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Speakers in the 5-6K$ region & their components

Hi all,

This is my 1st post here.
I'm a long time audio enthusiast and even worked in high-end audio sales for a few years a while back, but I've been out of the loop for a few years now. I'm looking now for a new pair of speakers in the 5-6K$ range to replace my current Merlin TSM. The type I'm looking for is a 2 way 6-6.5'' speaker, preferably a floorstander. I know many brands and models and went through a lot of speakers in the past, so my question is a technical one:

I'm looking only for speakers in this range which use high end componenets. which ones are there?

I've already done some research, so here are a few examples of what I mean:

Proac in its response range is using Scanspeak D2604 tweeter (48$/unit).
PMC in its "i" series - Seas 27TFFC (45$/unit).
Spendor, "A" series - Seas 29TFF/W (52$/unit).

I can go on and also bring examples of the woofers used and more speaker brands, but I think the picture is clear. These are all quality units of well acclaimed manufacturers, but are by no means high-end units. Which are?
My research brought me this far to the following (All in my price range):

Kudos audio Super 10/Super20: Seas T29CF-002 tweeter (330$/unit) + a version of Seas W18NX (196$/unit)

Marten Form Floor: Accuton C173-6-095 woofer (over 300$/unit) + a ribbon tweeter I was unable to recognize (anyone?)

Merlin VSM (as second hand only): Dynaudio D330/A tweeter (over 400$ per unit) + Scanspeak 18W/8545-01 (173$/unit).

BTW, my current Merlin TSM is using Morel MDT30 tweeter (80$/unit) + Morel MW166 woofer (124$/unit) and sounds wonderful to my taste, despite a considerable lack of bass (being a sealed- box design). 

So, given all that, does anyone have any more ideas for speakers I should consider?
roylindenfeld
erik_squires
16,134 posts
 
The PBN is a very good deal. If you are looking to spend a little less, the Klang Tong Nada would be around $3K, with ScanSpeak Be and 6.5" woofer.

You can have it built as a floor stander by TaylorSpeakers.com or as a stand mount.

Commercially, based on parts quality, this is a $20K speaker system if it had basic parts. With the upgraded Mundorf caps it would be higher.

Comparing the PBN and Klang Tong kits to commercial speakers, Gryphon uses the same line of woofers, and the current Magico tweeters are built on the same tweeter motor.

The impedance of the KT is easier to drive. Without hearing it in the room it’s hard to tell, but for me the PBN may be a little too flat, especially in the bass, whiel the KT has a bit of a boost I would probably prefer. However, this is not very accurate criticism to make via charts alone.

The 3-way design and dual woofers of the PBN will give you a lot more dynamic range, but the KT will really amaze you all by itself. :) I say this owning similar woofers in my reference system.

Best,


Erik
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Have you considered any  high quality loudspeaker companies that make their own drivers?
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,229 posts
 
At the price level you're considering by necessity there will be compromises.  If we were talking about $50k loudspeakers, then there would be no excuse for anything but premium drivers.  At the $5k level a loudspeaker designer has to juggle the cost of the driver, cabinet, crossover components, wire and hardware such that the end result still performs well despite not having the best components in every area.  Some designers will splurge on drivers and others will spend more in a different area, yet each pathway can yield an excellent, high value loudspeaker.
timlub
2,040 posts
 
Other than the Accuton, I've used every driver mentioned.  In every case, with good crossover work, the finished product would be very good.  I think that your letting the price of a single driver get in the way of the finished product. Peter mentioned one of his kits and it is very good.  Not sure that you'd want to go the DIY way at all,  but considering your comments on a few parts listed, these should fit the bill. These are Morel Parts,  the tweeter is similar to what you listed, except this tweeter offers a bit more detail than the 30. These were designed by Jeff Bagby, a well known and valid speaker designer by any standard.  Basic cabinets are included, but you'll need to do some cabinet work to bring the cabinets to the level of a $5000 retail speaker... the speakers and design itself will hold up sonically at that level.... these are $1000 a pair. 
http://www.parts-express.com/solstice-mltl-reference-tower-speaker-kit--300-708 
This might be way off from where you were going, but I thought I'd throw it in. 
timlub
2,040 posts
 
@roylindenfield 
sorry Roy,  I forgot to mention,  the Ribbon on the Marten speaker, looks to be a Fountek Neo CD3.0
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