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Speaker upgrade help needed: 4500$ used

Like you all I have the upgrade itch and have decided that the speakers are what I want to change out next.

1. My goal is the most holographic soundstage and best imaging I can afford at this price range
2. I have no preference between bookshelf and tower speakers
3. I have no bass requirements as I currently live in an apartment and wouldn't want the bass to annoy the neighbors anyway!
4. Resale value and demand is very important, so rare/old models or companies that come out with new versions/revisions each year are out of the question.
5. My next speaker upgrade probably wont be for 2-5 years
6. Appearence isn't important, although I'd like to keep a reasonable footprint for the speakers
7. This is for a 2 channel only system

My current system:
Tyler Reference Monitors
Plinius 8200 mkII integrated
Muse model 9 Sig version 4 (cdp)
Ridge Street MSE gII interconnect
Harmonic Tech ProAC-11 powercord
Signal Audio biwire shotgun speaker cable

Current room is 14x18, but I do consulting work and move every year or two (so not shopping for room specific speakers!)

The cd's I've been playing a lot of lately:
Cyndi Lauper - At Last
Patricia Barber - Cafe Blue
Cowboy Junkies - Trinity Sessions
Paul Simon - Graceland
Peter, Paul & Mary - 1st LP
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Steely Dan - 2 Against Nature
Laureena McKennit - The Visit
Fleetwood Mac - Fleetwood Mac and Rumors

I have enjoyed the Tylers. They are my first step into home audio unless you count NHT SuperTwos. The Tylers were an ENORMOUS step-up from them in terms of clarity, seperation, imaging and soundstage. However, they dont get me to the toe tapping, emersed in the music state that I am looking for eventually.

My ear and audio vocabulary isn't at a point where I could say what I would like to improve upon or what in particular I'm looking for.

Speakers I'm considering:
B&W N 803
SF Electa Amator II
Merlin VSM-M
Aerial 10T
Von Schweikert VR4 JR
Martin Logan Request

any of these stand out above the rest?
any to remove? other recommendations?

Thanks for any help!
Geoff
geoffgarcia
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Look into used Innersound Eros, I like Maggies also, but they sound like a bedsheet is over them compared to the Innersound's
P.S. Innersound's downfall is it is a one person only speaker (very small sweet spot)
hemidakota
20 posts
 
go with infinity! none sound beter. look for irs sigma's they are in your price range.
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,611 posts
 
Infinity Rennaisance 90's. They are beautiful and have all of the attributes you seek.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Our musical tastes are similar and you could pick up a used pair of Merlins and have plenty of $ left with your new budget to put into your new front end. Give bobby at Merlin a call. He will tell you if your electronics (current/proposed) will work well with his speakers. I also liked the Hyperions very much when I heard them in NYC last spring. A larger footprint than the Merlins to be sure, but I thought that their sound was excellent (esp. with the Hyperion tube amps).
hemidakota
20 posts
 
would have to agree with Mitch4t i also own renaissance 90's. they are extremely revealing and sound excellent. i just noticed the sigma's in the classified's here on agon. good luck with the decision making.
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