All about the bass


I am new to the world of high end audio and I am looking to buy a new set of speakers. I am really interested in great bass (tight, powerful and fast). I listen mainly to electronic and classical music.

My budget is up to $5K and my room is small/medium size. Any good recommendations? Should I split the money between a set of speakers and a subwoofer or go all out on speakers ? I am wary of the possible speaker/subwoofer interactions...

Thanks a lot!

P.S. Any good power amp recommendations around the $3k range welcome too...
128x128lilu
If you go with Audio Physics, be sure to demo them in your environment. I have seen many threads about how they need special placement to get the soundstage right. You should read the many threads on this site.
Revels are not mentioned much anymore but if you can give them a listen. I heard the F32 (I believe that was the model - sorry, don't remember what they were powered by) in a system and was very impressed with the tight, clean bass produced. Don't remember the room having tons of treatments either. Overall just outstanding speakers. They should be well within your budget with enough $ left for some good, clean power also.
Scorpios will be harder to correctly place and quite hard to drive at higher SPL's without a fair bit of IMD distortion - probably a fairly narrow sweetspot too.

7 drivers and four crossovers in one speaker is an impressive amount of hardware but quantity is not everything expecially if drivers overalap and interfere with eachother and most of your amplifier power is lost as heat in the crossovers.

John Atkinson review of measurements is worth reading.

I would suggest you put the Scorpios to the bottom of your list behind the Focals, Montanas and ATC's, unless you simply adore the cool look of them!
Vandersteen Quatro will leave a smile on your face for years......the bass is amazing!