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B & W speaker upgrade suggestions

I am currently using B&W CM4 speakers for my front speakers, and a B&W CMC center speaker. I use them bi-wired with a Rotel 1055 receiver, Rotel RMB 1075 power amp, a Rotel 1072 CD-player and my beloved Teres 160 turntable. My rear speakers are Infinity Alpha 20s. My sub-woofer is an Onix Rocket. My system, due to space constraints is used for pseudo home theatre (I don't have a dedicated room) and music, with the emphasis on musicality.

My musical preferences are somewhat varied, but tend to be mostly in the jazz, classical, classic rock, world music, and blues genres.

At some point in the future (probably far future!) I would like to upgrade my main speakers. My fantasy budget is $5000. I know this amount is somewhat limiting, but I doubt that I will be able to afford more. Besides which, my sources (other than the Teres turntable, IMO) are no doubt considered mid-fi here on Audiogon, so stellar speakers would just point out their short comings. I also have a preference for maple/birds-eye maple finishes, just because I like the look of the wood, but finish is secondary to sound.

Anyway, any suggestions as to what speakers I should consider?

Holly
oakiris
oakiris OP
206 posts
 
Fair enough, Jkalman! I will be going to listen to some Cain & Cain speakers today. If I decide to try out the Onix Reference 3 speakers, they have a 30 day trial period. I can set them up in my house and hear how they sound with my equipment in my room, etc.. If I don't like them, I can take them back for a full refund.

I still intend to listen to some B&Ws at a local dealer, too. My mind is by no means made up - besides, I have plenty of time to continue researching and auditioning since it will take a while to save up the $$!

Holly
oakiris OP
206 posts
 
I went to Golden today to hear the Cain & Cain speakers. I was absolutely stunned by the sound and appearance of the Abby's, though I originally went there to audition the IM Ben model. I loved the transparency and accuracy of the Abby speakers; voices and instruments sounded absolutely natural. I have made a commitment to buy these speakers and can't wait to have them in my home!

Thanks to you all for your advice and opinions.

Holly
jkalman
298 posts
 
Cool looking speakers (just looked at their site). My wife might actually go for those in an area of the house that I don't control, like the bedroom. She just agreed, by not saying "no", that I could put some floorstanders in the bedroom in a year or two with an amplifier and my Wadia 302 as a preamp (when I upgrade from my Wadia 302 to something else - like a high-end separate transport and DAC). We need good stereo music in there... and Niles Gloria system in-ceiling/in-wall speakers just don't cut it for anything but busy party music listening.
oakiris OP
206 posts
 
The Cain & Cain Abbys look splendid in person! I am getting the natural finish ones. These speakers are made out of real wood, not veneer and plywood. They sound incredible, IMHO, and at an amazingly low price.

I was planning to spend $5000 on my speaker upgrade, I am now going to spend less than $2000 on the main fronts. (This includes some new speaker cables - the ones I have now are bi-wires with banana connectors; the Abbys, have only one driver, so only have two binding posts and you need bare wire or spades....) Thus I will have plenty left over for a new center, if I decide to go that route. Or maybe for some new vinyl, or.... :-D

Holly
jkalman
298 posts
 
During this time I was trying to decide between upgrading my fronts to B&W 802Ds or 803Ds. I finally decided to go all out for my room size and save up for the 802Ds with a Bryston 14B SST for the extra 2 channel amp to bring my system up to full 7.1 surround. It'll take 6-8 months to save up for it. :(
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