. I put on my black turtle neck, drink a martini (dirty…did they have those in the 50s?), smoke (now legal here) pot, and hope a nuclear war is averted. I like the live Evans stuff with the clinking glasses and crowd noises….a fave.
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