Best Speakers to Audition in the $5-10k range?

Hello Wellfed,

For quite some time now I've wanted to add a high output, high efficiency speaker to my little line-up. I've heard most of the big names out there, and some of them are very good indeed. The GedLees outperform other high-efficiency systems I'm familiar with (up to about fifteen or twenty grand) in freedom from coloration, transparency (disappearing as the sound source), coherence, and width of soundstage. Their imaging is better than I've heard in a multiway high efficiency system, but I have heard single-driver high efficiency systems that image better (unfortunately single-driver systems can't handle complex passages with the ease that a good multi-way can). Tonal balance and timbre are excellent, and you can hear very very deep into the recording. The Summas excel on human voice, and are non-fatiguing to listen to for hours on end.

The GedLees have limitations in two areas: First, they are minus 6 dB at about 35 Hz, so they really don't do the very bottom octave - you'd need a sub for some applications. Second, many people don't like their appearance. The materials and design are all chosen for acoustic reasons, not aesthetic ones, and unfortunately for us it seems that aesthetics plays a fairly significant role for many people. Of course there are those looking for maximum sonic bang-for-the-buck and/or who like the form-follows-function lines of the GedLee, or who will hide the speakers behind a screen or by turning out the lights (as in a dedicated home theater room).

Efficiency is about 95-96 dB/1 watt ballpark, and nominal impedance is about 8 ohms (minimum 6.5 ohms as I recall). The drivers are high quality prosound drivers from B&C of Italy that would never be pushed anywhere near the limits of their linear range in a home application.

Earl may well offer the speaker with the crossover optimized for either a high damping factor or low damping factor amplification.

Hope this helps - feel free to call me if you'd like to shoot the breeze sometime.

Duke
(504) 866-1730

Thanks Duke, I'll be in touch.

I sold my Paradigm Signature S-8 speakers because, in my room, I could not live with the harshness. The replacements, Vandersteen 3a Signatures have all the detail (and more)of the S-8, but without the harshness. Since I listen for the music, a fancy cabinet may look cool, but I'd rather get the bang for the buck sound improvement.

(associated compoments: McIntosh C22, MC275, MR71, Rega Planet 2K, Music Hall MMF-7)

Bottom line: NEVER go by what reviewers say, but your own ears!! Like finger prints, no 2 pairs of ears have the exact same "response".

One last thing: Phase and time alignment are very important speaker design parameters and should not be overlooked.

As far as Di-poles being bad as was mentioned above, thats a load of BS, it is all up to your taste, I have Innersounds Eros up front and BW di-poles for middle in di-pole and a pair in mono-pole in back, di-poles are awesome for the long side wall! Also as they run out of phase in nature they are easy to foget where they are and thats very important for HT

Kmiller5, IMHO if you're using your speaker for 90% home theater, most planar speakers may not be the best choice. I used to own many highend planar speakers (Maggies, Apogees, and stats). The problem with most planars are limitd dispersion, lack of macrodynamics, and difficulty in room placement because they need ample room from the walls to sound right. If you're planning to use a subwoofer, then you'll run into problems with integration.

I would recommend dynamic speakers with very good dispersion with relatively small foot print, and perhaps Martin Logan system. For HT application, you need 5 speakers with a sub. So I'm assuming, your range includes all 6. You want airy speakers, I would consider Thiel (3.6 used as front L and R channel, very detailed but it may be a little more experimeting to get the airiness you seek), Definitive Technology (under $5K, very airy but not the most detailed and slightly veiled), Martin Logan system (very airy and detailed but will require more room, smaller sweet spot, and some lack of integration between the ultrafast electrostat panel and woofer). I would also consider Von Schweikert system (VR4jrs as front L/R channels, very dynamic and airy with the right amplification - DK design group amplification comes to mind). I recommend these systems because the above manufacturers have consciously produced an integrate HT lineup, so the speakers will integrate well.

There are better sounding speakers in your price range for a 2 channel only setup, but getting proper integration may be a problem and will require much more work on your part. Hope this helps.

Dracule