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Thinking of upgrading speakers, any suggestions?

What I look for is tonal accuracy, open and clear midrange and dynamics, as I feel these are the most important parameters that can give you impression of live sound, in other words a reproduced sound of live unamplified instrument is as real as possible, in all harmonic richness.
You know, kind of thing you hear from a nearby bar while walking down the street, you do not have to walk in to know there is a live band inside playing with no help of electronics.
Presently I own PMC IB2, and I am wondering if there is anything better in a range of up to 10K used / 15K new, if I can take it up a notch?
So far I have not heard anything better that impressed me to the point where I would be willing to make a purchase.
A few examples of sound I do not like at all, what comes out of any Sonus Faber (too dark and dull), any planar/static speakers (no dynamics), and any B&W (that midrange is giving me headaches, not to mention the rest), so anything that sounds like these is not my thing (and to make it clear, I do not want to get into pissing contest about speakers, I am merely expressing my preferences, so no hard feelings please from those that own speakers I mentioned as not likable).
What came close to but overall not better than what I have now is Avalon (up to and including ISIS), lacked a bit of dynamic freedom.
This is all obviously based on my limited exposure to the sound of speakers mentioned, but they simply failed to capture my attention, did not have that ultimate “live” factor.
Has anyone heard IB2s along with something else that may represent clear performance improvement?
sashav
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shadorne
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What I look for is tonal accuracy, open and clear midrange and dynamics, as I feel these are the most important parameters that can give you impression of live sound, in other words a reproduced sound of live unamplified instrument is as real as possible, in all harmonic richness.

Given your described tastes, I can only suggest a bigger PMC or ATC - the midrange on the ATC 100's uses ATC's much bigger dome midrange drive motor (PMC mid dome is similar to the smaller ATC 50 in drive motor size, PMC like Proac used ATC drivers in the past).

The ATC 100's might be too forward for your taste and the bass might be too lean and punchy compared to the PMC TL design but you should at least audition them. ATC's also run class A to 2/3 power with three separate amplifiers (one for each driver - true active speakers) unlike the PMC IB2 Active which has a modified 4B-ST single channel amp on each speaker (great amp though - I also own one of these). Anyway the ATC may give you the extra edge you are looking for....however, quite frankly why bother - the current speaker you have is already EXCELLENT! (If you go ATC then definitely go active. With PMC it is not as important)
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shadorne
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Oh one thing - if you want that "live factor" then you can pretty much forget everything in dynamic speakers except ATC, PMC and Genelecs. Forget about panels too.

One good option which also might work for you would be large horns - Meyers, Westlakes, Tannoys, Klipsch....etc.

Basically ATC, Quested (uses ATC's midrange) and Genelecs have been replacing studio main monitors since the late 70's. Previously all studio main monitors were horns, as nothing else could emulate live music at realistic levels/dynamics. Most studios still use horns for mains.
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shadorne
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Here is a link to an interview with Roger Quested

Sting is a customer of Roger's and so are several other famous musicians and studios. If you read the article you get the impression that he was so frustrated with speaker technology of the 70's that Roger was basically forced to design a new speaker.

Quested might also give you that extra edge.
jallen
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I am not sure where the idea that maggies and dynamics are not compatable. I recommend you try Maggie 3.6's and you will be surprised by the dynamics if they are coupled with the right amp....Jeff
blindjim
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Sashav
"You know, kind of thing you hear from a nearby bar while walking down the street, you do not have to walk in to know there is a live band inside playing with no help of electronics."

Sam Ash. lol

...or horns.

Do be mindful that speakers set up at a dealership, might not be, and usually aren't, as good as you'll get in your home... and they weren't run by your electronics.

I've never auditioned speakers at a dealership, regardless the setup, that was synonymous with 'live' music... save for some acoustic performances.

Either the SPL was insufficient, or the harmonic fullness were lacking. if the rig made great SPL it wasn't something I could handle for long.

I'd start thinking in terms of compromise... somewhere, to some extent... saving my ears and sanity.
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